Where did they put the Lord?

+  RWS 540 March 31, 2013

Easter Sunday

Gospel: John 20:1-9

2 … "They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him."

The Lord in uncertainties

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

The first feeling of the first person to have encountered the greatest event in history—the Resurrection of Jesus—was unfortunately that of uncertainty. Mary Magdalene, of course, had no idea of the power of the Lord Jesus she so loved. Her senses could only attest to an absence, a loss, or an absurdity before the great reality of Presence, the victory and the great meaningfulness of the Risen Jesus.  Such experience of Mary Magdalene and the few of the Apostles and disciples on the first encounter of Easter find similarity in our day to day life and activities, including our daily work.

Most of us, even when we find our work at once meaningful and fulfilling especially in the material and temporal aspects of it, would feel the uncertainty as time goes on. We worry about the stability of our jobs or of those who have hired our services; we also are uncertain of our physical or mental health needed to stay on our jobs. There are also the difficulties and pains of working which could overcome our determination at work and slowly feel the loss of meaning and value of our toils. Others are pressured by so many demands from the family and friends that working hard would be the easy means to earn the money to meet such demands; but, such motive for working will not last long, or one’s energy and strength would soon fail. Thus, in work, the sense of absence, loss and absurdity could truly be felt by the worker. He would then need something, or, better, someone, who could transform his daily work into an experience of true joy and satisfaction. The worker needs someone to liberate him from the grips of uncertainties in life not only of the present moment but also in the life after.

The Risen Jesus is the only one who can give him and all of us assurance and salvation from utter meaninglessness in life. The Risen Lord is present to every person who wills to accept Him in faith. He is present in His Church to assure us and to save us from all uncertainties. His resurrection should somehow find a place in our life and work.

Holidays and holy weeks

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

Earlier on in my career, working in the pre-martial law Manila Times, I had to accept that Good Friday was regarded as an ordinary day. I could understand that hospitals, fire stations and the armed forces don’t stop operating on holidays or holy days because they deal with life-and-death situations, but a newspaper office?  Surely the world would spin on without newspapers for a day?  That question was not answered, and it got buried in deadlines 24/7.

I did not notice when the holy week turned into a holiday week, when parents stopped telling their children to be quiet on Good Friday because “patay ang Diyos,” and when workers began to convert the prayerful long weekend into beach outings and fun vacations.  Over two decades ago, an airline vice president at a board meeting—noting the increasingly heavy air traffic during Holy Week—quipped about the fun loving Filipinos: “Maybe they have a blast partying from Maundy Thursday through Black Saturday because they’re advancing their celebration of Easter Sunday.”  The trend towards fun-filled (or irreverent) holy weeks continued, despite the subtle warning from the sudden and mysterious death of a young actor on a Maundy Thursday 11 years ago.  More and more policemen are deployed each year during Holy Week in anticipation of crimes and accidents—for where crowds are boisterous and high, self-control is low.  The airline VP’s sardonic remark has turned out to be prophetic, but who wants to heed prophets these days?

Erasing the holy from the holy week may lead us to the empty tomb, but may doom us to the fate of never knowing where the Lord has gone.  Believing in propaganda more than in the truth of the resurrection we will continue to live in worse lies—because purveyors of lies work 24/7—failing to discern why, for instance, despite triumphant announcements of an economic boom, our poor continue to sleep in the streets, and in spite of peace pacts, war rages on.

  

He breathed his last

+  RWS 539 March 24, 2013

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Gospel: Luke 23:1-49

46 Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your

hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Last breath

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

How painful was the last breath of Jesus, crucified on the cross; yet, how touching and moving, how beautiful it was since it was commended into the hands of the Father!  None of us would know how our last breath would be; but we can only try to breathe it as Jesus did his last—to die in the hands of the Giver of life.

While waiting for our last breath, we busy ourselves with a lot of things, among which, is our daily work. It is like occupying our present moments with something useful, something which could keep us alive with our needs being satisfied. Very few, if there are any, would do his work with the last breath in view. Perhaps, it is weird to think that in doing one’s task, whether a paid job or one of personal choice, one is doing it as if it were his last action to perform. We would normally look forward to a continued work, to a health which could allow us to work daily; we would hardly work as if it were our last day of work, not because we retire from our jobs but because we will be permanently disabled to work, or that we would have ended our life. Yet, if we make a serious reflection and consideration on such a perspective, there would be a great possibility that we would do our best in that work/action that we would do as our last. We would want to leave a good impression of ourselves, so we do the best we can. Or, we would want to compensate for the many wrong things we could have done, that we would want to the last thing with our very best so as to somehow offset the many failures we may have done. It is expected then that we would do our work very well when we think of our last breath.

Jesus’ death on the cross shows the worker how to spend his last breath on earth. The sufferings in life and in work that the worker endures are nothing compared to what Jesus suffered. The worker could unite his life and work with that of Jesus’ death by believing in Him, and by offering them to the Lord. Jesus in turn will commend the worker’s life and sufferings to the Father, who will certainly grant those who firmly believe in His Son eternal compensation.

