Gospel: Mt. 5: 1-12a
11 Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward will be great in heaven.
When work hurts
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
There are times when we wish we were not in the kind of work we are doing, because of the insults and persecutions we might be subjected to even if we sincerely feel that we are doing our best in our jobs. Those performing leadership roles would oftentimes suffer the malady of being misunderstood by the followers or painfully bear the pain and shame of some false accusations thrown by envious or self-righteous colleagues. Even those who consider themselves as simple, ordinary workers may also find themselves in such exasperating moments that they would ask themselves what and why they should suffer so much in work. What value do all these hurtful work experiences have, more than the money and material compensation they give?
The most consoling answer to the above questions is the assurance of Jesus who categorically states that a great reward in heaven awaits those who suffer “every kind of evil” for His sake, because of a great faith and love for Him. All kinds of evil in the work and the workplace which one encounters and suffers therefore, could earn heavenly reward for the workers who unites himself with Jesus. The workers’ affiliation to Jesus and to His church could give more benefits, albeit of a different kind but definitely not of a lesser value than what any workers’ union could provide its workers-members in lieu of the many pains and suffering endured in work. The material compensation for work could never satisfy completely all the needs of the workers and longings of his heart.
When work hurts, we should realize that what really matters is the reason and for whom we spend our life and energy—Jesus, the Giver of the reward and even the Reward Himself not only in heaven but also here in the earthly workplace.
Its own reward
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Places of work can offer many of the greatest opportunities for human growth. Why? Because there you spend so much time in so little space with people who try your patience and tolerance. In the workplace, you are bound to get hurt, particularly when you make it a point to try to be good, proper and trustworthy in everything you do. Whether we like it or not, mores have changed and as time passes people seem to bother less and less about work ethics and the common good. Where before we took pains to be proper, now we prefer to be "practical". Our idols, too, are no longer those who stood for what was right—and died for it sometimes—but those who through sheer good looks or luck and media hype have become kings and queens of Popularlandia. Read newspaper headlines, watch the biggest billboards on the highway, notice who our children imitate, and you'll see what I mean.
Try observing ourselves and our co-workers: how many of us would place compassion above convenience, who would care first for "everybody" before "me"? More and more it seems the fashion now it to make rules as we go along and then break them when they're no longer fun. Our values have changed so that "majority" and "mediocrity" have become synonymous, and when you try to save or restore order or a life-giving atmosphere at work, you are branded as hopelessly old fashioned, a pathetic dreamer, or at the very least, a killjoy.
But if we are Christians who are worth our salt, we would welcome the discomfort of being ignored, abhorred or laughed at because behind it all we get a foretaste of heaven in knowing that doing what is right and good is its own reward.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
RWS 270 January 27, 2008, 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mt. 4: 12-17
17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Heavenly conquest
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
When Jesus teaches about heaven He clearly explains that one must “work hard” to earn it; that, even if the Father is so eager and willing to share it with us, His creatures, we could only enjoy it if and when we do our part which firstly requires us to repent—turn away from our selfishness and pride and build up a loving relationship with our God.
The effort therefore that we need to do in gaining heavenly life is like the work that we do daily in life. Our struggling to attain perfection in heaven is like our working to earn our living here on earth—we gain a heavenly reward after “winning the fight” against all kinds of imperfections and evils, as we get job promotions and salary increase after upgrading our skills and abilities in our professions. Indeed, our work life and its many difficult and painful experiences are essential parts in the story of our heavenly conquest; they could also be the very means for a believer to build a loving relationship with the Heavenly Father.
When we spend our energies on our work, we in fact turn away from our self and focus our attention on the job. Forming the habit of thinking more of others, in this case, of another thing—the work at hand—than of our own selves, to my mind, is an important aspect of repentance Jesus is asking all of us to do. The more a person “forgets” himself and his self interest and the more he thinks of others, the easier for him to give himself to others—to seek the good of others and eventually to encounter the Supreme Good. When the person encounters God in faith, he would surrender his whole being and offer everything he does and he has as a loving and living worship of the Divinity, who is “at hand”—in the workplace and every place of our life.
