HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon
Bishops

The Philippines, and the installation of Episcopal Church of the Philippines Diocesan Bishop Brent Alawas, we come to terms who a bishop is. Bishops are meant to exemplify the role of Christ. The living Christ becomes a guide and a conscience to every act and deed which the bishop does. The Christian teaching and the Christian bible becomes a guideline in everyday living and a manual in work and vocation.

Joseph the Carpenter of Galilee. He was more than that. He is the son of God.
He must be a very significant person being the son of God. He must have a name any Christian and bishop cannot just take for granted.

Liberator, seeker of truth and justice. In many passages of the Bible, we take note of the popular verse, “The truth shall set you free.” As Bishops, they carry examples of exemplifying truth and justice. Just how much of a liberator is the Bishop. This, he can exemplify in his dealings with his own relations with his family, relatives, friends, congregation and to the outside world.

How much of a liberator is he that he will condemn injustice and untruth. Speaking up when the situation presents itself, without fear, favor, or vested interest, is a bishop who sheds light in times of darkness and confusion, and comfort in times of affliction. Where he does the opposite and does not care, or does injustice to another human being speaks of a false bishop who is no liberator nor advocate of justice and truth. His position becomes devoid and meaningless. It would be an empty chair and an empty meaningless position to hold on to.

What more is expected of a bishop? Verily and surely, it is not a position for
material gain nor is it a position where one seeks the VIP seat. In this consumerist age and time, seeking material gain is very tempting, and tests how much a Bishop will solely succumb to material comfort.

Being a Bishop determines his every act to speak and act for the good of mankind, not driven to a priority of selfish interest. It is a position where moral courage and strength is drawn from in the building fan upright and caring congregation who also in the course of everyday living try to follow.

Christ as what a Christian ought to be. A popular adage of Jesus Christ is “Do unto others what you like others do unto you.” Such is an eternal act which builds from the present to the future. Such is a golden rule which is relevant from day to day. Happy is the man who harmonizes his words, thoughts, and acts.

Christ led by example. By his example, his disciples followed him, preaching the Gospel till it reached the whole wide world, driven by the example of a man who was just and compassionate as well, devoted and committed to the calling of God, the Father. He was not known to have amassed worldly wealth. Surely, amassing worldly wealth will put all his efforts and focus attention in seeking worldly gain, and halfheartedly live Christ in his thoughts and deeds.

I see Bishop Abellon as a bishop who did his best to serve his flock and set an example with all the wisdom of a liberating bishop. He was not known to have changed cars, built a palace nor sought vain glory. To the most that he did, he was and is a good bishop. He radiated an example by his upright way of living full of wisdom and dignity. While he had his habits of drinking, he was not known to have succumbed to the baser frailties of man to be so comfortable and forget who a Bishop should be.

To newly installed Bishop Brent Alawas of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines, may you exemplify who a Bishop should be: sincere, just, honest, strong, wise, and true.