Be practical, be prepared

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

Most people start to think of “breathing their last” only way after retirement.  While we are young and strong, busy with our careers, and unbothered by aching joints and shortness of breath, we tend to think we will live forever, like immortals.  Perhaps people are unwilling to “retire and have nothing to do” because then the specter of death will haunt their idle minds and sedentary bodies.  Wise are those who prepare for that moment long before they need to.  Death is feared only by those who do not prepare for it.

When I was a young girl going to the town’s only movie house (with double programs and bedbug-infested seats) I’d remember that rich people (in the movie I’d be watching) usually prepared their last will and testament on their death bed, when their judgment would (I assume) already be clouded by thoughts of reuniting with their dead relatives in heaven.  One haciendero, Don Briccio-something, even failed to sign the document, breathing his last the second he was given the pen, resulting in his children eventually fighting bitterly over their properties.  (Hay naku, Pinoy drama!  But oh so real, and so something we can all learn from).

No matter how work takes up all our time and energy, there must always be space left in our mind to prepare for the end.  Love demands it.  If we truly love our families, we will do all we can to keep our transition from here to eternity as serene as possible for them.  Especially if we are leaving some valuables (bank accounts, real estate properties, treasury bonds, insurance) behind, gather all important documents that will be asked of our spouse and children (marriage and birth certificates, etc.) when they claim ownership of them.  Doing this will be easier if our conscience is also in order.  It’s Holy Week—what better time to do this internal cleansing than now?  Thus we can say, anytime, “Father, into Your Hands, I commend my spirit!”  

Woman caught in adultery

+  RWS 538 March 17, 20 13

5th Sunday in Lent

Gospel: John 8: 1-11

Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and do not sin any more"

Troubleshooting

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

Jesus was confronted with a very difficult moral situation of the woman caught in adultery and the Mosaic law which could lead her to death. I should say that the Lord did a really good troubleshooting job that he not only saved the life of the sinful woman but also made the moral leaders of His time learn how they could do their jobs in serving the people under their care.

Indeed, in almost every area in life and particularly in work troubles occur, and troubleshooting would be one of the essential skills needed. A good troubleshooter is one who is able to analyze the problem and provide the solution which would eliminate the defect. Every worker should somehow know his job so well as to be able to make the necessary corrections to the regular breakdown in his job. His knowledge and skills should equip him sufficiently to face any trouble that might arise at work. Moreover, those who are tasked with special assignment as troubleshooters should be circumspect enough as to provide a holistic and integral solution which is good and beneficial to everyone and to all concerned and which would also not create other problems. Troubles in the workplace should be approached by everyone not only with a pragmatic attitude that looks for a practical and profitable solution for everyone but also with a Christ-like attitude which places a high premium on saving the real worth and value of the human worker. The troubleshooting skills learned and acquired by everyone at work should be useful for the human and moral growth of the worker.

Every troublesome experience at work could be an opportunity for everyone to imitate the example of Christ who sees trouble and above all troublemakers with great love, mercy and compassion.

Drop the stones

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

            The value of self-knowledge in the workplace should never be underestimated, for it can save us from a lot of (what the British would call) “argle-bargle”.  You probably have at least co-worker or two who are very nice, very generous, normally good-humored, but flare up when they feel offended.  Then they can’t stop ranting about how boorish some people could be after what they’ve been or done for them.  Not satisfied with that, they’d go on argle-bargling about the offender’s unworthiness as a human being, feeling victimized and certainly bent on vengeance.

            Recently someone in that situation aired his complaints to me.  (I seem to be a magnet for people with complaints, even when I tell them I can’t help).  My cell phone sizzled with his venomous texts against the co-worker he said shouted at him in front of mutual friends.  Knowing his “offender”, I said that’s just the way he is, but after so many of his texts, I told him to calm down and reminded him of the prayer “Lord, grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept those I can’t, and the wisdom to know the difference.”  But he was deaf to it.  Clearly, he lacks true self-knowledge, for he does not realize that he himself tends to offend people the way his offender does, and since he refuses to see that, he’s dooming himself to get stuck in that situation.

            Peace comes with forgiveness, and for as long as we do not see what it is in ourselves that need to be forgiven, we will never drop the stones in our hand—ready to hurl at those who we think offend us.

Sinner-friendly

+RWS 537 March 10,  2013
4th Sunday in Lent

Gospel: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them"

Sinner friendly
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

            One of the accusations leveled against Jesus was His being 'sinner friendly', as the selected verse above has simply stated. For Jesus to be the Savior and Redeemer of sinful mankind, going after sinners with love and mercy is not out of order; in fact, it has to be so for Jesus. And it has to be the same with anyone who wish to follow him, workers included. An essential part of any worker's activity then is to see how sinner friendly he is and could be at work.
            Everyone does commit mistakes no matter how careful he can be. At work, failures are costly; those who fail will bear the cost heavily, sometimes at the risk of losing their jobs. One of the painful loss of the sinner at work is the loss of trust and esteem of the boss and his co-workers who are expecting the best from everyone. When good performance is valued mostly in terms of profit, it would be very difficult to be compassionate with those who do not deliver properly or with those who inflict heavy losses to the company. The usual way to deal with those who fail at work is to count the financial or material cost of the failure than the value of the worker as a human person. In such perspective, the disciplinary or administrative actions would most likely be in favor of the employer or company rather than the errant worker. The ideal approach I think, is to consider the human rights of both the failing worker and the management. Thus, a just legal system governing labor and relationships at work would be needed to solve the situation in a most human way.

