DURING a recent appreciation dinner for faculty members at St. John’s Seminary, I was sitting next to a rabbi, who is a professor of Old Testament theology, and his wife. “What about you,” I asked the wife, “do you also teach? “I do,” she answered. “I teach monotheistic religion.” At that time I had become more comfortable sitting next to them despite our differences of religion. We engaged with other people at the table in lively conversation about faith, church, family, and hobbies. We experienced a respectful and mutual appreciation of each other’s faith and life. At the end of the dinner, we parted having a genuine feeling of oneness and human concern.
Isn’t this how the One God calls us to be as his creatures and citizens of this world? The One God calls us to nurture harmony, solidarity, mutual respect and appreciation for one another. The One God calls us to be one too, to pour forth love and concern for one another, not hatred, rebellion or arrogance
We may have differences of doctrines and practices, but this should not prevent us from living or sitting next to each other to enjoy the gifts of this beautiful world that God has created for all of us. We may worship at different places or wear distinctive attires, but this should not deter us from working together to build a more peaceful world.
Present tragedies like the Boston bombing or the Oklahoma tornadoes teach us lessons of love, compassion, thoughtfulness and kindness for one another, which reach beyond borders and religious beliefs. If we all believe in One God, then we must manifest his just and loving ways.
This Sunday, we, Catholics, are celebrating the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, the most mysterious doctrine of our faith. We could trace back the origins of this faith or search for its meaning from Scriptures or from the writings of the Fathers of the Church, but if this task is not going to affect our lives and touch our hearts to build a peaceful and caring world, it wouldn’t mean much.
Scriptures tells us of a dynamic God who relates with us as Father, Son, and Spirit; as Creator, Redeemer and Counselor. God is one who is involved in our lives, ever-present with his love and wisdom. His designs are not supposed to rift us apart or to bring enmity among us, but to bring reverence for one another and to build bridges of tolerance and mutual respect.
This Sunday, let the Spirit of Life, Love, and Wisdom be poured forth to this world. Let faith and hope endure, and let the Spirit of Truth guide us all to be healers, bridge-builders, and compassionate citizens of this world. Happy Memorial Day weekend!
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Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].
