On Power

Shared last 08 August 2009 | Saturday
Arvisu House Jesuit Prenovitiate

Good morning friends.

In today’s gospel, we hear one of Jesus’ many healing stories. An epileptic boy was brought to Jesus to be healed. During Jesus’ time, epilepsy was attributed to evil forces and could mean a punishment for sin. Unfortunately, the disciples saw that they were powerless over the boy, and so the father came to Jesus to ask for his intervention.

Perhaps the disciples were left wondering, what went wrong – what was the problem? If we go back to the previous chapter of Matthew [10:1] we can see that Christ has given them “the power” to heal the sick, to bring the dead back to life, to cleanse the lepers and drive out demons. Perhaps, they were also wondering if this incident suggest that the ‘power’ bestowed upon them have essential limitations.

Jesus’ reaction to this confusion among the disciples is with a sound of exasperation… even calling them “unbelieving and perverse”. When asked why they cannot drive out the demon, Jesus straightforwardly answered them, “Because of your little faith! Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there’, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ”

So what is this power all about? This, my friends, will be the main focus of my sharing this morning.

Today’s gospel reminds us that our faith comes with a grace, a power. The Lord provides such power and today, He still communicates this power that allows us to continue to promote His kingdom. It is the same power that allowed the first disciples to heal the sick, to bring the dead back to life, to cleanse the lepers and drive out demons. We may not experience it like how the first apostles did, but we know that this power persists in today’s world. It is the same power that gives us strength and hope. It is the same power that unites us, gives us the peace and love that sustains our faith.

In the first reading we heard how everything is given and provided for the people of Israel. It was narrated that they were given a land with large cities they did not build, houses full of goods of all sorts that they did not garner, vineyards and olive groves they did not plant, etc. Everything was gift from the Lord. It is a ‘power’ given to them to establish their own nation. But they were reminded too that they should not forget the Lord…to love him with all their heart, soul and strength. They were reminded to keep their faith to the Lord who provided them all these blessings.

This reminder is a reminder for all of us too. We need to be reminded because, more often than not, it is easy for us to recognize the gift but not the giver. A lot of times we get too comfortable when the graces – and the power that comes along with it are given to us, freely. In the case of the disciples, they recognize the power Christ has given them, but not the source of it – Jesus himself. Jesus’ presence should have been a great reminder for them, and yet they did not understand.

Early this year, I had the chance to visit the missions in Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, together with Fr. Jason Dy, who was still a deacon that time. Together, we took an old-school provincial bus, jam-packed with people, bringing all kinds of goods and stuffs as we trail along the bumpy road of the mountainous Cabanglasan. And we talked about a lot of things, about arts, horror movies, community life and of course his Jesuit vocation.

I remember we were talking about the many challenges a Jesuit faces, especially one who is about to be ordained as priest. According to him there is a certain ‘power’ that comes with the grace of ministry. In the Filipino culture, priests were given the special seats, given the best food, the best accommodations etc. And there is a certain power into it…the power to influence and the power to acquire the many privileges that comes with it. The danger is that it might become an inordinate attachment. Baka masanay at hanap-hanapin, he said. For St. Ignatius, inordinate attachments are attachments that get along the way of what’s most important thing in life – that is, to serve the Lord. Thus it may prevent a Jesuit to effectively do his work or mission. It may tarnish the real essence of the priesthood – to serve the people of God and not one’s self. While listening to Fr. Jason, I realized that indeed it is true, even in my own experience even as a prenovice [i.e. receiving special treatment] in Cagayan de Oro and I’m not even a Jesuit yet!

There is something about ‘power’ that is attractive to the eyes of men. Evidence to this is our politicians. Most of them are clinging to the many pleasures power has to offer. That is why they hold on to it with their dear life, like you-know-who. In our daily lives, in one way or another, don’t we sometimes catch ourselves wanting to be in control or to be in authority or just to have things our own way? Don’t we sometimes wish that life may be better if everything is under our command? Some claim that it is human nature to be attracted to power. It is as if an unavoidable magnet towards self preservation as Darwin’s theory of evolution affirms that only the fittest – the strongest survive. In my own experience here in Arvisu House as the beadle, I admit I’ve been caught in such situations. My challenge would that be of checking my motivations when it comes to exercising my ‘powers’. Was it a valid concern for the community? Or is it just plainly power-tripping? Am I only serving my own interest, my preferences or way proceeding? Am I really serving the community or myself?

Our challenge as a follower of Christ is to use our power in the light faith. To use power in the light of faith means being aware of the very source of the power, and to realize that this power is only a gift. It would be meaningless and impotent without this in mind. It is one to realize that this power is deeply rooted in faith, thus can only be used effectively if one has real faith.

And today, I would like to share two exemplary people who hold true to this call of using their ‘power’ in the light of faith.

First is the late president Cory Aquino, the symbol of democracy in this country. The people entrusted to her the highest power in this country even if before taking office she was a plain house wife. But Cory never used this power to serve her personal interest, nor believed that this power as coming from her own efforts. She used the power entrusted to her by the people, because it was a response to a ‘call’ to serve. Her response is deeply rooted with her strong faith in God and the Filipino people. And indeed, the Filipino people saw through her. And so today we honored and loved her, until death. She used her power in the light of faith.

Another is Fr. Pedro Arrupe 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus. He was entrusted the great power to lead the Society of Jesus. Fr. Arrupe led the Society of Jesus during one of the most trying times. It was after many reforms of the Second Vatican Council responding to the needs of the contemporary world. He led the Society of Jesus during the GC 32 where the service of faith and promotion of justice was given much emphasis, re-defining the ‘Jesuit mission’ .This defined all the Jesuits’ works to essentially focus on the promotion of justice as well as Catholic faith. This was a bold move by the Society and stirred many debates and controversy, inside the Society itself, the church and the outside world. But Fr. Arrupe, together with thousands of Jesuits entrusted to him used his ‘power’ to do whatever needs to be done and to face all the hurdles against it.

One of his last words before he died in 1991, for me, encapsulated this great faith of his.

“More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth. But now, there is a difference; the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God’s hands”.
For me, what’s remarkable about this great man is not the many great things he has done as the Jesuit chief, but because of his great faith. At the end of his life, Fr. Arrupe realizes that his greatest achievement is not the things that he was able to do or accomplish through his power, but to be totally in God’s hands. He used his power in the light of faith.

Dear friends, today we are all invited to asses ourselves, how do we respond to the many graces – the power our faith provides for us?

In my own experience, Arvisu House allows us to get in touch not only of our brokenness and unworthiness, but also of our giftedness, the many graces and blessing the Lord has given us. We are led to a deeper relationship with the Lord and along with it the realization of the power of faith that is in us. This ‘power’ has been the source of my strength from the very beginning, when I decided to say yes to God’s invitation for me to take the Arvisu House challenge. But everyday when I come to the lord in prayer, more and more realize too the fragility and poverty of my own faith. In my continuous discernment, I realized I cannot trust my own power and strength. I am totally depended on God alone.

Dear friends as the Lord through the formation we receive here in Arvisu House lead us to our own strengths and potentials and the many graces our faith brings…may we always reminded and led to of the source of it all. To use whatever graces, talents, blessings, and opportunities…powers we have, in the light of faith. To realize that without Christ, we can do nothing.

Amen.

Photo, Lapoc Chapel, Miarayon, Bukidnon