THROUGH UNTRUE
Many Filipinos associate General Douglas MacArthur with the words “I shall return.” As the commander of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), he was tasked to defend the Philippines against the Japanese forces, who proved to be too strong during the Second World War. On March 11, 1942, MacArthur left the Philippines but famously vowed to return. Before his departure, he wrote a poignant poem a part of which went:
I have known war as few
men now living know it:
Its very destructiveness on land and sea,
Its deadly arms strangling air and sun.
I have seen babies starved and the
agony of mothers and wives.
I hate war.
The soldier above all other
people prays for peace,
For it is the soldier who must suffer and bear
The deepest wounds and scars of war.
But always in our ears
ring the ominous words of Plato,
that wisest of all philosophers:
“Only the dead have seen the end of war.”
I came through and I shall return.
While MacArthur recognized the necessity of war in certain circumstances, he also believed that war was often caused by intolerance and fear of diversity. When people are unwilling to accept differences in culture, religion, race, or ideology, it can lead to mistrust, hatred, and, ultimately, to war that is fueled by sectarian and ethnic divisions. He emphasized the importance of unity that springs from our respect for diversity.
In our gospel reading today, Jesus bids farewell to His disciples as His crucifixion draws near. But He comforts them with the promise that He will return and is preparing a place for them in His Father’s house.
Jesus says, “In my Father’s house, there are many rooms” (John 14:2). This is a message of hope, which reminds us that no one will be left out. Jesus’s victory is not merely over sin and death. He has also conquered the source of all war: our intolerance and refusal to accept the differences that exist among us. His return signals the final triumph of diversity.
From a theological perspective, diversity reflects God’s abundance and creativity. God created a world with diverse plants, animals, climates, landscapes, and a plethora of cultures and languages among humanity. In the New Testament, the early Christian community celebrated diversity as a reflection of the unity that is found in Christ. Paul wrote that in Christ, all people are equal and valuable, regardless of their differences (Galatians 3:28).
Moreover, in the Christian tradition, diversity is regarded as a source of strength and enrichment for the Church. St. Paul compared the Church to a human body, where each member has a distinct role and purpose (1Corinthians 12:12). Similarly, each member of the Church has unique gifts and talents that contribute to the community’s overall well-being.
However, it is crucial to note that promoting diversity at the expense of other values, such as excellence, competence, and hard work, can lead to a culture of mediocrity and a lack of accountability. When diversity becomes the norm for social discourse, we prioritize subjective experiences and opinions over objective facts and evidence. Truth will no longer be based on objective reality but on personal perspectives.
Worse, overemphasizing diversity can also lead to tyranny. It creates an environment where individuals feel compelled to conform to certain beliefs and ideas to be perceived as inclusive and accepting. Those who do not conform may face ostracism, punishment, or even silencing. Therefore, it is essential to balance diversity with other crucial values to foster a healthy and flourishing community.