Christus Magister Noster
“You are a very good pupil.”
These are the words I often picked up from my teacher in Grade 1 then whenever
I answered correctly every activity that we delivered in class. But, those were the times that I could not
acknowledge what was the actual significance of the adjective “good”. Days and
years had passed, I graduated in elementary and in high school, and I got
familiarized with the adjective “good”. I studied philosophy for four years but
then I still wondering why most of the priests were very good formators then. Mind
you, my parents never addressed me as a “good” son probably because both of
them were not habituated to hear praises from their parents during their
childhood years. Though they are teachers and I believe they are good teachers
because their students have a high regard with them. It was passed down to my
generation with the same blueprint of not praising everyone and anyone in the
household. I can show only that they praise their students simply not their
sons and daughter. Hahahaha… Kidding, I have become but this is genuine.
What is really the
meaning of “good”?
I
took a regency program after I finished philosophy in the seminary. When I
engaged in the teaching profession, I found myself capable of turning “good”.
It was because my relationship with the students deepened my faith so much in
the Lord. I took good care of His youth; His students. He entrusted to me His
students to become good and to set a good example to other young people in
today’s world. By all means, what I did was truly evangelization and a mission.
To be with young people with diverse attitudes and family background is always
a challenge and at the same time a spirit-filled experience. Acknowledging
their limitations and accepting their own battles and problems made me a better
person as well. It simply defined my reason and purpose why I was sent to them
as a teacher.
Looking
myself amidst the threat of the modern world brings me to a realization that
life is always a purpose. I may for a time not ready because I am weak when it
comes to qualifications. There are instances in life that you cannot take away
with the notion of low self-esteem. Surroundings that never support a plan make
me weak and lack in comprehension in judgment or appraisal. Why is this
happening to a man who strives hard for others? I make a judgement that God
wants to make us strong in every struggle we have encountered. He wants us to
face them and learn from them so that we will become strong all throughout the
days of our life.
Studying theology completes my quest about saying “good” to
me and to the people around me. My experience with the “good” helps me to
understand better the plan of God for me. I had a good experience in teaching
the youth. I had encountered good people when I was outside the portals of the
seminary. I had good teachers and advisers who really helped me discern my
vocation. Everything in this world is good I believe. But, everything comes
from the ultimate good, Jesus Christ himself. He is the reason why I pursue
theology. He is not just a good teacher but the best teacher who knocks at my
heart and says; PLEASE TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY STUDENTS.
