RWS 283 April 27, 2008, 6th Sunday in Easter

Gospel: John 14: 15-21

16”… And I will ask the Father, and he will give you …the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot accept, because it neither sees nor knows it.”

The truthful worker

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

Once I asked a personnel manager what would be the desirable traits and qualities he or his company wanted to see in the workers. He answered that truthfulness in words and deeds was among the most desirable ones. But then, I thought to myself, is truthfulness just simply something desirable in a person? Is it not that the human being necessarily searches for the truth and strives to live by it, thus to be truthful is not only like a “second nature” or a habit, albeit desirable in a worker but, that it should be his very nature to conform to the truth?

Yet, you and I know that the reality in our world, in our society and in our very own self is laden with graft and corruption in myriads of forms and in varying degrees. The workplace and the business world likewise are the arena where truthfulness is fiercely challenged by evil and deception. The truthful person or worker has become therefore like a priced commodity with a very limited supply. The truthful worker who is imbued with the “Spirit of truth” which the Father gives and “which the world cannot accept” is becoming very rare in our midst. There is therefore an urgent and great need for forming new truthful workers or transforming the recent crop into desirable ones.

The worker’s correct understanding of the nature of his being a human person could lead him to realize that doing truthfully his job—performing every task required by his work with all honesty in his heart—would give him the satisfaction that he has been true to himself. Moreover, his faith in Jesus and love for Him could strengthen him to be always truthful and would make him feel victorious over those who would choose the different path.

Your truth, my truth…

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

There is no such thing as an “ideal workplace” where nobody fights or disagrees. And when co-workers fight or disagree, the root cause is normally a difference in perceptions. What is truth to one may not be truth to the other. They have varying “truths”, and the situation is aggravated by their refusal to see that the other person could also be right. Both could be well meaning, both respect each other, yet conflicts could arise from a divergence of opinions. When one is forced to give in to the other, bitter feelings result. And when neither concedes, a stalemate occurs, and the work suffers.

This reminds me of the three blind men who were asked “What is an elephant?” The first one, holding the elephant’s tail, said “The elephant is long, hairy and likes to swing about.” The second, stroking its tusk, said, “No! The elephant has no hair; it’s smooth and hard!” The third, hugging the animal’s leg, replied, “The elephant is like a big tree trunk with a funny-feeling bark and no roots!” Are the blind men telling the truth? Of course, yes and no—they’re all right and all wrong, just like when you and your co-worker(s) fight because each of you sees only a part of the “elephant” that is the problematic situation. Neither of you may be blind, but all opponents are myopic, and that’s virtual blindness when it comes to agreeing on the truth.

Conflicts can be avoided, and disagreements can be prevented from escalating into a full-blown intramural warfare. Just by stepping back and out of your nearsighted zone, you can see the bigger picture, and forestall a head-on collision. It’s difficult to step back when you insist you’re the only one right, but it’s not impossible. It’s not impossible to “see Jesus” in your opponent and view his truth in the light of His promise to “give you the Spirit of Truth.” Even when the whole world does not accept it, you will never regret if you do.

RWS 282 April 20, 2008, 5th Sunday in Easter

Gospel: John 14: 1-12

12 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will

do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these,

because I am going to the Father.

Over the top

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

Many times we hear it said of us or of some of our friends, “You accomplished five times more than what your predecessor did in the same span of time”. Such very affirming remark could boost the self-image of the person receiving it and would inspire him to even greater heights in his career, work or profession. As they say, ‘knowledge of results is a great motivator”. Receiving praises or awards for one’s great deeds would predictably make the awarded do greater things. Yet, there would be cases where the affirmations generously given would not result in a much greater work performance. It would seem important then to analyze the factors contributing to greater work success.

Besides what is said above on the importance of getting positive feedbacks on one’s performance, the worker’s academic, technical and other specific preparations would determine very considerably his high rating in work. Job training and qualifications could spell the difference in the worker’s productivity. One could never say enough in his efforts to acquire new skills or re-train in other fields in order to catch up with the ever increasing demands of modern jobs and the fast changing technology-driven professions. The worker nowadays will have to acquire more external qualifications to fit into most of the present jobs available.

