Rev. Fr. Martin Arlando’s 11th Sacerdotal Anniversary

August 29 – Today marks a special day as Fr. Martin Arlando, a son of our soil, celebrates his 11th anniversary as a priest. He spoke in his sermon about the life of St. John the Baptist, who was sent to show the way to the Messiah. John the Baptist and Jesus, who was his cousin, were on a mission to urge people to a different way of life.

Most of us know about the story of John the Baptist and how Herod killed him because of a promise Herod made to Herodias’s daughter at his birthday party. Fr. Martin said that the saying “Promises are meant to be broken” has a positive implication in this case if the promise causes suffering and loses its binding power because it is morally wrong.

Fr. Martin is reminded by the words of St. Paul “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” and regards the opportunistic nature of Herodias as the art of taking advantage of circumstances with little regard for principles or consequences. This is the same attitude that some politicians have, and it damages our country’s possibilities of economic success as well as the lives of others.

Because it hurts, we usually refuse to hear the truth. We want to hear positive things about ourselves, but Fr Martin emphasises that we want to be in a church that tells us not only when we are right, but also when we are wrong.

Bishop Selva mentioned at Fr. Martin’s ordination 11 years ago that John the Baptist spoke up and lost his head. Bishop Selva asked in his greetings to Fr. Martin today, “Have you thrown 11 stones and picked up 11 pearls?” This serves as a reminder and commitment for him to be faithful to his calling and to be prepared to be “beheaded” for his unwavering belief and trust in the Lord.

The congregation, led by Fr Dominic, blessed Fr Martin before the mass ended. It was a simple, yet meaningful, celebration. We wish Fr Martin a joyful 11th sacerdotal anniversary and pray that his dedication and passion continue to deepen as he serves in the Lord’s vineyard.