May A Priest Turn Down An Invitation To Celebrate Mass?

This question came up yesterday because the supposed presider for the mass at the truth mass with ZTE-NBN witness, Jun Lozada, backed-out at the last minute and allegedly, no clergy in the Archdiocese of Cebu was available or declined to celebrate the mass. The camp of Jun Lozada claimed that the Archbishop of Cebu, Cardinal Vidal, after talking to Malacanang man Cerge Remonde, restricted the clergy of Cebu to celebrate mass with Jun Lozada.

Over the radio, the priest spokesperson of the cardinal denied the accusation and said that no one is being restricted to celebrate mass with Jun's group. Later, however, a priest came to celebrate mass. May a priest decline to celebrate mass to any faithful? What are the guidelines for this?

The mass is the central Catholic Christian celebration. It is a remembrance of the first Eucharist that the Lord did with His apostles before He died on the cross. The mass was instituted in order for the grace of salvation that Jesus will generate because of His death on the cross will be effective once and for all. It means that every mass celebrated is a continuation, and not a repetition, of what happened in Calvary. The very nature of the celebration is therefore spiritual. Its goal is salvation. This is the reason why the Catholic faithful is even obliged to participate in the celebration once a week on a Sunday. For the Catholic Christian, it is an opportunity to experience the salvific action of Jesus as it was in Calvary. Therefore, those who would participate and celebrate in it should be aware of this purpose.

The "Eucharist" means "Thanksgiving." Together with our purpose of attaining salvation by the celebration, we also take that opportunity to thank God for His wonderful gift of His Son and what He did for us. It is more a liturgical than any societal purpose. Other purposes maybe integrated but only on the basis of the spiritual and never vice versa or without it.

The situation that occurred yesterday may really be considered a hard case. The events that had unfolded recently made some faithful and clergy think that the mass is only being used in order to gather people and express their sentiments. Those who are with the cause are however averring that they are also seeing their cause as spiritual. It is a fight against corruption which is an immoral act. The celebration of a mass containing a cause to destroy the evil that is corruption is therefore within the bounds of the purpose of the mass.

It is really hard to know what are in the hearts of men. In this situation, in case of doubt, the best thing to do is to give them the benefit of doubt and proceed to celebrate mass. There are controls and conditions which the priest may impose as a condition. First, nobody will be allowed to speak within the mass. Second, no direct assault or criticism must be made against another person or group. Third, only general prayers will be allowed. Fourth, slogans or streamers are best kept out of the premises where the mass is being held. Fifth, the homily must dwell more on urging the faithful to embrace the Gospel values rather than on politics.

If priests could celebrate mass in penitentiaries, parishes, rallies, offices, and other places with people coming from different walks of life and unsure of their spiritual status, why not with the group of Jun Lozada. With all due respect to the political preference of the priest, he should not deprive others of his ministry because of difference in political views and inclinations. Only God knows what are in their hearts and it is always best to give them the opportunity to come to God and seek inspiration and hopefully, conversion and salvation. Once in the celebration, we would never know what God has in store for them!

The Cardinal, A Master Of Discernment

There were those who liked him very much. There were those who disagreed with him in some of the decisions he made. There even those who hated him. Jaime Cardinal Sin was indeed a popular but at the same time, controversial bishop during his time. On one occasion, a friend of mine, cursed the Cardinal because of his statements and actions during the time of President Marcos. I was taken aback by what he did but I keptcalm and triedto understand the hate and pain of my friend.

I knew him to be a very prayerful person. I was a witness to this when during our stay with him as oridnandi to the priesthood, w ewoke up at 4 am and joined him for morning prayers. I thought we will just pray the breviary. But I was wrong. Leading us in prayer, I think the cardinal prayed all the prayers he knew since he was a young boy. He prayed sincerely and with devotion. I can feel his passion for every prayer he uttered before God. I would not be far off if I say he prayed as if it will be his last and that everything depended on it.

I believe this was the main reason why he made many God-willed and inspired decisions. He knew God so well that he can make decisions from gut level. He decided with full trust and courage. He is confident that God was with him in those decisions.