Furthermore, there are also the inner qualifications which the worker should possess in order to compete with the ever growing complexity of the work and with the harsh and hurtful work environment. Having good values and attitudes would make the worker not only highly “marketable” but also greatly successful in his job. But the inner qualities of the worker’s faith in Jesus and love for Him would put him over the top.

Too fantastic to be true?

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

No matter how exciting and fulfilling your work may be, you can’t escape occasional down times—moments when work gets to be simply b-o-r-i-n-g! It’s a job-related malady whose symptoms are: inexplicable fatigue; irritability with co-workers; short patience or temper; low productivity or creativity level; strong tendency to be anti-social; a hovering desire to quit working; almost total loss of interest in meeting challenges; etc. There’s really nothing wrong with the workplace or your co-workers and yet everything seems to be wrong for you!

Perhaps some people are just more sensitive to such dry times than others, thus they feel it more often or more intensely. And if some people don’t go through such down times at all, maybe it’s because they’re very good at amusing themselves so that boredom hardly gets in the way of work. In order that it may not daunt us some of us try to dismiss it with either “Nagme-menopause na siguro!” or “Ay, midlife crisis lang yan!” Companies that know better invest in measures that prevent such dangerous personal crises in their workers by installing periodic recreational programs or activities for employees, such as sports fests and tournaments or outings.

There is, however, a way out of such a feeling of stagnation that any worker, whatever his or her situation, can utilize independent of external help and without side effects: believing in the truth of Jesus’ words, like those in today’s gospel. If we know Him we’ll also know the Father. If we believe in His works, we can even do greater ones. Unbelievable? Senseless God-talk? Too fantastic to be true? Plain corny? Why not be brave and try it? Befriend Jesus, and do His bidding. What do you lose—it’s for free! It’s a mystery, so embrace it, live it. Only cowards shun mysteries. Mine His words—and strike it rich! Game ka na ba?

RWS 281 for April 13, 2008, 4th Sunday in Easter

Gospel: John 10: 1-10

“10 …I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Working mother

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

The words of Jesus in verse 10 of the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John were my inspiration to write the phrase at the tombstone of my mother’s resting place: “She gave her life that we may live”. Nanay Deling, as we, her children fondly called her, worked so hard in order to augment the income to support our large family. She would do a variety of jobs from menial ones, such as buying vegetables from village farmers and selling them at the city market, to some top-level ones like managing a small scale RTW (ready-to-wear) garment factory. She was a very hard working mother who never tired spending her time and energy for us, giving us not only the physical nourishment but above all the moral and spiritual formation we most needed. She was not only the medium for our physical and human life but she was also instrumental for the development of our “more abundant” life—the emotional, psychological, social, moral and spiritual aspects of life.

Moreover, my mother gave also her time and energy for our neighbors who needed help. She would spend time to assist some of those giving birth; she was always ready to lead the prayers for the dead, and to serve as nurse in administering medicines to some sick people in the remote places of our village. While she was not a professional midwife, or pastor/minister, or nurse, she did those jobs with skill and competence and, as I observed in the many occasions I was with her, doing them with great faith and love for God and with kindness and care for those she served. I have seen how those whom she served were greatly satisfied; in a sense, they received “abundant life” (healing, some inner peace and satisfaction) through the work my mother did for them. I guess, it was her way of trying to imitate the Great Worker—Jesus.

RWS 280 April 6, 2008, 3rd Sunday of Easter

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

25 And he said to them, "… How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!

26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer

these things and enter into his glory?"

Suffering and work

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

Jesus explained to His disciples that the “Messiah should suffer” in carrying out his mission; and, that it is a “Suffering Servant” who would set God’s chosen people free from all kinds of slavery. This was something so different from what the people in Jesus’ time, including His disciples, expected. They were waiting for some triumphant and majestic king who would vanquish all their oppressors and would provide them freely with “milk and honey”. So Jesus showed by words and deeds and by His very life and death that the reality of suffering is part and parcel of life and work here on earth; but also that this necessary evil could be the source of one’s happiness and peace.

