Fading from glory

THE STORY is told about a man who was informed by a computer company thus: "Dear Sir, your dating has been on the Net for eight weeks now without any answer. Do you want us to try one more week without your picture? Thank you, from www.dating.com."

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In today's Gospel (Mt. 10, 37-42) Jesus tells us that if we want to follow Him, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and lose our lives. In other words, we must be willing to fade away, to be out of the picture, so to say. The reason why many times people cannot see Jesus is because His so-called disciples get in the way. Are you a Christ-enlarger, or are you a Christ-blocker?

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One disciple who knew how to fade away from the picture was the late Jaime Cardinal Sin. He was one who kept pointing to Jesus and not to himself especially in the most difficult and critical moments of our history. He was a prophet who risked criticism and persecution for the sake of truth, justice and freedom. Through it all, Cardinal Sin took the road-and taught us to take the road-of self-denial and service, in contrast to many people in our day and time who take and continue to stay on the road of earthly glory, and self-aggrandizement. His message in life and in death to those who want to perpetuate themselves in power by all means and by any means is this: Whoever seeks himself, whoever finds his life, will lose it.

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Cardinal Sin really loved the Filipino people. We have a lot of leaders who profess love for our people, but continue to rob them, fool them and manipulate them. Cardinal Sin sacrificed a lot for our people. How many of our leaders know the word sacrifice? How many have become poorer after their stint in public service? How many of our leaders will go out of their way and go beyond their comfort zones to really reach out and serve? The most beautiful homage our leaders can pay to our dear cardinal in his death is their commitment to stop talking and really start serving. May his motto "serviam" (I will serve) become the motto of every leader of the Filipino people.

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What is the 11th commandment? "Do not take yourself too seriously." Cardinal Sin knew how to use humor fighting dictators and the powers that be, and how? He was able to disarm the mighty, and diffuse the most tense moments by his wit and laughter. Why? Because he fully knew who he was-a humble servant of God who knew how to bend his knees before his master, and therefore could stand up before any earthly power. He was not afraid of anything or of anyone. Why? Because he was righteous. Truth was on his side; and Cardinal Sin taught us that, if truth is on your side, fear is no longer a big factor in your life.

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"If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want to listen to God, meditate. If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!" There are a lot of things that we will remember about Cardinal Sin, but I personally would like to remember him as a prayerful man and as a happy man. He sought refuge in prayer and he urged us, his flock, to resort to prayer, especially in the most crucial moments of our lives. He had a strong trust not in his own power (he had the power) but in his Master's power and in the Blessed Mother. He knew that he was just an unworthy instrument, but he knew too that his Master will not abandon him. That is why he could smile, he could joke and he could laugh through it all. A lot of leaders are rattled, insecure and panicky these days. Maybe it's time for them to really pray, meditate and listen to God's plans.

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Prophets are those who speak God's truth, and a prophet's life is always marked with persecution and opposition. The Gospel today reminds us to support prophets in our midst. Are we supportive of prophets? Do we stand by them in their crusade for the truth? Do we shut them off or deny them especially when they rock the boat and threaten our comfort zones? At the end of our lives, may we not be guilty of the sin of silence when we should have spoken up, the sin of comfort when we should have gone and stood up.

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Think about it: "Better to fade away from glory than to hold on to glory."

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Invitation to join on weekends a psycho-spiritual retreat for singles and couples: "Understanding & Healing Wounded Relationships through Psychogenetics and Gestalt Therapy in the Light of the Gospel" to be held at the SVD Retreat House, Tagaytay City. Retreat Modules 1 and 2 will be facilitated by Fr. Ed Fugoso, SVD every second and fourth weekend of the month. There will be a special arrangement for interested priests and nuns involved in counseling. Contact Father Ed at +63917-5414330.

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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me to learn to fade away, and to give you the glory. Amen.