Catholic vote

Election campaign is getting heated these days with lots of mud thrown at each opponent. No time is wasted for candidates questioning the morals held by each opponents. This candidate is a womanizer, this candidate has secret bank accounts in Swiss banks and this candidate promises to kill everyone who violates the law. People get easily affected with these rumors, and they tend to switch sides and vote for a candidate who is less immoral. Suppose that all candidates have a dirty past and still doing vices. This will result into a crisis and in the end people will not vote. 

It also invites us to think on what the Church has done to teach good morals to people for half a millennium.They have spent millions of pesos given by donors and lots of energy to form Catholics into good Christians and patriotic citizens of the State and yet they seem to lose this never-ending battle with evil. 

Honestly I cringe to see some devout Catholics raising up the importance of a "Catholic vote" wherein Catholics must vote for a leader who is a devout Catholic with a strict upbringing that would put the interests of the Catholic Church first in State matters. Church teaching must be adhered by all secular institutions so as to realize the reign of Christ the King in the State and in the Universe. The question is, does the "Catholic vote" really exist?

Technically not. 

Well here are the reasons why it does not exist:

 - We live in a society where authority loses its power and influence to command people to follow their precepts. Millennials either believe in God but doesn't identify with any organized religion or do not believe God at all. If a religious leader reacts against a candidate who is known to commit a mortal sin, he is accused of being a hypocrite and raise up issues like "clerical corruption" particularly sex abuse cases committed by priests and clerics as form of blackmail.  

- Catholics are now divided on who they should vote as president. Unlike the Iglesia ni Cristo who commands her followers to vote according to the choice of their elders, the episcopal conference encouraged Catholics to vote according to their 'conscience.' They must vote on what their 'conscience' and reason say that it is right. 

The lay-run Catholic Faith Defenders, who profess themselves as "orthodox Catholics loyal to the Pope and ready to defend Church doctrine from enemy attacks", are now divided on the choice of their candidates. Most of them support Duterte and some of them do not agree with what Duterte says. It badly damaged the image of the Church as a 'non-partisan organization' because it implies that bishops are now commanding their flock not to vote for this guy as what some 'apologists' think.

- We do not have a strong and influential political party whose ideology is based on Catholic social teaching and conservative ideals (not American neoconservative ideals) that give importance of human life, tradition, family and a Catholic State. We have the Ang Kapatiran Party and Pro-Life Partylist, but they are not big and influential unlike the Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party and other political parties in the Philippines. Besides, our political system is only based on getting peoples' sympathy and support sans political ideological spectrum. We easily fool people of promising an 'earthly utopia' in just few years.

Whoever wins the national elections, it is a great opportunity for us Catholics and us Catholic seminarians to assert our spiritual influence towards the masses by creating a social movement, a movement that put the interest of the family, tradition, the Faith and also the State and a movement that recognizes its human faults yet strive to become holy Christians. Enough of voting for candidates who keep on promising to make laws that respect human life yet very incompetent and corrupt. We must establish a new order, an order where Jesus Christ is Head of the State that is not subservient to any corrupt political power.  

Mercy: God’s Gift, Our Mission

(Editor's Note: This article was submitted to the Touchstone- the official student publication of the St. Francis Xavier College Seminary. It was later published in a simplified form. We publish the original script used by the author. Enjoy!)

As defined by the Angelic Doctor, St Thomas Aquinas, mercy in the human perspective is the compassion we have for another’s distress, driving us to do anything to help the other (Summa Theologiae, II-II.30.1). We are inclined to feel compassion for others because we can connect with their pain: we are just frail creatures who cannot do much. On the other hand, mercy in God’s perspective is his compassion for our frailty that drives Him to do everything- going beyond sin and punishment- so that he can pour out his abundant love on us. In this sense, mercy can be considered another name for love, and even of God himself. This reflection will speak of these two facets in the light of Church teaching and the experiences of some seminarians, while at the same time challenging us to enter into these realities using three different contexts of the word “mercy” found in our Filipino culture.

