Finding God in the Mission: A Filipino Priest's Call to Serve
In a world that often asks us to define ourselves by our jobs, our status, or our possessions, a deeper question remains: who do we say Jesus is in our own lives? This Sunday's Gospel reading, which established the papacy, offers a profound reflection on vocation, mission, and the personal encounter that lies at the heart of our faith. For one Filipino priest, this question led to a radical life change, leaving a prestigious institution to serve public school students.
Who do you say that I am?
Fr. Tito Caluag reflects on Jesus' question to his disciples, a query that goes beyond mere knowledge. It is a question about the quality of our personal relationship with the Lord. As Fr. Herbert Alphonso, S.J., wrote in his book Discovering Your Personal Vocation, the nature of our relationship with Jesus is part of what we are called to witness to.
For Fr. Caluag, this became clear during an eight-day Ignatian retreat in 2003. Recalling significant moments from age five through 40 years of life, he saw a pattern: Jesus was always present, always providential, and His providence was deeply loving. This was a turning point, leading him back to the core of his vocation: the formation and education of youth.
The rock upon which the church is built
Peter's confession, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, was not just a statement of fact. It was a declaration of who Jesus was to him personally. This quality of relationship, Jesus said, was revealed by the Father, and upon this rock, He would build His church.
This personal encounter became the foundation of the church. It is the first confession of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the central mystery of our Christianity. It reminds us that our own mission and vocation is always a participation in the mission of Jesus Himself.
The authority to be bridge-builders
To Peter, the Lord entrusted the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. The office of the Papacy, derived from the word pontifex, means bridge-builder. The Pope is the bridge between God and humanity.
This grace, Fr. Caluag explains, is available to all of us. As we live out our Christian mission, we too become bridges between God and the people we serve. This is the heart of a life of mission and vocation.
A life changed by grace
Fr. Caluag's own journey took a dramatic turn. After two years of discernment, his spiritual director told him, Go! The movements are very clear. God wants you to do this. He asked to be dismissed from the Society of Jesus, left the Ateneo de Manila after 40 combined years, and went to work with public schools. He has no regrets.
He recalls a beautiful line from Les Miserables: To love another person is to see the face of God. This, he says, is the life of mission and vocation. It is to love all those entrusted to our care, to see the face of God there, and to mirror Him to others.
What is the core of Christian vocation?
The core of Christian vocation is a personal relationship with Jesus. It is not merely about doing things for God, but about knowing Him. This relationship defines our mission and gives it meaning.
How can we participate in Jesus' mission?
We participate in Jesus' mission by becoming bridge-builders. In our families, our workplaces, and our communities, we are called to connect people to God's love. This is a grace available to everyone who follows Christ.
Readings: Isaiah 22:19-23; Psalm 138; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20
Photo: Inquirer Lifestyle