The Voice of the King (Christ the King)

No doubt, he is the king. With the manner he dominated and demolished his last opponent, the remaining skeptics who have had lingering doubts about his superior world class prowess are now totally convinced he is indeed the king of the ring. Manny Paquiao truly deserves the world-boxing legendary title, “The Pound-for-pound King!” Manny rules… Yo!!! Once again, a kingly welcome as he comes home is in order.

Today we give honor not to the king of the ring though but to the King of kings—Jesus Christ. On this Feast of Christ the King which signals the end of the liturgical year, it’s fitting to ask ourselves how we have given honor to him. How have we shown allegiance to our King?

You see, the king of the ring publicly bows and kneels in his corner before and after every fight presumably to entrust everything to the God he believes in. So far he is successful in his every fight in the ring. He is happy. His fans are happy too. It seems to all of us that God is on his side even as we wonder how God maintains impartiality in respect to the equally ardent prayers from the Mexican or Puerto Rican corner.

Apparently the king of the ring entrusts to God his every fight. But will he allow the same God to lead his life outside the ring? Some believe that this is his greatest challenge now. Not Mayweather! With the blinding success that has brought his life unimaginable wealth, inebriating fame, and endless opportunities of every sort unknown to him before (like politics and romance?), will Manny Paquiao still bow and kneel to let God be God of his life—not only during his boxing bouts that continue to make history; but also in his personal life as a husband… as a father for instance? Or let say, as a future congressman?!!!!!

Do we allow Jesus to be the God of our life? Is he the King whose commands we are following?

In today’s gospel (Jn 18:33-37) Jesus is in trial in front of Pilate. The exchange between them unfolds the nature of Jesus’ Kingship. “Are you the king of the Jews?” is the question thrown by Pilate to Jesus. The answer to which determines whether or not Jesus is guilty of treason as charged. And Jesus answers obliquely that his “kingdom does not belong to this world.” This implies of course that indeed he is a king but of a different order.

Kings rule in the external public forum—the socio-economic and political affairs—which is configured by men and governed by them. No. Jesus is King not of that order. His kingdom does not rely on military strategies, or on economic systems, or on political power. Instead, Jesus is king of the internal forum—the affairs of the heart, the arena of conscience—where the deepest spiritual strivings and the search for the truth transpire. As such, this arena is far superior to the former. The allegiance of the heart is immeasurably more profound than any external public adherence, say, to a political party. Thomas More, for instance, is remembered by his remarks just before his execution: “I die as the king’s true servant, but God’s first.”

Ultimately, the interior adherence to Jesus in faith ought to influence the way we conduct even our external public affairs. This is why even without military personnel and political machinery, Jesus’ kingship is radically transformative—the very reason why the revered people in the corridors of power in his time wanted to get rid of him!

“Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” (v. 37). This is the statement of our King. This is how we show our allegiance to him: To allow Jesus to rule the affairs of our hearts and to let his truth reverberate in every nook and cranny of our conscience. To accept Jesus as king, then, is to be aware of the interior adherence of faith he demands and to actually live by it each day in all the facets and seasons of life.

Why would we like to do this? Because he is a king whom we can trust! He is a king whose self-sacrifice on the cross dispels any doubt about the magnanimity of his love. He is a king whose only desire is the ultimate joy and total fulfillment of his beloved subjects. He is a king who holds the truth which we, shortsighted human beings as we are, always fail to see on our own. We readily see the externals. The superficial. The glossy coating. Because, in seeing, we use only our eyes and not our heart. And we fool ourselves by jumping into the conclusion that the window dressing we see is the be-all and end-all of life. So tragic that many have lived by it… and eventually died for it… with the greatest uncertainty, very much unlike Sir Thomas More, if there ever was a meaning to life.

We need to listen to his voice in the deepest recesses of our hearts.

We end this liturgical year with this Feast of Christ the King. Let us ask ourselves: Have I recognized his voice and truly listened to him through out the year? Has my life been a little different because I have allowed God to lead me from within? Is He truly my King?

