How do you treat others? What kind of attitude do you show to your friends and strangers alike? Does your faith influence your ways and attitudes in relating with others?
St. Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians expressed his gentleness, kindness as well as his thoughtfulness and affection towards the Christian Community in Thessalonica. Paul wrote this letter not to boast himself of what he had done, but an expression of Paul’s faith and conviction as an apostle.
“God is witness.” This is what Paul declared as he manifested that there was no intention to be praised or to become greedy in their relationship with the people. In fact, Paul expressed the joy and generosity in his heart as he too declared, “With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.”
This tells us that sharing of the self is an expression of the Christian Faith. When we become a gift to people around us, we too proclaim Christ in us.
Yet, when the self also turns to be corrupt and self-absorbed, entitled and plunderous, the self becomes toxic and a curse to people around us.
Jesus pointed this out in our Gospel today. The words of Jesus were quite strong in criticizing such kind of persons. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.” Jesus said this twice in the Gospel verses today showing the severity of the selfishness and greedy hearts of these people.
“Plunder and self-indulgence” made such persons to be numbed at the realities of suffering of the people around them. They were concerned only on how they will become more comfortable and advance their self-interest. The self turns inward. It does not know how to share and so it is removed from what joy and love truly are.
Such kind of self and attitudes of the heart make us treat others harshly and sometimes violently. We could treat others indifferently especially when we don’t get or receive anything from them.
Having such contrasting attitudes of the self, calls us now towards the transformation of ourselves. Like Paul, who at first was also filled with bitterness and hatred was transformed by the grace of Christ.
We ask today that grace that our heart and person may also be transformed. Knowing that the Lord has searched us and knew us, as the Responsorial Psalm proclaims, may we be more daring and courageous enough to ask the grace of the Lord.
And so we pray, “Lord, make my heart as well as my words and actions gentle, kind and generous. Through your grace, may I become a gift to my friends and community as an expression of my faith in You.” Hinaut pa.
I have been tasked with responding to the three lectures delivered by our distinguished theologians and professors from the St. Alphonsus Theological Mission Institute (SATMI) in Davao City during today’s Theological Forum. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the wisdom and insights they so generously shared with us.
Reflection and Sharing: Courage as Defiant Hope in Context
After listening to the profound insights shared by our esteemed speakers, my reflection seeks to offer a tangible and lived context to the three theological lectures. Rather than a linear summary, I present five short movements—each a facet of my journey as a woman, a Marian devotee, a counselor, and a believer shaped by illness and grace.
Theological Grounding: Courage as Defiant Hope I begin with the lens of feminist theology, drawing from Rosemary Radford Ruether’s reflections on courage—not as mere resilience, but as defiant hope rooted in justice and compassion. As a woman navigating both ecclesial and academic spaces, I find her voice a necessary companion in interpreting courage beyond sentimentality.
Personal Devotion and Formation: A Marian Journey My spiritual formation is inseparable from my devotion to Iloy sa Gihapon nga Panabang. This Marian path has been my compass, especially in moments of uncertainty. Her quiet strength and maternal presence have shaped my understanding of courage as surrender, not passivity.
Faith in Action: Continuing the Mission Inspired by Fr. Victorino Cueto’s concept of debo(mis)yon, and deepened by Sir Neil John Capidos’ sharing, I reflect on how mission must transcend ritual. In my work as a guidance counselor and volunteer, I strive to embody a devotion that heals, accompanies, and liberates.
A Test of Faith: Courage in Illness Illness has been both a crucible and a classroom. In my own journey through physical suffering, I have encountered courage not as triumph, but as trust. It is here that theology meets flesh—where hope becomes incarnate in weakness.
Conclusion: A Courage That Accompanies Ultimately, courage is not a solitary virtue. It is communal, Marian, and missional. It walks with others, listens deeply, and dares to hope even when the path is unclear. This reflection is my humble offering—a testimony to the grace that sustains and the courage that defies despair.
I. Theological Grounding:
The reflections on courage by American feminist theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether offer a profound and timely meditation on the nature of moral strength in the face of adversity. Her characterization of courage as “the capacity and power of the will that makes a person strive for what is good” invites us to reconsider courage not as a mere act of boldness, but as a deeply ethical commitment—one sustained by hope and anchored in faith.