In one gathering of the clergy of Manila, he went to me and suddenly put his arm on my shoulders and told me that he is sending me to do further studies in Rome. I was a bit surprised at the news. I looked at him and bravely told him if it is possible that I do not go to Rome for further studies but instead study in Loyola School of Theology in Ateneo or in the University of Santo Tomas. He insisted that he prefers Rome. I honestly told him that I do not want to go to Rome. I believe it will be very difficult for me to study in Rome. But again, he insisted. He said that is what he wants. Humbly but firmly I said, "Your Eminence, if it is your will that I go to Rome, I will go. But if you ask me, honestly, I do not want to go." I thought he would be angry. I thought he would shout at me. I thought it was a mistake. To my surprise and satisfaction he said, "Ok, I will not force you. You will not go to Rome."

He did not insist. He knew my heart. He knew God's heart. He knew God's Will!

Catechism 101 - The Lord's Presences!

It is good to know the meaning of our faith. There are many things we are doing in our faith that may not be that clear to us. Recently, I have noted some very important and interesting truths and symbols in our faith. Knowing them will help us appreciate more our worship and life of faith.

In the sanctuary, there should be three things that must be present and easily seen. What are those? They are the altar table, the lectern, and (would you believe) the presider's chair! Many would think that the tabernacle should be a fixture in the sanctuary. But it is not. Strictly speaking, it is a redundancy of the altar table. The three main fixtures represent the Lord Jesus in different ways and in varying degrees. The altar table represents the presence of the Lord in the Body and Blood. The lectern represents the presence of the Lord in His Word. The presider's chair represents the presence of the Lord in the priest. The other presence is the congregation. The tabernacle is another representation of the presence of the Lord in His Body which is already fulfilled by the altar.

But why the tabernacle in most sanctuaries? It should be noted that there was a time when there was no tabernacle. In masses during those days, the priest consecrates hosts that are just enough for the faithful. Every host consecrated was consumed. However, the need to give communion to the sick and the dying arose. It was decided that some hosts should be set aside in case a viaticum comes. Also, there was a time when the belief in the Eucharist was being attacked. In order to assert and proclaim the faith better, the tabernacle was placed in the sanctuary and in most cases, at the center. Since then, the utility of the tabernacle had evolved and developed up to the present. It now found a great expression in the adoration chapel.

The next time you enter a church, do not fail to recognize the presences of the Lord in the congregation, in the priest, in the Word, and in the altar. And if you want a more intimate presence and meeting with Him, go to the adoration chapel.

Sixteen Years Of Acceptance Of God's Will

Last 14th of March I celebrated my 16th year in the ministry. I began it with a concelebrated mass with my batch mates from UST (Fr. Arnel Recinto, Fr. Mon Eloriaga, and Fr. Adrian Magnait). We had mass at the Manila Cathedral's catacomb chapel where our ordinary, Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, was buried. There were some friends who attended the mass of thanksgiving for the gift of priesthood.

I was a little late that is why I was tasked to give the homily. I immediately reflected on my priesthood, and it easily came clear to me that it was a ministry of acceptance of the Will of God. In the first place, as most priest would feel, I feel unworthy of the ministry. To be chosen a priest is indeed a call. So many times during my formation years and specially in the sixteen year ministry that I had, I realized that only when one is called by God can one become and remain a priest. After the mass, we had breakfast together and continued our reflection by sharing our experiences with the Cardinal and the People of God.

I remember the day before my ordination, I went to the Cardinal's residence at Villa San Miguel. It was customary during the time of Cardinal Sin for all those who will be ordained will spend the day of the ordination with him. I arrived just before dinner because I was still attending to a lot of things regarding my ordination. We had dinner with the cardinal and an hour later we were seated around him in his office for the announcement of our appointments. Fr. Adrian and Fr. Mon would be assigned to San Carlos Seminary and the rest of us will be parochial vicars (assistant parish priest). I was really expecting it. Besides, throughout my formation, I had been preparing for pastoral work. I had been choosing elective subjects that will help me to become an effective pastor. During my diaconate year, I even made some plans for my future parish work taking notes of the experiences I had in the parishes I was assigned to. To my surprise, when the appointments were announced. I suddenly was assigned as formator to the seminary. I was very surprised I just uttered, "My God!". But immediately I recovered by telling myself, "If this is Your Will, so be it!". Later, when we were talking about that incident, I said to them, "Sino kaya ang nanggapang kay Cardinal that made him change the appointments?"

