Talavera: Position is not just a power, it is an opportunity to become a shepherd to our community
By Alexandria Grace Magno
Positions are not just about having power, it is an opportunity to serve, said the Parish priest during the Memorial of St. Catherine de Ricci on Saturday, Feb. 4.
In his homily at the Santisimo Rosario Parish, Rev. Fr. Paul Talavera O.P. emphasized that everyone should always keep in their mind that anytime they were granted positions, they should not perceive it as simply having the power to load others, but rather as an opportunity to become shepherds of the community.
“The superior, even if he is superior, is just one among the brothers. That’s why his vote is only counted as one and after his term he would return and become an ordinary brother,” he said.
Talavera added that the office of the superior is not an indicator for one to lord over others but rather a call to become a shepherd. He then mentioned how this thinking is relevant with St. Catherine de Ricci’s longevity in church.
“And notably as a prioress, she’s being described as a kind and considerate prioress especially for the sick,” the parish priest stated.
He also said that unlike the police who are watching over and trying to see what is going wrong, we see Jesus as a true shepherd.
“We see the disciples of Jesus coming back to him to report to him. It is not for Jesus to judge them. It is not for Jesus to evaluate what they have been doing there. And when the disciples went back he wanted to bring them to a deserted place to be with them, to rest,” Talavera added.
The Parish priest highlighted the importance of prayer and taking a rest so one could go back recharged and inspired to do the ministry as well as to be reminded of why one continues to be in service of others in the first place.
“And what is very peculiar about this is it’s just not resting by ourselves, it is resting with Jesus. Kasama nila si Hesus,” he added.
St. Catherine de Ricci is the patron saint of the sick. The stigmata and bilocation are two of the numerous miraculous and enigmatic occurrences connected to the holiness of St. Catherine de Ricci.