Ruether’s framing of courage as a “defiant hope” resonates powerfully in contexts where individuals or communities face systemic injustice, marginalization, or spiritual trials. This hope is neither passive nor naïve; it is active, persevering, and relentless. It refuses to be extinguished by opposition, precisely because it is rooted in a vision of truth and justice that transcends immediate circumstances.
What is particularly compelling is the paradox she presents: Christian courage as a form of power that emerges from the powerless. In a world that often equates power with control, status, or aggression, Ruether’s theology reminds us that true courage may arise from surrender—specifically, a surrendering trust in God. This trust does not diminish agency; rather, it transforms it. It empowers individuals to act not out of fear or pride, but out of a deep conviction that their actions are aligned with divine purpose.
Moreover, the distinction between courage and rashness is crucial. Courage, as a virtue, is not impulsive or self-serving. It is tempered by discernment and guided by a moral compass. In this sense, courage becomes a spiritual discipline—one that requires humility, patience, and unwavering faith.
As a licensed educator with specialization in guidance and counseling, and values education, and a registered guidance counselor, I find this understanding of courage especially meaningful. It affirms the quiet yet resolute strength of those who choose to stand for what is right, even when doing so is unpopular or difficult. It honors the courage of students who speak truth, of communities who resist oppression, and of individuals who remain faithful in the face of uncertainty.
Ultimately, Ruether’s insights call us to embody a courage that is both prophetic and pastoral—a courage that speaks truth to power and nurtures hope in others. It is a courage that does not seek recognition, but seeks righteousness. And in doing so, it becomes a living testament to the transformative power of faith.
photos credit to OAK JUBILEE pagephotos credit to OAK JUBILEE pagephotos credit to OAK JUBILEE page
II. Personal Devotion and Formation: A Marian Journey
I would like to provide tangible context to the lectures of Rev. Fr. Edilberto Cepe, CSsR, Sir Neil John Capidos and Sir Danilo Agustin by highlighting my devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help—our (my personal) Iloy sa Gihapon nga Panabang—and how she has played a significant role in my personal and professional life.
My late mother, a Grade 1 teacher and alumna of Iloilo Normal School (now West Visayas State University), introduced our family to the novena of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in the 1950s. From grade school, I memorized the novena and learned to pray the rosary. Every Wednesday, we recited the novena and sang its hymns—a tradition that continues to this day.
It was providential that our UP High School graduation Mass was held at St. Clement’s Church, with Fr. Patrick Sugrue, CSsR, as presider. Mama Mary, ang aton Iloy sang Gihapon nga Panabang, became my refuge, my companion, my shock absorber, my mother who assures me that “this too shall pass” and “kaya ko ni”, just like my biological mother who loves me unconditionally, during difficult times at UP.
After earning my BA Psychology degree at UP Visayas in Miag-ao in 1992, I was invited by a Redemptorist priest, Fr. Claro Conde, C.Ss.R. to join the Vocation Team. I served for 15 years—seven at St. Clement’s and eight at the Regional Vocation Office and St. Alphonsus Seminary in Cebu City. These experiences deepened my devotion to Mama Mary and allowed me to live simply and joyfully in mission areas like Kulaman, South Cotabato.
These formative years shaped my character and values—what Sir Neil John refers to as the “ethics of being.” I agree with his assertion that a virtuous character grows from formation received from parents, mentors, and community, shaped by historical and cultural events, and most profoundly, permeated by divine grace.
My journey with the Redemptorists exemplifies this. I owe much to my pious mother and conscientious father, whose example laid the foundation for a life of virtue. Remaining open to God’s grace has allowed me to experience His favor through Mama Mary’s intercession.
III. Faith in Action: Continuing the Mission
Even after resigning from the Redemptorists, I continued to serve. I worked at the University of San Agustin and at both the Pototan and Main Campuses of West Visayas State University, while remaining actively involved with the Redemptorists through various commissions and as co-founder of the St. Clement’s Pastoral Care and Counseling Ministry with Fr. Bong Puzon, C.Ss.R as our Spiritual Director.
