The day after his re-election as Superior General, Fr. Teodoro Kalaw, CRM, celebrated a Thanksgiving Mass with all the Chapter Fathers. In his homily, he drew inspiration from the Gospel reading, describing it as Jesus’ guidance and a roadmap for navigating this new chapter of the Order. The full text follows:
Homily on the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Instruction
Introduction
Today, we gather to celebrate the Thanksgiving Mass, expressing our profound gratitude to God for His guidance and blessings as we reach the end of this chapter. Our hearts are filled with thanksgiving, for He has led us, protected us, and provided for us in countless ways. We thank God for the fruits of this chapter—the growth, the challenges overcome, and the deepened bonds within our community. We also acknowledge the grace of humility, which has allowed us to recognize our dependence on God’s mercy and each other.
As we close this chapter, we embark on a new one—a longer and more demanding chapter that encompasses our community life, apostolate, and mission. We undertake this journey inspired by our core charism, the radical imitation of Christ in the Paschal Mystery.
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus provides us with a specific instruction, a roadmap to navigate this new chapter. Let’s ponder three key aspects of this instruction:
1. Called to Communion
Jesus sent His disciples out two by two, emphasizing the importance of community. Similarly, our constitution mandates that we live in community, ideally in groups of at least three. This instruction is not merely about numbers; it is about the essence of our vocation—to live in communion with one another.
Look at this instruction of Christ: He does not want us to journey alone; we must journey together. A journey together is not only more exciting but also more inspiring with others. The Fathers of the Church remind us that community life is the bedrock of our apostolate. St. Augustine once said, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” Our mission work and apostolate must flow from our lived experience of community. This means being attentive to each other’s needs, supporting one another, and striving to embody the love and unity that we preach.
Living in community is a powerful witness to the world. It shows that it is possible to live in harmony, to support and uplift one another, and to work together for a common mission. Let our communal life be a testimony of God’s love and a reflection of the unity we have in Christ.
2. Simple Life
Jesus’ instruction to His disciples to travel light—taking no bread, no bag, no money—calls us to a life of simplicity and dependence on divine providence. This simplicity is not just about material possessions; it is about a mindset and a heart condition. In simple life is the essence of our fourth vow: our dependence on God, which is the dependence on what He has already given us. To enhance, enrich, and maximize what God has already provided is our calling. Look into the deep, “duc in altum,” and you will find the true richness. A life that is simple is a life of novelty, filled with the fresh and profound riches of God’s grace.
To simplify our lives means to trust in God’s provision and to go forth with faith and obedience. We are sent on a mission, and we must go with the conviction that God will provide for our needs. As St. Francis of Assisi taught, “The more we have, the more we are afraid to lose, and the less we have, the less we have to fear.”
Living a simple life frees us from distractions and allows us to focus on our mission. It helps us to live with a sense of purpose and direction, relying on God’s providence rather than our own resources. Let us embrace this call to simplicity, trusting that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.
3. Walking Staff
The walking staff symbolizes perseverance and continuous self-improvement. Jesus instructs us to keep moving forward, to never stop on our journey of faith. This means constantly striving to improve ourselves and our community, and not being bogged down by past failures or negative experiences.
We must stop blaming ourselves and others, and instead, help each other to grow and become the best versions of ourselves that God intended. The Apostle Paul encourages us in Philippians 3:13-14, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Let us keep our eyes on Christ, our ultimate goal, and not dwell on negative thoughts or hurtful experiences. Every setback is a learning opportunity, and every challenge is a chance to grow stronger in faith and character.
Conclusion
As we move into this new chapter, let us take to heart the instruction Jesus gives us today. Let us live in communion, embracing the richness of community life. Look at this instruction of Christ: He does not want us to journey alone; we must journey together. A journey together is not only more exciting but also more inspiring with others. Let us simplify our lives, trusting in God’s providence and going forth with faith and obedience.
And let us persevere, always striving to improve ourselves and keeping our eyes fixed on Christ. We give thanks for the fruits of this chapter and for the grace of humility that has enabled us to grow and depend on God’s mercy and one another. We carry these fruits to our brothers who are awaiting the news. Proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of Christ. Do not make disciples of our own; it will divide us. But if we make disciples of Christ, truly centered on Him, it will destroy all division and renew our life. This is the only way to walk humbly with the Lord, the only map we must follow.
May our lives and our mission reflect the radical imitation of Christ in the Paschal Mystery, and may we be faithful witnesses to the world of God’s love, unity, and providence. Amen.
