Four 'gives

ARE you ready to try a math magic? Your cell phone's last number x 2, add 5, x 50, add your age, plus 365, minus 615. The last two numbers will show your age and the first number is your cell phone's last number. Try it. It is fun, and it really works!

* * *

The Gospel today (Mt. 25,14-30) is about the parable of the talents. The Lord has given each one of us different talents. The problem however is that we use our talents differently. Some maximize their talents while others waste their talents. Take for example the math magic we shared above: did you actually try it? If so, congratulations. If not, why? No time? A trivial matter? Kid stuff? Math is not your forte? Etc.? Etc.? The reasons you stated are probably right. But, these precisely are the very reasons why many of your other talents are never discovered, and are never tapped. Now, care to try it? It won't take more than a minute of your time. Just do it.

* * *

We have a confrere in our SVD Seminary in Tagaytay who is so thankful he finally discovered something, after six months. He told me that the hardest thing for him to do was to take a shower in the morning as Tagaytay weather is so cold. And so, he would jump and shout and do all sorts of rituals whenever he had to shower. Until one day he turned a knob, and lo and behold, hot water came out. It was there, all the while, all along, and he never knew it. How did he find out? He had the openness to share his predicament with others. He also had the humility, with his doctorate and all, to ask others about it. If we are open, and if we are humble, we can discover, use and maximize our hidden talents.

* * *

What's in a name? Somebody said that each one of us has three names: the name we inherited from our family, the name given to us by our parents and the name we have made for ourselves. The first two are given, while the last is made. Likewise, we have our God-given talents. We were born with them. But, like our given and inherited names, we can either maximize or waste our talents. The choice is really up to us. The choice is ours too if we will use our talents for goodness or for evil. Are you living up to your name? What name are you making for yourself? Are you living up to your talents? What are you making out of your talents?

* * *

Some people are really very talented, like some politicians who are very talented in making money and staying on in power. Or some people who are good in business and who enrich themselves at the expense of others. Yes, there are a lot of people who have and who use their talents for wrong purposes. Every gift, every charism, every talent is to be used for service, not for self-aggrandizement. Remember that every gift carries with it a responsibility. "To whom much is given, much is also required."

* * *

Somebody once said that when we are born, we are what we are given. When we die, we are what we have given. Are you a giving person? Are you giving enough? Are you giving right? Are you giving with love? These are the "four gives" we have to raise continuously in life: Giver ka ba? Give na give ka ba? Give right ka ba? Give love ka ba? If you can answer, YES to all these questions, congratulations! Give me five!

* * *

In humility, I would like to share one life treasure of mine. I always give my first and last waking moments to God. It is my habit to kneel down right away as soon as I wake up and just before sleeping to thank God for another day. The act of kneeling down is a beautiful gesture of humility and surrendering that puts everything in place. (Try it tonight before you sleep and tomorrow morning if you wake up.) Recently, I realized how deeply ingrained this habit has become when I woke up, knelt down right away and heard a voice from behind: "Are you all right Father Jerry?" It was the stewardess who must have been so surprised seeing me kneeling down, holding on to the seat in front of me on a long haul PAL flight recently! I just smiled as I gave her the OK sign. Deep inside, I wanted to tell her that "I am all right. God is in control. Just getting my bearings and looking for my soul, first thing in the morning." That's it. As long as we do not forget the Giver of our gifts, and as long as we go on giving our gifts, we will be all right.

* * *

Would you care to try another trivia? Rearrange the letters WE SAT THERE, and you will come up with a beautiful word of endearment. Don't just sit there. Work on it. A lot of opportunities, a lot of chances, a lot of relationships precisely are passing you by because you just sit there. Give it a try, sweetheart!

* * *

This coming Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King, the King of all Kings, the King of the Universe. Let us consecrate our lives, our families, our country and the whole world to Christ our King. Here in Christ the King Seminary (E. Rodriguez Boulevard, Quezon City) which has produced so many Filipino missionaries through the years, we will have a procession and consecration with benediction to be led by Bishop Antonio Palang, SVD, DD starting with a 5 p.m. Mass. Give Christ the King some of your time. See you!

* * *

A Moment with the Lord

Lord, Giver of all that I am and all that I have, help me to give, give much, give right and give love while I live. Amen.