Mercy: God’s Gift for Broken Humanity                

                                                                               

“A seminarian arrived late from his day-off. Knowing that this was his first time to be late, he felt scared and worried; their evaluation day was fast approaching and he could be questioned about this. Emotions got the better of him, until he was called by a formator to his office. The formator asked him to sit down, explain why he had been late- and on seeing the worry-stricken face of the seminarian, consoled him and told him not to do it again. The seminarian went away comforted, and was inspired not to violate the Rule because of the compassion of his formator.”

We cannot speak of mercy without pointing out to our human condition: from the moment our first parents erred to the present moment, sin has entered and dominated our lives, leading us into poverty, bloodshed and division. Seeing everything go terribly wrong, man has turned to God, asking for mercy and love to rain from his abode. As a response, the Father of mercies repeatedly made covenants with them, showering them with a mercy that “prevails over the sin and infidelity of his chosen people” (St. John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, 4).

Not limiting himself to intervening in our history, he sent us in the fullness of time, his Son, Jesus Christ, the “face of the Father’s mercy” (Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, 1).  Jesus proclaimed a “time of favor” and made it manifest in his life and ministry. “Making the Father present as love and mercy is the fundamental touchstone of his mission as the Messiah” (DM, 3). But his greatest act of mercy towards us was to show us His love by offering his Son as a redeeming sacrifice. During his Passion, Jesus became the “Door of Mercy” which opened for the whole world: his wounded body became our way to the Father, his Blood becoming an ocean of mercy which forgives a multitude of sins. And as an everlasting memorial of this redemptive act, Jesus gave his Church the Sacraments of Mercy- Eucharist and Penance- for us to experience that mercy which “overcomes everything, filling the heart with love and bringing consolation through pardon” (MV, 9).

Our approach to this tremendous gift of mercy consists in the first context of mercy in our Filipino culture termed as awa, kalooy or compassion. We must ask for the Father’s mercy to pour down upon us, and receive His infinite love for us revealed in Jesus Christ. We must then let it define our own lives; to heal the wounds caused by sin and evil, to reawaken us to new life and to instill in us the courage to look at the future with hope (MV, 10). “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Heb 4:16).

The Church: Sent to be Merciful like the Father

“A group of seminarians and their friends decided to have a Christmas outing; it never materialized despite their well-organized plans. Instead, they decided to forego it and visit a nearby Home for the Aged; at first out of pure curiosity, but later on simply to thank God for the year’s blessings by helping the elderly. And it so happened that when their funds were pooled together, it was insufficient; so one of them posted on Facebook asking for assistance for their visit. And out of various places, money and goods poured into their hands so that they were able to hold that party successfully. Later on, they reflected that it was a good experience for them to be God’s instruments of care for these people: out of the blessings they received, they gave towards those who need love and support.”

Out of the flowing abundance of God’s mercy, man realizes that his dignity rests in being loved by the merciful Father; his vocation consists of becoming a vessel of mercy for others. The Church, a people chosen by the Lord’s mercy (miserando atque eligendo), received the fullness of grace from the Paschal Mystery and continues the mission of her Lord in becoming a sign of mercy for all.

In order to let the gift of mercy grow and flourish, she asks her children to first receive the Sacraments, especially of Penance and the Eucharist, so that they may conform themselves to the Merciful Jesus. Second, she invites them to become merciful themselves, especially in performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy- those time-honored exercises she teaches us to become “merciful like the Father” (Lk 6:36).

On this year 2016, the Church offers us a special “time of favor” called the “Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy” to ponder and reflect on the wonderful mystery of God’s mercy. The various initiatives offered by the Church during this year invite us to open ourselves to God’s mercy, to extend mercy to others- not by discriminating or shunning them, but by opening our arms towards them and leading them to the Father “who desires all men to be saved” (1 Tm 2:4).

