Reflections for the Working Soul: RWS 283 April 27, 2008, 6th Sunday in Easter

Sunday, April 27, 2008

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.

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What they say about 'Reflections for the Working Soul', the book

Day in and out, the Inquirer brims with news. That's the Inquirer's strength: A frenzy of in-your-face news daily. Almost always the bad news. Then Reflections for the Working Soul happened every Sunday. Suddenly, we had (and have) an oasis of Good News. For reflection. For serenity. Not up there in the clouds. But right here in the dailiness of living and working with real people some of whom can really get on one’s nerves.

Thanks to Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas and Teresa R. Tunay. In three paragraphs or less, they offer a way and an attitude in the workplace not just for Sundays but for my day-to-day lifestyle to keep in touch with what works in relationships, including people one can barely stand working with. They sort out for me what’s important and really counts in life and living in the workplace as a microcosm of the real world.

So, I look forward eagerly to reading the Good News bylined by the bishop and Tunay. Because they speak to me personally about how to be most effective and productive at work while at the same time staying connected to the Good News, and thus staying in a state of serenity and grace. Providentially, their names—Precioso and Tunay (precious and true)—sum up their contributions to the development of the Inquirer as an instrument and institution of the Good News of the Lord.

—Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc
Editor-in-Chief, Philippine Daily Inquirer

From Bishop Rolly Tria Tirona:

Giving flesh and bones to our Christian faith has always been the challenge for every Christian. Translating belief in Christ into Christ-like action is extremely demanded in market and work places. Christian work ethics is the fruit of inspiration and not of pure legislation.

Reflections for the Working Soul, a weekly column of Ms Teresa Tunay and Bishop Precioso Cantillas in a newspaper section catering primarily to people at work, provides that inspiration for the many working people desirous to integrate their belief with their work.

These joint reflections make the Gospel teachings so reachable to busy people. Their insights help working people understand that they do matter in the transformation of our society and of our country. In their reflections, they show that work can lead to contemplation, while contemplation sanctifies and elevates their work to the heart of God.

I salute and congratulate Ms. Teresa Tunay and Bishop Precioso Cantillas for being the instruments of the Holy Spirit to warm and lift up the spirit of our working people.

Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD
Bishop Prelate of Infanta
15 April 2007, Divine Mercy Sunday

Carmelite priest Junjun Agruda says:

In the mountains, geologists and miners use the elegant term "angle of repose" to describe the precise angle at which a boulder will rest on the side of a hill, rather than tumble downward. I think of that image as the point at which prayer and action meet. Every so often one of those boulders breaks loose, releasing potential energy in a crashing rockslide that permanently alters the landscape.

The creative ways in which Prayer and earthiness are wedded in these Relfections for the Working Soul forge a spirituality that makes room for piety as well as for activism. Bishop Precioso Cantillas and Ms. Teresa Tunay have grasped the nature of Prayer as partnership with God’s activity on earth. These reflections bring us to that "angle of repose", the place where contemplation and prayerful action meet. Thus in the process, the act of Prayer emboldens us to join the work of transforming the world into a place where the Father’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

—Fr. Mariano Agruda III, OCD
Provincial Superior,
Order of Discalced Carmelites, Philippines

Bishop Stude comments:

Two beautiful minds, talented persons very much respected, committed and sefless in their respective works, have gifted us with an inspiring and interesting book, Reflections for the Working Soul. The skillful authors—Bishop Precioso Cantillas and Ms. Teresa Tunay—make the Sunday Gospels more applicable, much alive in the work world. The inspiring book enhances spirituality in the workplace and imparts refreshing reflections which encourage and challenge one to make the workplace a ‘good soil’ (Mark 4,8) and to ‘bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty,and some one hundred’ (Mark 4,20).

Reading Reflections for the Working Soul is to know that the words of its gifted authors are their works, and their works are their witnessing for Jesus and His Gospels. With our works and in our places, Bishop Precioso Cantillas and Ms. Teresa Tunay take and turn us to ‘see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5,16).

—Monsignor Ruperto Cruz Santos
Bishop of Balanga

From Monsignor Hernando Coronel:

The teamwork between Bishop Cantillas and Teresa Tunay is the application of the Second Vatican Council teaching regarding the transformation of society. A cleric and a layperson combined their personal insights to give light on the values needed in the workplace. Indeed, they have witnessed against a rat race world, a dog-eat-dog milieau, a corporate atmosphere of power and control. Their spirituality of the workplace heralds the values of the Gospel in the business setting, that it is important to pray before deciding, to seek God’s will before acting in the commercial sphere. Theirs is an advocating of building a faith community in the workplace where Christian principles reign and are lived out.

—Monsignor Hernando Coronel
Archdiocese of Manila

Fr. Mario Baclig, SDB, says:

If once we had worker-priests, now we have a genuine worker-bishop. And this book is proof of this. Bishop Cantillas is himself a worker; he grew up in Don Bosco Cebu getting his hands soiled and greasy in the machine shop. When he was nominated bishop, he had all set and ready a pastor’s staff that he had been fabricating for someone else. And now, a published compilation of his thoughts for workers. This is a precious gift for today’s workers, from a worker-bishop!

Teresa Tunay is his partner in this endeavor. She comes with her unique journalistic talent and creativity. But more than that, she brings in a rare sensitivity to the simple and often unnoticed lives of ordinary workers. Her love and concern for young workers has kept the Blue Collar magazine going despite all odds. I cannot wait to get hold of this book. How I wish that workers worldwide would have a similar privilege!

—Fr. Mario Baclig, SDB
Salesiana Publishers

From the late Fr. James Reuter, SJ:

The secret of doing anything well is to love what you are doing —to enjoy your job. If, when you wake each morning, you are eager to meet the challenge of this day; if your mind is filled with it, joyfully, when you are brushing your teeth, when you are in the shower, when you are drinking your coffee. . . . . .your work will be a smash! What these 'Reflections' do is to remind you that your work is an apostolate. . . you are serving the children of God. You might not have silver and gold, but what you have you give—yourself! And that is the most beautiful gift of all. This little book makes you realize that you are serving God. . . every day, every hour, every moment. . . . in the market place. It is worth reading—one set of reflections every day. It will fill your life with love. You will go to work smiling.

—Fr. James Reuter, SJ
Director, National Office on Mass Media for the Catholic Church in the Philippines