Shepherds get lost, too

“We, your shepherds, get lost. Lost.” These words were emotionally uttered by Fr. Manny Colmenar from Bacoor when he shared the appeal of priests and their journey toward priesthood during the last day of the 25th National Bible Workshop.

In a religious country like the Philippines, we see and value priests in the most respectful way. We regard them as religious leaders who perform sacred rituals and spiritual practices. They proclaim the word of God during Eucharistic celebration and embody the teachings of Christ to continue his mission towards humanity. We expect them to portray a “perfect image” all the time. Regardless, priests have indeed played vital roles in strengthening our Catholic Faith.

They greet and interact with the community with so much enthusiasm and hope, constantly flashing their contagious smiles to every individual they meet along the way. Yet, behind this beautiful facade, there are stories of trials, hardships, and challenges that contribute to their downfall as priests.

“We fall, we rise, we fall, and we rise. But the sad reality or truth is, most of the time, when us priests fall, he stays in that state, gives up the battle, escaping through so many vices.” Fr. Colmenar said. Human as they are, also experience and go through the same challenges just like us. Their image as strong leaders has been debunked. They are weak, bad, and would succumb to various bad habits. They feel tired from the long hours of missionary journey, lonely and sad in the four corners of their room, depressed and the feeling of helplessness would start to creep in, and would start to question everything, who would take good care of them when they grow old?

Fr. Colmenar clarified “We are humans like you. And we need your care. If the priest is gone, no one will do the mass. An appeal is, to help us when we are down. Talk to us. Be patient with us. We too need your shepherding.”

As part of the Christian community, we must work as one in carrying on the ministry of Jesus. Let us embrace our roles in listening to our priests, just like how they listen to us when we ask for their guidance. Let us help them, pray for them, and appreciate them more. They are not perfect, they commit mistakes, yet, they continue to strive every day to fulfill their mission and promise to God. Who are we to not help them? When every day God continues to provide us with heavenly graces and forgives us for all of our shortcomings.

“Our appeal is, help us when we are down. We ask your forgiveness for the times we have hurt, and abandoned you, the times we have ignored you. But don’t leave us. Pray for us and care for us and shepherd us.”

As he closed, he asked the priest delegates to kneel down as parishioners, laid their hands to pray for them. (Jason Roi O. Bayla | HCDC BA-Comm Intern)