ORDINATION OF REV PHIIP BUA

1 Divine Providence

How does a Tiv, from central Nigeria, end up a priest in the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles – a remote and sparsely populated area on the edge of Western Europe? Is it by chance or part of God’s mysterious and wondrous Plan? For me, it is Divine Providence!

Philip deliberately chose today, being the Feast of St Aloysius Ganzaga, to be ordained. St Ignatius was an Italian aristocrat from 16^th Century who gave up his wealth and position to join the Jesuits and died at 23 looking after victims of the plague. He is Patron Saint of Youth but also those suffering from HIV/AIDS and of their carers.

It is indeed an appropriate day for your ordination. Philip, in 2012 we met at the Live With Hope Clinic in Kericho. We were both volunteering - you as a Salesian Seminarian; myself as a Parish Priest in Port Glasgow who had brought 12 young parishioners for one month. We were neighbours and we bonded but when we parted I never expected to see you again!

Was all of this by chance? We were all in Kericho intending to do good things but the last thing on either mind was priesthood in Argyll and isles. In hindsight we were all instruments in God’s Plan. In unexpected and unseen ways seeds were sown by God which others would help develop years later. Years later during a Mass in Kenya you heard Sr Louise, Superior of the Franciscans ask for prayers for Vocations in Scotland and something stirred in your heart. Sr Placida and Sr Rita spoke on your behalf. That you should dwell among us was confirmed by the welcome of our  clergy and laity. Isn’t this beautiful, we were instruments of God in a way of not even knowing it.

Central and constant was God. You were also central. In the First, Second Reading and Gospel we heard that God calls, God chooses. God has called you to minister among us. I thank you for responding. Always remember Divine Providence – God cares for us, guides us. God is still working his plan for you. Be open to it and be instrument of God’s grace.

2 The key is God’s love. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” The love within the Trinity naturally flows out to us. I like to think of it as a river. God’s love flows out and catches us up, drawing us in and bringing us back out again to others, before bringing us back in again and so on.

Jesus’ closeness to the Father is the source of his joy. He asks us to respond, to love him as he has loved us which flows into a Christ-like love for others. Our love for the Father is shown by surrendering to the river of God’s love, living as God asks, just like Jesus did. Through that we bear much fruit. Your brother Felix spoke on Sunday night of how as a priest you were to live a life of service. The fullest expression of that service, of the love behind it is the pouring out of our lives for God. Our closeness to Jesus will make our joy complete.

Dwell on Christ’s love, daily gaze on Christ. Pray for the desire to love Christ.

Jesus encourages us to dwell in his love, by which we will bear much fruit and have joy. However, the Readings Philip has chosen also make it clear that such closeness to Christ necessarily involves trials and suffering. Sometimes the river of God’s love brings us to places or situations we would rather not be. The genuineness of our love for Christ is discovered in our fidelity in time of trial. This is an area I have been reflecting on for some time and especially since the Pandemic.

Philip, you have just finished your studies. You have passed exams and essays concerned with the Cross, the Passion of Christ. We have read many books on the Passion and preached many sermons. We could claim to be “experts” on the Cross. However, there is a substantial difference between knowing in our heads the centrality of the Cross in discipleship and priesthood and actually embracing the Cross. That is much harder but also essential for closeness to Christ.

Philip, you must gaze on Christ. Hebrews teaches that Christ really suffered throughout his Passion but that it was his perfect love that redeemed us. Philip, with God’s grace, strive to live as God asks of you, even when it is hard. Jesus prayed that he would be saved. His prayer was not answered as we would expect but it was answered in a much greater way. What seemed to be the failure of the Cross brought the ultimate good. Jesus’ faith was utterly vindicated.

Tidal lochs and rivers are not always pretty. When the water is far out all we see is mud and seaweed. Sometimes it may seem that the water is so far out the tide cannot return yet it does and then all looks beautiful again. However, few weeks ago it dawned on me that although the tide being out may not be pretty it is a fertile time, an opportunity for plenty for both man and animal. At times elements of discipleship won’t feel pretty/comfortable but they are times of new life, growth.

Philip, as you begin your priesthood always remember your love of the youth, the sick and the poor. You have many practical skills, use them. Trust Divine Providence – God cares for you and will always guide you. God’s loving Plan for you is still unfolding, be open to it so that you will be an ever greater instrument of God’s grace. Central to all of this is Christ’s love – he loves you perfectly, seek intimacy with Christ in all ways and you will bear much fruit, your joy beyond all expectations.