The story is told about a religion teacher who asked her students this biblical trivia question: “Who had constipation in the Bible?” One smart student answered: “Solomon, Ma’am, because he sat on the ‘throne’ for 40 years.” Another smart student said: “Cain, Ma’am, because he wasn’t able (read: Abel)!”
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In today’s Gospel (Mk. 6, 16), many of those who heard Jesus’ words were astonished at His wisdom and amazed by His mighty deeds. But at the same time, they questioned His credibility and credentials. As in Jesus’ time, many of us, too, are not able to distinguish between the message and the messenger because of our tendency to be incredulous and skeptical even when we see goodness around.
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“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house” (Mk. 6, 4). People have the tendency to accept the messenger if he/she is a stepping stone for them, but if he/she becomes a stumbling block, then they conveniently reject, oppose, or even persecute him/her.
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Persecution, rejection, division, and even death are sure signs of a prophet’s life. If we experience acceptance and applause in what we do or say, it is time to ask ourselves whether we have diluted or compromised our message, or have become too comfortable as messengers.
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Last July 3, Dutch missionary Wilhelmus Geertman was gunned down in Angeles, Pampanga. He spent 47 of his 67 years of life in the Philippines helping the farmers and the indigenous people whom he served and loved. There have been other missionaries and prophets like him who were silenced because they disturbed the peace and comfort of the big and the powerful.
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Prophets are those who are able to stand for something or someone greater than themselves. In contrast, notice how easy and convenient it is for many of our politicians to switch parties or affiliations in their pursuit of personal ambitions. It is amazing how they manage to stay in the corridors of power with whoever is in power. So shallow and hollow in principles, but so loaded with dollars, euros, and pesos! In the end, it’s all a matter of choice between the easy road to earthly glory and the narrow road to eternity.
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How do we treat the people “below” us? How do we treat people “above” us? It is interesting to note how people can suddenly change when exposed to different shades of money, authority and power. Yes, true colors come out when exposed to the color of money.
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Do you have a hard time accepting that there are people who can become brighter, richer, better or holier than you? Do you perhaps think that you have the monopoly and the exclusive right to the good things in this life? If so, it is time to wake up from your illusions, and face the reality that there are no greater gods among us.
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Are you an enabler or a disabler? Do you put down or do you lift up people? A person who is not insecure is not threatened by anything or by anyone. Such a person is able to become an enabler.
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Are our leaders enablers or disablers? Do they make us dependent on them and perpetuate such dependence? May we rise above worldly ambitions and stop using and manipulating people.
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Speaking of leaders, may I share with you the Prayer of Government Employees: “Almighty, we beseech you… Grant us the grace to love our work and service to our country; to be conscientious without need for praise or adulation; to be friendly and generous with our help to all who seek service from our office; to observe Your divine laws, justice and truth in all our transactions. Protect us, Lord, from temptations. Do not let us take advantage of our positions for personal gain and at the expense of others; let us not enrich ourselves with property and money that rightfully belong to the citizens whom we have pledged to serve; and constantly remind us that honesty is the best policy, that ill-gotten wealth cannot bring us happiness in the end. Grant us the strength to set the interests of the community above personal interest, and our fidelity to You above everything else. Show us, Lord, how to turn our work into a ministry to our countrymen. And Lord, please bless our country and forever keep us in Your peace. Amen.”
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Speaking further of leaders, we have a new superior general in the person of Fr. Heinz Kulueke, SVD, born in Germany in 1956 and ordained priest in 1986. He is the present provincial superior of Philippines SVD Southern Province. Not only is he able, with his track record and credentials, but he is also an enabler who knows how to empower and encourage. One with you, Father Heinz!
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me to be able and willing to go beyond myself in serving You and my brothers and sisters. Amen.