"What Are We Empowered For?" (25th Sunday B)

A favorite story among us seminary formators (at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary) is a joke about a monsignor who can’t wait to become a bishop. The story has it that the monsignor has been summoned by the Papal Nuncio to his office.

Nuncio: Monsignor, I’ve arranged this confidential meeting in order to bring up to you the fact that you are being considered to become a bishop. And I… (Monsignor interrupts).
Msgr: Well, that’s just great, Your Excellency! May I know when is my ordination?
Nuncio: Ah… Monsignor… I want you to think about it first… pray over it first. Okay?
Msgr: Okay, Your Excellency. (Frantically looking around) Where’s the chapel? Where’s the chapel?

There’s a tagalog expression that best describes this monsignor--Atat na atat! I recall, about three weeks ago, the Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros used this term, atat na atat, to describe many of the presidential wanna-bes for 2010 elections. He even went as far as to call for voters not to support aspiring leaders who are atat na atat. I think the logic behind his precaution is quite obvious: Those who are atat na atat are up for power and personal glory. Most likely, serving the people is the least of their concern.

"No one stands as straight and tall as he who bends to help the poor."Jesus’ message in today’s gospel is one of reproach for those who are atat na atat for power and personal glory. In the gospel reading, Jesus, for the second time, predicts his eventual suffering and humiliation on the cross—a reversal of the expected power and glory of the messiah. But still the whole point seems to escape his disciples’ understanding. Jesus finds them still preoccupied with the debate about who is the greatest among them! So Jesus, in plain and simple language, teaches them saying: “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all” (Mk. 9:35). Jesus then presents a child for illustration to make the point crystal clear: In God’s reign, the greatest is the one who stoops down to serve the least.

I’m aware that discussing politics on the pulpit irritates some people. But today’s gospel message lends itself to our on-going political concerns specifically the search for public leaders in 2010 elections. Do we have candidates whose idea of greatness is that of the gospel? Who sees public position as opportunities to serve and not to be served? As we continue to discern as a people about who we would like to lead us and also how we ourselves act as leaders in our own varied capacities in the communities, we may do well to be instructed by the gospel today. I would have us reflect on two related things that directly emerge from the gospel: On servant-leadership and on preferential option for the poor.

Servant-leadership. For the most part of our life as a people, leadership has been associated with power. The power that has colonized us for centuries… the power to govern with a strong hand… the power to manipulate democratic processes to maintain positions “on the top of the world”… the power to control resources and wealth in the hands of the few… the power to conceal the truth… So we have come to believe as a matter of course that leadership means power to lord it over.. But as we recall Lord Acton’s statement, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” we ought not be surprised why we top the list of most corrupt nations today.

The lesson that Jesus teaches is simple and clear: Servant-leadership. But like the early disciples, people choose not to understand. To be great is to embrace the humble stance of a servant. A great leader, in the eyes of God, is not one that maintains at all cost one’s glory and power for one’s own sake but one that harnesses whatever influence is under his disposal for the common good. A great leader is one who serves. For centuries now, this simple lesson seems to escape our nations understanding and commitment. It’s high time we heed the wisdom of God. Let us identify leaders who are servants at heart. And what’s more, let us realize something that lies in our own hands; let us be servants in our own capacities.

Preferential Option for the Poor. Whom are we serving? We really don’t mind serving people of great stature, do we? We take pride in having served in one way or another someone we deem significant. Or we think we are serving when we attend to someone who would most likely serve us in return or pay us back in whatever form. “Bahala’g ‘water-boy’ ra ko, si Manny Pacquiao man sad akong tagaan og tubig!” But can I be a ‘water-boy’ to a thirsty child in the street? The child that Jesus presents in the gospel may well represent anyone or any sector in society who is helpless, powerless, nameless, dependent, insignificant, incapable of paying back—the poor.

