Yes, we are dirty and filthy, dirtier than our detractors can imagine, but the Lord has looked kindly upon us. We are not here as holier than the flock. We are here as the most miserable among sinners but we have been raised to this dignity by the sheer kindness of the Almighty. We have no illusions of sanctity. But not even our sins can stop us from teaching the Gospel. Woe to us if we do not preach.
We cannot keep quiet. We would be judged by the Word made flesh for keeping quiet. Not even our sins can stop us from proclaiming the Gospel because the power of the Gospel is not from us but from God. We are earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7)
From deeper prayer, we will refute error. From more fasting, we will share our love. From longer silence, we will teach right. From being forgiven, we will forgive. From being broken, we will heal. From our loneliness, we will console. From our dirt, we will rise with our people to return to the house of the Father.
It is not in our nature as priests to keep quiet. We are men of the Word. We cannot keep quiet, but we are not noise makers. We break our silence in order to be teachers by example ready even for martyrdom. We will keep teaching.
Kill us if they wish but our blood will speak louder than our voices. There is a message that only martyrdom can teach. We will not be threatened.
Our only fear is to fail the Lord. We are not afraid. We trust in the Lord. For us life is Christ and death is gain!
(Phil 1: 21) (Excerpted from the prayer reflection session of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan on June 15 signed by Archbishop Socrates Villegas)