It is certainly our experience, too, that suffering is necessarily part of our life at work. We cannot have things done just by saying a wish or striking the air with a magic wand. We have to sweat it out in order to produce things; squeeze out our minds to plan the production or manufacturing system, and the whole complex of business and industry in order to supply the ever growing demands of people for goods and services. Suffering in all its kinds and forms is an indispensable investment in the business of work.

Some workers would grudgingly bear the pains and burdens of their work all their life and even become bitter about it and about everything. Some would rationalize the harsh realities in the workplace and try to cope with it, accept reality and live with it rather peacefully. Those who believe in Christ would feel the presence of their suffering Lord and be inspired to bear every pain and suffering at work. Uniting themselves with the Messiah, and lovingly suffering with Him would make work not only gainful materially but also and most importantly spiritually redeeming.

Foretaste of His glory

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

Occasionally, at work, a dark horse would rise to save the day for the company. One such dark horse is Mang Goring, messenger, collector and all-around errand man for a multi-national company. He’s not the garrulous type like one VP’s driver who always has something to say about everything, but one day Mang Goring made a comment about the performance of Roman, a bright newcomer whom the president had trusted so much. Coming from a good family and educated abroad, Roman’s credentials were impressive, his person was affable, and his approach to work was innovative and effective.

Then, before a year was over, Roman vanished. The president was in shock and the whole company was mute with disbelief—it was discovered that Roman had ran away with millions of the company’s money expertly siphoned off to his secret bank accounts. Mang Goring’s casual comment about Roman proved to be an unheeded warning—he turned out to be the prophet no one heard.

Jesus in today’s gospel mentions those who are “… slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!” As we can see, then as now, people do not automatically open their ears to prophets. All the more now, in our time, when people would rather listen to idols. And our idols these days, more often than not, are the “with it” people—smart, gregarious, driven, articulate achievers with PhDs tailing their names—unlike Mang Goring, an undergraduate from some obscure high school in the Visayas. There are many Mang Gorings in our midst, dark horses who are not only unnoticed but who also suffer in silence, yet they are at peace and grateful for their lot. Believing that Christ is with them in their suffering, they are already blessed with a foretaste of His glory.

RWS 279 March 30, 2008, 2nd Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 20: 19-31

29 Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me?

Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Sunday

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

Sunday is the day the whole Christendom believes Jesus resurrected from the dead. This day therefore has become for many believers a day of worship for the Lord and of thanking Him for the grace of salvation. It has also become a day of rest for many workers, and an occasion to spend quality time with their families or friends. Those who spend their Sundays this way could feel the presence of the Risen Lord among them and have believed in His resurrection even if they “have not seen” it miraculously happening in history. They certainly would be “blessed” as Jesus declared.

Unfortunately, there are many, who may also be believers of the Easter event but, who could not make their Sundays a day of the Lord by participating in liturgical worship or religious activities because of work, particularly that in the service sector, in food and entertainment business, in supermarkets and malls, and in places where the Sunday crowd would go for rest and recreation. By spending their Sundays in work mostly because of necessity—and life in these modern times seems to make it more a necessity—would they then not be blessed by the Lord? Would their work, even that which is done to serve people, for the good of people, not be considered by the Lord as done to and for Him?

If from the Lord’s words we understand and believe that works done with love and sacrifice for people are done for Him because He is present in them, then our works could be a way of worshipping Him, albeit in spirit. Our works (by necessity) on Sundays or those on any day for that matter, would then be blessed; and, everyday would then be a day of the Lord—a joyful and saving experience of the Risen Lord in our life.

A dead Christ?

