A Catholic bishop urged fellow Church leaders to practice humility and deeper discernment, warning against judging others by appearances.
- biblelightspromotion
- 3 days ago
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From the Website of CBCP
links: https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/bishop-urges-humility-warns-church-leaders-against-judging-by-appearances/
A Catholic bishop urged fellow Church leaders to practice humility and deeper discernment, warning against judging others by appearances.
Reflecting on the biblical story of David’s anointing, Bishop Ronald Anthony Timoner of Pagadian said God’s choices often surprise human expectations and challenge leaders to move beyond comfort and personal security.
“Outward appearances do not define people or determine their value in the Lord’s plan of salvation,” Timoner said in his homily, stressing that God looks beyond status, strength or reputation.
The Mass was held at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in New Manila on Jan. 20, with bishops from across the country in attendance.
The liturgy marked the conclusion of the first day of a four-day bishops’ seminar at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.
Timoner said the prophet Samuel initially relied on human standards when choosing among Jesse’s sons, a mistake that revealed the limits of surfacejudgment.
“God does not judge by appearances but searches the innermost recesses of our hearts, and often the unlikely or ordinary to do the extraordinary things,” he said, calling the lesson relevant to Church leadership today.
Timoner compared David’s quiet life as a shepherd to the experience of bishops suddenly called to greater responsibility, often without preparation or personal ambition.
“All of us will face the choice of whether to take the safe and comfortable route or trust the Lord and obey what He calls us to do,” he said.
Addressing fellow bishops, Timoner said leaders lack the ability to fully see into a person’s heart, making reliance on God’s guidance even more necessary.
He urged leaders to seek the direction of the Holy Spirit rather than depend solely on visible skills, credentials or public image. The bishop also challenged believers to focus on inner spiritual growth, saying God often works through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes.
CBCP Website
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