Level up

The story is told about two men who encountered a giant bear. One of them took off his boots and put on his rubber shoes. His companion said: “What are you doing? We cannot outrun that bear even with our jogging shoes!” Whereupon the first man said: “Who cares about the bear? All I have to worry about is outrunning you!”

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In today’s Gospel (Mt 20, 1-16), Jesus reminds us that the first will be the last, and the last will be the first. Human as we are, we are often preoccupied with outrunning each other, and comparing ourselves with each other. In our journey to God, let us stay focused on Him, and not on each other, otherwise, we will lose sight of Him because of our selfishness and shortsightedness.

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We must not make God according to our image and likeness. Neither should we use our worldly measures and standards in our attempt to measure or understand God. By worldly standards, God would be, in today’s gospel about the hired laborers, a bad manager, or an unjust employer. Let us level up to God’s standard of justice and generosity instead of bringing Him down to our level.

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Someone once prayed: “Lord, if you cannot make me thin, please make all my friends fat!” We often are quite good in leveling people. In other words, we make sure nobody goes too high, and nobody becomes too good. So instead of rejoicing over other peoples’ blessings, instead of encouraging them for the good they are doing, we often find ourselves resentful or envious. Why? Because we make ourselves the standard, and not God.

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A case in point is that of Bruno, my faithful dog who always watches out for me and who follows me wherever I go. But this week, he was nowhere in sight because there is a female dog in heat somewhere in our seminary compound, and that’s where he hangs around now most of the time. He showed up once for a few minutes as if just to say hello, and then he was again gone. If I were to stick to my expectations and standards, I would be hurt, angry, even resentful toward him. For after all, I am his master who feeds him, am I not? But, I do understand. That’s the nature of dogs. I just smile and say to myself that the call of nature is naturally stronger than the call of his master.

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By our natural and cultural standards, we believe that Shamcey Supsup should have won the Miss Universe title held recently in Brazil. But then, we realize that there are other people in the world who see things differently. Title aside, we still believe in our hearts that she won. Personally, I believe she was the winner of the whole event when she brought in God, the source of all Beauty, into the whole pageant when she said to millions all over the world: “If I had to change my religious beliefs, I would not marry the person I love because the first person that I love is God, who created me. And I have my faith, my principles and this is what makes me who I am. So if that man loves me, he should also love my God.” Shamcey, you do us all proud!

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We often look for beauty and brains in people. But there is one more thing that we should not overlook: Character! So to people out there looking for a future partner in life, go for BBC, i.e., Beauty, Brains, Character.

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By the way, the Lord needs more laborers in His vineyard. Please do your part. Everyone is welcome to do his share. No matter how small or insignificant it is, the Lord of the vineyard is asking you and me to contribute and to participate in his salvific plan. Don’t worry too much about effectiveness or success. All that He asks of us is our due diligence and faithfulness. As someone put it beautifully, “God does not call the qualified for He qualifies those whom He calls.”

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Speaking of laborers in the vineyard, last Sept. 14 we had a Mass at the Shrine of the Divine Word, Christ the King Seminary for our SVD priests and brothers who have endured the noonday sun and who continue to work in the Lord’s vineyard even in the sunset years of their lives. What an inspiration to see these fellow workers who have given the best years of their lives to the Lord, and who continue to be faithful to Him till the very end. We praise and thank God for Fr. Fermin Galolo Jr., Fr. Willie Escalante, Fr. Alan Meechan (25 years in priesthood); Fr. Bel San Luis (40 years in priesthood); Fr. Virigilio Bartolome, Fr. German Mehler, Fr. Michael Padua, Fr. Dennis Flynn (50 years in priesthood); Fr. Quintin Terrenal (65 years in priesthood).

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The Perpetual Rosary Movement invites you to a healing encounter with God on Sept. 24 at the Shrine of the Divine Word starting at 1 p.m. with a talk by Mother Mary Immacolata Eucaristia, followed by a devotion to the Divine Word to be led by Fr. Titus Mananzan, SVD, ending with a 6 p.m. anticipated Mass by yours truly. For inquiries, call 738-2643; 09178147232.

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Bantay Matanda invites you to a lay forum on “Depression in the Elderly” at Janssen Hall, Christ the King Seminary, Sept. 24, 9 a.m. to 12 nn. For inquiries, call 373-2262; 0917-4167849

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Inviting you to our “Walk with God to Manaoag” on Oct. 1, starting at 6 a.m. from the Cathedral of Urdaneta, Pangasinan and ending with the 11 a.m. Mass at the Shrine of our Lady of Manaoag. Let’s make this three-hour, 13-kilometer walk with God in thanksgiving, and in beseeching God’s mercy and blessings.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to become more and more like you. Amen.