WORD ALIVE
FR. BEL SAN LUIS, SVD
When I was assigned in Divine Word College of Legazpi, I can't forget the candid testimony of an accountant-friend of mine who said, “Father, in my profession I can't help cutting corners here and there.
I’m only human.”
“So, like in accounting, I balance my offences by making up through almsgiving, extra prayers and penances. Something like “debit-credit...” “Equals kupit?” I cut in jokingly. “No, Fr.” he replied. It’s, “debit-credit equals zero-zero balance.”
He meant that he had to make a "0-0 balance" of his failings and wrongdoings through penance and good works.
The above story illustrates what Zaccheus in this Sunday’s gospel brings home the truth of feeling sorry, making reparation and of God’s ready forgiveness (read Lk 19,1-10). It was common knowledge that tax collectors then enriched themselves through kickbacks from the assessments. Obviously, not all tax collectors are dishonest.
When Christ came to Zaccheus’ house, he felt very uneasy and embarrassed over his “ill-gotten wealth.” But humbly he confessed: “Lord, I give one-half of my belongings to the poor; and if I defrauded anyone, I pay him four times.” Moved by his repentance, Jesus replied: “Salvation has come to this house today.”
We’ve been so hounded by remorse of past wrongdoings not only of giving or accepting bribes, committing murder or abortion, sowing fake news, maintaining illicit relations that we feel remorse of conscience.
Joel Escorial, the self-confessed killer of Percival “Percy” Lapid Mabasa, is an example of one who surrendered due to a troubled conscience.
We are all Zaccheus because of our sins and weaknesses. Jesus wants to enter into our lives so we, too, can experience God’s peace and salvation. But he cannot force himself on us. We must be open to his invitation like what Zaccheus did. The question is: Do you want to accept Him?
Tomorrow is Prison Awareness Sunday. Fr. Anthony Ranada, SVD, former chaplain of Quezon City jail in Kamuning, told me repeatedly how most of our jails in Metro Manila are cramped and congested – a problem which spawns riots, gang wars and epidemics.
For instance, Quezon City Jail can accommodate only 700 inmates but presently there are 3,400 or even more! To think that majority of those behind bars are still undergoing litigation.
This, too, is the woeful condition of many of our jails all over the country. Calling local government leaders to act on this festering problem.
In Jesus’ parable of the Last Judgment (Matthew 25, 31 ff.), one of the works of mercy the Lord will ask as a requirement for entering the Kingdom of God is visiting prisoners (“When I was in prison, you visited Me”). “Visiting” does not mean only paying a quick stay but also giving food and other necessities or providing religious instructions, thanks to some interfaith organizations and NGOs who regularly work among the inmates.
The lighter side. A newly appointed chaplain of a prison accompanied a convict to the electric chair. What will he say to console a man about to die? “Goodbye?” “Take care?” “See you later?”
The young priest was at a loss. Finally, as the convict got to the electric chair, the priest more nervous now patted him on the shoulder and blurted out: “More power to you!" (Poor chaplain, he meant well but his words could also mean “more electric power”!)
Support seminarians. Did it ever strike you that seminarians are our future priests, missionaries, bishops
and popes? We cannot have them if we don’t support seminarians now.
Let’s support our seminarians.
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