Date: May 11, 2020 ()

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Series:

One of the bold revelations expressed by the President of the Philippines regarding the priests in my home country is this: “The priests here in the Philippines were treated like gods.” I can’t blame the president for saying that because at some points it is true, but it should not be a new observation either.

In our first reading today, we hear almost the same reality. In the course of their service to the Lord, Paul and Barnabas were loved by the people so much so that they were treated like gods. The crowds in Lycaonian cried out, “The gods have come down to us in human form.” They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes,” because he was the chief speaker. Upon hearing this, both apostles tore their garments and said: “Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God.

When it was the time of John the Baptist to speak for God, some people mistook John for a messiah too. But John the Baptist faithfully carried out his role as a herald, a forerunner, one who points and leads people to meet the true Messiah.

This is the role of those God has called and sent—to manifest to all people His Divine presence, and the Lord’s confidence to His servants is entirely given to them to the extent that they may even look very identical to the Lord. What the Lord can do, His servants can perform as well.

As a priest, it is very humbling on my part to be called alter Christus—performing every duty of the priest in “persona Christi capitis.” The Lord gave this full confidence to the priest no matter how weak he could be. The priest becomes Jesus himself in the celebration of the Eucharist, who turns the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. The priest forgives sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. He can heal spiritual infirmities and when God allows, includes also the healing of the physical illness. How do all these things happen?

Jesus tells us today in the gospel: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.” Jesus also told us about the Holy Spirit who will become the Advocate, who will also dwell in us, particularly at the moment of our reception of the gift of baptism. And we know that it takes courage and humility to live up to the challenge of God’s indwelling in us.