When the workplace is hell
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Do you ever wonder why certain workplaces seem to be a veritable hell? I don’t mean it’s so uncomfortable no one can stand it—shades of eternal fire and souls wailing in torment—but a place where lies, deception and a me-first mentality reign supreme. This hell of a workplace (pardon the pun) could even be the most poshly appointed structure on earth, filled with sleek, smart people you’d envy for their affluent lifestyles, and yet working there is so stressful it could make you literally sick. And then it could also be a miserable sweatshop where workers are reduced to virtual slavery due to the fatal combination of employees’ ignorance and employers’ greed.
Following a system in the workplace does not always guarantee order and justice because sometimes oppression is built into the system. Even the best management or skills upgrading programs frequently offer only superficial and temporary solutions to workplace difficulties—thus, job satisfaction is fragile and peace is artificial.
Going deeper into the root of things we may discover that good old fashioned repentance is the simplest, most effective route to a better workplace. Things stay in a rut at work because people are unwilling to admit they have been wrong—they would rather seek “solutions” that in fact perpetuate anomalous situations while appearing to remedy them. To repent is to own your mistake, acknowledge your limitations, be open to correction, and therefore to growth. When you are humble enough to admit you have made a wrong decision and caused trouble in the office, you become an agent of progress. Let’s not be daunted by the idea of repenting; as today’s gospel reminds, repentance is the gateway to heaven.
17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say,
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Heavenly conquest
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
When Jesus teaches about heaven He clearly explains that one must “work hard” to earn it; that, even if the Father is so eager and willing to share it with us, His creatures, we could only enjoy it if and when we do our part which firstly requires us to repent—turn away from our selfishness and pride and build up a loving relationship with our God.
The effort therefore that we need to do in gaining heavenly life is like the work that we do daily in life. Our struggling to attain perfection in heaven is like our working to earn our living here on earth—we gain a heavenly reward after “winning the fight” against all kinds of imperfections and evils, as we get job promotions and salary increase after upgrading our skills and abilities in our professions. Indeed, our work life and its many difficult and painful experiences are essential parts in the story of our heavenly conquest; they could also be the very means for a believer to build a loving relationship with the Heavenly Father.
When we spend our energies on our work, we in fact turn away from our self and focus our attention on the job. Forming the habit of thinking more of others, in this case, of another thing—the work at hand—than of our own selves, to my mind, is an important aspect of repentance Jesus is asking all of us to do. The more a person “forgets” himself and his self interest and the more he thinks of others, the easier for him to give himself to others—to seek the good of others and eventually to encounter the Supreme Good. When the person encounters God in faith, he would surrender his whole being and offer everything he does and he has as a loving and living worship of the Divinity, who is “at hand”—in the workplace and every place of our life.
When the workplace is hell
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Do you ever wonder why certain workplaces seem to be a veritable hell? I don’t mean it’s so uncomfortable no one can stand it—shades of eternal fire and souls wailing in torment—but a place where lies, deception and a me-first mentality reign supreme. This hell of a workplace (pardon the pun) could even be the most poshly appointed structure on earth, filled with sleek, smart people you’d envy for their affluent lifestyles, and yet working there is so stressful it could make you literally sick. And then it could also be a miserable sweatshop where workers are reduced to virtual slavery due to the fatal combination of employees’ ignorance and employers’ greed.
Following a system in the workplace does not always guarantee order and justice because sometimes oppression is built into the system. Even the best management or skills upgrading programs frequently offer only superficial and temporary solutions to workplace difficulties—thus, job satisfaction is fragile and peace is artificial.
Going deeper into the root of things we may discover that good old fashioned repentance is the simplest, most effective route to a better workplace. Things stay in a rut at work because people are unwilling to admit they have been wrong—they would rather seek “solutions” that in fact perpetuate anomalous situations while appearing to remedy them. To repent is to own your mistake, acknowledge your limitations, be open to correction, and therefore to growth. When you are humble enough to admit you have made a wrong decision and caused trouble in the office, you become an agent of progress. Let’s not be daunted by the idea of repenting; as today’s gospel reminds, repentance is the gateway to heaven.
