That he remains the shepherd of the Kapampangan faithful can only be divinely ordained.
Apu Ceto makes that classic definition of the priest that impacted me on my very first day at the Mater Boni Consilii Seminary eons ago – “the best gift of God to men, the best gift of men to God.”
He simply lives the Word. So that hearing him is ever a renewal in faith. Like that time in 2003 when I accompanied him in his pastoral visit to California.
“The two priceless treasures of our people, coveted by other peoples… undiminished in value even through our worst economic dislocation,” Apu Ceto says of faith and family as the defining character of the Filipino.
Live the faith. Love the family. That was the message he brought to the hundreds of Filipinos who came to his Masses. A message that reached out to, and touched Americans and Latinos too.
“Modernism and materialism, especially in wealthy America, besiege increasingly the very foundation of the Filipino-American family. Against this onslaught, we need to return to our core values and be steadfast in our Christian faith to prevail.”
Apu Ceto refreshed the congregations with the Filipino core values grounded on Christian virtues – of respect for human life, love for the elders, the bayanihan culture of sharing and malasakit, and family prayer, especially to those already born in America.
And anathematized abortion and euthanasia as “pillars of the culture of death…high crimes against the family and against God.” “The baby and the elderly are integral elements in the nucleus of the Filipino family."
"Take them out, fission ensues, and the nucleus suffers a total breakdown.” In a clear jab at the pro-choice lobby in the US: “The baby in the womb is not a simple choice. It is a human being created in God’s own image and likeness and therefore should come into the world to fulfil God’s plan for him."
"Man has no business playing God, usurping His power over life and death.” Of love and respect of the elderly: “Filipino culture puts premium in the wisdom of age. Thus, we take good care of our elders, never treating them like overused rags fi t only to be shut in some retirement home, left to die alone, and as fast forgotten.”
And recalled the attendant promise of a blessed long life for those who subscribe to the Fourth Commandment – “Honor thy father and thy mother – so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land.”
So the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians. So it was written in Exodus 20:12. So it has become Apu Ceto’s apostolate too.
Prayer
And then there was his birthday celebration six years ago – also a Sunday – distinguished – graced, I cannot force myself to write – by the presence of Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Reverend Governor Eddie T. Panlilio, Congressman Dong Gonzales, City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, and a host of other politicians and local leaders.
“If we really pray together, (we would discern that) one cannot monopolize truth. Truth begins in the heart, the sanctuary of our conscience.” Apu Ceto’s sermon searing the very soul of the congregation. “We need to purify and change. If we follow that process, we will have a peaceful and just society with integrity."
"You should watch and pray that you don’t fall into temptation.” He did not have to say it. Apu Ceto could only mean the temptation of corruptive power – for those in government, that which denies the people of their right to live with human dignity.
Warning: “Our country is at a crossroad. We are a divided people, eternally quarreling, bickering. Some media contribute to this. We are falling into the pit.” Ouch! And pointing the way: “We are asking the Lord to permeate every strata of society."
"Families and leaders should work so there is a holistic approach in the search for a real, authentic, common good, for the progress and development of our people.” Ora et labora. Pray and work.
Christian life at its most essential: “Let us pray together, discern together so that we could know the will of God for the Filipino people.”
He lives the Word. He is a sermon we see, we feel, and – prayerfully – we live. Apu Ceto – blessed are we. (Punto, March 11, 2014)
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