33rd Sunday
Matthew 27:14-30
“Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great
responsibilities”
(TODAY’s) parable speaks of talents translated as
giftedness, according to Fr. Echo Bustamante, S.J. We are asked by Jesus to
respond with generosity by using our God given skills, talents, capabilities,
for the welfare of others.
Further he also adds: “For to everyone who has more
will be given and he will grow rich!” This does not refer to amassing material
possessions but enriching ourselves toward empathy, compassion and love. Being
rich is not quantifiable in our bank account and material possessions.
As I sat in the Sacred Heart Church, I am drawn to
recall my college life and how God brought me to the Ateneo. My involvement in
the Christian Life Community was because of our dear Tita Pilar Molina, a dear
friend of the family. There, Fr. Ben Y. Sim, S.J., we call him Angkong, taught
me Ignatian Spirituality to “FIND GOD” in our ordinary lives. Slowly, I took on
responsibilities being an adopted, then a member, eventually heading the
apostolate community that opened my eyes to poverty as we visited Sto. Niño and
Camino Nuevo. I volunteered to teach in the Day Care Center of Canelar Interior
under Ma’am Dolly Cataylo. Eventually, I was called by God to serve as
Chairperson of the CLC.
Fr. Ben taught me discernment to decide on the
greatest good for God and people. He also taught me diplomacy. Leadership meant
service. After graduation, I became a postulant in the Carmelite Missionary. We
did our apostolate in Mother Ignacia area where urban dwellers had houses close
by. Again, the heart for the poor was nourished even the visits to the National
Orthopedic (Hospital) where patients could not walk and strapped in their beds,
with no family to visit. Empathy for the welfare of others grew. It was here
where Sr. Joy CM told my dad that I could run for Barangay Captain sensing the
concern for the people in the community. I was called by God to face the world.
As a High School Teacher in the Ateneo, my first year of teaching in 1990, I was the moderator of Third Year St. John de Britto, all males; moderator of YCLC, moderator of the COL Council of Leaders, and having a full-load of teaching English and Religion. I would go to the chapel to beg the Lord for help and guidance for a challenging year. My colleagues, Sir Santi Araneta, Sir Derwin Dain, would help me with the balloons for the living rosary. Miss Rosie Hong was a constant support guiding us with Atty. Marvin Enriquez and later Janet Fernandez.
It has been 30 years ago since those days and here I am with a greater
responsibility for Zamboanga City, something I have never imagined. My Ninong
Bert Silang who will have his internment tomorrow told me, how proud my dad
would be for his daughter.
Today’s Gospel is God’s call asking us to take a risk and say Yes to His call and maximize our talents. Who would know where our YES to God would lead us?
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