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

They may come few and far between but severe tests of one’s beliefs do come at the workplace. For instance, when you are in crisis, say, in danger of losing your job because you are accused of a serious offense. Also, when you are tempted to take things too easy because you always exceed your boss’ expectations without trying anyway. Another one is when you cling to a position that gives you so much material rewards even when you know you are no longer effective there. Whatever the situation, your conviction and your conscience come into play.

When the need to make a difficult moral or ethical choice confronts us, the initial human reaction is denial: “It’s really not my problem but the secretary’s!” When we can no longer deny that we are accountable, our next position is postponement: “I’ll evaluate the situation further and decide next week—this thing will pass in due time.” And so we hope the problem solves itself but it doesn’t; instead it gets worse.

All our choices and decisions are guided by the ethical standards we uphold which are in turn founded on our core beliefs. These core beliefs would be what our religion or life philosophy instills in us and we need these as the ultimate yardstick of the moral soundness of our actions, particularly in the workplace where the corporate ethics may sometimes clash with our core beliefs. When we who claim to be Christians must make crucial decisions at work, our ultimate master is the Christ, and if we believe truly and wholeheartedly that He is risen and alive even when we do not see Him, He will bless us with the courage to do what He teaches us to do—to “walk our talk.” Inability or unwillingness to do this could mean we’re worshipping a dead Christ.

RWS 278 March 23, 2008, Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection

Gospel: John 20: 1-9

2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved,

and told them, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb,

and we don't know where they put him."

Blessings in disguise

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

When Mary Magdalene saw that Jesus disappeared from the tomb where He was laid three days earlier, she announced with great sorrow that “they have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” Poor Mary, she thought that she had lost Him whom she so loved, that the empty tomb showed the emptiness she felt in her being. Yet, the seemingly “stolen body” would appear glorious and triumphant as the risen body of Christ. What appeared at first to be a total frustration and defeat for Mary and the Apostles of Jesus was actually triumph and glory—the Risen Lord.

In the life of workers, similar events happen when many times blessings would seem to be disguised in painful, frustrating or hateful forms or faces. A very strict and demanding boss could be a real pain, but eventually would be one of the significant factors in the success of the worker who would have persevered in the rigors of discipline and perfection in work. How many of us would remember with gratitude our mentors whom we might jokingly call our “tormentors”. Similarly, problematic workers could be taken as liabilities to the companies or they could be considered as challenges with which the company could grow not only financially but also in all other aspects of growth. For the optimist, problems are opportunities. For the realist, “no pain, no gain”.

For the worker who believes in Christ, particularly His resurrection from the dead, the work itself and all the pain and sufferings it entails would not be taken as a curse in life but a blessing which should be received with gratefulness in one’s heart for by it and though it, one could get not only his earthly reward but also a share in Christ’s glory.

Jesus, lover of womankind

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

My reflection today veers somewhat towards the place of women in Jesus’ ministry—because it happens to be March, internationally observed as Women’s Month, and today’s gospel mentions the first witness to His empty tomb, a woman.

In the many women-related conferences that I’ve attended as part of my work, I observe that even women who seem psychologically well-balanced, extremely intelligent and high achievers in their fields would still feel that women are but second class citizens in Jesus’ world. They do not seem to see that Jesus loves women as much as the men and would not hesitate to go against the flow to show how much He esteems womankind. They belittle the significance of His encounters with women: engaging in conversation with and asking for water from the Samaritan woman at the well; allowing a penitent woman to wash, perfume and kiss His feet despite objections from an apostle; sparing an adulteress from death by stoning and letting her go with but a gentle admonition to “sin no more”; obliging His mother at a wedding party and changing water into wine although “it is not yet my time”; and choosing to appear first to a woman disciple after His rising from the dead. Things get worse if these intelligent but unbelieving “feminists”, in their “fight for women’s rights”, would make an issue of their perceived biblical injustice and see it as a Church bias against women.

We all need healing—women and men. And, like a boxer in a fight, we can not see and judge properly when the wound on our brow is bleeding. We need to sit still in a corner, let go of our fears, wait for the bleeding to stop, so to speak, and allow His gentle presence to permeate our whole being until we can say with conviction: “The Lord is truly risen!”