Why do I do this? In silent reflection, I realized that God was allowing me to continue serving the poor and emotionally burdened—without charge. This is my way of concretizing my faith in action, as Sir Danilo Agustin puts it. Despite my academic responsibilities, I travel from Guimbal to St. Clement’s every Sunday to volunteer as a counselor. I find joy in serving freely.
In counseling, I witness how faith and spirituality help clients cope with life’s challenges. One woman shared how Mama Mary became an instrument of her healing. Many others attribute their recovery to divine intervention. I see myself simply as an instrument of God’s healing. The courage to be healed and the courage to embrace freedom—these, too, are gifts that faith teaches us.
IV. A Test of Faith: Courage in Illness
My faith was tested when I was diagnosed with multiple gynecological conditions: including Gravida Zero Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, Endometrial Polyp, Leiomyoma, Ovarian New Growth (Right), and a probable Serous Cystadenoma in November last year, leading to two surgeries. I underwent an ultrasound and CA 125 test for ovarian cancer. My colleagues called me courageous and strong, noting my peace despite the challenge. Though I sometimes feared for my life, I remained calm and hopeful.
My solid foundation in faith never wavered. I saw the experience as sharing in God’s paschal mystery. Like Mary, I surrendered everything to a loving God, trusting without full understanding. I hoped for healing so I could continue serving—and true enough, I am recovering well.
Two days after my discharge from St. Paul’s Hospital, I found myself reviewing the manuscript of six graduate students—each one a candidate for graduation. It felt miraculous, almost surreal, that I was not only able to complete the reviews but also attend their hooding and commencement ceremonies. My body was still healing, yet grace carried me.
Two months after undergoing a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (TAHBSO), I was reinstated at work. Almost immediately, I was called to accompany a student diagnosed with major depression. Her journey was steeped in prayer and faith—an echo of my own. In our session last Tuesday, she spoke of renewed hope for recovery. Her words were not just therapeutic milestones; they were sacred affirmations of God’s intervention and the quiet power of accompaniment.
In her courage, I saw my own. In her healing, I glimpsed the mercy that had sustained me. Illness, I’ve come to believe, is not only a test of faith—it is also a revelation of God’s fidelity.
V. CONCLUSION
My reactions and reflections are grounded in my devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, in my faith and courage to trust in the goodness of God, and in my desire to be available and life-giving—in many ways—as an educator, a guidance counselor, and simply as a fellow human being with a heart and compassion for those who are burdened.
I pray that in our desire to draw closer to Jesus, Mama Mary’s Son, we may be inspired by her example. Personally, I wish that she continues to shower me with her maternal protection, care, and love, so that I may remain a living witness to God’s faithfulness, manifested to us in the very person of Jesus, as Fr. Bert puts it.
In the words of Fr. Bert Cepe, C.Ss.R: “Let us then entrust ourselves to Mary, the Mother of Hope and Witness of Faith, so that in our own lives we too may say with her: ‘The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.’”
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Fr. Julius Martin Malacas, C.Ss.R., for the opportunity to share my journey—my story. Truthfully, I felt hesitant at first (nahuya ako tani), but I have come to believe that faith must be loud when it speaks of grace. It must be shared, especially when it reveals how deeply blessed we are by God through the intercession of Iloy sang sa Gihapon nga Panabang. I owe it to the Redemptorists and to my parents—both educators—for sowing the seed of faith in me and nurturing it throughout my life.
Thank you very much to each and everyone who has listened, accompanied, and prayed with me. May our courage continue to be defiant hope—for ourselves, for others, and for the mission entrusted to us.
“The Lord be with you” and we normally nowadays reply: “And with your spirit”, – where decades ago we used to reply: “And also with you.” As Christians, we usually use these words of greetings as our recognition & faith of God’s presence in our midst & in one another. But what does it mean?
A priest once celebrated Eucharist in his own parish church. As he was about to greet these words to the people, he was not able to broadcast, because there is something wrong with the microphone’s connections. While tapping its cord, he eventually regains contact. But unfortunately, instead of the usual “the Lord Be with you”, he loudly broadcasts to the people: “There is something wrong with the microphone”. And the people reply: “And with your spirit”.
