Honesty, humility and obedience

FR. Raymond Soriano, SVD, my classmate who is now assigned to Australia, writes about this incident: A lawyer, driving on a country road, encountered a crowd in one intersection. Thinking cleverly and wanting to throw his weight around to get to the scene, he shouted "Let me through! I am the son of the victim!" Upon hearing this, the crowd made way for him and, lo and behold, lying in front of everyone was a dead pig run over by a car.

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In today's Gospel (Mt. 2, 1-12), we hear of the Magi who came from afar searching for the baby Jesus, and when they found Him, prostrated themselves in humility and did Him homage. The story of the Magi reminds us that the way to find God is not through deceit and pride, but through honesty and humility. Dishonest and proud people can never truly find God because they are so caught up in their lies and personal ambitions. They cannot see the guiding star because they see themselves as the superstar.

What is the difference between King Herod and the Magi, whom we also refer to as the Three Kings? First, King Herod was so attached and glued to his position that he felt threatened and insecure with the news of a newborn king of the Jews. The Magi, on the other hand, also men of position and influence, left everything and became vulnerable pilgrims in search for the truth. When someone becomes so attached to worldly power, money and pleasures, then he/she becomes a prisoner, a miserable prisoner of the world, so paranoid and so afraid of everything and of everyone.

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The other difference between King Herod and the Magi was their attitude toward truth. The Magi sincerely searched for the truth, and were willing to sacrifice for the truth. King Herod, on the other hand, also claimed to search for the truth, but in fact, was just manipulating the truth for his political agenda. The Magi's search for truth was pure, while King Herod's "search" for truth was all "for money and for show." It's really sickening to hear some people tell lies these days and do everything to prevent the truth from coming out.

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The third difference between King Herod and the Magi was their attitude toward the divine. King Herod approached the divine with pride, thinking of it as something he could solve or manipulate. The Magi, on the other hand, were awed by the great mystery, drawn to it, and in humility, prostrated themselves before it. The problem with some people so caught up with worldly power and pride is that they begin to think -- and actually live and believe -- that everything in this world, even the divine, can be managed, controlled and manipulated with money, "if the price is right."

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One final difference between King Herod and the Magi was obedience. King Herod obeyed no one, while the Magi were obedient to God. King Herod was driven by worldly ambition, while the Magi were led by a star. King Herod held on to control, while the Magi let go of their comfort zones. If only we listen to God and obey His will, then we will not have so many problems in our lives, in our relationships, in our country, in the world.

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King Herod represents the clever people of this world who pursue their worldly agenda by whatever means and at whatever cost. The Magi on the other hand represent the wise people of this world who know the futility of pursuing and holding on to earthly power, treasure and fame; and so they take the road of honesty, humility and obedience instead. Which one are you? Clever or wise?

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An Epiphany moment, a revelation of the divine, dawned on me last Dec. 30 during a Christmas gift-giving in Pangasinan. While everybody was busy elbowing each other to get more gifts, I saw a family of six siblings gather around a little pail and start sharing whatever was inside. The eldest, a 12-year-old girl or so, took out an orange and shared it with her brothers and sisters. Then the apple. Then the candies. And always, she was the last to take a bite of whatever was left. They had so little, but they shared with each other. I did not get the name of that little girl, but I sure wish she would become the president of the Republic of the Philippines someday. There is another 12-year-old girl who could be president of our country someday: Christina Bugayong. This girl from a poor family returned the P300,000 that she found on a street last Jan. 4. Asked why she did it, she simply said: "Hindi naman po sa akin yon, e." (Because it's not mine).

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Inviting you to a psycho-spiritual retreat for healing of relationships to be given by Fr. Ed Fugoso, SVD, Jan. 14-15 (Tagaytay) and Jan. 28-29 (Cebu). This retreat will be held thereafter every second and fourth weekend of the month. For inquiries, please call +63917-5414330 and +63920-9500345.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, lead me and help me to stay on the road of humility, honesty and obedience. Amen.

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