That was not the last incident I was faced with the challenge of accepting of God's Will. Two years after I was assigned in San Carlos Seminary, I was suddenly transferred in the neighboring Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, in the middle of the first semester! Again, I accepted it not without reluctance but with more faith. Slowly I was learning to set myself for more "surprises" coming in my ministry. Year after year I began to settle down in my seminary work. In fact, I was ready to spend the rest of my ministry as a formator and educator. But one day, I received a call from Msgr. Soc, the Cardinal's secretary. He said that I will be transferred to become pastor of a parish in Pasay. I was still surprised by the new appointment but because I had come to accept things about my ministry, It was not that hard anymore for me.

At that point in my ministry, I already realized that following the will of God for me is the best attitude. Specially in the ministry of the priesthood, you will never know when and where you will be assigned next. Focusing on the assignment would be a big mistake because it is so contingent and unexpected. Focusing in the ministry itself should be the norm. The ministry is basically the same anywhere anytime. To be detached from one's assignment makes one always available and effective.

As present pastor of St. Alphonsus Mary De Liguori, I have placed myself at the disposal of the archbishop. After experiencing the pain of watching the parish church got burned just 39 days after my transfer and six days after my installation as pastor of the parish, and building the church for one and a half years, I am ready and open for any change or developments in the archdiocese by the archbishop. It was not only the promise I made to him during my ordination, but it was the commitment I have made to God when He chose me to share in His Priesthood through the Sacred Orders.

Only God knows how many more years I will serve as His ordained minister. It really does not matter because what really counts before God are the quality of service and dedication I had given to the care of His flock. Was the Good News proclaimed faithfully? Did I lead them to a sincere and authentic worship? Was I a good shepherd to His flock? Was it His Will that prevailed all of my life? Only in this sense that the essence of my ministry will be fulfilled.

Jesus is alive! And so are we!

This is the day the Lord has made! Let us be glad and rejoice!

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Christ the Lord is Risen!

Yes, the Lord is Risen and so we are. We are Easter Christians. Our faith is founded and draws it meaning on the belief that the Lord Jesus Christ, truly human and truly God, was born, ministered to Israel, suffered, died and resurrected. We believe that our God fully empathized with us by becoming one like us and in the end of His ministry suffered and died but rose to life again in victory. Death is defanged and removed of its hold and power over us. In Jesus Christ, death meets its death!

While there was no one who actually saw our Lord resurrect, His disciples saw Him after His death. The meetings of the apostles with the Lord after His death brought back memories of the things He said while He was still with them. The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles on the day of Pentecost was the turning point of their faith life. The experience of Jesus alive through the Holy Spirit, inspired and gave them the courage to go out and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Now they are not afraid to face those who threaten them. Now they are set free.

In the resurrection, we are also set free. We are set free from sin. We are set free from eternal death. We are set free from the harm of evil. The resurrection of our Lord offers us new life. It is the new life that we received when we were baptized. We benefit from the graces of the Lord's resurrection when we are baptized. In baptism, God welcomes us to His Kingdom. Our membership to the family of God makes us share in God's eternity. But this great gift is with an equally great responsibility. We must try to maintain that condition by always remaining in God's favor. We had been freed from the slavery of sin. We must not go back to it anymore.

We wish that we will stay that way. We wish that we will maintain our freedom from sin and freedom for God. But we know that the devil will not stop and will always find the perfect time and way to seduce us away from God. And many times, we must admit, we have failed. Not because the devil is more powerful than God, but because we have allowed the devil to do so by our cooperation. We have allowed the devil to inspire us more than the Spirit. We know what is right but we failed to do it. We know what is wrong, but we failed to avoid it. Such is our predicament that many had been rendered almost hopeless. Who can free us from this?

Precisely, the Lord Risen gives us hope. By His rising from the dead, our hopes are alive! The resurrection gives us reason and hope to fight evil. In fact, evil offers no contest at all to the power of God. If we remain with God, evil has no power over us. Sufferings, pains, challenges, sickness, and other spirit-killing situations are always seen and experienced by a Christian as life-and-faith-opportunities. It is the goal of every Christian to go through all of them armed with the belief that God is with him, faith will see him through, and eternal life is just waiting at the other end.

Easier said than done but must be done. Easter was not attained without Good Friday. Healing happens not without pain and suffering. True success would not come without hard work. It is not easy to be an Easter Christian. But it is harder if we are not. There is no greater expectation anyone can have than to be assured of life in bliss with God after death. Anything else is either limited, temporary, or less.

I guess the choice is clear.

Happy Easter and God bless you my co-Easterians!