MANILA, Philippines – A sculpture of a “homeless Jesus” was unveiled and blessed in front of the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros during Palm Sunday.
The sculpture’s blessing and revelation to the public coincided with the cathedral’s schedule of “Alay Kapwa Sunday” wherein special collections of the Church will be allocated to its charitable programs for the poor.
The bronze metal image, created by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz, features a figure of a Man sleeping on a bench wrapped in a blanket with only His feet showing – with the unmistakable crucifixion wounds on them.
Schmalz said he opted to have the sculpture’s face covered so people can have a free interpretation of how they envision Jesus.
“Oftentimes we see Jesus, more or less, Christ the King, with beautiful robes or a beautiful body”, said the sculptor.
With his depiction of Jesus, Schmalz says it is a “constant reminder that it’s our spiritual duty to help the poor and see God within those poor.”
The artist says the Bible verse Matthew 25:35-36 gave him the inspiration for his work’s concept.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Matthew 25:35-36
Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, who blessed the image at the cathedral’s patio, said: ““The image of the ‘Homeless Jesus’ speaks to us, cries out to us, to hear the voice of Jesus and see him in our brothers and sisters who have no place in our society and no place in our hearts.”
“May this statue not only become a place for visits or pictures, but a space to deepen our prayer, and to convert and change our hearts,” reminded the Manila Cathedral’s Vice Rector Fr. Kali Llamado.