His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples and my beloved processor as Archbishop of Manila, Rev. Fr. Gregory Gaston, our dear Rector, dear brothers in the priesthood, persons in consecrated life, mga kababayan, dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We gather today in gratitude to God who draws us together here at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, as we celebrate Collegio Day today.

I myself give thanks to God for the opportunity of coming home to Collegio Filippino and relish the blessings that God showered on me during my years of stay here as a student priest. We lament that we cannot celebrate Collegio day in the festive manner that we used to do. We particularly missed the joyful presence of the Filipino community here in Italy who join us every year on Collegio day.

Nonetheless, we thank the Lord that through the gift of social communication technology, we are able to keep in touch with each other and virtually celebrate together.

The theme for our Collegio day celebration this year is composed of three articulations of grace: called to serve, gifted to share, sent to proclaim.

First, we are called to serve. In today’s gospel, Jesus calls Simon Peter three times by his name and then entrusted him with the service of shepherding the flock. We serve because we have been called. Jesus calls us by name because he knows us and loves us. From emptiness to abundance, from empty nets to overflowing grace, Jesus calls us to a life of self-giving and service.

Mga mahal kong kababayan, ngayong malayo tayo sa mga kapamilya’t kamag-anak natin, mahalagang karanasan para sa atin ang pagtatawagan. Mahalaga sa atin ang tumawag sa mga mahal natin sa buhay sa Pilipinas o sa ibang bansa at matawagan din nila. Ito ay upang makipag kumustahan at makipag kwentuhan.

Ang pagtatawagan ay isang paraan natin ng pagilingkod, pagkalinga at pagmamahal sa isa’t isa habang magkakalayo tayo. Gayun din kay Hesus. Pakinggan natin ang magiliw niyang pagtawag sa atin at tumawag tayo sa kanya bilang pagmamahal at paglilingkod sa kanya. Let us listen to Jesus who lovingly calls us by name towards service of God and neighbor.

Second, we are gifted to share. In today’s first reading, St. Luke recalls how Peter boldly shared the gift of Easter faith even in the face of rejection and threats. Gifts, especially the gift of the good news of the risen Lord are not meant to be kept to oneself. We are gifted to give and the good news demands to be shared. If we keep the good news to ourselves, it will burn in our bones so much that we simply cannot contain it. We have to share it.

Mga mahal kong kababayan na nangingibang bansa, nagpapasalamat kami sapagkat nakikita namin na sa pagpunta niyo sa ibayong bayan, hindi lang kayo naghanap ng kita o kabuhayan, nakatagpo rin kayo ng misyon. Ang biyaya ng ebanghelyo na natanggap natin sa Pilipinas ay ipinapasa ninyo ngayon sa mga mamamayan ng iba’t ibang bansa, lalo na sa mga bata at mga kabataan. Napagyayaman ninyo ang pagkilala ng mga bansa sa pananampalatayang Katoliko sa pamamagitan ng pagdiriwang ninyo ng Simbang Gabi, Santacruzan, Salubong, mga debosyon at iba’t iba pang mga Krsitiyanong kaugalian nating mga Pilipino. Patuloy nating ibahagi ang biyaya ng pananampalataya. Let us share the gift of the gospel we have received.

Third, we are sent to proclaim. In today’s second reading, John of Patmos saw a vision of angels – God’s heavenly messengers proclaiming the worthiness and glory of the lamb. That is the essence of being an angel – a messenger of God. Being send to be effective and loving proclaimers of God’s message. Indeed, in Italian, the word Angelo is found in the word Vangelo and in English, the word angel is in the word evangelization. Angels proclaim God’s presence, God’s option, and God’s word by reflecting it in their own presence, options and words.

Dear fellow Filipinos who are living and working abroad, I lauded you regularly send remittances and packages to your loved ones in the Philippines. Kahit gaano kahirap, sisikapin nating mga Pinoy na makapagpadala pauwi sa Pilipinas ng ayuda, balik-bayan box at iba pa. At salamat po sa pakikiisa at pagkalinga ninyo sa mga mahal niyo sa buhay sa Pilipinas. But I also hope that we become like angels who proclaim the gospel. Please send also the gospel. Ipadala niyo rin sana ang ebanghelyo. Ipadala ninyo ang mga kuwento ng pakikipagtagpo ninyo kay Hesus dito sa abroad. Ipadala ninyo ang magagandang aral na natutunan ninyo rin dito. Ipadala niyo ang mabuting balita ng muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus.

Dear brothers and sisters, we’re called to serve, gifted to share and sent to proclaim. May the Blessed Virgin, our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage, the first bearer of the good news incarnate wrap us within the mantle of her maternal care and protection. May St. Joseph, the migrant and worker guide us and pray for us all. Amen. (RCAM-AOC)