Unity in diversity

Christ sacrificed his life for all of mankind   not just for his faithful disciples. He reached out to one and all, breaking through racial, cultural, and religious barriers. When everything is said and done, Jesus lived and died for the one and only law of God, the law of unconditional love. “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Lk. 10: 27). When asked further, “And who is my neighbor?”, Jesus answered with the Parable of the Good Samaritan, who came upon a stranger victimized by robbers who stripped and beat him, leaving him practically half-dead. The Samaritan reached out to him all the way, moved only by compassion. (Lk. 10: 29-37). To love a stranger as you love yourself!

Jesus incarnated this parable in so many ways. He healed the Roman centurion’s servant, even though he himself was a Jew. (Mt. 8: 5-13). He brought back to life the daughter of no less than a synagogue official. (Lk. 8: 40-56). He fed the thousands who were hungry (Mt. 14: 13-21), and healed the many who were sick (Mt. 15: 29-31). All this and more broke through cultural, racial, and religious barriers for the sake of love.

One particular incident worth recalling in this context is that of a wealthy tax-collector (!) named Zaccheus. He surrounded himself with money and power, but at a certain point in time, something in his heart was awakened, together with a strong desire to meet Jesus. We all know how Jesus, moved with compassion, reached out to him by inviting himself to Zaccheus’ home. It was then that Zaccheus experienced a deep, personal conversion of heart. (Lk. 19: 1-10).

Coming back to the here and now, let us pray incessantly for the many Zaccheuses among our own public officials _ that they, too, may welcome Christ in their homes and allow him to convert their hearts toward authentic love, justice, and peace. Let us pray, too, for our coming May elections, that the compassionate Christ may guide us to secure clean and honest elections, and lead us to elect candidates who are imbued with moral integrity, dedication to the common-good, and love of country.

Yes. Christ, the unconditional Lover, must be our ultimate political Leader all the way. This inevitably brings us to the apex of his law of love: “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…. So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5: 43-48). As he hung on the cross before breathing his last, Jesus expressed what was in his heart: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23: 34). The universal Christ. The cosmic Christ, breaking through the boundaries of race, culture, and institutional religion.

Less than two weeks ago, the Non-Aligned-Movement (NAM) for Peace and Development held their Special Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation here in Manila. Hosted by the Philippines under our Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Alberto Romulo, it was attended by more than 120 ministers and delegates from 118 countries. Among the many challenges that they decided to address are the following:

• “ Affirming respect for freedom of religion or belief, diversity of social systems, paths of development and culture and opposing all forms of intolerance, exclusion, xenophobia or racism so that cultural, ethnic, social and religious diversities shall not lead to conflict but rather peaceful coexistence;

• “Acknowledging the importance of promoting the rights of indigenous peoples to manifest, practice, develop, and teach their spiritual, cultural, and religious traditions;

• “Recognizing the valuable contributions of all religions and beliefs to modern civilization and the contribution that dialogue among cultures and religions can make to an improved awareness and understanding of common values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.”

To implement the above and the rest of their declaration, a programme of action was decided upon. For one, they will seek the assistance of religious and spiritual leaders of standing in resolving intercommunal conflicts and tensions. This, in my opinion, is of great importance. Our own Bishop-Ulama Conference is a significant beginning.

Also, the role of women in interfaith activity is given emphasis. This is particularly relevant within the Catholic Church. Another very important action-plan is to “develop and incorporate interfaith studies for peace and development in school curricula and establish centers of interfaith studies in universities.” This is urgently needed in our Catholic schools and universities. To promote interfaith dialogue at the grassroots level is still another challenging action-plan. All of the above are just some of the very promising elements of their total programme of action. A God-inspired movement, no less.

Let us actively involve ourselves in supporting this program of Love Through Unity in Diversity.