By Olivia Obijiaku
The Chaplain of Holy Trinity Catholic Chaplaincy, Kaduna State University, KASU, Rev. Fr. Dr. James Bako Tella has invited priests to imbibe a lifestyle of simplicity, saying that such virtues create conducive atmosphere for effective communication in the Lord’s vineyard.
Delivering the homily at a Mass in Zaria, the clergyman explained that many people form their mindset about God, based on the character of the priest, even as he charged the faithful to maintain simplicity of heart in a world that places recognition over virtues and values.
“People feel comfortable around simple priests.” The chaplain said. “Parishioners do not need to rehearse speeches before approaching them. Children are not afraid to greet them. This is because Jesus lived simply; the apostles lived simply; and the most effective priests are often the simplest ones. This kind of a priest reminds us that holiness does not need decoration. The poor and the needy feel welcome and this simplicity reflect something very important and profound about God: namely, God is simple and does not complicate love.”
“Sometimes people do not meet Jesus directly. They meet Christ through the priest. So, when a priest is friendly, people say, ‘God must be approachable.’ When a priest is generous, people say, ‘God must be kind.’ When a priest forgives easily, people say, ‘God must truly be merciful.’ In a world today that often celebrates status, power, titles, we as Christians, are called to a gospel that celebrates simplicity of heart. Every priest is called to reflect the shepherding heart of Christ, not a distant shepherd, not a harsh shepherd, but a shepherd who knows his sheep, walks with them, listens to them, forgives them and sometimes laughs with them.”
Fr. Tella acknowledged that their vocation comes with joy, alongside misunderstandings, misconceptions, criticisms, disappointments, challenges and sometimes wounds. He implored them to forgive those who misunderstand them, those who speak harshly to them, as well as those who judge them wrongly and unfairly, even as he quoted Saint Mother Theresa of Calcutta thus “If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive. Peace begins with a smile and a smile begins with forgiveness’’.
