Holy risks

What is life for if not to prepare for death! And how does one prepare for death? By loving God and neighbor. And how does one do this? By sharing one’s person, time, talents and treasures even at the risk of one’s own life. No buts. No ifs. This is God’s message for today. Take it or leave it. (Mt. 25: 14-30).

In other words, live life to the fullest – giving it your human best – and you will likewise die to the fullest, in God’s hands. Of course, easier said than done. But it can be done.

As today’s First Reading points out, this is incarnated by the typical mother, who risks her life to give birth to a new life beyond her own. Not only that. "She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy." (Prov. 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31).

After all, as the Second Reading reminds us, "The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." (1 Thes. 5: 1-6). But it is not the darkness of night that He brings. It is the Light of New Day. Such is the divine paradox.

Our Lord keeps reiterating His mission for us – individually, as families, communities, as a nation. No, it is not a mission impossible. More and more are responding to His call. Let me single out just a few.

First, on the part of individuals. In the midst of a materialistic, profit-oriented neo-colonial culture, especially among the youth, I cannot help but look up to the growing numbers of young men and women who are entering religious life, the priesthood, or some form of lay ministry for others. They dedicate the best years of their lives for their fellowmen, especially the poor and oppressed.

For instance, many of the young men in our Jesuit congregation were already practicing professionals when they entered religious life. In the eyes of the worldly – what a stupid thing to do! But in the spirit of today’s Gospel parable, they were like the servants who invested all that was entrusted to them and gained twice as much.

A couple of weeks ago, I officiated at the wedding of a young couple. Years ago, they met each other for the first time as volunteer workers of the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines (JVP), when they were assigned in Davao and Zamboanga. This newly-married couple will now start their own home and family life, but will not stop their professional service to the community. The groom is involved in development projects in Sulu, and the bride works for the Ateneo center for human rights. A couple-for-others.

On the macro-level, let us thank the Lord for the latest survey findings of the Social Weather Station (SWS) concerning the Muslim-Christian relationships in our country. Since the Philippines is a predominantly Christian country, an unfavorable attitude toward our Muslim brothers and sisters had been existing in the past, brought about originally by the biased Spanish-Christian colonizers of our country. The recent SWS survey shows that the majority of our people now have a favorable attitude toward Islam. In fact, Islam is known to them as a religion of peace, not of violence. Lord, our profound gratitude for this major religious-political breakthrough.

Just last week, The Center for Moderate Muslims (CMM) came out with their Ten Outstanding Muslim Youth (TOMY) 2005 awardees, and reported by the local press. I cannot help but mention just two of them as we end this homily.

Guiana Ibrahim is a policeman who caught a robbery suspect whose gang had killed a businessman three months ago. Ibrahim returned intact to the victim’s relatives the more than P1 million in cash and checks which the robbers had stolen.

Datu Reza Sinsuat is a young lawyer who now works for the National Anti-Poverty Commission. He is determined to continue his service for both Muslims and Christians alike, and will pursue his efforts to alleviate poverty in our country.

Let our daily commitment then be this Ignatian prayer: "All that I have and possess, Lord, you have given me. I return it all to you. Dispose of it all, according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace, for this is enough for me."