Priests need not be perfect or see immediate results from their ministry to become instruments of God’s grace, Archbishop Ryan Jimenez of Agaña, Guam, told Filipino clergy serving in the United States.
Speaking at the opening Mass of the fifth assembly of the National Association of Filipino Priests-USA at Mission Dolores Basilica on Nov. 3, Jimenez said personal struggles can deepen priests’ compassion for others.
The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco.
“We do not have to be perfect to become instruments of God’s grace. Sometimes our own struggles make us more compassionate toward others,” Jimenez said in his homily.
Jimenez acknowledged the challenges Filipino priests face abroad, including cultural differences, separation from their families and struggles to feel accepted.
He recalled his own experiences of being questioned about his appointment as bishop, including whether a local priest was qualified to lead his diocese.
Despite such encounters, he said Christian hope means trusting God’s faithfulness even when things do not go as planned.
“Our joy is not in our success but in God’s faithfulness,” Jimenez said, urging priests to remain patient when the fruits of their ministry are not immediately visible.
He urged the clergy to embrace the assembly’s theme: “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”
“The joy of our priesthood is not what we have accomplished but that knowing that God could continue to accomplish his work through us,” he said.
Jimenez encouraged priests to look back on their lives with gratitude, recognizing God’s presence in both their achievements and failures.
“All is grace,” he said.
More than 400 Filipino priests and bishops are attending the Nov. 3-6 assembly in the San Francisco area. The gathering is held every three years.
The association said more than 800 Filipino priests, including six bishops, serve in U.S. archdioceses, dioceses and Catholic institutions.
Founded in 2008, NAFP-USA seeks to promote unity, mutual support and the overall growth of Filipino priests serving the Church.