RWS 277 March 16, 2008, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66
21 And while they were eating, he said, "Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray me."
22 Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another,
"Surely it is not I, Lord?"

Betrayal in work
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

The betrayal Jesus experienced from one of His apostles—men whom He personally handpicked from the crowds and whom He painstakingly formed for His mission—could find resonance in the bitter experience of some bosses or managers who have had invested their personal time and efforts in training and forming their second liners who would foul out in their jobs or even put them in serious troubles and difficulties. Betrayal shows itself in various forms and degrees of malice in the work and the workplace. How would the betrayed party handle such unfortunate situations?

If the “law of the jungle” or the survival-of-the-fittest principle is applied, a treacherous act would be countered by a similar act of even a greater scale and magnitude. The workplace would certainly become like a jungle where the workers would behave like beasts that would prey on each other and eliminate one another. Self-survival and self-interest would be the only motive for working.
If human reason or the rule of law is made to prevail in the workplace, then company rules, labor laws and other conventional justice systems would be used to settle all kinds of grievances including betrayals. The company, the manager, or any worker—the betrayed party—would seek to understand the reason for the evil act/s and would seek reasonable recompense for the damages suffered, thus making the workplace for humans.

But when the Christian values are lived even in painful and hurtful moments of being betrayed or aggrieved, the workplace would be for “super-humans”. The law of Christ, which is love, could be the equalizer for both the offender and the betrayed, and could make the bitter cup of betrayal into a sweet drink of peace and tranquility for both.

Betrayal, a lifestyle

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

I wish there could be a survey done on the gravest offenses in the workplace. I tend to think that betrayal would come up as the most destructive of all, mainly because it involves relationships. People have been fired for incompetence, malversation of funds, petty theft, or other offenses against resources—things—but do they lose their jobs because they betray a coworker? Oddly, betraying a coworker sometimes even helps one climb the corporate ladder faster, doesn’t it? Yes, particularly in offices where the bosses relish making pawns of their subordinates—this “divide and conquer” thing pits even friends against each other, and who wins and laughs the loudest in the end? Neither the betrayer nor the betrayed but The Author of Betrayal himself—the evil one who wants to ensnare us all with lies and therefore away from the arms of God!

Do your personal survey—ask your coworkers, friends, relations and see if anything can be more devastating than being betrayed. When the one you entrust with your deepest secrets uses this trust against you by exposing your entrails to the whole workplace—it’s a kind of death, a fate worse than being jobless, isn’t it?

Your best bet against betrayal is an impeccable work ethics—nobody can fault you for being above-board in all your dealings. If there is no dead rat in your closet, nothing will stink. But let us not be naïve—no matter how hard we strive to live clean, there are those for whom betrayal is a lifestyle: friends can kill us with flattery, enemies will do it with mud-slinging, cowards will betray us with a kiss. Nonetheless, we continue to trust the Being higher than man, and follow the example of Him who was betrayed by a disciple but who hung on to the Father’s justice till the end. He’s still alive today.

RWS 276 March 9, 2008, 5th Sunday in Lent

Gospel: John 11: 1-45

25 Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me,

even if he dies, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me

will never die. Do you believe this?"

Suffer with Jesus

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

In ministering to some faithful who grieve at the loss of a loved one, I find it very difficult to find the consoling words and assurances to ease their grief. It would seem that human words could only slightly and momentarily give respite to the sorrow-laden hearts of the bereaved; even material tokens of condolences could not sufficiently assure them of “life after death”. Everything that the departed has gained by working all his life could not prevent him from death or keep him alive for ever. The money and all other material wealth and possessions he might have amassed could not bargain for him a true and happy life after death. At death, the poor worker or the millionaire businessman could only rely on Someone greater than them for true life.

Jesus, who claims that He is the resurrection and the life, is the only joy and consolation of both the departed and the bereaved. Faith and acceptance of Him and His words are the “only means to earn a living”—one which is far superior to that which we find in this worldly existence—for everyone. Such means, could be earned also through one’s work and working.

