Reflections for the Working Soul: 'My sheep hear my voice...'

Sunday, April 17, 2016

'My sheep hear my voice...'

+ RWS 699 April 17, 2016

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 20: 27-30

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life….

Eternal life

By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

Eternal life is what Jesus promises and will give to anyone who accepts Him and become His “sheep”. Other great men and leaders promise their would-be followers a happy and prosperous life, here and now. Other religious leaders point to another kind of life after death. It is clear then that the human being, deep within his heart longs for a life that would last forever; one that can satisfy fully his whole being. Whether one is conscious of this or not, he works and spends his energy and strength to possess a life beyond. It is therefore vitally important for us to know and accept the One who can truly give us eternal life and give our life and work to Him.

It is only Jesus, believed by many to be truly God and truly man, who proclaimed that He is “the way, the truth, and the life “. He invites everyone who wishes to be saved and live forever to believe in Him and follow in His footsteps. Anyone who chooses to follow Jesus must “deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Him”. Following Jesus demands among many things, bearing one’s daily cross. Besides intentionally working not for one’s wellbeing but for that of the others and for the glory of God, the follower of Jesus bears the pains, hardships and difficulties of work and relationships at home and the workplace. Working for others and for God is unacceptable for many; but it is a way of denying oneself as true followers of Jesus.

While receiving a salary, or any material compensation for doing our work, Jesus’ followers can ‘increase’ the value and can find a greater or higher meaning of their daily work. Or, we can say that Jesus gives a much greater work compensation to those who unite with Him; He rewards our work and the costs we have to pay for it, like the stresses we endure, the physical or mental fatigue we suffer and other work-related loads we bear. The risen Lord, who overcame every human pain and suffering, even death, is the only One with the power to fulfill His promise of eternal life to His faithful followers who live and work with Him and in Him.

Which sheep are you?

By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

In the profession I’m in—media—being considered a “sheep” is not an asset. Sheep have no mind of their own. They follow the flock. They are weak, they can never lead. They are bred to be led to the slaughterhouse for their meat and their skin. From that imagery alone you can picture the kind of journalists this animal would make. Mediocre ones—they would not get scoops, they would always be last in the race, they would be bullied by the wolves, they would be mocked and never earn the respect of their colleagues (who are lions and tigers and wolves). That’s how the world regards sheep. But the sheep that Jesus speaks of are different; they are His followers who hear His voice and are led to an endless life of joy with God.

Is it possible to be this latter kind of sheep and make your mark in media? Decades of being in this work has taught me that in the pursuit of truth, it is of utmost importance to understand that there are gray areas to be dealt with wisely (as serpents) and innocently (as doves). I have worked with lions, tigers and wolves that have won awards for being their predatory and competitive selves, but I have also worked alongside a rare breed of the Shepherd’s followers who are veritable sheep in wolves’ clothing. They make the effort to discreetly hide their faces, assuming the appearance of fierce animals in order to “disappear in the background” while they work to make the Truth shine. They are the Good Shepherd’s sheep, and because the voice they heed is far beyond the editor’s and the publisher’s, they sometimes appear lost in the marketplace. It is not awards nor recognition they seek—not even a pat on the head from the Good Shepherd Himself, because for them, doing the will of God is its own reward.

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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