Daily Reflections - October 22,2012

RICH IN WHAT MATTERS TO GOD

 

No one can tell a better story to illustrate the need to work for true riches other than the Lord Himself in today’s Gospel passage. I dare not spoil any expression or blur any of its crystal clear images. But in my desire to find a parallel story to clinch the moral of the parable, my thoughts immediately drift to individuals who are sterling examples of those who worked for  “riches that matter to God.”

I don’t mean to canonize anyone, but I personally am touched by the life and example of the late former Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin. Her life, her achievements, her brilliance, capacity and dedication to duty as a public servant, and even as an unknown worker in and out of government, are all worthy of emulation. She was the opposite of those who made it to the Hall of Shame last year in connection with all the talk about systemic corruption at the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

She made it to the national spotlight by accepting the job of budget secretary. She made even more waves when she voluntarily stepped down, following her conscience that told her she had no more role to play in what she believed was a government deeply embroiled in corruption-laden practices and dealings. Although she served the national government, her simple lifestyle remained unchanged, unsullied by any trace or suspicion of corruption.

When she died at a relatively young age, she was materially poor but rich in what matters to God. As I continue to think about her, a little known poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins comes to mind. “Sometimes a lantern wades along the night, whose beauty in mould or mind makes rare....” Emilia Boncodin was a “rara aves,” truly a rare bird. For a short while, she was some kind of a lantern that shone in the night. Not much of a physical beauty (in mould), she was a hands-down winner deep inside (in mind).

Apart from the fact that she was brilliant and competent in her field, she was not one to draw raves, not one to attract attention. She remained simple and poor, but “rich in what matters to God.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who are the people in your milieu that you can say are rich in what matters to God? What keeps you from following their example?

 

Lord Jesus, may I live each day in pursuit of the things that matter to You. May my desire for eternal union with You overshadow every other desire I have in life.