Fr. Harold Parilla Focuses on Spiritual Maturity for Advent Recollection
Fr. Harold Anthony S. Parilla was the leader for CTK’s Advent Recollection last Saturday, November 17 from 10 am to 12 noon at the Divine Mercy Chapel.
Encouraged by the good feedback received from his CTK Lenten recollection last March, Formation Ministry Head David Ong requested him lead the Advent Recollection.
The topic for Fr. Harold’s Advent recollection was ‘Spiritual Maturity’. Fr. Harold defined spiritual growth, which should be the objective of all Christians, as the process of becoming more mature in one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Someone who is growing spiritually will love God more.
Fr. Harold began with the parable of the rich young man (Mark 10:17-31, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30) who ran up and knelt before Jesus Christ and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ And he said to him, ‘Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.’ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’
Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. It’s a parable about growth, Fr. Harold explained. We should not be content with just being good; our love for God must be strong enough to transform our goodness into greatness. In the case of the rich man, though he followed the commandments, a part of him was distracted by maintaining, enjoying, and growing his worldly posessions. Fr. Harold maintained that when you love God 90% of the time, the 10% gap keeps us sad deep inside.
He then discussed the important elements necessary to keep us moving on the road to spiritual maturity.
‣ First, is knowing and accepting ourselves, or self-knowledge and self-understanding. In today’s world, there is competition and pressure to perform and succeed and prove ourselves. But then we lay ourselves open to self-doubt and self-rejection if we fail. So, at the core of a strong spiritual life is the conviction that we are God’s beloved. And here, Fr. Harold told the story of inspirational speaker and You Tube sensation Lizzie Velasquez, afflicted at birth with an extremely rare congenital disease called Marfanoid– progeroid–lipodystrophy syndrome that, among other symptoms, preventing her from accumulating body fat and gaining weight and meriting her the dubious distinction of the ugliest person on the planet. But despite this, Lizzie never doubted herself and believed in God’s love for her.
‣ Second is gratitude. Fr. Harold observed that everyone complains deserved anyway so why be thankful. He therefore suggested that the best antidote for ingratitude, and the resulting depression that arises, was to keep a ‘gratitude’ journal, where we write down every little thing each day that happened to us for which we should be grateful. We would be surprised at the number of entries that we would make if we only paid attention. He brought up the story of the blind beggar who had a sign ‘I’m blind. Please help.’ The beggar received a few coins but was disappointed, until a smart man wrote another sign at the back which said ‘It’s a beautiful day and I can’t see it.’ The blind man received so much more donations because it forced the reader to appreciate the gift of sight that the beggar didn’t.
‣ Thirdly, the sense of personal vocation. God not only gives but calls as well. We all need to look at our work as a response to God’s call and a willing participation in his plan for us. So spiritual growth must include a sense of vocation and life purpose.
‣Fourth, a reflective and discerning heart. Growth is about looking within and asking, ‘Where to, Lord’.
‣ Fifth is self-transcendence. It’s going beyond personal needs, requests, wishes and aspirations are, to where you can make a contribution and sacrifice for others.
‣ And the sixth element for spiritual maturity, is the ability to celebrate, no matter the outcome. Fr. Harold encouraged us to build the capacity for hoping, trusting and surrendering.
As with previous recollections, Fr. Harold required that the attendees spend 15 minutes in quiet and contemplative mood to reflect and pray. He gave everyone the guide questions to reflect on:
‣ When you hear the words ‘spiritual maturity’, what do you sense in yourself – growth or regression?
‣ In which element do you find resonance, or the lack of it?
‣ What do you hear in the prayer as the Lord’s invitation?
At the end of the recollection, Formation Ministry head David Ong thanked Fr. Harold on behalf of Fr. Steve and the entire parish.
ABOUT OUR RECOLLECTION LEADER
Ordained to the priesthood in 2003, Fr. Harold Anthony S. Parilla finished his theological studies at the Loyola School of Theology in Quezon City, graduating Summa Cum Laude. After some years of work at the local seminary and in the chancery of the Diocese of Tagbilaran, he left for Rome to obtain a licentiate degree in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. His academic résumé also includes masteral degrees in pastoral ministry and educational management from two Jesuit universities in the Philippines. For the most part, his ministry in the Church involves teaching and formation work. When circumstances allow, he also facilitates at spiritual retreats for various groups. He was also formator and lecturer at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Cagayan de Oro City until his current post as Rector of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