            But, there are times that what is legal may not necessarily be moral. What Jesus did to sinners may not be legal, in terms of human considerations, much less in terms of financial and material ones. Yet, everyone at work may imitate the Lord's example especially in moments of failures and sins.

Power lunch

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

            A “power lunch” is modern-day term coined to describe a working lunch shared by decision makers to discuss important matters that would hopefully lead to, say, closing a deal.  The real aim of the host (the one who invites and who’s footing the bill) is to win the guest (could be a client or a partner) over to his side.  He is well aware that steaks and wine can alter a man’s judgment to favor his cause more swiftly than a meeting over the conference table in a cold office with nothing to warm the discussions but a bottomless cup of coffee.

            Power lunches have become part and parcel of the corporate world, lubricating the wheels of business.  When invited to one, the guest normally comes with an open mind—not prejudging the host’s intentions or even considering his host’s reputation, even when the host is known to be master of shady deals—for he is optimistic that something mutually beneficial could come from the encounter.

            Coming to a power lunch with an open mind, however, does not mean somnambulating into a self-destructive transaction.  The decision maker attending as guest at a power lunch represents his company; thus he has to keep the welfare of the company in mind, as well as the benefits to be gained for a greater group of people, like the workers and their families.  He can be certain of positive results if he is armed not only with adequate and correct information affecting the matters to be discussed but also with an unclouded intelligence and sharp discerning skills.  (It would be wise to keep the steak to matchstick box size and the wine to one glass; better yet, skip the wine for the healthier kalamansi juice).  Clear thinking and his clean intentions will shield him from a malicious host’s wiles, and will enable him to foresee the wide-ranging and long-lasting effects of his decisions made over the power lunch.  Getting ready for a power lunch?  Take a hint from Jesus: He dined with sinners and tax collectors knowing—and determined to get—what He wanted.  That is power.

           

Repentance and your nobility

+  RWS 536 March 2, 2013

3^rd Sunday of Lent

Luke 13:1-9

“But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish …

True repentance

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

Repentance is changing our ways from that which will lead us to sorrow and destruction.  In our life and work we need to repent from everything which will displease those for whom we live or work.  From doing what we want we orient our minds to obeying those in authority at all levels and in all areas of our life.  From the desire of pleasing only ourselves we adopt an attitude of  working hard for the welfare of others.  From working for our self-fulfillment we gradually search for the perfection God has for us.  This conversion in our life and work is the repeated call Christ made to all.

The worker needs to be sorry not only for mistakes he commits over work or hurts he inflicts on his boss or co-workers, or other failures he is responsible for to others; he needs to realize that he has offended God, too, and above all else. After all, this is the reality—there is a connection of our earthly activities to God.  Understanding this connectivity makes our repentance greater than that which is felt through human consideration alone.  Moreover, when the worker feels sorry to God for his sins, among which are work-related, he should express a repentance which is not due to fear, for the pains of hell, but because of the love God has for him and because of his love for the Lord.  This perfect act of contrition is what will earn for him God’s forgiveness for his sins.  For a more complete teaching on God’s forgiveness, faith in the Sacrament of Reconciliation which the Catholic Church continues to offer, is necessary.

True repentance, then, even for a simple worker and including those who may categorize themselves as better, can only be felt when one believes in God.  Such faith in God should also be centered in His love.  God's love then should be the main reason for working and also for repenting.

Acknowledge your nobility

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

            If only we who labor everyday knew that the state of our soul shapes our productivity at work, we would care for it as much as we do about what we put in our daily lunchbox.  There’s this well-known businessman who is regarded as successful by everyone.  He is sharp, methodical, meticulous, and really knows the ropes as far as his business is concerned.  But he is a perennial grump, scolding everyone at the littlest mistake, and so repels people.  Nothing ever seems to be good enough for him: the room is either too cold or not cold enough, his driver is too stupid to get instructions right, his assistant is scatterbrained, his chair squeaks, his dentist did a lousy job on his dentures, a recognized colleague doesn’t deserve his fame, etc.

            For his workers, those things have become like background noise they have grown accustomed to—in one ear, out the other.  However, he has one flaw they regret because he does not know that it is hurting him more than anybody else: he never admits he is wrong in spite of his glaring error.  Such arrogance at work is but a reflection of his inner state, preventing him from becoming more fruitful at work and elsewhere—because he can never be wrong in his eyes, he never apologizes, not even for his marital infidelity.

            Our little quirks are often clues to our more serious internal conflicts.  When we acknowledge our mistakes and sincerely express regret for them, we are giving way for our better selves to emerge.  Repentance is a mark of the soul that acknowledges its own nobility—when we repent, we enter the path to an abundant, rewarding, and joyful life.  After the home, the first to benefit is the workplace.