42nd DCM in Butuan (2 of 2 Parts)

Excerpts from the homily of Archbishop Romulo G. Valles during the 42nd Diocesan Clergy of Mindanao Closing Mass and Memorial Mass for Bishop Juan de Dios M. Pueblos last March 8, 2018 at Saint Joseph Cathedral, Butuan City.

Archbishop Valles was struck by the loving acceptance of the people of the Diocese of Butuan as he observed the faces of the people looking at them during the procession of the Opening Mass at the Cathedral.

“Pagpangga sa Simbahan, pagpangga sa Pari, atong nasinati dinhi sa katawhan sa Butuan. Daghang Salamat!”

And he shared these three realizations to his brother Priests:

Giftedness of Priesthood

“Usbon nato paggunit, pag appreciate kanang gasa sa pagkapari.”

“Mugwapo lang ta if mamaintain nato ang attitude as Bishop Didi did in his own way, holding and treasuring our priesthood, our priesthood! But actually that’s not ours. That is a gift entrusted to us and as long as we maintain the healthy distance, then the mystery and the beauty would be there always.”

Operating Grace of God

“Operating grace of God is always there and as I look Bishop Didi, operating grace was quite strong with no hesitation when darkness was upon him and when something negative happened. He maintained his trust and confidence in the Lord.”

“Grace will always be there, the grace of office as Bishop and as Priest for as long as we as per Pope Francis, remember the mystery of the moon. For as long as in the darkness of the night, we position ourselves like the moon to be hit by the light of the sun, to be hit by the grace of Jesus.”

“That gift should be strong and maintained because we have the grace of the Lord always available for us, believing the unbelief that grace will work.”

Being Grateful and Thankful

“Having the gift in ourselves and believing in the grace; hopefully that attitude of being grateful and thankful will be operative in our hearts. That in everything even in darkness mapasalamaton kita tungod kay as priests pinalangga kita sa Ginoo nga nagtawag kanato.”

“And hopefully with that active attitude and sentiment of gratitude, would follow an attitude of being joyful and being confident and being hopeful.”

“Remembering Bishop Didi with his memory, I hope we go home conscious and appreciative of the gift that we have and believing more of the grace upon us always and going home with hearts joyful and thankful and hopeful always thanking the Lord.”