The type of leadership we, Filipinos, have habitually or perhaps forcibly embraced is one that easily indulges the needs, or more to the point, the whims of the influential and the big shots. It’s a leadership that hardly transforms the ills of society as it is slow to listen to the cry of the poor and quick to conform to the design of the powerful and the ‘superpowerful.’ Again, let us heed the wisdom of God in Jesus—if you wanna serve, serve the least of all!

Hopefully, the gospel message today spurs us to a continuing critical discernment about the brand of leaders we truly need today as we prepare for the national elections in 2010 and as we go on with our day-to-day vocation to use whatever power is entrusted to us in the service of the lowliest.

“What are we empowered for?” I’ve heard it said with a tone of entitlement and self-indulgence and with a sense of being atat na atat from people of position and power. May the simplicity of Jesus’ message allow us to see quite clearly the real answer—for the service of the poor.

A Lonely Place (16th Sunday B)

Spa centers are proliferating in our cities. People go there to give themselves a break from their hectic daily schedule. Life today is becoming more and more stressful. A cozy spa promises to offer the much needed relaxation. "Pamper yourself," a spa ads goes. It's appealing to a tired and stressed people.

Jesus was also aware of the apostles' need to rest. "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mk. 6:31). This he enjoined his apostles as they came back from their mission. How consoling these words are for someone who's been committed to the work of God's Kingdom and for those concerned for the betterment of humanity. The work can be tiring. Replete with pain and sacrifices... as this is the cross we have committed to carry. Suddenly the Lord does not mention the cross. This time He sends invitation to REST in a deserted place. The Lord knows we can get tired and we need to R... E... S... T...

I don't know if the spa really satisfies the fatigue that we feel. But the Lord's 'deserted place' truly can. In that place where He invites us we truly find R... E... S... T...

Renewal. Evaluation. Silence. Thanksgiving.

Renewal. Our deserted place is a place of renewal. A place that energizes us for the mission. As we emerge from the place, we obtain new zeal, new strength to continue facing life's struggles and mission.

Evaluation. Coming away to a lonely place also offers time to look back and examine the direction we have taken, the soundness of the decisions made, the goals set to be pursued. We check if these are still in consonance to God's will.

Silence. The lonely place is a place where we are not alone. For God is there to meet us. Only in silence that we allow ourselves to be sensitive to God's presence. In silence, we can relish the warmth of God's love that we otherwise do not notice in the heart of our busy life.

Thanksgiving. When we are renewed, when we have examined ourselves and our decisions, when we are bathed in the reassuring love of God, we find our hearts filled with gratitude. and from the fullness of heart, the mouth utters a thankgiving to God.

So, where is that 'deserted place' for you and for me? Should we not then make it a point to meet the Lord there when we need to R... E... S... T... ?

Simplify... Simplify... Simplify (15th Sunday B)

Last week, millions of people watched the funeral service of the “King of Pop.” It’s as if the whole world mourned for his death. Maybe some of us here are still grieving for the loss of an idol in music and in dancing. We’re gonna miss the moon-walk. I’ve tried to learn the steps since high school… until now, in this age of arthritis, I’ve never perfected it.

MJ has been idolized by millions. He had everything the world had to offer. Fame. Wealth. Comfort. But from what I’ve gathered in watching TV discussing his life, the King of Pop seemed to have been a very sad, and lonely man despite what he had. He had to resort to drugs and pain-killers to give him peace. He lived a very extravagant lifestyle spending $20-30 M a year more than what he earned! Until his death, you see $25,000 worth of solid bronze and 14 karat gold plated casket was ordered for his funeral. A blogger exclaimed, “Do you have any idea how huge is that amount for a coffin? The money could have been spent for millions of hungry people!” Or it could’ve been donated to SJVTS to help poor seminarians.

I’m not making a judgment on MJ’s life here. Only God knows who he really was. He was an icon, for sure, in the entertainment world; People idolized him; but I think for those who search for authentic meaning in life, he was not the “way, the truth, and the life.” In fact, when we turn our attention to Jesus’ teachings and life, we discern without difficulty the stark contrast between Jesus’ message and that of MJ’s life.

