The WORD in other words (2006) by Fr Neilo Cantilado SVD – Catholic Trade Manila
January 3 – Before Epiphany
As an assistant parish priest back in Zambia never had I realized that at times I charted upon boundaries outside my own competence and authority. Armed with the idealism of a young missionary I organized activities and executed projects at times unknown or without securing the permission of my parish priest. Whether or not I have encroached into his area of competence with those activities was the least of my concerns. All I knew then was that I did all of these in good faith and with the best intentions. I was simply oblivious of the fact that more than just good intentions and good faith there are still important procedures that needed to be observed especially if this involves working as a team. I was just lucky my parish priest was such a considerate and understanding person. He willingly accommodated my being inexperienced, and obviously, my unintended lack of professionalism.
Conflict in any relationship arises from several factors. In work-related relationships in particular, role ambiguity is one of the root-causes of conflicts. Role ambiguity occurs when someone is uncertain about what is expected of him or her. Relationship-related stress can actually be minimized, if not altogether avoided, if roles and competence are clearly defined. Having such would allow all parties in any relationship to know what to expect from each other. It is as well for the sake of each one’s well-being and sanity.
John the Baptist for his part had a clearly defined task. This entailed knowing fully well when and where his role begins and end. One day upon seeing Jesus he testified about Jesus to the crowd, saying “… the reason why I came baptizing with water was that He (Jesus) might be made known to Israel” (Jn 1:23). Earlier in this same incident when asked of his identity John categorically stated that he is not the messiah (Jn 1:15) and appropriated to himself the role of “a voice crying in the wilderness” (Jn 1:17) to herald the coming of the real redeemer of the world. Indeed when roles are clearly made conflicts of expectations and their resulting stress are fairly put at bay and prevented.
