At the first glance, as a simple lay person’s context, I can say that priest lives in abundance, in somehow spendthrift way of life. As he speaks and delivers his homily, full of wisdom and experience are being manifested. I can sense the aura of a persona belong to an elite class of our society. The way he talks and relates with the parishioners, charisma and convincing spirit are qualities I might perceive. Thumbs up! He is also a friend and seems to be part of the family among high class society wherein in almost all family gatherings; he is the number one special guest to be invited. In the party, he is the center of attention and the best menu will proffer for him to taste first. Somehow, he has the car as means of transportation. He lives in an air-conditioned room in the convent. He has the cook, the laundry woman, helper, driver and so on. Everything is provided.
What a lifestyle he has! Is this the life of priests? Wow! How fortunate they are! These are the things I observed to the priests assigned in urban places, on how they lived their lives.
Personally, I was enthralled in this kind of predicament they are in. But somehow, to conscientiously think of that lifestyle, it can obliterate my high regard and even my respect to them. This may somehow weaken my vocation and my desire to become one of them. However, if God wills me to become such, I am personally convinced as of the moment to do and live in difference. Live simply for the poor, for the needy and for the rejected. It sounds idealistic but then it is what I learn and what I do believe. Thus, this is what I must do. This is the way I superficially perceive the role of priest and I think other lay people would think it either. I believe that it must properly address so that it may not lead to perilous conclusion and disrespect perception towards them.
Consequently, I am not against of what kind of life they had lived. As one of their vows, simplicity, I found it an irony to what I expected them to be. But I understand what simplicity means. Those comforts that I tend to think of as luxuries may not be as luxuries but rather a necessity, a call of condition where they need to respond accordingly.
These things are scenes that I usually and the many were thinking of. However, permeated with pains, difficulties and challenges doggedly compliment their role as shepherds of the flock.
Behind the scene, how merciful they are, how compassionate and how the Holy Spirit works with them. Their struggles to bring the Good News of salvation and bring the people closer to God boast my admiration on them. They are extraordinary. They are such a hero in the field. In conquering all those vicissitudes in spite of tribulations they encountered, their desires are unstoppable. With those scenes, I realized that it is not that easy to live what the priest ought to live. It is not that easy to become priest – good and holy priest.
Compassion, humility and generosity of heart are perhaps the qualities of the priests that make them good priests. The genuine love they have for the people, self-emptying is manifested as what Jesus Christ taught and did. The love for the Church and sense of zeal for his mission are given greatly weight. Communion in mission is what is lived with these priests that really necessitates in our today’s lived-world.
Somehow, a feeling of elation about this behind the scene story of the church, of the priest brought me to desire more, learn more, strive more and do believe more on my faith as I journey this life towards Him.
With vehement spirit and fervent prayer, hope to see my life founded in simplicity, service and holiness even today until then.
Lo Ivan R. Castillon
August 16, 2011
Philosophy of Religion
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