Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle challenged Christians to choose Christ over worldly values as he preached at the beatification Mass of Blessed Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep, the first beatification ceremony ever held in Vietnam.
More than 70,000 Catholics gathered at Tac Say Church in the Diocese of Can Tho, in southern Vietnam's Mekong Delta, on July 2 for the historic celebration. Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and special envoy of Pope Leo XIV, presided over the Eucharistic celebration.
He described the new blessed as "a blessing to the Church in Vietnam, to the whole Church, and to the entire human family."
Addressing a question many people ask—how someone who suffered persecution and death could be called "blessed"—the cardinal centered his homily on Christ's Beatitudes and invited the faithful to reflect on what it truly means to follow Jesus.
'Who Will We Choose?'
Throughout his homily, Cardinal Tagle repeatedly posed a simple but challenging question: "What will we choose?"
Drawing from the Gospel of Matthew, he said true blessedness is found not in comfort or worldly success but in remaining faithful to Christ, even in times of suffering.
"Those who are persecuted for the sake of justice and for the sake of Jesus are blessed," he said. "Persecution for the sake of Jesus is the key to being blessed."
He explained that only those who truly belong to Christ are able to endure persecution for His name, remaining faithful even when discipleship demands sacrifice.
Using practical examples, Cardinal Tagle invited the congregation to examine the choices they make each day.
"Will we become rich through corruption, or remain poor but honest?" he asked. "Will we accumulate possessions we do not need, or share them with those in need? Will we choose personal safety and convenience, or embrace the sufferings of others?"
"If we choose Jesus," he said, "we are already blessed."
Martyrdom Is Witness
The cardinal said martyrdom should not be understood simply as suffering or death but as a lifelong witness to Christ.
"The word martyria means witnessing to Jesus," he explained. "A martyr proclaims the truth about Jesus through words, deeds, and relationships."
He described martyrs as the Church's greatest missionaries because they make Christ visible through their lives.
Pointing to Blessed Francis Xavier Diep's ministry, Cardinal Tagle said the Vietnamese priest faithfully reflected Christ's love by serving the poor, welcoming people regardless of religion, and remaining with his flock even in danger.
"He showed the fidelity of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who does not leave his flock alone to be devoured by wolves, thieves, and marauders," the cardinal said.
Turning to today's social realities, he urged Christians to become authentic witnesses of the Gospel by rejecting hatred and misinformation.
"Will we spread the truth of Jesus, or spread fake news and divisive teachings?" he asked.
He also encouraged believers to measure success not by popularity or worldly recognition but by fidelity to Christ, reminding them that "today's world needs authentic witnesses."
Hope Beyond Suffering
In the final part of his homily, Cardinal Tagle reflected on Christian hope, saying the courage of martyrs is rooted in the Resurrection.
Recalling the witness of St. Stephen and the Good Thief, he said those who place their hope in Christ know that suffering does not have the final word.
"The world may forget us, but the Risen Lord will remember us forever," he said.
He invited the faithful to place their hope not in wealth, fame, social media popularity, or weapons, but in Christ's eternal kingdom and His gift of peace.
"Will we rely on fame, the number of followers and 'likes' on social media, or on Jesus' promise to be with us forever?" he asked.
Concluding the homily, Cardinal Tagle said Blessed Francis Xavier Trương Bửu Diệp continues to call Christians to choose Jesus each day through lives marked by integrity, courageous witness, and unwavering hope.
"Blessed are the peacemakers," he reminded the congregation, quoting the Beatitudes. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
