1 September 2013 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time C Luke 14:1,7-14 1One Sabbath, whenJesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor,for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes,he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet,invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Of Men and Honor A mugger held a man at gunpoint demanding, “Give me your money or you die!” The man, with an air of superiority said, “Don’t you know who I am? I am a member of the House of Representatives, an honorable man of Congress!” “In that case,” the mugger responded, “Give me back MY money.” In the light of the recent pork barrel scam that seemingly implicates people in all and the highest places of governance, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago made that joke popular. It’s an old anecdote actually but the recent events make the wisdom behind the humor very important. The politician in the story demanded that honor be given him by the criminal. But the corruption that he engages in as a public servant made the criminal act almost an act of justice. That’s what made the story funny. Or is it? Is it funny that in the past, when you see a politician you want to shake his hand. Now, when you see a politician, you want to shake your head? It is a tragedy. In the Gospel of today, Jesus, after being invited into a dinner banquet, observed how people kept fussing and fighting for the seat of honor in the banquet. They were invited to a party in honor of someone else but they came there wanting to honor themselves. That is what proud people do. Pride is, in a manner of speaking, making one self God. God is the one to whom all attention is due. God is the one around whom our life should evolve. God is the one to be worshipped. Pride is nothing else but self-worship. The Gospel scene was not unique in Jesus’ time. It happens, in various ways and places, up to this day. Just days ago, something I heard from the radio disturbedme. It was an ad for a facial wash targeting women and young teenage girls. Asa promo for their product, they encouraged consumers to use their product and take a photo of themselves after. The most beautiful “selfie” (self-taken photograph) will become the face of the product. It ended with an enticing invitation, “Try it and have your ownselfie on a billboard!” This is what we entice young people to aspire for today – to have their own selfie on a billboard at EDSA. We are building a culture of superficiality and self-absorption. My thoughts right now go to the late DILG Secretary JesseRobredo, whose 1st death anniversary was celebrated just last August18, 2013. Jesse Robredo was a multi-awarded politician and civil servant. He served as mayor of Naga City from 1988 to 1998 and 2001 to 2010. Under his tenure, Naga City flourished and became one of the most awarded city in the country. He was a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Government Service. This is one among the 140 awards and citations in his name. He was appointed as Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary under President Benigno Aquino III in 2010. On Aug 18, 2012, Robredo died of a plane crash off the shores of Masbate Island. In my last trip to Legaspi, a friend of mine volunteered to bring me to his graveyard. I didn’t even ask for it but his resting place has become one of the pride of the city. Mention his name and people’s demeanor suddenly change into one of fond reverence. Jesse Robredo is a people’s man. He was fond of wearing casual polo. He went around the town as Mayor wearing trek short sand slippers. In contrast, during the last SONA of the President, Senators and Congressmen and women turned the event of national importance into a red carpet circus. They waved and pranced along the beat and shouts of the“paparazzi” covering the event. During the interviews, they spoke not of their programs but of their fashion designer and the inspiration of their look and accessories. When you look Jesse Robredo, he hardly looks “honorable” but people honor his memory deeply. This reminded me of one of the most insightful lines I have ever stumbled upon: “It is not the title that gives a man honor. It is the manwho gives honor to the title.” You want to become a true man or woman of honor in this world and in the Kingdom? Throw away your lust for titles. Do not fuss about vain recognition and applause. Give yourself away in love. GK Chesterton once wrote, “The reason why angels can fly is because they take themselves lightly. ”Do not take yourself too seriously and serve with joy and serenity even in anonymity. Remember, it was pride that turned angels into devils. It is humility that turns men into angels. God bless! The Honorable Jesse Robredo addressing his constituents in shorts and slippers. The Honorable Jesse Robredo addressing his constituents in shorts and slippers.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 08:45:32 +0000
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