Mercy and Compassion

CEBU, Philippines – In his Guiding Light column in The Freeman Lifestyle last Sunday, Fr. Benjamin Sim, SJ wrote: “We read or heard about the canonized Saints, people whose lives radiated God’s presence and compassionate love… We also know of saintly people who are not well known… Here in the Philippines, there is Fr. John Pollock, and Fr. Benigno Dagani, two cheerful dedicated missionaries in Mindanao, models of simplicity, poverty, and compassion. We have Pope Francis himself – a great model of modern Christian. They are well loved by the people. I’m sure you know of others… people who have God’s love written on their hearts so deeply…”

I know of a man who tries to walk in the same path – the path of mercy and compassion for others. For sure, he too is loved by many. But, at the same time, he earns the envy and denigration of a few, something that must be very difficult for him.

But he keeps on, sustained by the purity of his intention.  With what he has already attained in life for himself, he should already be taking it easy and enjoying his time. Yet he continues to keep himself busy, instead – although not anymore as much for the family business as for his many outreach projects.

Dodong Gullas is busy building or refurbishing churches, busy in his various advocacies, particularly those for the preservation and promotion of Cebuano culture and arts. And he is busy thinking up ways to help the poor and needy. Beyond all these, he is also busy with the family’s University of the Visayas and his own Jose R. Gullas Halad Museum, a one-of-its-kind in the country.

One would wonder: How does Dodong Gullas find the time and the energy for all that he is doing? It must be true that one always finds ways for the things that he most loves to do. And that he is not deterred by difficulty, but, instead, gets more determined.

A little over a month ago thousands have benefited from several outreach projects of Dodong Gullas: over a hundred young people in the mass Roman-Catholic Confirmation, 41 couples in the mass wedding, close to 6,000 in the “Halad Pasalamat” that consisted of free medical, dental and other necessary services. These events have since become an annual tradition much anticipated by many.

The benefits from these outreach projects cannot be quantified. What many good things can come from a bolstered self-assurance and confidence is difficult to measure. The newly confirmed Christian will begin to be more inspired to live up to the tenets of his faith. The couple whose union is now blessed in holy matrimony will try to be more faithful to each other and be better parents to their children.

As a result, entire communities of upright people will be established. Properly raised kids will want to honor their parents by their good conduct. And people availing of free medical and other services have their concerns attended to that they will likely pay forward by being of service to others too.  

Some would be quick to say that it’s easy for Dodong Gullas to do what he does because he has the means. He may have the means, all right – but the man does not do all these because they are easy for him to do. He does these because he wants to help, to partake in the general effort to promote the common good. He wants to serve, because he understands the needs of others who do not have the means he has.

Here’s a man who would rather be sharing the suffering of the unfortunate than enjoying comforts with others of his exalted social stature. And his kind gesture is doubly noble, because he does not seek praises for it. If all those with the same capacity to help as he only do their share, the level of poverty and suffering we see around would certainly be cut by more than half.

There’s more he wants to do. He keeps repeating to friends the many other projects he plans to start. He keeps repeating these, perhaps to keep his yearning alive and so he may not forget. This man tries his best to do whatever he can, including the task of reminding himself of what it is that he needs to do.

Mercy and compassion – the most precious gifts one can give to another. Sadly, these gifts have become more and more rare. These are now hard to find in the human heart – harder to give to a fellowman in need.

We are lucky at least to still have a few of this vanishing breed who tries to reflect God’s love and goodness by their deeds. We may not be direct beneficiaries of their kindness, but just the same we benefit in knowing of their good example for our own actions. As Fr. Sim wrote: “[This breed] doesn’t get discouraged. They continue to pray and trust.” And, if I may add, to do their share in God’s work on earth.