Gone fishing

THE STORY is told about a psychotherapist who was not getting any patients. Nobody was coming to his clinic. He soon found out the reason why: under his name was the sign PSYCHO THE RAPIST.

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The Gospel (Mk. 1, 14-20) today urges us all to become "fishers of men." We are all supposed to bring people closer to God, and God closer to the people. Have you brought anybody closer to God? Has anyone come closer to God because of you, your word, your personal witnessing? Are you knowingly or unknowingly blocking people to come closer to God? Are you a bridge or a wall to God?

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I remember one time right after Mass, the mother superior of a convent went to the sacristy to consult me about their problem of lack of vocations in their congregation. As we went to breakfast and all throughout, she kept on with her monologue, not even giving me a chance to say anything. As she kept on with her litany of bickering and lamentations, I could not say it then, but deep in my heart, I was saying: "Sister, just looking at your poker face and listening to your long-playing soliloquy, I know why you don't have vocations!"

As we go on in our mission of spreading the Good News, let us ourselves become the good news. Are you a "good news" or a "bad news" to other people?

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I encountered a very special "bearer of good news" this week in the person of Walter Mendoza Jr., a 5-year-old child from Taytay, Rizal. The mother of Walter wrote me because she did not know how her son's letter could reach President Macapagal-Arroyo, and also because his letter was related to my column last Sunday. I have taken the liberty of publishing Walter's letter so that it would inspire not only President Macapagal but also all of us, to do our part in nation building and to continue to have hope.

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"Dear Mrs. President, Thank you for giving us hope because of your announcement last Rizal Day. Mommy works hard for me. Maybe now life will be easier for us. Maybe I can go and finish my studies in a good school. I wish all leaders will be heroic, too so that all dreams of kids like me will come true. Please ma'am save us Filipino children and our families. God bless you po. You're heroic. Love, Walter Mendoza, Jr." 5 years old, Taytay, Rizal, Jan. 12, 2003

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The postscript in the letter of Walter's mother touched me deeply: "P.S. My son is a little gifted. He reads the Inquirer, thinks and speaks like an adult. Maybe due to the fact that he has to be strong and smart, growing up without a Dad." Walter's letter is a call in particular to all families as we celebrate 2003 as the Year of the Family and conclude the 4th World Meeting of Families today. In spite of attacks, trials, hurts and deprivations, we must strengthen the family. And what can strengthen the family? It is our faith in God and the presence of mothers like Myles Mendoza who continue to give selfless love. Mabuhay ka Myles. Mabuhay ang pamilya!

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Jan. 29 is the Feast of Blessed Joseph Freinademetz, our first SVD missionary to China, who, along with our founder will be canonized in October this year. He spent many years there as a "fisher of men," experiencing many hardships, deprivations and even persecution in order that "the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all." All of us, young or old, rich or poor must be busy "fishing" for the Lord, wherever we are. So, when will you stop fishing for money, fishing for awards and fishing for compliments and start really fishing for God? Wanted: men and women willing to go into the deep to become "fishers of men."

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In this year when our founder Blessed Arnold Janssen will be canonized as saint, we take great pride that one of his SVD sons, Fr. Hermogenez Bacareza, S.Th.L., Ph.D., JCD was conferred the insignia of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany's highest decoration, by the German ambassador to the Philippines, Hon. Herbert Jess, at the UST for his "extraordinary merit in fostering friendly relations between the Philippines and Germany." Father Bacareza worked in Germany for 15 years and has written many books on Philippine-German relations. He is the fourth Filipino to receive this award after Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, Dr. Cesar Virata and Secretary Alejandro Melchor.

Our founder from Germany smiles at you, and we all do too, Father Gene. And thank you for being a "bearer of good news" and for being a real "fisher of men" as a Divine Word Missionary.

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Today, let us consecrate our families, especially our family members who need healing, forgiveness and conversion. Let us lift up to the Blessed Mother our cares, our trials, our achievements, our aspirations and dreams as a family. Let us keep on praying and working for a family that is closer to God, close to one another and close to the people. May God bless all Filipino families and all families of the world with true peace.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to be a "fisher of men," beginning with my family, wherever I go and whatever I do. Amen.