A FEW GOOD MEN
The First Reading gives us an interesting word — remnants. When we think of remnants, we usually think of dregs, of worthless bits and pieces that are not given much importance. Often they are ignored and passed off as disposable items.
The Bible, however, accords an altogether different meaning for the word. The passage from Jeremiah today speaks about the “remnant of Israel.” On these remnants will be based the work of restoration of the nation. On the same will be built the glorious hope for the people of God. Exactly 20 years ago, the movie A Few Good Men came out. It presents a familiar scene in real life: the prevalence of evil and wrongdoing in the world. But it also offers a picture of hope, that despite it all, there are still a few good men left who care for the true, the good, the right, the honorable, and what is worthy of praise.
Last year, our country was plunged into the dark realization of how systemic and deeply embedded corruption is, not only in the military but in all branches of government and the private sector. The siphoning off of hundreds of millions of pesos, the mysterious disappearance of funds that were due to miserable and hapless soldiers heroically fighting a war and bravely defending a government that is basically indefensible, makes us pine for what Jeremiah prophesied: “The Lord has delivered his people, the remnant of Israel.”
Remnant to me speaks about a remaining few, a tiny group that remains when the majority seemed to have followed the wide open road to perdition. Remnant reminds me of the few, the brave and the tested — the 12 disciples who were not just few but pretty ordinary men, who by no means came from among the power brokers of Jesus’ times. The Church began with those few and has always grown on account of a few who remained steadfast. The Church still needs a few good men and women like them. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTION: Are you one of the few good men left?
Lord Jesus, help me to remain strong and steadfast in the midst of life’s challenges that pull me down and away from You.
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