It is “living and believing in Jesus” that any worker could transform his work, whether it is merely a simple job or a multi-million dollar worth of work or business, into a means to live for ever. The pains and sufferings that any work brings to the worker, when borne with love for Jesus and faith in His redemptive suffering and death on the Cross would assure the worker of happiness for ever. Working with Jesus is the best way to prepare for the certain coming of death. Then, there would no longer be inconsolable grief and sadness over the loss of a beloved here on earth.

God and paper clips

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

When readers email to us how this column touches them, all I can utter is “Thank You, Lord!” because many times, human as I am, I wonder how relevant can my words be in the workplace where people’s concern is primarily to survive. Like now, for example, I try to reflect upon the verse Bishop Cantillas has chosen, and grope for ways I can coherently connect a mystery and the material world without sounding like a sidewalk theologian. Pray tell, what sense can talk about the resurrection and never-ending life make to you who are half-buried in workaday concerns to feed your family? Whether you are an assembly line worker, a stock broker or anything else in between, for most of the day you would be virtually drowning in sounds or noise and activity—abstract ideas would be furthest from your mind when you are under pressure to earn your keep.

The connection lies in what you will answer to Jesus’ question: “Do you believe this?” Belief is at the root of everything you do—and that includes what you do in the workplace, of course. What you believe in dictates your moves and decisions. If you believe it’s wrong to steal from your company, then you will not filch even paper clips. If you believe it’s okay to cheat on your spouse you will not stop flirting with your officemate until it leads to an affair. If you believe there is life after death you will take care that everything you do be above reproach because even long after you’re dead your beliefs will live on in your children, grandchildren and generations after them.

Simply put, you can only believe in God, or in everything else that is not God. If you do not want to be among the “living dead”, you’d know what to believe.

RWS 275 March 2, 2008, 4th Sunday in Lent

Gospel: Jn. 9: 1-41

Jesus said...”4 We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.

Night is coming when no one can work…”

Sense of Urgency

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

As a newly ordained priest, I was then reminded many times that in order to celebrate Mass more meaningfully, I should do so as if it were my last. I found out that such piece of advice was indeed very useful in doing well not only my “job” to say Mass, but also in accomplishing to the best of my ability other works I have to do. The thought of having only one last thing to do before “kicking the bucket” would give me the sense of urgency and importance in the “last act” to be done and the sense of pride that I would be able to say in the end, “I did my best”. This experience I believe would be similarly shared by many and it is worth reflecting on.

Even Jesus Himself felt a sense of urgency and importance in His mission when He said, “we have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day…” These words would show us two lessons: one, avoid procrastination in our works and two, consider or believe that the work at hand is a mission Our Father wills us to do.

The worker who habitually puts off what he can do at the present moment would certainly fail the expectations of his employer and would also fall short in his sense of self-fulfillment since the great human talents and potentials within him would somehow crave for a correspondingly great accomplishment for them to “feel satisfied”. Moreover, every worker could take pride in the thought that his work is a very important mission to accomplish in life, one which is given by no one less than the Almighty God. A simple task or act of duty of the present moment therefore, done with love and obedience to the Father’s will, would then become a great source for the worker’s sense of self-fulfillment and his eternal satisfaction.

RWS 274 February 24, 2008, 3rd Sunday in Lent

Gospel: Jn. 4: 5-42

13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; 14 but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst…”

Life-giving work

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

Water and work are common and basic elements in everyone’s day to day life. Even if, like many ordinary things and events in life which go unnoticed or taken for granted, water and work could bring home in each one of us great realizations which in turn could give greater sense and meaning of our earthly existence. In fact, Jesus makes us reflect on the “water” that He gives which would quench all our thirsts as He conversed with a woman fetching water to drink. We need water in order to live as we need to work in order to sustain our life. And as Jesus reveals to us an “eternal life-giving water” I think He could provide us also with an “eternal life-giving work”.

