A good man

THE STORY is told about a wife who boasted: "My husband and I have such a peaceful life. We never have any arguments. Whenever I am right, he gives in." "What about when he is right?" someone asked her. "Oh, that never happens" was her quick reply.

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Joseph was a good man who gave in big, and who gave in a lot to God. The Gospel today (Mt. 1, 18-24) describes him as an "upright man." I take that to mean that he was a righteous man to someone "up there." He was obedient to God's will. God's agenda in his life was bigger than his own life agenda. Is there a space for God's agenda in your life? Is He in your agenda at all?

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How were you born? Most of us were born and grew up in a home where the father and the mother fell in love, got married and raised children. But there are children born in difficult situations, with questionable backgrounds, and even under shameful circumstances. If it is of any consolation, the Savior was born in a similar situation. It was a simple case of teenage pregnancy, father unknown. Next time you start looking down on a child with a "doubtful background," please be more kind. Lean not on pride and self-righteousness but on compassion and understanding.

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Have you ever wondered why there are very few pictures of Joseph in stampitas? There are plenty of pictures showing Jesus by his lonesome, or Mary alone, or Jesus and Mary together. You know why? That's because Joseph is the one taking the pictures! Levity aside, we honor Joseph, a good man, who was obedient to God, considerate of Mary and her situation and protective of Jesus. He must have been a man of few words. In fact, we do not have any record of anything he said in the Bible. But He must have been a person with a big heart. Yes, they say little who love much. Those who love don't have to say much.

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Fernando Poe Jr. was a good man, with a big heart. The spontaneous outpouring of love and respect from the many simple people he helped, and the sincere appreciation of people whose lives he touched, are a testament to the kind of person that he was, and the quality of life he lived. A lot of the rich and powerful, the so called "intelligentsia" looked down with disdain on this actor who is a high school drop-out. He was branded as intellectually incompetent and morally inadequate to lead our nation. He was used, cheated, betrayed, but he whom the builders rejected has become a cornerstone. Cornerstone of what? Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!

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A good man with a big heart. That is how FPJ will be remembered by many Filipinos. How will you be remembered? Someone who had a big mouth? A big head? A big pocket? A big belly? Etc.? And how many will remember you, if at all, after you are gone? Don't belittle the heart. It is the source of true life, and true love, and true leaders.

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Susan Roces, the widow of FPJ, is a picture of peace, strength, and grace. She has a way with words. When she talks, people listen. Why? Because she speaks her truth -- to borrow the words from "Desiderata" -- "quietly and clearly."

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On hindsight, FPJ's campaign sign was the forefinger pointing upwards, a reminder that we are one nation, in need of help and redemption by someone up there. In death, his mission is accomplished already, but when a grain of wheat falls and dies, it will bear much fruit.

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The death and the wake of FPJ should not distract. Rather, it should lead us straight to the heart of Christmas. The first Christmas wasn't a cozy, "nice-nice" kind of a night. It was a night of poverty, blood, sweat, tears and even stench. Christmas should lift us up with hope, but it should also bring us down to the reality of the suffering around us. Our country does not only need healing. It also needs deliverance from selfish politicians and greedy government leaders.

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By the way, the three kings, they who were rich, intelligent and powerful, were able to find Jesus and experience true redemption. You know why? Because they followed the star. If only we follow the star...

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I wish you all a peaceful, meaningful Christmas. Also, I wish you all a Christmas experience so deep and powerful to disturb your comfort zones and make you kneel down before the Baby Jesus and in awe ask, "Dear Jesus, what is it that you ask of me? What is your mission for me? Are there still many Christmases ahead of me?"

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Please look into your heart this Christmas, and there you will find Him. Please give your heart this Christmas, and there you will feel Him. Please open your heart this Christmas, and there you will embrace Him. Have a hearty Christmas!

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, remind me that the heart of Christmas is the heart. Amen.