HEART OF JESUS, ENLIGHTEN US!
It has been a tradition to dedicate the Solemnity of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus for the sanctification of priests. We ask the Lord
to make the hearts of His ministers like His – full of sacrificial
love and redeeming mercy, full of filial trust and generous devotion.
This year, we make this prayer again but with more fervor ad urgency.
We are all aware of the news these days. Daily we watch on the
television, hear over the radio and read in the newspapers an
allegation against a revered bishop. This issue has been stretched
beyond proportions causing so much pain on everybody. While we
recognize the necessity to pursue the truth, we are also aware
that the law of charity must prevail at all times. Like the Heart
of Jesus, we seek the liberating truth with a loving stance.
The Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, is now suffering. Like
the heart of Jesus surrounded by thorns, we are pained by what
we see and hear around us. We anguish over the mistrust and calumny
that is being bred, whether deliberately or not. We lament at
the confusion and division being provoked. Like the heart of Jesus,
we are in sorrow. Yet, we also believe that like the heart of
our Lord, this suffering love will be our salvation. It is this
trials that will enable us to be more in communion with the Crucified
Christ. It is this seeming darkness that will lead us to the unfading
light and glory of God. It is this emptying process that will
usher us to the fullness of life. But we can only accomplish that
on bended knees, with God’s strength and grace. In Him alone
is our hope.
And so I enjoin the priests, religious and lay faithful of the
Archdiocese of Manila to observe June 22 to 29 as a Week of Prayer
for the Sanctification of Priests. Let us implore the Lord to
send us good and holy priests. On June 27, Solemnity of the Sacred
Heart, Let us have a Holy Hour of Penance for the sins of priests
and sins against priests. On June 28, Memorial of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary, let us organize a public recitation of the twenty
mysteries of the Rosary for the intentions of the priests. Let
us entrust our priests to their Mother and Model.
These times call for a deeper faith, faithful love and fervent
hope:
Let us pray for Bishop Ted Bacani. Let us pray for those who
have been hurt by this incident. May the truth and charity that
come from God prevail.
To our lay faithful, assure your priests that you love them,
that you will not abandon them and that you will always pray for
them. Now, more than ever, they need your understanding and support.
To my beloved priests let this period be a moment of purification
and conversion. Let this be an opportunity to examine ourselves
if we are truly configured to the image of the Good Shepherd.
If we are united in prayers, we will be able to unite our sufferings
with the Lord. And if we unite our sufferings with Jesus, then
we will experience God’s saving strength and consolation.
Like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we may be wounded and trampled,
but we will emerge effective living agents of God’s compassionate
love.
This is not worst times. This can be the best for it will be
a “kairos” – an unfolding of God’s manifold
grace to those who trust in Him!
As I end, let me share with you a poem entitled “Silent
Hidden Priests” from the Madonna house in Canada:
Christ works in silence.
God works in silence.
The things of god are characterized by
Silence
Hiddeness
Prayer
Simplicity
Poverty
The crisis of the Church,
is basically the crisis of the priesthood.
And it will all be renewed
by priests who are simple, hidden,
prayerful and live a life of poverty.
As priests are men of faith and dedication,
then the Church will be renewed.
Christ after His resurrection
Always acted in great silence
and in great hiddeness.
Most Sacred of Jesus, make the hearts of Your priests Like Yours!
Immaculate Heart of Mary, purify and console your sons in the
priesthood.
Devotedly in Christ,
+JAIME L. CARDINAL SIN, DD
Archbishop of Manila
12 June 2003
Villa San Miguel
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