RWS 269 January 20, 2008, Feast of Sto. Nino
Gospel: Mt. 18:1-5, 10
3 and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself
like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
The Little Way
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
St. Therese of the Child Jesus is the “incarnation”—the becoming human—of the teaching of Jesus on humility and childlike spirit and attitude of His followers. This saint of the “Little way” could teach everyone, particularly workers, on the great value of little acts which are done abundantly also in the world of work. In fact, her biography and her teachings demonstrate clearly that indeed even the least of all actions or works could be offered dearly to the Loving and Almighty God.
Similarly, every worker, either one with the highest rank or simply the very least could offer the little and insignificant acts in the performance of his task as a loving homage to the Lord. The manager who may be burdened by the weight of big decisions for the company could still do little acts of kindness for his subordinates—greeting them warmly, listening to some patiently, or “wasting time” with them at coffee break—seeing Jesus in them. Many times, it is the “insignificant” acts such as these and many other similar gestures that would work marvels in the difficult task of management. But these tidbits of tasks done by even the bigwigs in the workplace should bear the genuine and sincere sign of respect, love and devotion for the other person/colleague and most especially for the One who is the source of all love and inspiration.
The least in the workplace, likewise, even though considered little compared to the great personalities in the company, could also raise or upgrade the value and meaning of his minor tasks to the level of divine worship and adoration of the Lord who became a little child—the Sto. Nino (Infant Jesus) by doing his works with faith, love and devotion—thus, making the Holy Child also alive in the workplace.
Meet Matilde
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Most of us look forward to retirement at 65, or even earlier, as we want it to be a carefree time to enjoy while we’re still strong and not when we’re already using walkers. But there are people who do not miss retirement at all, such as Matilde, a 92-year old lady I met last June at the Shrine of the Holy Infant in Prague, in the Czech Republic. Matilde had lived in Canada for 47 years, and has worked in consulates abroad, making her more cosmopolitan than average, yet now, at an age when most of her contemporaries are gone, she still has the energy to volunteer at the Shrine from 9-12 in the morning, every day.
Before seeing her actually working, I’d thought all she could do was dust the pews, and not very meticulously at that, considering her age, but—how wrong I was! This nonagenarian irons the priests’ trousers, and she does it so like a pro that you’d think it’s all she’s done all her life! While she was busy on the ironing board, in the sacristy, I engaged her in “small talk” and found out that for her, what she does is not work but love. An ardent devotee of the Child Jesus, she unwittingly reflects childlike qualities—foremost among them a carefree attitude toward life. Alone, she lives from day to day, walking three blocks to the Shrine daily, unhampered by health or financial concerns. “Everything is in His hands,” she pertly says, “so why worry? I just do what I can. God knows what to do with me.”
I walked away from the Shrine thinking we need not wait until we’re 92 and ironing trousers in a sacristy to realize that right in our own workplace, trusting God like a child is our best passport to heaven. And heaven begins here and now.
3 and said, "Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,
you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself
like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
The Little Way
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
St. Therese of the Child Jesus is the “incarnation”—the becoming human—of the teaching of Jesus on humility and childlike spirit and attitude of His followers. This saint of the “Little way” could teach everyone, particularly workers, on the great value of little acts which are done abundantly also in the world of work. In fact, her biography and her teachings demonstrate clearly that indeed even the least of all actions or works could be offered dearly to the Loving and Almighty God.
Similarly, every worker, either one with the highest rank or simply the very least could offer the little and insignificant acts in the performance of his task as a loving homage to the Lord. The manager who may be burdened by the weight of big decisions for the company could still do little acts of kindness for his subordinates—greeting them warmly, listening to some patiently, or “wasting time” with them at coffee break—seeing Jesus in them. Many times, it is the “insignificant” acts such as these and many other similar gestures that would work marvels in the difficult task of management. But these tidbits of tasks done by even the bigwigs in the workplace should bear the genuine and sincere sign of respect, love and devotion for the other person/colleague and most especially for the One who is the source of all love and inspiration.
The least in the workplace, likewise, even though considered little compared to the great personalities in the company, could also raise or upgrade the value and meaning of his minor tasks to the level of divine worship and adoration of the Lord who became a little child—the Sto. Nino (Infant Jesus) by doing his works with faith, love and devotion—thus, making the Holy Child also alive in the workplace.
