“I, A Fellow Shepherd” the book that compiled selected homilies of his Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal and sent to me by Fr. Agustin Ancajas, answers my question.
A hero of our times, a Good Shepherd who, among other good shepherds is first among equals, is the author of the homilies: Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal.
I wanted to e-mail Time Magazine how they could have missed His Eminence in their roster of Asian heroes.
But then I guess their criteria of high visibility and loud proclamation would not fit into the nature of the bishop.
In “Truth that Sanctifies,” Cardinal Vidal points out “that the bishop must proclaim the Person of Jesus himself”--–Jesus and not his own person.
The book enunciates in very clear terms the challenges each and all bishops must be prepared to respond to.
With such disarming candor, the author states, “Ever since I was ordained bishop, I have had problems for breakfast, and gone to bed with them. Welcome to the world of problems---welcome to the world of bishops, where half the population thinks you can solve their problems, and the other half thinks you are the problem.”
Yet, the Cardinal has retained his sense of humor and remains a minister of joy. How can this be so? Because he has found joy in the Cross--–Gaudium in Cruce.
The homilies in “I, A Fellow Shepherd,” are replete with what defines a bishop, what should move him, what is the hundredfold he can look forward to.
Ten years ago, a month before I left to begin my life and mission in Rome, His Eminence came knocking at my office in Pius XII Catholic Center. He said he came to visit me because he might not be able to see me off when I leave.
I was so against that he had to climb three flights of stairs (my office was one the third floor of the building). And I knew that he recently had an angioplasty.
He said very simply: “O, ano ba naman yon, hagdanan lamang ang inakyat ko. Eh, ikaw and dami-daming akyat panaog ang ginagawa mo para sa Simbahan. Magpapasalamat lang ako.”
That gesture of love accompanied my years in Rome, and will continue to fill my heart for the rest of my days.
Reading the homilies of Cardinal Vidal during Episcopal ordinations of bishops, during their installations and anniversaries, I came upon an astonishing truth.
With Cardinal Vidal, word and happening are one---just like the Lord. No wonder he not only preached forgiveness but he also lives it, giving eloquent witness to what Jesus manifested on the Cross: He loves us even in our sins.
Forgiveness as His Eminence lives it and gives it and asks for it, is his creative act of healing. For him, forgiving is loving, which makes forgiveness not just a private absolution but a way of building a new community, one with all the possibilities of a future with God.
Cardinal Vidal can write with such profound knowledge about what a bishop is because he not only knows Christ whom he represents, but his whole ministry revolves around and is rooted on his intimate friendship with Jesus.
The presentation of the book is actually a presentation of the life of THE bishop, Cardinal Vidal---a life totally given to God, a life totally at the service of the Church, a life today proclaiming with such faithfulness: Dominus Est – It Is The Lord!
Beloved Cardinal Vidal, Bing and I, our children and grandchildren too, love you and thank you, and pray for you. You are not hero. You are our Good Shepherd.
