The marketplace

SOMEBODY once commented that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, but for some, their bodies have become basilicas!

* * *

Today is the Feast of Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. In today's Gospel (John 2, 13-22) Jesus cleansed the temple of vendors and moneychangers and in anger exclaimed, "Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." We all need cleansing, not only in our bodies, but also in our character, in our families, in our relationships and especially so, in our country these days, even in the Church.

* * *

What's this "marketplace" that Jesus was so angry about? It's simply money, and all the things that money can do to a person. Money can contaminate and ruin a person's life, values and relationships. When we become involved in the marketplace, we also sooner or later get involved in greed, deceit, and manipulation. Have you turned your life into a marketplace? Have you allowed the marketplace into your very home? When money comes into the picture, the purest and cleanest thoughts, convictions and even values can become obscured... When money talks, people begin to lose their sense of sight, hearing, speaking and even their sense of feeling.

* * *

"Marketplace" is not so much a place, but an attitude, a way of thinking, where everything has a price and anything can be sold or bought. You know you have the marketplace in your heart when you see everything and everyone from the point of gain and profit. In the marketplace, it is difficult to find friendship, values, self-sacrifice and yes, even God.

* * *

The other Gospel for this Sunday (Mk. 12, 41-44) is about the widow's mite, Jesus points out the value of true and sincere giving over hypocrisy and pseudo-goodness. In everything, God sees the heart! Without the heart, everything is a show, a performance, an act! Look at the things you are doing in life. Where is your heart?

* * *

As we go about our lives, we encounter different levels of good. The first is the level of LOOKING GOOD. This is the level which we are busy with most of the time. What others say is what matters on this level. The second level is FEELING GOOD. This is the level where what we say or feel about ourselves is the center of our attention. The third level is that of DOING GOOD. There is a value outside as that makes us do good things. Then there is the level of simply BEING GOOD. This is the level where goodness emanates from a heart that wants to please God. The problem with many of us is that we put priority over looking good, and feeling good over doing good and being good. Just be good and everything else will follow.

* * *

Abraham Lincoln has a beautiful reminder for all of us, who live in a world so full of hypocrisy and sincerity: "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true; I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have; I must stand with anybody that stands right, stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong." Hello politicians, government leaders, church leaders, are we listening?

* * *

Too often, we think of hypocrisy as the deceit of bad people pretending to be good. However, the opposite could also be the same, that of good people pretending to be bad. That's true. I know a lot of people who are really good but keep pretending and acting as if they are bad. I don't know why they do so. Is it because they think that being good is a sign of weakness? There is no greater strength than goodness and gentleness of heart.

* * *

We would like to thank Ms Charo Santos and "Maalaala Mo Kaya" for having featured on Channel 2 the story of the 10-year-old-girl Fatima who undergoes dialysis five times a day! I am glad that the whole nation and even a great number of people abroad have heard her beautiful story of courage and hope. Thank you to all the good Samaritans who literally gave their "widow's mite" for this frail but brave child. Some have even called in to donate their kidney. What a beautiful simple outpouring of love! For those who'd like to help Fatima, you may call us at +632 7217457. Don't be afraid to be good and to be generous.

* * *

Our task as Christians is to find and keep finding God in the marketplace. We have to keep on pointing to Him, even in the marketplace. It is easy to find God and feel God in a convent or a monastery. But the greater challenge is to be aware, to welcome and to make present our God in the marketplace.

* * *

At the end of the day when everything is quiet, we will be left alone with ourselves, minus our titles, positions and possessions, minus our masks and put-ons; may we encounter God who loves us without conditions. And, at the end of our lives, may we be embraced by God who will whisper to us, "My child, you did not need those masks and luggage when you were still alive. All that you needed was already in you, deep inside."

* * *

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to remove the marketplace in my heart and make it your dwelling place. Amen.