The WORD in other words (2019) by Fr Semei Rebayla SVD – University of San Carlos, Cebu City
Tuesday 7th Week in Ordinary Time
A young parishioner once asked me a favor. “Father, my sister is a spoiled brat: can you advise her to behave like a good girl?” I replied, “I only meet your sister once a week, while you and your sister meet every day. Why can‘t you and your parents discipline her at home?”
In today‘s Gospel, it is good to notice the place where Jesus taught his disciples the core value of greatness. It was inside the house. The home is presumed to be the first school where values and philosophies of life are taught. It is the place where parents and elders act as our first teachers. It is at the dining table where we share and discuss life‘s problems and solutions.
Mark 9:33 reminds us that despite technological advancements there are still things that are best learned when taught in the context and environment of a home, especially in matters of faith and values. Our lifestyles and manners reflect the manner by which we have been raised by our parents.
One facilitator of a leadership seminar that I attended claimed that what we have become is the by-product of the three E‘s: environment, education, and experience. If we are all positively molded by these three E‘s in our respective homes, we would surely become better persons.
Church can also be considered a home where Jesus gives us his instructions in life. It is a place where we imbibe a Christian environment, education and experience.
In this fast-changing world, we pray that the culture of teaching values education at home remains alive and strong.
