VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
I remember that whenever any one of us seven children did something wrong at home, we would all hide and not say anything. My parents would ask, “Who broke this glass?” But, because we were ashamed, we couldn’t look straight at them. We were afraid to admit our fault because our pride was hurt that we did something wrong. Because of this, there were times when we turned our hearts away from our mom and dad feeling far away from them. Little did we understand that they still loved us.
As an adult, I know from time to time we are also tested. For example, sometimes if I am walking and no one greets me, my pride might be hurt as people usually greet priests where I come from. Why should I feel hurt and hear my pride say, “Hey, you didn’t greet me.”? Perhaps, those people didn’t know me. Or, maybe they were wrapped in their own problems. If people don’t mind me, I usually say “Hi” anyway because I am a public figure trying to bring a smile or glow to their face.
We don’t have to allow pride to come into our lives. God is merciful and, in the long run, it is instances like these that can bring us closer to the heart of our mom and dad, closer to the heart of God. In the story of the prodigal son, it is because the youngest son stood up through his own brokenness and came back to his senses while admitting his faults that reconciliation took place. He knew he had broken the heart of his father. But the very mercy of our God rejoices whenever a penitent son or daughter returns to him. When we do something wrong, we should have the spirit of this younger brother. Because no matter what we have done, our very loving father only wants to embrace us and bring us back.
If someone doesn’t feel worthy of the Father’s mercy, we need to catechize and evangelize them more. No matter what, God never gives up on any one of us. In his unconditional love, God says “I love you so much.” No amount of sin can separate us from the love of God as long as we know how to find our way back. It takes a lot of humility on our part to stand up to meet God and find him. If we hold onto our pride, God cannot enter our broken heart.
Whenever I realize I have sinned, or offended God, I make an examination of conscience. As I review the day, I say: “God I know in your mercy that there is nothing I have ever done that will prevent you from showing your mercy. For anything that I may have offended you in, please forgive me of my faults.” Then I feel better. But, of course, I go to confession too. This is the invitation to God for all of us. As the saints say, “an unexamined life isn’t worth living.” Let us humble ourselves then, and draw even closer to the heart of God.
Father Napoleon Andres is a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette priest from Isabela, Philippines. He has been serving in Hawaii 21 years. Father “Nap” is 34 years professed and 30 years ordained. He serves as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish, Waipahu.
