48th Heartbeat

SA MGA UTOD KO NGA PAGA ORDINAHAN

In my column this week, my words are rather short because I just want to have a share in the joys and excitement of my fellow brothers who will be ordained priests on Monday, October 26. I am really looking forward to this day, because it will also be an opportunity for me to renew the promises that I have made before God and before the believing community a year ago, when I too, made a firm decision to consecrate myself to a life of celibacy, obedience, self-denial and humble service. The Archdiocese is indeed blessed to have ten new priests this year: an enduring proof that our abiding prayers, our eager nurturance and selfless support to those who have aspired to follow the call for priesthood really paid off in the end.

“Nagikan sa komunidad, igabalik sa komunidad!” The ordinandi will soon be reporting to their respective parish assignments, with hearts smouldered by the fire of God’s love, as they serve different communities- guiding, assisting, accompanying, ministering, and leading the flock entrusted to them. The task will not be easy in the course of time but it will definitely be rewarding!

Few years ago, I came across this well-written, provocative and consoling poem that described the enduring effects of those two healing hands of a priest on the lives of people. I do believe that this will also serve as an invitation for all of us to continue to pray for more vocations, for more laborers in God’s vineyard.

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest

We need them in life’s early morning,
We need them again at its close;
We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
We seek it while tasting life’s woes.

When we come to this world we are sinful,
The greatest as well as the least.
And the hands that make us pure as angels
Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

At the altar each day we behold them,
And the hands of a king on his throne
Are not equal to them in their greatness
Their dignity stands all alone.

For there in the stillness of morning
Ere the sun has emerged from the east,
There God rests between the pure fingers
Of the beautiful hands of a priest.

When we are tempted and wander
To pathways of shame and sin
‘Tis the hand of a priest that absolve us.
Not once but again and again.

And when we are taking life’s partner
Other hands may prepare us a feast
But the hands that will bless and unite us,
Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,
For the Host which their fingers caress,
What can a poor sinner do better
Than to ask Him who chose them to bless

When the death dews on our lids are falling,
May our courage and strength be increased
By seeing raised o’er us in blessing
The beautiful hands of a priest.

To Reverends Ron, Peter, Nathaniel, Ricky, Pedro, Ian Neil, Solithur, Yves, Luben, and Joemar, congratulations in advance. Continue to bask in the love of God and by all means share that love to those whom you will serve. Welcome to the presbyterium!

Uncategorized |