A little reflection in honor of St.
Dominic de Guzman
This year’s theme for 800 years
Jubilee of the Order of Preachers is Dominic:
Government, Spirituality and Freedom. Allow me to focus my attention on the
government, the least discussed topic among them.
What do you have in mind when you
hear the word ‘government’? For average Filipinos working in Metro Manila, who
everyday brave the monstrous traffic, or squeeze ourselves into an ultra-jam-packed
MRT, work in very stressful conditions, even put our lives in dangers, yet
receive very minimum compensations, not to mention tax-related deductions, government
does not sound good. For the people from the Royal and Pontifical, and sometimes,
Aquatic, University of Santo Tomas, who are being blamed for flood management
fiasco in Manila, government incurs a pretty tough and ruthless judgment from
the Thomasian community. May I quote, the UST Varsitarian’s editorial, “You have not fought the good fight, Mr. President,
but sadomasochistically indulged in catfights. Your presidency has been petty
and vindictive. …What you delivered was not a report, but a rant, to the
nation.”
But, trust me, government is not
all bad. It is in fact, necessary. If we annihilate the government, the next
thing happens is the state will fail and the entire nation fall into chaos. I
am neither historical nor political expert, but I believe that what big reason
why the People Power Revolution in 1986 prospered and ushered a peaceful
transition, is that the Filipino people were not concerned to destroy an old
government in vengeful spirit, but rather to ready to give birth a better and
peaceful one.
Government is at the heart of
human life and community because government, both in personal and communal
level, helps us in achieving our goals in effective and efficient manners. A
lot of great people would attribute their success to their ability to govern
themselves, to take care of their bodies, to educate their emotions, and to
train their minds, harnessing audacity and resiliency in time of great trials.
As we move from personal into the interpersonal relationship, all the more
government is required. When we go home, let us be aware of what kind of
government we have in our family. Who is the king, president, or Supreme Being
in the house?
St. Dominic, I believe,
recognized the critical importance of government. Remember that he was the son
of Felix de Guzman, a nobleman of Caleruega, Spain. Young Dominic might have
seen, observed and learned how his father run his local government in tactful
and smart ways. In turn, Dominic also would apply his governing and leadership
skills when the opportunity presented itself. A little fast-forward, in
Southern France, initially Dominic was preaching independently in combating the
Albigensian heresy, until some men joined him and followed his footsteps. He saw
this as a moment of grace. He seized the opportunity and intuitively formed a
kind of government suited to our goal and purpose: preaching the Gospel and for
the salvation of souls. Thus, to ensure and consolidate the existence of his
small and fragile group, the first thing he demanded of them is to make a vow of
obedience to him. The move was proven to be potent. This ensures stability and
efficiency of government of the Order, but wait, there is something more!
Our obedience is not rigid monastic
submission to an abbot, neither a blind fanaticism that leads into
fundamentalism and terrorism. Ours is preachers’ obedience that truly embodies
the real meaning the very word contains, ‘ob-audire,
meaning to attentively listen. Thus, this is obedience that enables us to
listen to everyone in the community, and in turn, it empowers us to speak our
minds and hearts in truth and charity, because we are confident that we are
listened to. This is the obedience that becomes the building brick of our
unique government, that is democracy.
Our Master, Bruno Cadore, in his
letter, mentioned one particular place where this democracy can be very
demanding, tough and full of tense, yet also a moment of grace and fruitfulness:
our chapters. Indeed it is here, we may have long discussion and even heated
debates on particular subject, and spend time to discern together, especially
when dealing with the lives, future and ministry of a brother. Yet, it is
precisely the kind of activities, of democracy, of a government who makes a
courageous, truthful and compassionate preacher. Without this government, we
are just producing timid, perhaps opportunist orators.
As we are now standing in the threshold of 800
years of the Order, we thank the Lord as well as St. Dominic who has dared to
come up with one of the most beautiful and time-tested government systems in
the world.
Mabuhay si Santo Domingo, Mabuhay
tayong lahat!
Br. Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno,
OP
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