CEBU, Philippines - Please pray for us.
This was the call of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who, admitting that they too are weak, said we must pray for priests who also have their own share of failures and shortcomings.
“Even for myself, I know I have a lot to say sorry for,” said Palma, who officiated yesterday’s Chrism Mass and annual renewal of priestly vows attended by around 500 priests and religious at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral.
For one, Palma said, yesterday’s renewal of priestly promises is their way of confessing and accepting their limitations.
“We know that we are weak, fragile human beings,” said Palma, who just turned 62 years old last Monday, in his 17-minute homily.
The prelate, saying that he enjoys traveling, recalled the many times he could not attend important functions that he should have been doing and the time he has to go as dictated by his being God’s apostle.
“Kulang na lang ingnon, torn between two lovers,” the archbishop said in jest, adding, “My point is, I know in many ways I have to say sorry because I couldn’t attend many important functions I should be doing.”
Palma said he also asked apology from God that he initially declined to accept the task of being the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and was later encouraged only through his superiors.
Yesterday’s renewal of priestly vows, Palma said, is a way of accepting that they, too, fail in their task of teaching and preaching God’s words.
“Today, we renew our efforts aron mahimo kaming maayong magtutudlo. We renew our promise to be a good shepherd,” the archbishop said.
“Please pray for us that God’s mercy and love would envelope us so that we may become priests patterned after the heart of Jesus, with only the good of the community in mind and even self-sacrificing for the good of the flock,” the archbishop further said.
On a lighter side, Palma said yesterday’s renewal of priestly vows is first and foremost, their thanksgiving to God for granting them the precious gift of being a priest and for still being one until these days.
“Nagpasalamat kami sa Ginoo that he sustained us with this grace through the years,” Palma said as he thanked the people who are part of their vocation.
Palma stated his wish that priests may be given grace to work “effectively, collaboratively, and efficiently” with the lay faithful in the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod on Oct. 21 and the National Thanksgiving Day Mass on Nov. 30.
“It’s time that us priests know how to work especially with lay people, to count them not as just objects but partners in the evangelization,” he said.
The archbishop then called on his flock, particularly the Cebuanos, to realize how gifted they are for this recent blessing which should be shared by working together for the event. — (FREEMAN)