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In my article entitled “The Scriptural Solution to Political
Corruption” (April 5, 2008), I argued that the Catholic Bishop’s
Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) pastoral message deviated
from the requirements of the Scriptures with regard to the
Church’s earthly mission. I will substantiate this point in this
article by elucidating what Christ envisioned as the role of his
disciples, and therefore of the Church, in earthly matters.
Christ’s indifference to political affairs was
already clearly manifested prior to Holy Week, when he (i.) refused,
in the desert, the devil his temptation of wealth and power, (ii.)
spoke of the kingdom of heaven and not of earth, (iii.) extolled
heavenly, as distinguished from worldly, treasure and riches; and
(iv.) refrained from using his omnipotent power to save his cousin,
John the Baptist, from an unjust beheading.
During Holy Week, he consistently refused to
interject a political dimension to his divine mission of salvation,
despite ample opportunity to do so.
At the temple, the Pharisees asked him the trick
question: “What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto
Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22.17). Perceiving their wickedness,
Jesus asked them the tribute coin where Caesar’s image was
embossed, and, upon receiving it, he cleverly replied: “Render
therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God
things that are God’s” (Matthew 22.21).
Later that week, he would be subjected to an
ignominious and humiliating criminal process of an unjust trial,
which he willingly abided by. He did not refuse arrest by the
Pharisees at the Garden of Olives. Thereafter he was mocked, spat
at, whipped, scourged, crowned with thorns, humiliated, and abased.
He was first brought to the High Priest Caiaphas,
who, expectedly, pronounced him guilty of blasphemy. Since the law
of Moses forbade the penalty of death, Caiaphas delivered Jesus to
the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, for the proper punishment.
Pilate, upon learning that Jesus was a Galilean,
sent him to King Herod, who in turn was unable to find him guilty of
any crime. It did not prevent Herod from subjecting Jesus to further
mockery and humiliation. Returned to Pilate who assiduously
interrogated him, Jesus continually emphasized that, even though he
was a king, his kingdom was not a worldly one.
Pilate asked Jesus: “Art thou the king of the
Jews?” Jesus answered: “My kingdom is not of this world: if my
kingdom were of this world, then would not my servants fight, that I
should not be delivered to the Jews?” (John 18.34).
Pilate continued: “Art thou a king then?”
Jesus answered: “Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I
born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear
witness unto the truth.” (John 18.36)
The injustice went on. Finding Jesus blameless,
Pilate brought the issue before the Jewish rabble, who were thronged
outside his palace. Given the choice of freeing Barabbas, a rebel
who murdered during a rebellion against Rome, or Jesus, the Jews
chose to set Barabbas free and to have Jesus crucified.
Even during his crucifixion, he was mocked and
pilloried. Upon his cross was written the words: “KING OF THE
JEWS.” Some onlookers wagged their heads, saying: “Thou that
destroyest the temple and buildeth it in three days, save thyself.
If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” (Matthew
27.40).
The chief priests, with the scribes and elders,
followed suit: “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be
the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we
will believe him.” (Matthew 27.41-42).
Jesus endured all these afflictions and
humiliations, and consistently refused the expedient worldly
solution, lest it deviate from his pure spiritual message of
salvation. He came to earth so as to prepare mankind for paradise in
heaven and not to create a paradise on earth.
That being so, were his message of salvation
heeded and the consequent spiritual reform effected, the foundations
for a utopia or a paradise on earth would have been laid. For
Christ’s message of salvation consisted in humanity emulating his
inward and outward spiritual virtues, which constitutes the
essential ingredient of any lasting utopian society.
Jesus Christ, in his ministry, could not,
therefore, have communicated his message of salvation any more
clearly. And yet, the CBCP misconstrued him; it misinterpreted his
words, misunderstood his deeds, and issued pastoral statements in
stark contrast to the inspiring message of his words and stirring
example of his deeds. Is it any wonder then that the Philippines is
caught in its present political predicament and vicious cycle of
corruption, human rights violations, intolerance, violence, division
and hate?
eqfernando@hotmail.com
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