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).
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