Funny story it might be, but it is also telling us something – that sometimes we need to hear the words differently for us to fully appreciate and understand its meaning.
This is what Jesus is also doing when he said the disturbing message in our gospel today, “I have come to set the earth on fire and I wish it were already blazing; I have come not to establish peace but division.” For the apostles and for us to fully understand the value and consequences of discipleship – of following Him, Jesus has to present us the Good News differently – somewhat off and disturbing so that we may fathom the height, width and depth of its meaning.
For instance, “The Lord be with … And also with you” usual greeting. Surely we are familiar with those words. But come to think of it, though mistakenly said, but somehow it is not totally false that we may also say that there is something wrong with us & with our spirit. Yes, in almost all liturgies and prayers we celebrate, we hear and speak those words. But what does it really mean?
First, It’s a great Honor and Privilege. We should feel then happy and great that the Lord is here with you and I – with us. Remember the first and primary good news of peace, love and hope ever preached are those words: “the Lord is with You”.
But do we really feel great joy and be honored hearing and speaking those words? Are we excited to hear and proclaim it? Or upon hearing and saying those words, we only say: “OK lang”, like “Ya, sounds familiar – We have heard it before, so what’s the fuss?” Like youngsters nowadays might say: “the Lord be with you? OK, fine, whatever”.
Second, It’s personal and intimate. The Lord is WITH YOU. He is with you near (up close and personal).
But do you really want Him to be nearby and near with you – OR would rather have Him far distant and away from you (who comes in handy only when needed)? Would you rather have Him as your buddy companion KASAMA, OR your usual “suking” gasoline station, (handy only when empty & needed)?
Third, It’s communal. He is not only with You but with all of Us. He dwells among us, and lives and stays with Us. He is with and in each and everyone of us (good and bad alike).
But do we want Him to be with others & respect His presence with other than ourselves – OR do we prefer that he is exclusively with you and your family or group but not with the outcasts and rejected or your competitors and enemies?
Fouth, It’s a Great Task and Responsibility. To welcome Him into our lives demands responsibility and total dedication. Meaning to accept, recognize and believe in the Good News that “the Lord is with you” is Metanoia – to be converted (to completely change your own ways and style of life and be patterned into His own faith and life).
This is the cost of welcoming and following Jesus into our lives. Christian Discipleship would cost us a lot, for life with Him will be different & never be the same again. Once you recognize & welcome Him to be with You, you cannot but change your ways & lifestyle. Perhaps that’s the reason why sometimes we don’t take those words: “the Lord be with you” seriously for we know that if we do so, there will division, tensions, disharmony and conflict within ourselves and with others, due to all the changes it entails following Jesus demands of us.
For those who have seen the movie Spiderman 1, its simple message is “Great power comes with great responsibility”. In the same way, to believe in & follow Jesus Christ – the Lord with us is a Great personal and communal Power, Honor and Privilege but also comes with Great Responsibility.
Somehow this is what Jesus is trying to say to us when he said: “I have come to set fire on earth, and how I wish it where already blazing.” Indeed, there might be at times something wrong with us in life & spirit; both as the announcer/proclaimer (priest broadcasting: there is something wrong…) & listeners/receivers (people responding: and with your spirit) of the message.
But the good news and message remain always the same: EMMANUEL – the God with us… was with us, is with us and will always be with us – Whatever, however, whoever & whenever we might be.
We pray then that we Christians may remain be shaken & disturbed by the deeper meaning of Lord’s gospel, so that we may be more Jesus-like in being passionately responsible for the Good News of Emmanuel – God being with us.
Once I came across a lesson about leadership. It simply says that there are two kinds of leaders: the go-getters and go-givers. Go-getters are leaders who aspire, work and strive on things in order to GET, which is to acquire, accumulate, possess, own, and have things only for themselves; while Go-givers are leaders who aspire, work and strive on things in order to GIVE and to share things with others. The big differences here are the motivation, objective and beneficiaries of leadership.