As a means of responding to our mission, we now arrive at our second definition of mercy, which is unawa, pagsabot or understanding. We must know how important mercy -the “beating heart of the Gospel” (MV, 12) - is in the life and mission of the Church, and how it has animated all her endeavors over the centuries. We must understand the necessity of taking up this joyful call to mercy (MV, 10) as a Church.  We must understand our duty of breaking our personal “comfort zones” and going into the “peripheries” where the message of divine mercy has not yet penetrated.

The Seminary as a School of Mercy

A quote attributed to St. Francis Xavier notes that “The world is full of closed doors”. In the modern world, the concept of mercy is nearly non-existent, sounding almost foreign to the ears of today’s men and women (DM, 15). From the very dawn of life, children are being killed in their mothers’ womb. The elderly are left to fend for themselves in a fast-paced and harsh world. Many are dying from violence, hatred and neglect, away from the eyes of the multitude who are just engrossed with materialism, egoistic behaviour and pleasure-seeking. Even inside the Seminary, the spirit of mercy, a fundamental characteristic of a Christian community, is slowly being forgotten. Bullying, disrespect and intolerance is becoming more prevalent, especially in the way some treat their fellows and the other members of the community.

The third dimension that we Filipinos have of mercy is gawa, pagbuhat or action. Mercy “can never be just an abstraction” (MV, 9). Out of our reception and knowledge of mercy, we must be challenged to live out what we have received: to give credibility to what we are proclaiming and believing as Christian disciples, lest our Christian life be considered as mere theatrics (gawa-gawa lamang). Mercy must lead our intentions, attitudes and behaviors towards helping others, especially those who are distant from the merciful care of the Father and of his Church.

For us seminarians, we must be challenged to build a culture of mercy in our formative community: to rediscover mercy by intense prayer and openness to God’s word, to make our seminary an “oasis of mercy” (MV, 12) by practicing small acts of mercy inside and outside the community, and to become “missionaries” of mercy by living out the values of understanding, respect and dialogue with our brothers, our formators and staff, and with everyone else.

May we, seminarians of today- priests of Jesus Christ in the future- become instruments of God’s plentiful mercy for a broken world. (NCSator- Seminarians' Musings)

millenials r us

We are a generation that benefited from our parents' hard work and sacrifices and to the technological advancement and globalization that took place in the last years of the 20th century and in today's century. We are a generation who witnessed significant changes in politics and in society as a whole. In the past decade there were wars, political revolutions, economic gains and downs and a change in the social customs and norms. The media calls us "millennials", and our motto is "being yourself in all things."

The millennials, as we are called, constantly depend their lives on modern technology. The internet provides excellent source on knowledge and tips on how to be create new things and express ourselves freely. In Facebook and other social sites we see our friends post their feelings through poems, pictures and articles that they have shared. Most of these posts are funny, but some of them are serious and sometimes outwardly edgy. In these posts millennials have started to establish their own personal views from politics to today's social issues. They have expressed, through words online, their sentiments and their feelings too embarrassing to share in real life.

Against the prevailing social norms of today they have bravely spoken up and challenged everyone to reconsider the people's universal belief on sex and gender issues, authority and the importance of religion and science in the modern era. These millennials have absolutely abhorred violence, even if it is sanctioned by the virtue of justice, and wanted peace and respect of all human lives, regardless of who and what they are. Millennials have rejected most aspects of religion that are 'medieval' or 'outdated' as they have espoused division and discrimination among ourselves.  They made new doctrines, doctrines that promote 'progress', 'empowerment' and 'tolerance' in the world of diversity. Love, only love is what inspires and motivates us millennials to believe and we wanted a 'god' who loves and accepts everyone of their uniqueness, but is our perception of what 'love' is similar as God's? We do not know.

We millennials are also fascinated by recent scientific achievements and personal achievements of some celebrities that inspire us to live the life to its fullest. We honor today's heroes; heroes that stood up against the prevailing rigid system and sometimes sacrificed their lives so that others may enjoy the fruits of their work in the name of 'humanity.' They are now the new martyrs; witnesses to unstoppable human progress.  It is like Auguste Comte's vision of a positivist religion that people are  adoring scientists and builders who have contributed much to the progress of human civilization have been realized.

