Level up

The story is told about a beggar who ordered and enjoyed a good meal in a fancy restaurant with only P200 in his pocket. How did he do it? When his bill of P3,000 was handed to him, he said he had no money, so the restaurant manager turned him over to the police. What happened next? He gave his P200 to the police officer, and the officer let him go.

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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 10, 25-37), Jesus teaches us to go beyond what is written in the law. Beyond legalism are mercy and compassion. Why? Because if we become legalistic, we can also become fantastic in our alibis and rationalizations, and abusive in the interpretation of the law. The rule of law must prevail, but beyond the rule of law is the rule of the heart.

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Jesus met a scholar of the law who wanted to test Him. You and I have met such persons who just want to debate or engage in discussions in an attempt to prove they are knowledgeable and righteous. What to do with such people? Do what Jesus did! Engage them, but raise them to a higher level. Debate merely builds walls. Dialogue opens doors.

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“You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” More than knowledge of what is right or wrong, it is choosing and doing what is right that matter. We must level up from mere words to concrete actions. We must level up from religiosity to spirituality, from complacency to commitment, from public image to self-worth, from compliance and obligations to responsibility and gratitude.

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There are people who think that knowledge is the key to knowing more about God. There are people who also think that righteousness is the key. Humility is the key to God’s heart. Intellectually proud and self-righteous people really don’t know God. People who think they know God, or who think they deserve God, still have a long way to go in their journey to God’s heart.

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It can happen that we lose our passion for God. When we become complacent and comfortable, and no longer wish to leave our comfort zones and familiar shores; when we are content with compliance and become mediocre in our response to His call; when we focus on benefits and lose our sense of sacrifice; when we focus on or complain about what is missing; when we forget to thank God for our blessings… It is then that we lose our passion for God; it is then that our journey becomes all about, not Him, but I, me and myself all over again.

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There are people who inspire us because of their passion for God and for His people. Last June 19, the Pre-Med Civic Society of Manila, led by Rene and Abie Turingan, conducted a medical-dental mission at our SVD Mission Center in San Jose, Batangas. About 300 people not only benefited from free treatment but received early Christmas gifts as well. What impressed me was the efficiency of the group members, and also their simplicity, humility and joy. They conducted their mission without much fanfare, without much thought for acknowledgment or recognition. They did it all because of mission and compassion.

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Sharing with you “All I Ever Needed to Know about Life from my Dentist,” which I saw in the clinic of Dr. Roby Montellano: “Smile—you always look your best when you do; don’t eat too much; never bite off more than you could chew; nobody likes a guy with a dirty mouth; be on time for your appointments; there are times when it is better to keep your mouth closed; an ounce of toothpaste  is worth a pound of filling; sometimes, the things that are good for you can hurt you.”

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Here are some interesting vocation stories. The first is the long journey of Fr. Paul Aquino, SVD, before he finally reached the altar of the Lord last May 28. Father Paul, with joyful enthusiasm, studied music, went into teaching, and encountered a lot of detours along the way. But after 25 years, he finally made it to the priesthood by God’s grace. The second is the vocation journey of Marlon Vargas, who experienced his calling via Facebook! He was a religion teacher in a Catholic school in Guam when he felt a deep emptiness and loneliness, and sought guidance through Eucharistic adoration. One day, while browsing the internet, he chanced upon the SVD Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Divine.Word.Missionaries.Chicago.Province. Again, by God’s grace, he is now a seminarian. Lesson? More than ourselves, and our efforts, it is by God’s grace that we are called, chosen, sent, and go on with our mission.

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Think about this: “God has a way of fulfilling the dreams in your heart in the best possible way. He will allow you to be temporarily disappointed but never permanently frustrated. You don’t have to understand it all, but when you surrender your dreams to God and trust Him to send you the best, that’s exactly what happens.”

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to level up from our selfishness and pride toward mercy, compassion and humility. Amen.