FATHER OC LIM: AN IMAGE OF CHRIST THE PRIEST

The heart of a priest is made for love.
He does so in the manner and
following the example of Christ the
Bridegroom, of Christ who gave
Himself entirely to humanity in love
- Bishop Nicolas Brouwet

The photo above is taken from the Catholic Asian News dated June 1992 which I have kept for 28 years. This issue of the CA News is very precious to me because it tells the story of Father O.C. Lim's beautiful ordination in great detail. That was a beautiful beginning of his journey as a Jesuit priest. Everyone was very happy that day. But 28 years later...

Reverend Father Anthony Lim Ooi Chai (26 Aug 1943 - 5 June 2020), better known as Father O.C. Lim, passed away at Pantai Medical Centre on 5th June 2020. He was admitted to the hospital in early May and had been recovering after surgery. His sudden death was caused by his earlier aortic dissection and aneurysm. His demise came as a shock to everyone. Too sad to be true. I prefer to think of Father OC Lim's beautiful ordination.

When I received news of Father O.C. Lim's death two days ago, I thought that it was a mistake and I could not accept this fact until I confirmed the sad news via the Facebook of St. Francis Xavier Church Jalan Gasing. I kept saying to myself, "He is only 76 and still young. There are many world leaders who are in power in their 80s and 90s. Why can't he stay with us a little longer? I have always prayed that he would enjoy a long and healthy life. Why can't he live past 100? Why is it that good people always die young?" I wanted to write another article about him at that instant but found it difficult to focus on my writing. For the past two days, I wasn't really doing anything at all because I just couldn't do anything. I believe that all those who know or have heard about him would feel the same too because Father OC Lim is not an ordinary man. He is an image of Christ the priest who has clearly proven the meaning, purpose, and importance of the Christian priesthood. Truly, he is another Christ (Alter Christus) who has given himself fully to the people that he has come to serve. In other words, he is a living icon of Christ in our midst.

What is the meaning of "another Christ" (Alter Christus)? According to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, priests are "men taken from among men" which means that they are not the Toms, Dicks, and Harrys that we meet on the streets each day. As representatives of Christ, they have to make the presence of Christ visible to the flock entrusted to their care and in order to do so they have to live the life of Christ themselves. This is clearly stated in the first letter of Peter:

"To the elders among you I, a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and sharer in the glory that is to be revealed, make this appeal. God's flock is in your midst; give it a shepherd's care. Watch over it willingly as God would have you do, not under constraint, and not for shameful profit either, but generously. Be examples to the flock, not lording it over those assigned to you, so that when the chief shepherd appears you will win yourselves the unfading crown of glory" (1 Peter 5:1-4).

Father OC Lim knew what living the life of Christ meant and need not be reminded by the Popes again and again about the importance of priestly celibacy. As a representative of Jesus Christ, he had the overwhelming responsibility to continue the mission of Christ the Priest by giving himself totally and absolutely to God and the Church. He has renounced everything including that which our society cannot live without - marriage and material things. Given the fact that almost everyone in this world is pursuing money, fame, power and love, only a saint can forgo these necessities of life. Father OC Lim has indeed set a good example for the priests through his act of total self-giving. As the good shepherd, he is truly a reflection of the goodness of Jesus and having him in our midst makes us feel the presence of Christ through him. He is our rare and precious treasure and the faithful will always appreciate his immense unconditional love. The word "love" here does not mean "deep affection for a particular woman" because it has a greater meaning than that in a priest's life. "The heart of a priest is made for love," says Bishop Nicolas Brouwet and "he does so in the manner and following the example of Christ the Bridegroom." According to Bishop Nicolas Brouwet, this is only possible if he can "give himself entirely to humanity in love and his heart is ready to offer itself for all, without exclusivity and without preference. He should be impartial so that he can go to everyone with a free heart, without attachment and this is precisely what the faithful appreciate" (You may like to read Bishop Nicolas Brouwet: The Heart of a Priest Is Made for Love). Yes, Father OC Lim has followed the example of Christ and given himself entirely to humanity in love. He has offered his heart for all, without exclusivity and preference. This is what we call true love.

Once I was dead but now I live -

forever and ever (Revelation 1:18).

Father OC Lim will live forever in our hearts and always be remembered as our hero. This hero will be respected, honored, loved, and greatly missed for years to come because he has sacrificed himself to live the life of Christ for a world in need of salvation. He is a shepherd of souls who has always been there for his sheep. Throughout these years, he has accompanied us especially in the dramatic moments of our lives. He did not live for himself but for the sanctification of the people. He will also be fondly remembered as an advocate for justice and righteousness. Through the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ, he has at last won himself the unfading crown of glory. May his soul rest in peace.

I am the resurrection and the life:

whoever believes in me,

though he should die, will come to life;

and whoever is alive and believes in me

will never die. (John 11:25).

Let us pray that many more young men would emulate Father OC Lim and become holy priests. To all our Catholic priests who have renounced marriage and material goods to live the life of Christ, the faithful will always be proud of you because every one of you is a living image of Jesus Christ. Do you know that you are our unsung heroes? According to St. Francis of Assisi, the priesthood is a A VOCATION HIGHER THAN ANGELS and if he were to meet a priest and and angel at the same time, he would greet the priest first because the priest is a representative of Christ (You may also like to read FATHER OC LIM - OUR PRIEST LAWYER).


References:
1.  French bishop reflects on priestly celibacy book by Cardinal Sarah, Benedict XVI. The Catholic World Report.
2.  The New American Bible. New York: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
3.  Another Priest for Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese. CA News June 1992.