Millennials freely express of who they are and what they want to do with the full acceptance and tolerance of the modern society. Religion is reduced to being an insignificant and irrelevant reminder of the past barbarism and brutality that the enlightened millennials wanted to bury it. Culture never stops to adapt to the new ways of the world. We millennials, unique as we are, are building a new society and a new order out of the ruins of our dark past. But would this new order last? Would our uniqueness help unite and deepen our knowledge to each of us or create disagreement and would create a deeper division?

We do not know. Let's find out in the long run.

 

a force to be reckoned with

More than 60 million voters, both young and old, are excited to cast their votes on next year's presidential election which would signify the end of the present Aquino regime and the start of a new one.Voters are scrutinizing the presidential candidates by their character, their plans when they become elected to the office, and by their contributions and accomplishments in their service as bureaucrats and leaders of the land. Presidential candidates are wooing their compatriots, their potential voters as early as November and they are not spared by intense criticism and scrutiny on their activities and even their antics by the mainstream media and the general public.

Voters wanted a strong leader that would ensure peace, security and progress in a country that is still struggling to maintain peace in cities and in the countryside. They wanted a leader who would strengthen the national economy and become a world leader in business and trade. They wanted a leader who would put the national interests of the State as a top priority both in internal and foreign affairs. Philippines needs a leader who is brave and strong to face her enemies, but do Filipinos need a moral leader, the leader who is religious and put Him as the center of social life of the nation?

The Filipino people has recently been scandalized by Davao City Mayor Duterte's cursing on the Pope(p@#$ng-ina mo Pope, umuwi ka na!) for causing the horrible traffic in Manila during his official visit, his womanizing lifestyle, his tough vigilante-style measures against criminals and drug traffickers and his alleged support to the Communists present in the rural areas of Davao region. While conservatives like Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan lamented that the people's morality standards has gone to the dregs as Duterte's supporters cheer on his remarks and his lifestyle, liberals like the lead dancer of her group "Mocha Girls" and sex guru Mocha Uson wanted the people to choose a president according to his ability to solve various national issues and not by his/her own morality. She even elaborated that the moral standards are not absolute, rather they are relative. Each person has its own moral standards. What is morally right for him is morally wrong for others.

I have noticed that the many people rallied behind Duterte amidst all controversies for they saw him as the "only hope" in ending the suffering of the Filipino people with his radical plans and revolutionary ideals that would put the governing corrupt system to its knees. We cannot blame them for we are too desperate for change, and we look upon these presidential candidates, not only Duterte, as persons who would put our minds and our weary bodies in peace and comfort. But the question remains for some moralists: are our presidential candidates seriously putting God as their guide in their lives, not just an ordinary presidential oath suppose they get elected and are their programs, plans in agreement with what the Church teaches?

While it is the social duty and the divine right of the Church to speak the truth when faced with issues such as these, nowadays the message of the Church is left unheeded. Only a very few would obey, say old people. We spent millions of pesos of maintaining Catholic radio and TV stations in order to spread the message of conviction to Catholics around the dioceses in the Philippines yet we lost when the RH Bill was made into a law in the last days of 2013. We organised massive prayer rallies and religious symposia in order to let the people know that "they must choose God rather than men" yet the secular media is reaping its success of branding us "hypocrites", "bigots", "reactionaries" and posting news articles about the corruption in the Church and faults of some of the clergymen whom we look upon as teachers ordained by God to lead us to His Way.

While it is true that priests and some religious people also commit faults as humans do, the media's tendency to sensationalize the issue involving the clergy made the Filipino people question the authority of the Church, the teachings taught by Her and even the existence of God and His goodness. We also noticed the start of declining weekly church attendance, save for the impressive turnout during the Misa de Gallo novenas, broken families, Evangelical churches are converting Catholics in sizable numbers and the steady rise of atheism and agnosticism among the intellectual youth. Many politicians are using the Church for their political interests, but it is  useless in a society that is too permissive, relative and soft.