Meet Matilde
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Most of us look forward to retirement at 65, or even earlier, as we want it to be a carefree time to enjoy while we’re still strong and not when we’re already using walkers. But there are people who do not miss retirement at all, such as Matilde, a 92-year old lady I met last June at the Shrine of the Holy Infant in Prague, in the Czech Republic. Matilde had lived in Canada for 47 years, and has worked in consulates abroad, making her more cosmopolitan than average, yet now, at an age when most of her contemporaries are gone, she still has the energy to volunteer at the Shrine from 9-12 in the morning, every day.
Before seeing her actually working, I’d thought all she could do was dust the pews, and not very meticulously at that, considering her age, but—how wrong I was! This nonagenarian irons the priests’ trousers, and she does it so like a pro that you’d think it’s all she’s done all her life! While she was busy on the ironing board, in the sacristy, I engaged her in “small talk” and found out that for her, what she does is not work but love. An ardent devotee of the Child Jesus, she unwittingly reflects childlike qualities—foremost among them a carefree attitude toward life. Alone, she lives from day to day, walking three blocks to the Shrine daily, unhampered by health or financial concerns. “Everything is in His hands,” she pertly says, “so why worry? I just do what I can. God knows what to do with me.”
I walked away from the Shrine thinking we need not wait until we’re 92 and ironing trousers in a sacristy to realize that right in our own workplace, trusting God like a child is our best passport to heaven. And heaven begins here and now.
RWS 268 January 13, 2008, Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Gospel: Mt. 3: 13-17
16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.
The baptized worker
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
The baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan prods me to ask whether there is a difference between a baptized worker and a non-baptized one. Asking this question in a workforce where Catholics are in great numbers might reveal some insights which could improve the work attitudes and consequently the job performance of the worker-believer.
The Catholic faith teaches that the Sacrament of Baptism gives new birth to the baptized—a new life, a divine and spiritual life. The baptized is transformed from a mere human being “created in the likeness of God” into an adopted child of God with all the rights to gain heavenly life. This fundamental and existential change in the baptized is something that happens in the very core of his being (soul), and has even imprinted an indelible mark (Sacramental character) in the person, even if he/she is not conscious and aware of such deep reality within one’s being. Since as the principle says that “actions flow from being” then, whatever the baptized does in all of his life comes from his being a child of God—a spiritual but real kind of life, which obviously is different from that which the non-baptized person or the one baptized in other faiths has. The worker baptized in the Catholic faith would value his work and all that it entails as essential part of his life’s journey and a means to attain heaven. He would then have greater reason and meaning to work as much and as best as he can.
The other workers who have embraced other faiths could also find greater meaning and value of their actions and works from the teachings of their faiths. What is important, however, for all workers is that each one live by what he is baptized in.
Pinoy binyagan
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Reflecting on Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan and noting that His public ministry began after that led me to see how we Filipino Christians need to deepen our appreciation for our baptism and its power to transform us in the workplace where we spend most of our waking hours in. In your next coffee break, get your barkada together and have fun playing a game called “Word Association”. Form a circle; the first player utters a word, for example, “bird,” and the one seated next to him says the first word that comes to his mind that he associates with “bird”. It could be “seagull”, for instance, then the next player might say “ocean”, and the next might say “blue”, and the next, “moon”, etc. This time, however, start with the word “baptism” and see where it would lead.
This could be very revealing because we take the word (“binyag” in Pilipino) for granted and associate it with an initiation of some kind. We play a practical joke on a newcomer at work and then say “Nabinyagan na siya”, meaning he’s been initiated into the group by submitting humbly to the embarrassment. When we keep, for example, a box of chocolates untouched for so long, our coworkers tease us into opening it and sharing it with them (against our will) by saying, “Binyagan na ‘yan!” Sometimes the men, observing a young, quiet male coworker who doesn’t laugh at their off-color jokes would mock, “Hindi pa siguro ‘yan nabibinyagan!”, meaning he probably has had no sexual experience.
At baptismal parties we coo over the baby and say “Uy, Kristiyano na siya!”—a greeting that hints at the significance of baptism. If we take that greeting to heart, and become authentic followers of Jesus in our work, the workplace can be heaven.