Go-getters are motivated by GREED while Go-givers are motivated by SERVICE. Go-getter are more concerned of themselves, and aiming for hoarding power and wealth, while Go-givers are more concerned with others – aiming for sharing power and wealth. Go-getters promote, self-centeredness, individualism, greed, consumerism, selfishness, and materialism, while Go-givers promote community, service, other-centeredness, selflessness, and inter-relationship. In other words, Go-getters do everything to get what they want, while Go-givers do everything to give & share what they have.
Our modern high-tech western world today has obviously promotes go-getters leaders. In our schools, government, workplace, business, media world and even in our church, Go-getters has been recognized and praised. People nowadays prefer Go-getter leaders, who have a lot of everything – money, influence, cars, power, connections, and latest gadget. We can sense Go-getters mentality in the air.
Slogans like: “obey your thirst”, “why settle for less”, “satisfy your cravings”, “be an addict”, “go for the best”, “be a millionaire”, “mabilis cash” are just few of its catchwords. Go-getters are clearly personified by “Gollum”, a character in the Lord of the Rings. He does everything for His precious ring, even to the point of murder, betrayal, and deception. All his life was directed toward getting back the ring, his precious.
Although the go-getter mentality is the in-thing & promoted nowadays, we cannot deny that we, Filipino by our culture are Go-givers. Because of our Filipino philosophy of “KAPWA”, it is our nature to do anything in order to share what we have. Everything that we have is not only for own selves but for others to share.
This is why we Filipinos can more identify with the hero Frodo Baggin’s close friend & companion, Sam (or Samwise Gamgee) who does & will do everything for the sake of his friend & of the fellowship.
Consider, it is only here in the Philippines that have the concept of bring house (or might be known as “Balutin mo..). We do not only attend parties but we also extend it to others who are not able to attend it by bringing them some food, to make them part of the party. It is only here in the Philippines that have the concept of PasaLoad, or Share a Load. Imagine, sharing your telephone bills with others.
Same way with Balikbayan box. Until now, foreigners have a hard time understanding Filipinos saving and sending goods to Philippines where you could get & buy anywhere locally. For we know that those goodies are not for themselves but for others to share – for lolo, lola, igsoon, barkada, neighbors and others. Best example for this is the “eat-all-you-can” meal spree in restaurants. Although tempting and reasonable, it did not work well with Filipinos because of its “no sharing, no left-overs, no bring house” policy. Yes, Filipinos like to eat, but we like to eat with others. It is not the lavish or limited food, but the fellowship in eating whatever the food available at the table.
Surely Jesus in our gospel today openly criticized go-getter leadership and mentality in the world. He reminds us that life and God’s grace are meant to be shared with others and not to be hoarded for oneself. Go-getter, amassing power and wealth for oneself is all meaningless – vanity of vanities, does not bring lasting happiness in life. For Jesus then, what God has given us is not only for ourselves but for us to share with others. God’s graces are Shareware, not private property but public consumption, intended not for your own reign but God’s reign.
This is what Jesus warning us in today’s gospel, when he exhorts, “Be on your guard, and avoid every kind of greed, even though you have many possessions, it is not that which gives you life.” This reminds us that we should beware and vigilant of our human tendency for greed of any forms – much more if we take advantage of the greediness of others.
Like what Jesus said to his disciples, “things that make people fall into sin are bound to happen, but how terrible for the one who makes them happen! It would be better for him if a large millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch what you do!” (Lk 17:1-3). In other words, beware of greedy go-getter people as well as of promoters & advocates of go-getting leadership.
While our world today advocates Go-getters, Filipino Christians must be Go-givers in life and in God’s kingdom. Remember what Jesus directed us, in Mt 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you,” and in My 6:20-21 “store up for yourself treasures in heaven… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Let us then seek what is essential and righteous before God, for that gives life and happiness now and always.
A man once happened to fell on a rather deep manhole pit. He really had a hard time to escape from his difficult predicament. So he called for help. It happened that a lawyer passed by, so the man shouted out: “Help”. The lawyer replied: ‘Sorry I cannot help you now. I’m on a hurry for a court hearing. Here is my calling card. Call me later and we will sue the company who dug this pit… Pro bono.’ And so the lawyer took off.