The worker however must first of all understand that his work does not have only an earthly value—money with which he could buy most if not all things he needs to live—but also a meaning and value beyond his earthly existence. The human worker is not merely a beast of burden or a machine for production. He is essentially a moral and a spiritual being in flesh and blood. While his physical body is engaged in work, the moral and spiritual elements within him are fundamentally involved as well; in fact, the latter gives life to the movements or motions of the former. The emotions, memory, imagination, thoughts, moral judgments, and spiritual experiences come into play very significantly as the worker moves about in his tasks.

The worker then must nourish his spirit and consequently his work with the life-giving water which Jesus gives. He does so by uniting his thoughts and feelings with those of Jesus whether at home or at work, finding satisfaction in Jesus’ words and loving presence which is real and true every time and everywhere in our day to day life.

Why die young?

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

It’s so unfair that work gets blamed for so many of man’s maladies these days. At a recent wake, guests were discussing why people seem to be dying younger, and of illnesses that simply appear and knock you down from nowhere. All this time everybody sees you’re so fit—the next week you’re in the ICU, days later they’re viewing your remains.

The man we were mourning had it worse, but his case seems all too common nowadays: this supposedly healthy man, age 45, was just partying (read drinking) on Feb 16; on Feb 17, he said he did not feel well and observed that he had slight difficulty in breathing. He thought it was just hangover so he didn’t go to work and instead went to sleep early. That’s it—he didn’t wake up anymore. “Atake siguro,” guessed his sister, because the wife said he had never been ill. “He was a workaholic,” she said. “Must be work-related stress,” said his children, now with careers of their own.

In our own careers, what keeps us going? The desire to acquire more, for a comfortable life? The need to achieve and be recognized? That is the “water” we “drink” that sustains us in our drive to “succeed”. When this “water” serves only ourselves and those we choose to love, it makes us forever “thirsty”, grasping and greedy, always wanting more, more, more. That produces stress. To quench our self-destructive thirst, Jesus offers a different kind of “water”—one that springs from love of God, self, and neighbor. Abiding in Him our perspective changes—we can now see the futility of acquisition and ambition, we no longer “thirst”. We can now see that work was never meant to kill us—it is a gift to enable us to express our creativity and love. As Jesus leads us to the truth of God dwelling within us, he “moderates our greed” and gives us new life. End of “work-related stress”.

RWS 273 February 17, 2008, 2nd Sunday in Lent

Gospel: Mt. 17: 1-9

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and do not be afraid."

Work—Jesus’ touch

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

There are some people who are known to have a “golden touch”—turning any kind of work or business they put their hands on into a financial success. Some others are said to have a “green thumb”, seemingly luckier with plants and trees than others are. Still others are enviable with what wonders they could bring with the touch of their hands. Yet, I think that no one could match what Jesus’ touch could do. The Gospels record some of the marvels of the touch the Son of God does—from raising the dead to life, opening the ears of the deaf, making the mute speak and many others to just simply removing fears from those afraid or assuring those feeling insecure.

The good news is: that those who believe in Him and are united with Him shares the same powerful touch. From the time of his Apostles until now, some Christians continue to work miracles through their powerful touch in Jesus’ name. Some of these wonder workers gain great media publicity while many others who are in the small towns and barrios are known only by those who experience directly or vicariously the awesome effects of their touch. But, I think that there are still a lot of unknown and unrecognized people are also performing wonders which may not be perceived as such but are nevertheless veritable miracles; they are the simple ordinary workers dirtying their hands on their routine tasks in perhaps some insignificant corner of the workplace.

These workers through their hard work feed their families, pay hospital bills for them, save their children from ignorance by paying for their education, etc…With their lively faith and real love for Jesus and those they work for, they could turn every single task they put their hands on into great rewards also for their eternal life.

