THE VIEW FROM RIZAL By Dr. Jun Ynares, M.D. We received several responses from our readers regarding last week’s column, “Faith Matters.” It will be recalled that we expressed the view that, sometimes, it may be good for one to openly express one’s doubts and discomforts about the religious faith handed down to him or her by parents, by the religious education system, or by religious teachers and authorities. Our take on the subject was triggered by recent controversies surrounding remarks attributed to the President and interpreted as an “attack” on God and religion by some quarters. We added that there is also a view that, when one expresses his doubts and reservations regarding some religious tenets, doctrines, or practices, one actually displays an eagerness for truth and a desire to know God. In the process, one might actually receive the grace to persevere in that search and eventually find some answers. That person’s situation may actually be better – in a way – than that of a man who passively accepts faith matters that are passed on to him, then pretends he believes them but never lives them out. One reader pointed out that the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal himself, had openly questioned the Catholic religion “imposed” on our forebears by Spanish religious authorities during the colonial era. It was his discontent with the way the Catholic faith was practiced during his time which, it is said, was among the compelling reasons for his writing his two most famous novels, El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere. “Dr. Rizal, however, was clearly a highly spiritual person who had an earnest and honest search for God despite his critical view of institutional religions,” our reader wrote. “However, it did not mean that Dr. Rizal displayed grave animosity against the leaders of the Church in the Philippines during that time,” our reader added. True. Based on articles we have read and which were written by historical scholars, Dr. Rizal had close relationships and even nurtured friendships with the very men of the cloth with whom he bitterly debated regarding faith matters. One such religious leader was a certain Fr. Pablo Pastells. Based on the articles, Pastells was the superior of the Jesuit order in the Philippines at the time that Dr. Rizal was banished to Dapitan City. Pastells had gone out of his way to try and bring back the exiled doctor to the Catholic fold. He tried to do so through a series of letters he sent Dr. Rizal from 1892 to 1893, arguing that Catholicism was the “one, true religion.” Dr. Rizal wrote him back, stating his stand that “reasoning” rather than “faith” was the foundation of his belief in God. Dr. Rizal, however, was clear that he was no agnostic. “More than by faith, more by reasoning and necessity, I firmly believe that a Creator exists,” Dr. Rizal wrote Pastells. It is to Dr. Rizal’s credit that his debate on religion with Pastells was cordial, courteous, and even respectful. In a manner that showed the nobility of the Filipino, Dr. Rizal conveyed to Pastells the solid position he held regarding his religious belief. “I deeply appreciate your desire to enlighten me and illumine my path,” Dr. Rizal wrote Pastells. “But I fear it is a useless task,” Dr. Rizal continued. Continuing his letter with strong scriptural undertones, Dr. Rizal told Pastells: “Let us leave to God that things that are God’s and to men that are men’s. As your Reverence (Pastell) said, the return to faith is God’s work.” Pastells had sent him books on the Catholic faith written by renowned authors. One of them was The Imitation of Christ, a masterpiece of spiritual writing by Thomas à Kempis. Based on his letter to Pastells, Dr. Rizal did read the books seriously and thoroughly and was open to understanding what the authors wanted to share as their understanding of God. Dr. Rizal returned the gesture of friendship by gifting Pastells with a figurine carved in terra cotta. It was called “El Ermitaño,” said to be the image of Apostle Paul. We have seen pictures of this work of art by the national hero. It was an elaborately carved work of his talented hands. It was definitely made with affection and an apparent admiration on the part of the sculptor for the champion of the Christian faith he portrayed in his work of art. Dr. Rizal’s last masterpiece – the poem he wrote on the eve of his execution – had strong references to the purity and intensity of his faith in God. “And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high, Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I,” he pleaded in his Mi Ultimo Adios. And, with certainty that only a spiritual person facing the imminence of death could have, he declared his faith in his eternal destination: “I’ll go where there are no slaves, tyrants, or hangmen where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.” Here was one man who openly expressed his doubts on religious practices, beliefs, doctrines and tenets. In his bid to clarify his doubts, he found his answer… and found peace in the process. * For feedback, please email it to [email protected] or send it to #4 Horse Shoe Drive, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Bgy. Beverly Hills, Antipolo City, Rizal.