Professionalism, service, and holiness

Our Christmas theme this year is inspired once again by His Holiness, in particular, from two of his more recent messages.

The first one is to the Curia, the Holy See’s extensive administrative staff that conducts the business of the whole Roman Catholic Church. His message issued a few days ago comes at the heels of plans to revamp the current structure and make it more responsive to the needs of the times.

In Pope Francis’ message, after the obligatory – but well-meaning – greetings, he brings out the yardstick or hallmarks of what an admirable curial official and curial superior should be imbued with: professionalism, service and holiness of life.

Professionalism, according to the Pope, means competence, study, and keeping abreast of things: “This is a basic requisite for working in the Curia. Naturally, professionalism is something which develops and is in part acquired; but I think that, precisely for it to develop and to be acquired. There has to be a good foundation from the outset.”

Pope Francis tackles the next hallmark: service to the Pope and to the bishops, to the universal Church and to the particular Churches. He said: “When the attitude is no longer one of service to the particular Churches and their bishops, the structure of the Curia turns into a ponderous, bureaucratic customs house, constantly inspecting and questioning, hindering the working of the Holy Spirit and the growth of God’s people.

Holiness of life

The third quality, which the Pope underscored as the most important, is holiness of life: “Holiness means a life immersed in the Spirit, a heart open to God, constant prayer, [and] deep humility and fraternal charity in our relationships with our fellow workers. It also means apostleship, discreet and faithful pastoral service, zealously carried out in direct contact with God’s people. For priests, this is indispensable.

“Holiness in the Curia also means conscientious objection to gossip! We rightfully insist on the importance of conscientious objection but perhaps we, too, need to exercise it as a means of defending ourselves from an unwritten law of our surroundings, which unfortunately is that of gossip. So let us all be conscientious objectors; and mind you, I am not simply preaching! Gossip is harmful to people, our work and our surroundings.”

Qualities of government officials

This Christmas, let us pray that our bureaucrats and elected officials are able to draw inspiration from the Pope’s message. In the same breath, we need our civil servants to be inspired by God’s words and teachings, and to act with the same qualities that the Pope exacts from his people: professionalism, service and holiness of life.

We pray that our leaders are enlightened to act with utmost competence and effectiveness in the conduct of their everyday work. May they bring this nation forward so that no Filipino may be without a job, a home and a soul full of dignity.

May our leaders serve their true bosses, the Filipino people, with respect and humility. May they never forget the trust that was given to them when they were elected into office, and to be grateful for the salary they draw every mid- and end-month.

And may they always be examples of a virtuous life, one that shuns lies, cheating, politicking, stealing and covetousness.

Families without dwellings

The second message that seems worth sharing is an appeal given by His Holiness upon seeing a banner on St. Peter’s Square which read: The Poor Cannot Wait. Pope Francis then delved on the great difficulty that families without fixed dwellings face.

He gave as an example the plight of the Holy Family when Jesus had to be born in a barn while fleeing to Egypt. “Family and home go together,” the Pope said. “I call on everyone: individuals, organs of society, authorities, to do everything possible to assure that every family has a place to live.”

For many of us who have lived with a roof over our heads for all our lives, it is difficult to contemplate how harsh living can be for those who have no permanent homes to go to, and no family to share the evening meal with. And this is not just about remembering the sufferings that victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda are going through.

Borrowing from the Pope’s message, no Filipino family should suffer the indignity of poverty, of not having a home to go to at the close of the day, of not having a roof that will gather every member of the family for a thankful prayer and a warm meal.

Sharing

For us who have received more than our fair share of blessings, it is time to look to others who have been less fortunate than us. As the Holy Father has time and again stressed, we must do our share in helping those who need most our help.

This is what our Christianity teaches us, a simple message to share and help. In the midst of all the global efforts to mobilize the world’s resources to bring down the statistics and figures of poverty, abuse, strife and conflict that oppress our brothers and sisters, we too must do our share.

Every day of the year, not just this Christmas, let us remember to believe in the goodness innate in every one of us. Let us look into our hearts and open wide its doors.

To our readers, friends, family, I pray for a Christmas filled with light and peace. I pray for love and generosity, for kindness and sharing. Merry Christmas to all, and may God guide us in all our works and deeds.

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.