Today’s gospel for instance, exhorts Jesus’ disciples to travel light. This is something MJ found very difficult to do with his extravagant lifestyle.

Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life, reveals a secret for a contented, purposeful and trusting way of living. The secret in three words as Fr. Guillemette says: simplify, simplify, simplify…

Very simple indeed. Simplicity of lifestyle is what the Lord exhorts his followers to have. To be simple does not mean to be suffering from want and to lack what one needs in life. To be simple is to live within the bounds of the basic necessities in life. Mark’s gospel records Jesus’ instructions: “bring nothing for the journey except for walking staff and sandals.” In other words, bring what is necessary and what facilitates your purpose.

But what about this? “Bring not even food or money!” If Jesus is addressing us today, maybe many of us would be very quick to react: “Wait… are you serious? No food and no money?” “Ok, I’ll bring credit card instead.” This reflects our insecurity and our dependence on money.

Two things will help us see the meaning and relevance of this gospel on simplicity. First, single-mindedness for the mission. Second, dependence on God’s providence.

Single-mindedness. Jesus exhorts his disciples to travel light. To bring only what is necessary because this facilitates the achievement of the purpose for which they are sent. The disciples are to preach repentance, to cure the sick, to expel demons, in short to announce that the reign of God is at hand. This is the purpose. This is the mission. The disciples ought to always have this in mind. Material possessions are cumbersome and its accumulation can distract them from this mission. But to travel light is to be single-minded about one’s goals. A disciple should always be on the go. (The cebu pacific travel agent asked me: “Go light, Sir?”)

You see to be simple is to be single-minded for the mission, undistracted by the glitters of Gold that this world offers.

Rick Warren wrote a book, The Purpose Driven Life. Life has a purpose. It is our task to discern what that is and to be directed by that God-given purpose. So, it’s best to ask ourselves, “What is the god-given purpose of my life?” Without it, my life is gonna be disoriented… directionless… easily swayed by the many tantalizing options offered by this materialistic and consumerist society. When our purpose or mission is unclear, it is easy for us to settle into living an extravagant lifestyle because we are misled to think that this is what life means. The irony though is that when our purpose is not fulfilled we experience the deepest, disturbing loneliness—one that no amount of money can allay. So again, “What is my purpose or mission in life?” All the things I have are mere instruments to attain this. So it’s much better to simplify in order to be single-minded.

Dependence on God’s providence. “Bring not even food or money.” It’s quite hard for a modern man to set out for his mission without these provisions. That’s why we may react like this, “Okay, no money… but I’ll bring my credit card instead.”

The Lord here is not saying that we will not be needing food nor money in doing our mission. The gospel reminds us that the disciples have to depend on the support of generous household who will accept them. Making money is not the disciples’ mission. They have to rely on the generosity of those to whom they have been sent. They have to trust in God’s providence. And believe that what God requires, God also enables.

A good illustration, I think, is the partnership of seminary formators and, you, dear benefactors in achieving the purpose or the mission of this seminary. Making money is not the primary concern of the seminary. By God’s continuing providence, it continues to achieve its purpose of forming future leaders of the Church through the generous support you have been extending. Dear benefactors you are the sign of God’s providence as far as the seminary mission is concerned.

In this age of strategic planning, we do not leave any room for chance. Everything is planned from the objectives down to the budget needs. Somehow we tend to leave God out of the equation. And go on with our projects as if we are the ultimate director of things. And when things go wrong we end up taking tranquilizers to give us peace… to save us from depression… or even from going insane. Or the worst is, like some of the richest persons in the world hit by global financial crisis, we end up jumping on a speeding train to call it quits.

Like the early disciples of Jesus, we need to trust in God’s providence. This is a humble stance, recognizing that we are not in control of everything. And many things are uncertain. As one saying goes, while we work so hard as if everything depended on us, we ought to kneel and pray as if everything depended on God. Again, it’s good to remember: “What God requires, God also enables.”

So when we set out to do our mission, we ought to be single-minded unburdened by attachments to material possessions as we put our trust in God’s providence. In short, simplify… simplify… simplify…