Freedom from fear

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

No workplace, however principled its people are, can ever be free of corruption. At one time or another it will be tinted by dishonesty, bribery, fraud, vice, because human beings are susceptible to temptation, and the workplace, being our “money bag”, offers many tempting occasions to make a quick buck. Let’s say you accidentally discover a scam involving your boss, another supervisor, his boss, the latter’s compadre in another office, his secretary, and at least two of your peers—and your conscience won’t let you sleep because the situation is seriously harming the company. Will you expose it?

Several factors come into play when discerning whether or not to expose evil. Will exposing it cause you to lose your job or turn you into a hero or a clown? Will it really clean the workplace for good or will it hardly make a dent in the collective conscience? How will it affect the other workers who are unaware such anomalies existed? What will happen now to your friendship with the culprits you will name? Are you willing to go to court if need be? What good will it do you and your family anyway? Since the anomalous situation involves your boss and other higher-ups, you would naturally be afraid to open your mouth.

You would be mistaken to think you’re the only one afraid. The guilty ones would be cowering in greater fear than yours, anticipating a fate worse than death: being uncovered in the public eye. They would be trembling in dread to see their reputation sullied, their ignominy outliving them for generations. Their tragedy should teach you that the only thing that lifts you above fear is the touch of Jesus, and Jesus is not only inside the church but is also in the workplace. Responding to His touch you would be strengthened against temptation and would always will to do right. Doing right keeps your conscience clean—and that frees you from fear.

RWS 272 for February 10,2008, 1st Sunday of Lent, Migrants Sunday

Gospel: Mt. 4: 1-12

3 The tempter approached and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread."

Migration—a temptation

Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

As I reflect on Jesus fighting away the temptation to turn the stones into loaves of bread, I think of the millions of Filipino migrant workers who could not resist the temptation of earning more “bread” or money abroad, leaving their families behind which, while enjoying perhaps more food and other things that money can buy, may also be suffering from psychological, emotional, social or even moral disorders. The lure of better pay abroad and the growing hunger for more things which are already beyond the sufficient satisfaction of legitimate human needs could have driven many to find work overseas even at the expense of family dysfunction, emotional problems of children deprive of the desired parental love and care, and other so-called “social costs”.

Even if we try to justify the reality of the considerable number of our Overseas Filipino Workers by considering them as the “modern heroes” of our society because their remittances help our economy to stay afloat; or that some of them are missionaries of their faith by living courageously and enthusiastically the expressions of their faith through exemplary performance of their work or lively religious celebrations, the negative side of migration continues to haunt us and to demand some solutions.

Many would say that sufficient economic development and greater access to more gainful employment in our country could help our people to stay home and hopefully enjoy life in one’s homeland. But, I think that the ultimate response to the dark and painful side of migration and even that of excessive work for money is our complete faith and trust as loving children in God, our loving Father.

Behind temptations

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

How many careers have been damaged, hearts broken, hopes dashed, reputations ruined and lives wrecked by a moment of stupidity—yielding to temptation? Enlisted as “project director” in the municipal government, Amylou reports to work only to collect her paycheck—her father is the mayor. Challenged by his peers’ to “prove his manhood”, family man Jimboy starts an affair with the office flirt Claudine. Purchasing officer Donnie pads up the price of computers his office is buying, sure of his kickback since he has the backing of the Chief Accountant.

Fast forward a couple of years: Amylou’s father lost in the elections. Having been scratched off the ghost payroll, she has since moved on to much bigger crimes to support her lifestyle—now she’s hounded by a string of estafa cases against her. Jimboy is in deep trouble as Claudine is now pregnant and grabbing attention and support otherwise reserved for his wife and two children. Donnie’s hocus pocus with the Chief Accountant was exposed by their “connections” in the computer firm; both were fired and the company posted a warning ad in the dailies that it wouldn’t honor transactions with them.

What do these three have in common? They all succumbed to temptation thinking they could get away with it. We wonder if they have ever heard of the temptation of Jesus. Taking this gospel story to heart one cannot but see the truth: behind every temptation is the devil, sweet talking us into accepting a "better life" when what he really wants is to destroy us by severing the connection between God and us, His children.