Harsh realities like these make us ponder on what the Church has done to nurture the spiritual life of Her children throughout centuries. Surely we kept on preaching the love of Christ to each of His children, but they never felt the love of Christ expressed in His priests, bishops, religious and the lay faithful. The people wanted "living witnesses" of Christ's love and not just mere bland speakers of it. They wanted to see Christ Himself showing His love to all emulated by a person, yet in vain we can only see it in saints that died centuries ago and not in the present times. The Church is slowly losing its influence, its convincing power on the social life of our country and in few years, the Church as we know today in prosperity will simply cease to exist.

But is there any hope? If we are determined to face risks, then yes. I say that since we seminarians and lay faithful are blessed with such knowledge of the Catholic Faith, we must put these teachings of the Church into action. We must avoid politicians who profess their "religiosity", yet it would bring us further harm. We can and we must reestablish our influence in the society by doing small acts of Christian duty, and to build a small, yet a strong Christian home of love and justice that serves as a beacon of hope to those who are in dire need of comfort and peace. We must also establish an intellectual haven where the faithful can have access to books and other sources of knowledge  and where Catholics evangelize with conviction, wit and most importantly, charity. In the long run, and by the grace of God, we will slowly regain our influence and will become a force to be reckoned with.

May God be our guide.


And so it seems certain to me that the Church is facing very hard times. The real crisis has scarcely begun. We will have to count on terrific upheavals. But I am equally certain about what will remain at the end: not the Church of the political cult…but the Church of faith. She may well no longer be the dominant social power to the extent that she was until recently; but she will enjoy a fresh blossoming and be seen as man’s home, where he will find life and hope beyond death.
- Benedict XVI

Birthday Musing: Singing Just As I Am Supposed to Do

“Our life as individual beings can be, most of the time, likened to the things we love. Life for some can be likened to a movie, a road, an infinity pool, or a race (if they seem to like living life on the fast lane). But I would like to liken my own life to a thing I absolutely love: songs. Whether I’m on my tub, or travelling on my way to work or simply listening to a good friend sing her heartwarming songs (I hope she does not read this, joke!), songs are a good way of self-expression and communication.”  

This was what I wrote a few months back about the songs of life and friendship. This time, as I sang this song [Air Supply, "Just as I am"] on the karaoke, I remembered this essay and thought: “maybe I can make this into the theme song of my 20^th birthday and stuff….”, and so forgive this long musing about my life into a song.

“I've had a lot of big dreams
I've made a lot of bad moves
I know you could walk away
But you never do”

Honestly, being 20 is the time where I can sort out my childhood ideals from the real situation nowadays. At this time, I can already sense what its being like to be a real grown-up.

At this time, I can especially remember my dreams: I wished to have a good life, a good education, to be good in the important things in life, and finally, to become a good priest. And I have done quite a lot to achieve those dreams: I’m already almost halfway in my priestly formation. I’ve struggled through thick and thin to persevere and to be happy in my chosen vocation; and I am happy about it.

At this point, I can also remember the many failures I did against those dreams of mine: I overdid my things, I forgot things, and I did not do the things that I am supposed to do. I swerved off from my path…

But I am blessed because people still never walk away from me;  they still believe in me, hoping that I can become their priest, their good brother and friend later on.

“I've met a lot of cold hearts
I've learned to smile and deceive
I know I'm hard to be around
But you never leave

                                                           I'm not easy to understand                                                             But you hold out your hand”

“I've made a lot of heartaches

I've found a lot of closed doors

When all the others turn away

You love me more”

One of the biggest pains of human existence is being hurt. On my part, the biggest hurts that I have experienced was those that I received from those whom I trusted the most: my community, my friends and from myself. I always thought that living in a Christian community was a welcome respite from the harshness of the secular world. I was mistaken: I was abused by those whom I trusted the most.

And so, instead of learning to open up, I have eventually learned to close myself further. I played people for my ends and not my ends for these people. I have almost become anti-social again, but I guess because of the faith and hope of some people, I have learned to accept people for who they are, and love them for who they are now and even until tomorrow.

