Richness in poverty

Today’s Gospel reading (Mk. 12: 38-44) is not to be interpreted as glorifying poverty per se, especially if it is the result of social injustice. Otherwise, some heartless rich will take advantage of the poor even more. That poor widow shared her loving self and the little that she had — this was what Jesus pointed out as the true meaning of Christian discipleship. Jesus contrasted her to those rich Scribes and Pharisees who contributed much out of their surplus wealth. Moreover, the latter were those who focused more on external manifestations of honor and power than a genuine conversion of heart. The letter of the law more than the spirit of the law.Among many Christians, this kind of religiosity has been going on for centuries, all the way to our own times. Extrinsic religion, more than intrinsic religion. This is one major reason why many of our youth are turned off and stay away from some of our ritualistic practices. They see through the superficiality in the way many adult Christians, especially among the rich, practise their religion. I’m not saying that all rich people are like this, but quite a number are.

Indeed, the credibility and positive impact of our institutional Church have decreased, especially among our young generation of Filipinos. Moreover, as an institutional Church, we are often identified with the rich, and have had very little influence in eradicating social injustice. For one, the minority rich become richer, and the majority poor become poorer.

But we cannot and must not give up our efforts in being true disciples of Christ, like that poor widow in today’s Gospel reading. In fact, there are many such widows among us. I personally know quite a few of them in our Marriage Encounter communities. Due to lack of space, let me just single out one of them, Cathy Rafael, who passed away a couple of years ago, at the age of 85. For the many years that she was a widow, she dedicated herself in reaching out to the poor by bringing the Suyuan seminar for the poor and uneducated couples in many places, from Payatas to Tanay, from Bulacan to Batangas, all the way to Davao. She spent her own money for some of the needs of the program, although she was not a wealthy widow. The Suyuan is a one-day adaptation of the Marriage Encounter Weekend to improve and deepen the marital relationship of poor, uneducated couples.

Over and above this one little example, there are a growing number of Christian, apostolic groups and associations that are actively involved in reaching out to the poor in our country. All this will gradually inspire more and more of our youth. As a matter of fact, a number of these apostolic groups and communities are led and run by our young Filipinos. Indeed, there is hope for the future.

Related to this is none other than the recent canonization of our Filipino, Saint Pedro Calungsod, who was just 18 years old when he was martyred for our Christian faith. A super example of richness in poverty. He was materially poor but incredibly rich in his giving of self for others all the way to the end. He was a dedicated and fearless sacristan, catechist, and assistant to the now Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, S.J., in their missionary work in Guam. Young as he was, he could have run away from those anti-Christian bandits as they were approaching. But he chose to stay and protect his weak and aging Priest-Superior. Both were ruthlessly killed one after the other.

Let me quote from the homily of Pope Benedict XVI during the canonization rites in Rome this past Oct. 21, 2012: “May the example and courageous witness of Pedro Calungsod inspire the dear people of the Philippines to announce the kingdom bravely and win souls for God.”

We can now use the previously-approved prayer to Blessed Pedro Calungsod and change the word Blessed to Saint:

“Saint Pedro Calungsod: student, catechist, young migrant, missionary, faithful friend, martyr — you inspire us by your fidelity in times of adversity; by your courage in teaching the Faith in the midst of hostility; and by your loving in shedding your blood for the sake of the Gospel. Make our troubles your own (mention your request) and intercede for us before the throne of Mercy and Grace so that, as we experience the help of heaven, we may be encouraged to live and proclaim the Gospel here on earth. Amen.”

To end all this, believe it or not: A 13-year-old Filipino teenager, Cris Valdez, who was a former scavenger, was converted by God’s grace, and was just awarded by the International Children’s Peace Prize “for his work as head of a charity organization that educates and hands out gifts to thousands of youngsters in his poverty-plagued hometown…. ‘Some good-hearted people showed me love and changed my life, and I am just paying it forward.’” (The Phil. STAR, Nov. 2, 2012, p. 1). The third of nine children from a squatter family in Cavite, Cris’ life-story is no less than a living miracle.

And so, whether we are rich or poor, our common mission from the Lord is to love God and neighbor with all that we are and all that we have. There is always MORE that we can be and we can do in reaching out to others. All of us are called to be uncanonized saints, according to each one’s uniqueness as a loving and giving person. I appeal especially to our young Filipinos: Be inspired and follow the examples of Saint Pedro Calungsod and Cris Valdez. You are the hope of our future! Amen.