Teacher is the child…

THE STORY is told about a little boy who was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother was anxious how her little boy would fare out. On the day the parts were awarded, the little boy rushed up to her mom shining with pride and excitement and shouted: "Guess what, Mom? I've been chosen to clap and cheer!"

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There is so much we adults can learn from children. In today's Gospel (Mk 9, 30-37) Jesus chided his disciples who were so engrossed on the issue as to who of them was the greatest. Sounds familiar? With the elections coming up next year, what do we hear all around us nowadays? Nobody wants to just clap and cheer. Everybody wants to be clapped and cheered for!

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Unahan. Me first. We see this everywhere in the Philippines. In waiting for a ride, in falling in line at the grocery, even in receiving Holy Communion! Is it just culture? Is it basic insecurity? Is it plain greed? Whatever. It is a sad commentary about us the only Christian nation in Asia that has not quite imbibed Jesus' mandate of love.

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Even in religion, there are some who claim that they are the most deserving to go to Heaven, and proceed to look down and even despise others who are not of their kin and kind. The Lord who said "If anyone wishes to be the first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all" must be shaking His head in disappointment when He looks at us today.

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Let's not even talk of love. Let's talk about respect first. Or being civil. In Korea, where I spent 4 years as a missionary, I experienced basic discipline and adherence to law and order. There is respect for civil and religious leaders and elders. The "you first" spirit permeates their culture and their way of doing things. Even in "drinking" sessions, one has to be on the lookout to pour drink for others. It is impolite for one to pour a drink for oneself. Here? Each to his own, and each on his own.

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Last September 7, 2003, I had Fatima, the 10-year-old girl on Sunday TV mass. During the homily, I asked this blind 10-year-old-girl who undergoes dialysis five times daily what her message is for our government officials. In a very casual and very natural way, she simply blurted out that her wish is that there will be a better tomorrow for our suffering people, and that "sana wala nang kurakot sa mga nakaupo sa gobyerno." (No more corruption in government!) This, she said before red-faced government officials who earlier were jockeying for the front seats so as to have maximum exposure on television! God spoke in a very powerful way that morning through a frail, little child.

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I can understand that there can be power play and even maneuvering in government, but in the Church? That for me, is hard to understand.

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Every child born in this world is a beautiful soul. Too bad they are corrupted already even before they are born. I plead to parents to spare the children of unnecessary hurts and pains. And to learn from children. There is so much to be remembered and to be reminded of if only we really listen to them. Next time you encounter a child, stop, look and really listen. God is speaking. Teacher is the child.

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Children look up to us adults. They need heroes to look up to. Never mind heroes. They just need someone to look up to. There is this beautiful story about a barefooted boy looking at a pair of shoes peering through a shop window one cold winter morning. A lady took him in, washed his feet, put on a new pair of socks and purchased for him his desired pair of shoes. As she turned to go, the astonished boy caught her by the hand, and looked up to her face, with tears in his eyes and asked the lady in a soft voice: "Are you God's wife?" Fellow adults, children don't need our money, our positions, our power. They need our love. They need our good examples.

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On October 5 this year Blessed Arnold Janssen, SVD, Blessed Joseph Freinademetz, SVD, and Blessed Daniel Comboni will be canonized in Rome. These three men who were considered as "fools" in their lifetime, encountered many trials and persecutions, but they held on to their childlike faith in God. They were adults who were not adulterated by ambition, greed and positions. They remained humble, obedient and trusting like a child.

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There is a visionary in Naju, South Korea who continues to spread the messages of the Blessed Mother, in spite of oppositions and persecutions. Julia Kim, a victim soul, has healed so many people by her own sufferings. I have experienced many "miracles" with her, but what strikes me is her humility, availability, childlike simplicity and joy! Meeting Julia is always a beautiful encounter. It is like being embraced by the Blessed Mother. Join me in a pilgrimage to Naju, October 20-25, 2003. For inquiries, call +63 2 7217457 and +63 2 5238581 to 88.

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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me to grow up as an adult and to grow on as a child, your child. Amen.