“And you say you love me
Just as I am
You always treat me
The best that you can
You say you want me, need me
Love me baby
Just as I am, just as I am”

And I thank God for all of these people who have made the past 19 or so years meaningful and blessed for me. I thank above all, my family, for supporting me even in the best or worst decisions I made. For my friends, for guiding me towards making what is right, and for being a good cheering squad in my moments of loss. For the seminary community; sometimes my enemy, but most of the time, always, my good friends.

And for a good God who has never ceased to love me, treat me well, accepted me for who I am, and call me to a better way of responding to his call for the past 19 years. And to him I owe my existence, my vocation and my current life: since this is Your gift, I offer it back to You, hoping that you will lead me to where I can use my gifts to the full.

And that’s my birthday speech. Thanks and I’m off to praying again for all of you. Cheers!

Heart-to-Heart: She fell in love with a seminarian....

Love….

It simply happens suddenly, and yes, it’s magic!

Two people from different streams of life: two different, unique and equally special persons meet in some unforeseen circumstance, flash the sweetest smiles in the universe and “poof” comes Koko Crunch, not really, but in reality, love.

And as the minutes, hours, days, months, years go by… how their eyes look at each other (as if it were enough to melt the other with their gaze), how they talk to each other (their tongues would have been filled with ants when both of them go to bed), how they do everything together (as if the world became a better place with only the two of them), and how both of them live as if one couldn’t exist without the other…. Hayy, the feeling of love! Love that could turn the whole world round... Love that made them better each and every day.

She would always make it a point that they meet each other on weekends, eat at some nice food joint, and walk around the mall.  He on the other hand would make sure that she will enjoy the day, and come home before 5:30 pm. The guy could not text or chat her all the time, and so they would enjoy this moment together…. How sweet!

And suddenly, came the harsh part. The woman knew something about the man of her dreams, her Mr. Right… and it made her eyes stream with tears…

Her man was ….

Gay? (No, she knew him very well)

A married guy? (How could he be married at 18?)

A two-timer? (Not really, but how could he be such when he does not even know dating 101)

No, not of these three. Really…. (Sheesh!)

Her special someone was a seminarian.

You read it right, a man taken out of the world to be sent back an “angel”, a “half-priest” (for most Filipinos) waiting for the moment of fullness, a man consecrated to the Lord’s service…  A seminarian!

And for countless hours, she pondered on it, and it left her on a quandary…

He on the other hand, was always in a quandary. Love was never a part of his logic class. Mostly theoretical, but oftentimes, never experiential… He was taught to shun it, as if it were the worst thing that could befall his life as a seminarian… And now love as experience bursts on, and he is but left helpless about it....

But before we go deontological, quote Canon Law and Vatican II about this, let us talk about matters heart-to-heart.

____________________________________________________________________________

A word to the seminarian:

You entered the Seminary because you clearly saw yourself as a future priest. It was presented to you as early as the moment you stepped there that those who proceed must have priesthood as a goal…

Yes, and it remains true. The Seminary is a place for future priests, not for those who use the education there as a means only!

But isn’t it that as you traversed the joys and pains of seminary life, you also were slowly opened to the possibility of being a married man because of the woman you so love? Did you feel happy in those moments you spent with her? Did she become your inspiration in studying the hardest philosophical questions? Did she become your strength in times of weakness?

And did it distract you from your supposed calling?

And upon thinking of it, especially when it is pointed out by some deontological formator, or by reading your Rule, or upon remembering your motivation… did you feel guilty about it? Did you feel that you are betraying God, and that having her was a great sin, worthy of excommunication (if that were to become a law in the Code)?

Dear brother, yes, the Seminary is a place for future priests, but it is above all, a place to discern and listen to the Lord’s voice speaking from almost all directions. If that were the case that everyone in your batch is to be ordained (even against their will), will it benefit the Church better than having one or two ordinands each year who truly present themselves to the Lord for the presbyteral grace?

