Truthful and fruitful

ONE early morning, on my way to our seminary chapel, I was approached by a man who looked at me and said, "Excuse me, Sir, are you depressed?" I did not know how to respond to his question, coming as it did from a person I hardly knew. After overcoming my initial surprise, I realized he was asking if I was the priest! He was the driver who was sent by the religious sisters to fetch the priest to say Mass in their convent. With a smile, I looked at him and said, "Ah, what do you mean?"

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In today's Gospel (Mt. 21, 28-32), Jesus tells us to mean what we say and say what we mean. The proof of loving God is not by words but by deeds. He also warns us about being complacent. Salvation comes not by religion but by a personal relationship that bears good fruits in daily life in the context of a community. So, if you declare that you love God, just precisely what do you mean by that, in the concrete?

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We are three boys in the family, and we all entered the seminary.

Papa wanted all his sons -- or at least one -- to become a priest. Manong Oscar was the first to enter, but he left after one year at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. Then it was my turn to enter the seminary. So, too, did my younger brother Tim, who stayed for four years at the Christ the King Seminary. I'm the one who became a priest, but in more ways than one, I look at my two brothers and I realize that they also live the priestly life, with their work, with their dedication to their family, and with their being true to their commitments and ideals. I received the title "Father," but they earned it by being a real father to Mark, Ginny, Luke and Gio. Beyond words, beyond titles, beyond religion, beyond profession, what matters most is that we are true and that we respond to the Father's call, whatever it may be.

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We all will go someday, that's for sure. To heaven or to hell? That's not sure. But if we are all truthful and follow the Truth Himself, we will already experience heaven here on earth and in eternity. On the other hand, one already experiences hell when one is untrue-the fear of being caught, the pretenses one has to put up, the constant bugging of the conscience, and the heavy remorse as one approaches the end. It must be nauseating when one looks at lots of money coming in, knowing that it is dirty money coming from little people who have been cheated, swindled or even killed in the process. Again, we ask ourselves the question: What for? Is it worth it all?

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Being true is a universal call. People must be true to the titles given to them. Thus, a public servant must be a real servant to the public, not one who makes a servant out of the public. A priest must be a real father to his flock, and not one who lives farther and farther from his flock. A religious must be a real religious, and not just one who religiously exercises, or who religiously eats, or who religiously watches the latest movies. Actually, many of us are working on being true, but we must admit that we are this and that, too.

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So much trash and garbage in our government these days. While garbage can be classified into nonbiodegradable and biodegradable, some words of our so-called leaders, politicians and government officials are not even gradable. Lots of words, empty words. Lots of talk, useless talk. Lots of lies, glorious lies. Lots of confusion. In the meantime, lots of suffering people, going nowhere, being taken for a ride by politicians who actually believe that they can fool everyone with their promises and lies.

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Reminds me of a story about a little boy from China whose family settled in America. One day, in exasperation, he said: "I am so confused with the English language: they point to electrical gadget, they say 'plug,' they point to a croaking animal, they say 'plug,' they point to a cloth on top of a pole, they say 'plug'!" This story should remind us adults to stop confusing the children. What are we leaving behind for the next generation? How will they remember us and our generation? On a more personal note, how will you be remembered by your children and grandchildren? Will they be so proud or ashamed of you long after you're gone?

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Sept. 25 to Oct. 2, 2005 is National Laity Week. The Council of the Laity of the Philippines (Secretariat of the Episcopal Commission on Lay Apostolate of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines) suggests "Self-discipline and value change as the key to growth, love and progress of our country" as the theme for this year's celebration. May we all have a deep faith that should lead us to deep love and concern for our country by being truthful and by doing our very best to help our country and our people.

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See you on Oct. 8, 6 a.m. at the Urdaneta Church for the three-hour "Walk with God to Manaoag," which we offer to thank God for the blessings received from Him and to ask God's help for our country through the intercession of Mama Mary.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me not only to be truthful in words but also to be fruitful in deeds. Amen.