Then a doctor came by and said, ‘Hey, I cannot help you now since I have a scheduled operation. Here are some prescriptions for your bruises. I will call for help. Surely I will help you at the hospital.’ And then the doctor left. A priest also came and said, ‘Sorry, so, I cannot help you right now. My wedding mass is about to start. Here is a rosary, pray till the rescue arrived. We will include you in our prayers also.’ And the priest rushed off.
Now, the man got a lawyer’s calling card, a doctor’s prescription and a priest’s rosary, but still trapped in a manhole. And so his poor neighbor passed by, came over, and saw him. And right there and then, jumped into the pit. The man said to his poor neighbor, ‘How stupid you are. Now both of us are trapped in this pit’. His poor neighbor then replied, ‘Yes, but I know a way out.’
Once again we are reminded today of the Lord’s commandment of Love – that we may inherit eternal life whenever we Love the Lord our God and our neighbor as we love ourselves.
However, based on our experience, this commandment to Love are often nice words to hear but hard to follow, especially on loving our neighbor as ourselves. That is why, knowing the commandment – same way as teacher of the law in the gospel, we also wonder: ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Like him, we know the commandment to love but we also like to know who is our neighbor worthy of our love.
As response, Jesus told us the parable of the Good Samaritan. For Jesus, the neighbor who is worthy of our love is our immediate neighbor. The very person we are with – in the here and now, is the very neighbor who we should love. We don’t need for someone absent and far to be our neighbor to love. But the very persons before and with us now, who need our help and love is our very neighbor we ought to love. To help and love our neighbor, then, we don’t need to look for them somewhere else. Just be aware and conscientious of the people around you in the here and now, and respond lovingly as you can.
Through the parable, Jesus also teaches us the proper way to help our neighbor, and that is: “Before we try to help others, we should immerse and be in solidarity with their difficult situation”. In helping others, dole-outs, give-aways, and reaching-outs are not enough. We need to dive in, get wet or dirty along the way, and journey with them, to free one another from the messy situation.
The Samaritan is good because he is “moved with compassion. Meaning, he felt with (sympathy) & felt for (empathy) with his neighbor. And thus, he fully involved himself in helping the needy. He knew the best way to respond because perhaps he was also once needy and in such worse situation.
Like, the poor neighbor can help the distressed man because he may have been in the same situation before, but he also knows a way out. Others (lawyer, doctor, priest or levites) cannot and was not able to help because they don’t want to be involved and they cannot sympathize because they were not in that situation before, and don’t know a way out. In other words, only swimmers can rescue a drowning person. So, love your immediate neighbor with sympathy & empathy as you can.
In our parish in Dumaguete, when I was the parish priest, we had once a program where we give Christmas gifts to poor parishioners. What makes this program unique is that we arranged the gift-giving wherein the donors themselves go and visit the home of the poor beneficiaries, and give their gifts.
A donor once told me: “Thanks, Father! It is only now I become fully aware of the poverty of our nearby neighbors, especially of Nong Berto’s family who used to drive me to school when I was a little girl before.” Our neighbors then worthy of our love are the very people nearby we immediately see, smell, feel and hear, and whom we feel with & feel for.
Furthermore, remember the Lord in our first reading also emphasized that: “This command is not too mysterious and remote for you, not up in the sky nor across the sea. It is something near to you, already in your mouths, and in your hearts: you have only to carry it out.”
Meaning, we CAN love the Lord and our neighbor as ourselves because “already in our mouths & hearts” since we are also loved by the Lord and our neighbor as ourselves. We can love because we are loved by God and others. We can help and take care of our neighbor because we are also taken cared of by God and helped by neighbors. We can rescue and save others because we are rescued and saved by God and others. And as we love in life, we inherit & share eternal life.
God directs us already what need to be done to: “Love your God and your neighbor as you love yourself.” So, let us do our part in Loving Him and our Neighbor, as He and our neighbor have loved us as ourselves.
By our love, may others also come to know & love God, and also may inherit & share eternal life now & always.
A DOSE OF GOD TODAY 