This moment of love is not something to be guilty of; this, my brother is a chance to look at what you are having right now…. This is a moment of seeing what it is to be a priest and a married man placed side-by-side. As a future priest, you are expected to live a celibate life: a life without fleshly attachments, a life that speaks to others of the reality above… Yet, part of you also desires to have someone to hold and cherish, someone to build a world with, and someone to share a dream with. 

This moment will become your defining moment: what you decide on now or later will determine you. Life and God demands that you choose one; and both entail making sacrifices.

And this is really the point, brother: this is your moment of truth. Choose! And, do not be afraid of the choice you make: the Church will still be happy to have you as a “father”, not of the institutional Church, but of your own “domestic” Church… and the Church will also be happy to see you, her son, become an “alter-Christus”…God has been generous to you in every step of the way, now you must choose how to respond to God generously… Disregard the rule, the formator, the persons in between, and start asking yourself this question; “If I become married/ordained someday, will it please God and help the Church increase?”

But as of now, it is good to have your eyes open on every possible side. Vocation, as you know, is not only for priests and religious….

A word to the woman-in-love:

You loved that guy because you saw God in his eyes. You loved him because he meant everything for you. Yet, I can feel your sadness because of the fact that this guy is a seminarian: someone meant not for you, but for the whole Church.

You knew that once a man entered the Seminary, the whole Church expects him to become a priest. In fact, it seems that as the formative years passes by, the Church gets more excited to see him ordained soon.

And amidst all of that dreaming and expectation, amidst those who pray for him to fully respond to the call of the Harvest-Master, was you. You wanted his touch and his smile: you wanted him and his love. And that, my dear, is not wrong. That is how all marriages start, all relationships blossom and flower, all intimacy firing up. Yet the problem lies on the fact that he is called. He is called to something else.

And this is now also your moment of truth. You are not fighting with someone sexier, hotter or prettier than you are. You believe in this person also, and you love Him as well: God. Now is your generosity and faith measured: how much do you love God?

And if he chooses you, how happy must you be! You are assured of loving someone who is expected to be a very good Christian: a Christian in mind, thought and deed. It is then your task to sanctify him so that he can in turn, sanctify you.

But if he opts to cling to his alb, it will obviously hurt for you. But then again, be comforted that he is not with someone else, but with someone whom you love too… At first, you will ask God “why are you doing this to me; why are you so unfair?”, but later you will also experience God’s assuring love and comfort: if you know how to let him go…

My dear, at this moment everyone holds their breath, waiting for his definitive answer. But as of now, help him to decide maturely: do not make him regret his decision. Because you see, later on, what you do to him will also affect you.

A word to everyone-in-between:

I only have one thing to say; stop judging!

The priesthood is never a more sublime vocation than marriage. Both exist to help each other, and for the Church to grow in its various charisms. What would happen if all the Catholic men in this world opted to become priests? Or what would happen if all the lovely ladies opted to shut themselves in monastic or religious life? Everything, obviously will be in kaput.

Do not confuse their decision-making process. It is but normal and expected of them. Instead, guide them gently towards making a definitive answer. Whatever their decision, everyone must support; eventually, the whole Church benefits from this process. (And shunned must be the harsh after-remarks of priest-formators in their homilies and of benefactors in their morning coffees!)

These are two people who need direction, who seek the truth. Now, we are all instruments of God, and whatever we do for or against them will affect us in the long run.

You see, behind all of these vocations is LOVE.

____________________________________________________________________________

As the Canticles of Solomon would usually say, “love is stronger than Hades or the strongest flood”, given by God himself. Being and falling in love is a good experience: vocation is really falling-in-love with God and finding a definite way to express that love.

Love, for these two individuals, forbidden it may seem, helps them to discern well. Each has a task to play. Each has a role to fulfill. What lies in our hands is the future of the Church, and our own future as well.

Choose! 

T-shirt anyone?

Be careful of misquoting Francis, people....

Be authentic!