Year of the clergy and religious

AS part of the 9-year plan of preparation of the 5th

centennial of the Christianization of the Philippines in 2021, our

bishops have declared 2018 as Year of the Clergy and Consecrated

Persons.

  

            It’s a good year-long occasion to reflect and deepen our

understanding of the crucial role the clerics and consecrated persons

play in the lives of the people. Let’s hope that at the end of the

year, we could truly say there in a quantum leap in such understanding

and in our love, appreciation and support for the men and women who

dedicate themselves in a special way in the vineyard of the Lord.

  

            In that way, we can say that we are really readying

ourselves for this landmark event in the history of our country that

should fill us with great joy and thanksgiving, and a stronger resolve

to be more generous in our self-giving and fidelity.

  

            At the moment, there is already a lot of talk about

priests and religious to be truly “servant-leaders” who have to

mediate or act as a bridge between God and men. In the Archdiocese of

Cebu, for example, the monthly recollections for priests are themed

after this ideal.

  

            Let’s pray that the whole year will produce real fruits of

sanctity in these men and women, myself included, that go beyond

slogans, euphemisms and play-acting. Let’s pray that these men and

women, myself included, will truly assume the very mind and heart of

Christ, our Redeemer, to such an extent that like Christ they, we,

would be willing also to be crucified.

  

            We should be priests and religious through and through,

from head to toe, from outside to inside, and not just priests and

religious in name only, nor priest-politician, priest-sociologist,

etc. We should only be priests and religious who faithfully and

consistently show Christ to everyone, and who act out what Christ told

his apostles: “He who hears you hears me.” (Lk 10,16)

  

            And so we have to be clear that the only way we, priests,

can truly become “servant-leaders” is when everyone strives to

identify himself more and more with Christ, the priest, the

quintessence of a “servant-leader” who gave his all, including his

life, for the salvation of men.

  

            In this regard, it might be helpful to remember those

famous words of St. John the Baptist that expressed his attitude

toward his vocation. “He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease.”

(Jn 3,30)

  

            It might be good to make a good inventory of the issues

relevant in making priests and religious true “servant-leaders.” The

continuing formation should be beefed up, and greater attention should

be given on how each priest and religious can be attended to

spiritually. Very often they are left on their own, practically like a

sheep in the midst of wolves and many have been eaten up.

  

            We need to look more into how each priest and religious

are living the crucial virtues of piety, poverty, obedience, chastity,

fraternity, etc. These are basic and need to be lived well before we

can be effective and credible in our ministry. These are no joking

matter. These are where the temptations are most insidious and devious

in the lives of priests and religious.

  

            May it be that we, priests and religious, deserve those

words spoken in the Book of Jeremiah: “I will give you shepherds after

my own heart, and they will shepherd you with knowledge and good

sense.” (3,15)

  

            Please pray for us, priests and religious. We need it badly!