16 After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened (for him), and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove (and) coming upon him.
The baptized worker
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
The baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan prods me to ask whether there is a difference between a baptized worker and a non-baptized one. Asking this question in a workforce where Catholics are in great numbers might reveal some insights which could improve the work attitudes and consequently the job performance of the worker-believer.
The Catholic faith teaches that the Sacrament of Baptism gives new birth to the baptized—a new life, a divine and spiritual life. The baptized is transformed from a mere human being “created in the likeness of God” into an adopted child of God with all the rights to gain heavenly life. This fundamental and existential change in the baptized is something that happens in the very core of his being (soul), and has even imprinted an indelible mark (Sacramental character) in the person, even if he/she is not conscious and aware of such deep reality within one’s being. Since as the principle says that “actions flow from being” then, whatever the baptized does in all of his life comes from his being a child of God—a spiritual but real kind of life, which obviously is different from that which the non-baptized person or the one baptized in other faiths has. The worker baptized in the Catholic faith would value his work and all that it entails as essential part of his life’s journey and a means to attain heaven. He would then have greater reason and meaning to work as much and as best as he can.
The other workers who have embraced other faiths could also find greater meaning and value of their actions and works from the teachings of their faiths. What is important, however, for all workers is that each one live by what he is baptized in.
Pinoy binyagan
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Reflecting on Jesus’ baptism at the Jordan and noting that His public ministry began after that led me to see how we Filipino Christians need to deepen our appreciation for our baptism and its power to transform us in the workplace where we spend most of our waking hours in. In your next coffee break, get your barkada together and have fun playing a game called “Word Association”. Form a circle; the first player utters a word, for example, “bird,” and the one seated next to him says the first word that comes to his mind that he associates with “bird”. It could be “seagull”, for instance, then the next player might say “ocean”, and the next might say “blue”, and the next, “moon”, etc. This time, however, start with the word “baptism” and see where it would lead.
This could be very revealing because we take the word (“binyag” in Pilipino) for granted and associate it with an initiation of some kind. We play a practical joke on a newcomer at work and then say “Nabinyagan na siya”, meaning he’s been initiated into the group by submitting humbly to the embarrassment. When we keep, for example, a box of chocolates untouched for so long, our coworkers tease us into opening it and sharing it with them (against our will) by saying, “Binyagan na ‘yan!” Sometimes the men, observing a young, quiet male coworker who doesn’t laugh at their off-color jokes would mock, “Hindi pa siguro ‘yan nabibinyagan!”, meaning he probably has had no sexual experience.
At baptismal parties we coo over the baby and say “Uy, Kristiyano na siya!”—a greeting that hints at the significance of baptism. If we take that greeting to heart, and become authentic followers of Jesus in our work, the workplace can be heaven.
RWS 267, for January 3, 2008, Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Gospel: Mt. 2: 2-12
8 He (Herod) sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently
for the child. When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage."
Be positive
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
There are things, places, events, actions or people, which would conjure unpleasant feelings, negative thoughts or repulsive mental images when they or their names are mentioned. Herod could be one such name which would strike the minds of many Gospel readers as a brutal person—mercilessly ordering the massacre of innocent infants. Yet, some kind of goodness could still be noticed in this person, at least, from the words he uttered to the magi, telling them to search diligently for the Messiah and to inform him so that he “too may go and do him homage”. Seeing the positive points in things, events and other persons needs an optimistic outlook in the viewer and a rather keen and deep perception on the realities around him.
Work and the workplace could be perceived by many as a burden, a load one wished to throw away to the bottom of the sea, or something which should be avoided. Yet, the reality is that they are an essential part of our temporal existence. Besides, even those most reluctant or lazy to work could not deny the benefits—material, financial or even psychological and spiritual—derived from working and relating with co-workers. Borrowing the lines from Herod, the worker should work and “search diligently for the child”—reflect intently on the saving elements of his work.
There are more than the load, burden and pain, the worker could see in his work. There is God, the Savior veiled under the daily routine of work, which the worker could discover in faith. Or, there is the Giver of life and strength in the worker’s heart and mind, which he should be aware of when he spends his energy working and when he relates with his colleagues thus revealing God’s presence in the workplace.
