The priest

Homily from Monte Agudo

Rev. Fr. Rafael Cabarles, OAR

Excerpt of the homily delivered during the 25th Sacerdotal Anniversary 

of Rev. Fr. Jorge Peligro, OAR 

We are gathered in this memorable afternoon for the simple rason that Fr. Jorge is inviting us all to join with him in thanking the Good Lord who called him and sustained him as a Recollect Priest for the last 25 exciting years. He was ordained priest on October 3, 1987.

Why thank the Lord? Not because Fr. Jorge is good, but because God is so good. Not because Fr. Jorge is faithful but because God has faith in him; not because Fr. Jorge is successful but because every time that he falls, God picks him up.

God has no reason at all to answer our prayers simply because of our past service records. Weekdays Preface No. IV of the Mass says: "You have no need of our praise, yet our desire to thank you is itself your gift. Our prayer of thanksgiving adds nothing to your greatness, but makes us grow in your grace."

Fr. Jorge: "Ngaa nagpari ka man? Sayang sa imong pagkagwapo," matud pa sa mga dalaga.

Wala kamo kabalo nga pa-it gali ang pag-pari?

The priests are the most misunderstood people.

Ngaa?

Kay kon magwali ang pari menos sa cinco minutos, masiling ang mga tawo nga wala ka kaandam sang imo sermon. Kag kon magwali ka labaw sa cinco minutos, masiling na man sila nga nangakig ka.

Kon ang pari mangayo sang amot, kwarta na man. Kon indi sya mangayo amot, hambogiro kaayo. Kon may awto, worldly kuno. Kon wala awto, he doesn't go with time.

If he visits his parishioners, he neglects the convent. If he stays in the convent, he neglects his parishioners.

Kon iya kay-ohon ang simbahan, gasto-gasto na naman. Kon indi niya kay-ohon ang simbahan, he is tamaran.

If he is seen with ladies, he is after chicks. If he is not seen with ladies, he is agi o misogynist. Kon ma-late ang tawo sa misa, his watch is advance. Kon ma-una ang tawo sa simbahan, his watch is late.

If he is young, he has no experience. If he is old, he should retire, etc. Pobring alindahaw, wala sing paadtuan.

Yes, Fr. Jorge, congratulations! You survived these last 25 years the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." No regrets. Keep on going. Yes, continue singing your theme some: "I will sing forever of your love, Oh Lord!" (Psalm 89). Yes, continue living with the people and knowing their problems. However, do not solve their problems, live with God and let God solve their problems.

Yes, congratulations for you survived people's criticisms. There are only two kinds of people who are being criticized: a leader and an achiever. If you don't want to be criticized: be nothing, speak nothing, think of nothing, do nothing and nobody will touch you. Success has many fathers, failure is an orphan.

My brothers and sisters so that you will understand and appreciate more our priesthood, I'll quote to you what St. Paul said to the Hebrews: "Every high priest has been taken out of mankind and is appointed to act for men in their relations with God: to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; and so he can sympathize with those who are ignorant or uncertain because he too lives in the limitations of weakness. That is why he has to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. You are a priest forever according to the Order of Melchizedek!" Unquote. You are a priest FOREVER, you are not a priest until further notice.

And Lacordaire said: "Priest is to live in the midst of the world with no desire for its pleasure. To be a member of every family, yet belonging to none. To share all sufferings, to penetrate all secrets. To heal all wounds. To go from men to God and offer him their prayers. To return from God to men to bring pardon, peace and hope. To have a heart of fire for charity and a heart of bronze for chastity. To teach and to instruct, to pardon and to console. To bless and to be blessed forever. My God, what a life. And it is yours, O priest of Jesus Christ."

Another beautiful description of the priest: "His priesthood is from God, his foolishness is from himself. His courage is from Christ accepting the chalice. His cowardice is from the fearing Apostles. The demands on his energies are endless: He must always be available-ready to let life happen to him, ready to become involved in the crossroads of actions and challenges. His rewards are great in the knowledge that he tries to be another Christ. His anguish is greater because he is aware of his own failures in himself and in his relations with others. And his people, the people of God: In their midst, he must be totally theirs. He must love as Christ asked him to love, and yet must hide his human love.”

Editor’s Note: This excerpt of Fr. Cabarles’ homily will be continued on the next edition.