Servant and steward

A text message I received said: “Laughing at your own mistakes can lengthen your life, but laughing at your wife’s mistakes can shorten your life.”

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In today’s Gospel (Lk, 17, 5-10), Jesus talks about servanthood. That’s the bottom line for all of us. We are all servants, so let us not waste our energy proving who we are or comparing ourselves with others, or competing with others as to who is better, holier, or more entitled. “We are unprofitable  servants…” That’s all we need to remember, each one of us, starting from the President, the Bishop, the Provincial, even the general, down.

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There is one more concept we should not forget, and that is stewardship. We own nothing. We are entitled to nothing. Even our titles are nothing. We are all stewards, and nothing and no one lasts forever. We are all pilgrims, and we are all just passing by. We all will die, sooner or later. We will carry nothing with us when we leave this world. And we hope we don’t leave our mess behind, just because we were selfish and proud.

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Obey! Yes, we are servants, so we must learn to obey. What do you say to mortals who do not only disobey God, but also challenge Him, ridicule Him, or even insult Him?

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At the moment of our death, may we have little or no regrets that we forgot God and His commandments. Remember, pride was Lucifer’s waterloo. I have never seen a proud person at life’s end. By God’s grace, may we all bend when we come to our end.

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Let this be our humble prayer every day: “Lord, today You woke me up! I can see, I can talk, I can hear, I can move, I can hope, I can work, I can laugh. And if ever I can’t do one or two, at least, Lord, I am still alive!”

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One person who has concretized servanthood and stewardship in his life is Fr. Leo Schmitt, SVD, 88, who received the 29th Saint Teresa of Calcutta Award last Sept. 26. This German-Filipino priest has dedicated his life to helping poor Filipino families by way of housing projects, through the Samahang Bagong Buhay Foundation for the past 40 years. “You cannot go wrong if you work in the premise of a Christian value and the development of the total person,” says Father Leo, who met Mother Teresa during her visit to the Philippines. On a personal note, I am happy to have been formed by him in the 1970s as his student, choir member, and even band member (I played the tuba in our seminary days!).

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Father Leo has always been our “idol” as a formator. But what amazed us more was his transformation from the “classical” person so gifted with knowledge and the arts to a social action person, with his  “Action Leaven” program, that reaches out to the poor. If we really love God, we should not be afraid to leave our comfort  zones and venture into distant and  unfamiliar shores.

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In our recent pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Cagayan de Oro, and to the Benedictine Monastery in Malaybalay, I was so edified by the presence of the three Luciano brothers—septuagenarians Father Angel, CICM, Doctor Jun, and Nilo. It was so inspiring to see how they supported one another and how they enjoyed one another’s company. It was a concrete experience of a truly caring “band of brothers.”

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October is the month of the Rosary. I am happy to have done my “Walk with God to Manaoag” yesterday, my 63rd birthday.

We have many things for which to thank God. Let us all be humble and grateful.

Remember, we are all in a journey to God’s heart, with Mama Mary, our Mother, leading  us there.

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October is also National Teachers Month. We honor, we remember, and we pray for all the people who have educated and taught us by their words and life examples—they who have given us the necessary tools and keys to open whatever doors lie ahead of us. Thank you, dear teachers and mentors!

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A message of consolation to all servants and stewards: “God gives hope to those who dream, gives miracles to those who believe. He never lets down those who trust Him, and He never leaves those who walk with Him; His love never ends.”

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to remember that we are just your servants and stewards. Amen.