Herod and Livvie
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Now, as before, there are ambitious and scheming people in our midst. Herod and his minions are by no means an exclusive feature of their era. Their “descendants” still live—and work—with us in this day and age! Don’t we recognize some in our workplace, and even beyond, as in places were bills are passed and laws are signed. At times when I drive to work I listen to the news, I hear public servants (and former ones) interviewed and I realize how driven some of them could be by ambition and schemes.
The Herods in our workplaces could be anyone, men and women who are so attached to their satisfactions (which could be privileges, public esteem, a position of authority, etc.) that they cling to them and would do anything—anything to keep them. Earlier on in my career I had the chance to work with and under them, and I remember Livvie (not her real name) who was bright and popular but who was actually so vicious in the workplace that she practically “beheaded” those she considered a threat to her “reign” (including myself). Livvie (who was also rumored to be a mistress of the top honcho) engaged in character assassination and petty machinations that would alienate her perceived rivals until the latter would either resign or ask to be transferred to other departments. It got so that men in the office would tease, “No two women can work together—if one of them is Livvie!”
If you’re within clawing distance of a Herod (or a Livvie) in your workplace, your best armor would be competence and honest hard work. Just as the baby Jesus was spared from Herod’s clutches, so will you be—just have faith and do your job well. (Whatever happened to Livvie? Well, the beginning of her end came when the top honcho got a younger, prettier though not brighter pet).
8 He (Herod) sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently
for the child. When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage."
Be positive
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD
There are things, places, events, actions or people, which would conjure unpleasant feelings, negative thoughts or repulsive mental images when they or their names are mentioned. Herod could be one such name which would strike the minds of many Gospel readers as a brutal person—mercilessly ordering the massacre of innocent infants. Yet, some kind of goodness could still be noticed in this person, at least, from the words he uttered to the magi, telling them to search diligently for the Messiah and to inform him so that he “too may go and do him homage”. Seeing the positive points in things, events and other persons needs an optimistic outlook in the viewer and a rather keen and deep perception on the realities around him.
Work and the workplace could be perceived by many as a burden, a load one wished to throw away to the bottom of the sea, or something which should be avoided. Yet, the reality is that they are an essential part of our temporal existence. Besides, even those most reluctant or lazy to work could not deny the benefits—material, financial or even psychological and spiritual—derived from working and relating with co-workers. Borrowing the lines from Herod, the worker should work and “search diligently for the child”—reflect intently on the saving elements of his work.
There are more than the load, burden and pain, the worker could see in his work. There is God, the Savior veiled under the daily routine of work, which the worker could discover in faith. Or, there is the Giver of life and strength in the worker’s heart and mind, which he should be aware of when he spends his energy working and when he relates with his colleagues thus revealing God’s presence in the workplace.
Herod and Livvie
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS
Now, as before, there are ambitious and scheming people in our midst. Herod and his minions are by no means an exclusive feature of their era. Their “descendants” still live—and work—with us in this day and age! Don’t we recognize some in our workplace, and even beyond, as in places were bills are passed and laws are signed. At times when I drive to work I listen to the news, I hear public servants (and former ones) interviewed and I realize how driven some of them could be by ambition and schemes.
The Herods in our workplaces could be anyone, men and women who are so attached to their satisfactions (which could be privileges, public esteem, a position of authority, etc.) that they cling to them and would do anything—anything to keep them. Earlier on in my career I had the chance to work with and under them, and I remember Livvie (not her real name) who was bright and popular but who was actually so vicious in the workplace that she practically “beheaded” those she considered a threat to her “reign” (including myself). Livvie (who was also rumored to be a mistress of the top honcho) engaged in character assassination and petty machinations that would alienate her perceived rivals until the latter would either resign or ask to be transferred to other departments. It got so that men in the office would tease, “No two women can work together—if one of them is Livvie!”
If you’re within clawing distance of a Herod (or a Livvie) in your workplace, your best armor would be competence and honest hard work. Just as the baby Jesus was spared from Herod’s clutches, so will you be—just have faith and do your job well. (Whatever happened to Livvie? Well, the beginning of her end came when the top honcho got a younger, prettier though not brighter pet).
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