Worth ethic

In this postmodern culture of McWorld, as someone so rightly put it, our worth ethic is defined as our work ethic. We are what we do. The more we do, the more we are. Go-go-go. Even when we take a vacation, it is do-do-do. Otherwise, it is not enjoyable. This culture of workaholism that comes from the West is fast spreading among our people, particularly the educated class.

This is what is described as being stuck in the affective polarity of strength. We are conditioned to admire the Christian who is constantly on the go. We consider it a great virtue to burn oneself out for the kingdom of God. We learn from research findings that such a person is preoccupied with the following thought patterns: God helps those who help themselves. Keep busy. Don’t take a vacation. Be a winner. That’s not good enough. Try harder. Don’t show your feelings. Be strong. Work hard. Achievement is everything.

We see this pattern of affective stuckness among both lay workaholics and religious workaholics. We see this especially among lay professionals, executives, and employers who live this lifestyle not only in their own persons, but demand it from their employees and dependents, all the way to their household help.

Take this typical professional who leaves home early in the morning and comes home late at night everyday except Sunday. Reason? Work, work, work. You tell me if this does not harm his marital-and-family life, his human relationships with other people, and his very own humanity and spirituality.

Or take the clerics or religious who insist on holding on to a so-called spirituality of perfectionism. Religious workaholics. They are doing more harm than good in their apostolic ministry. Quite a number of them end up being burnt-out. Is this God’s design?

It is in the context of all this that today’s brief Gospel reading can be very meaningful. After Jesus and his disciples had been working in spreading God’s word and deed, Jesus in his compassion for them said, "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile" (Mk. 6: 30-34). Jesus felt their human need and immediately responded to it. This was the Jesus sent by the Father to help us grow in our humanity and in our loving compassion for one another. This is what it means to be his disciples. To be as he was, and do as he did.

But soon after they had eaten and rested, another huge crowd was waiting where they disembarked. And the very same compassion that Christ felt for his disciples was triggered off again — this time toward the vast crowd. "When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things" (v. 34).

Sheep without a shepherd. And so the mission of compassion continues to unfold. As it was in the life of Christ, so it is to be in our lives as his disciples.

All around us are people who, like us, are hungry for God’s presence, God’s words and deeds. We are His delegated shepherds — not because we are superior to others — but because we have heard his wake-up call. The growing seeds of Christ’s compassion in our hearts must bear fruit and be shared with others.

To single out just one tragic happening: The many thousands of our innocent brothers and sisters in the Lord whose lives are in great danger at this point in time there in Lebanon. Let us allow that Christlike compassion in our hearts to come alive and reach out to them, through our constant prayers, and whatever else some of us may be able to do.

The many, many poor and underprivileged Filipinos all over our country. In so many ways, they are sheep without shepherds. In our own little ways, let us continue to reach out to them through our time, talents, and treasures. They are part of us, and we are part of them. As God’s children, "we are many, though one, we are one though many!" Like the Holy Trinity: one though three, three though one. And all of us are made in their image and likeness.

Let us keep balancing our work with our human vulnerabilities and needs, with Christ’s love in our hearts. Our worth ethic. The mission and spirituality of COMPASSION.