MOMENTS REFLECTION by: Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD

Exit
By: Rev. Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
Inquirer
Last updated 08:12pm (Mla time) 09/01/2007


THE STORY IS TOLD ABOUT A PROUD LION who visited a tiny mouse. “Hey mouse, I’m getting married. What’s the best advice you can give?” the lion asked.

“Just remember this my friend, I too was a lion before I got married,” said the mouse.

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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 14, 7-14) Jesus reminds us to be humble so as to avoid embarrassment. “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” People who think of themselves as lions or lionesses would do well to listen and reflect on Jesus’ words and warning today. History shows that those who exalt themselves, those who perpetuate themselves, those who hold on to money, power and pride, made a miserable, shameful and ugly exit from this life.

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Politicians and government officials could and should learn a lesson or two about humility from “Among Ed” Panlilio, governor of Pampanga. In my Mass at the Carmelite convent in Angeles City last Aug. 27, I spotted him in the crowd. He arrived without fanfare, no advance party, no blinkers and sirens, no cordon sanitaire. He was just himself, and by himself, coming before his God to pray. He/she who knows how to kneel before God will not succumb to pride, and consequently, will not go astray.

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After the Mass, I acknowledged the presence of “Among Ed,” and asked him to come up, to the great delight of the congregation. The applause was long and loud. Not only that, it was sincere and spontaneous, not scripted, not rehashed. And when he talked, he talked short, he talked simple, he talked humble, and he talked love.

* * *

It was my first time to meet my classmate since he became governor, but I could feel that he has not allowed the pressures nor the perks of his office come to his head. The warm embrace, the solid handshake, the sincere smile, and the humble talk, all point to a person who sees himself not as a lord, but as a servant of the Lord, who has been given the mission to serve his people as priest and governor.

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After his talk, I requested “Among Ed” to go before the tabernacle and asked the congregation to stretch their hands to him in prayer. As he knelt before the Lord, we all prayed for his safety, guidance and strength to carry out his mission. That one moment captured what a public servant should be—called by God, chosen by the people, to be a humble servant of all. What a contrast to many of our so-called public servants who are called by ambition, not chosen by the people, and who lord it over everybody.

* * *

The office has not changed the man a bit. Governor Ed still wears sandals and shirts, and his dangling reading glasses, and his warm and sincere smile. But the man has changed the office a lot. He has brought government closer—and made it more real—to the people. The secret? He is focused on the mission, not on the “commission,” and he is not misty-eyed about his position and neither is he blinded by ambition.

* * *

To those who are lions now, or who think of themselves as lions now, make sure that you don’t exit in disgrace like a mouse. Those who think and talk big, don’t forget your exit. You too will exit, that’s for sure!

What kind of exit will you have? Don’t just focus on your entrance or your performance. Rather, prepare for your exit and disappearance. Yes, make sure you don’t exit like a tiny mouse.

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September is Mama Mary’s birthday. May this humble woman remind us that humility is the road to God’s heart and the sure formula to a peaceful, meaningful life. If your life is messy and heavy right now, maybe it’s time to dispose of your pride, and humble yourself before others and before God. Fade away, and God will show you the way.

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Lately, I’ve been thinking of my own exit from this life. I have no big plans for my retirement years. In fact, I don’t even know if I’ll have any at all. Maybe I’ll go fast and soon, I really don’t know. All I ask from God in humility is that I go in peace, and I leave behind peace. May I just be given a chance to do my mission for my God, to make reparations for my mistakes, and love while I live. I pray that in the end, I’d leave behind more love than hurt feelings in this life. This I humbly pray in Jesus name. Amen.

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Hey, we all will go, and we all will leave this world, sometime. May we all leave this world without much regrets. May we all leave this world in peace. May we all leave this world a better place. If only we had more humility and less pride, if only we had less selfishness, and more love, then, we all would have a graceful exit in this life.

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Starting Sept. 2, the Healing Eucharist, our Sunday TV Mass, will be broadcast at 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. This Healing Eucharist is broadcast worldwide on TFC.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to remember my exit, and to live a beautiful life, not just exist. Amen.