“WE worry a great deal about the problem of church and state. Now, what about church and God? Sometimes there seems to be a greater separation between the church and God than between church and state.” — Abraham Joshua Heschel
A lot of arguments have risen in the Philippines regarding the separation of church and state. Politicians and netizens have accused bishops and priests of getting involved in politics, most recently during the recent presidential election, by insinuating which candidates Filipinos must vote for. The bishops, on the other hand, have expressed their duty in reminding citizens to vote responsibly and have clarified their position of being non-partisan and “vigilant collaborators.”
The above quote from Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the great writers of the 20th century, can illuminate the minds of Filipinos on why the church must speak on matters of politics. It’s not because the church favors political candidates. Rather, it’s because it is the church’s responsibility to imbue the world, even politics, with the values of the Kingdom of God—a kingdom of love, peace, justice, dignity and care for the earth, our “common home,” in the here and now.
Certainly, bishops and priests must be the first ones to practice what they preach, but, still, they must continually exercise their prophetic role of assuring that every man, woman, and child lives with dignity through the selfless leadership of government leaders.
The wisdom of Abraham Joshua Heschel can articulate well the church’s role in matters of politics: “God and the world are not opposite poles. There is darkness in the world, but there is also this call, “Let there be light!” Nor are body and soul at loggerheads. We are not told to decide “Either-Or,” either God or the world, either this world or the world to come. We are told to accept Either and Or, God and the world. It is upon us to strive for a share in the world to come, as well as to let God have a share in the world.”
The Gospel Reading this Sunday is a metaphor for God’s involvement and love for the world and all his creatures. Jesus showed compassion to a widow whose son had died. “Do not weep,” Jesus told her and then he touched the coffin and said, “Young man, I tell you arise!” Fear seized all those who witnessed Jesus’ action. They all exclaimed, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst.”
Would that the church’s role in this world be that of both healer and prophet and one that gives life, light, and hope? Would the church back off from this role because of criticism from other sectors of society?
Heschel is right again in saying: God is not hiding in a temple. The Torah came to tell inattentive man: “You are not alone, you live constantly in a holy neighborhood; remember: ‘Love thy neighbor—God—as thyself.’”
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From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1999-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of ImmAaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
