A: 15th Sun of OrdTime (16 July 2017) - BEING IN ONE SHIP - Mt 13:1-13

On the first line of our gospel today we notice immediately a change of location: “Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea” (Mt 13:1). We see here the movement from the “house” to the “seashore,” or symbolically from a place of comfort and protection to a place of danger and uncertainty. The next verse presents Jesus as going into the boat as the people stood at the beach to listen to him.

Being in a boat is indicative of the desire of Jesus to be on an eye-to-eye level with his listeners as opposed to being on a pedestalled pulpit, stage or staircase. The image of the boat to describe the Church is much romanticized in Early Christianity. The Christian ship is equated with Noah’s ark after it resisted amidst the enormous rain and flood that practically destroyed the whole of creation. Accordingly, the Church is called Peter’s Barque (from the Latin word “barca,” meaning “small boat”) that is supposed to persevere also amidst persecutions and trials. Moreoever, the boat’s mast as well as its anchor forms a T-shape representing the crucifixion of Christ. Interestingly, the physical structure of churches alludes to the design of a typical oar-driven-boat: with the pews lined up parallel to each other, with the windows set on the sides and with the steering/navigation happening at its cockpit, i.e., the sanctuary. In contrast the place where the ordinary lay people sits is called the “nave” of the church. The word “nave” is derived from the Latin word “navis,” which means “boat/ship.”

If we read Jesus’ act of going into the boat as his attempt to be easily accessible to the people, we lay claim that our present-day Christianity continues to be guilty of dichotomizing its members between the captain and the oarsmen of the galley. Emphasized in some ecclesial communities still is the administrative superiority of the clergy over the lay, or the primacy of the opinions of scholars over catechists and pastoral workers, or the moral arrogance of daily mass-goers over the unchurched faithful. Less do we realize that we are in fact in the same ship altogether. By this we assert that the “navis” is not only the “nave” part but is inclusive of the sanctuary as well. By his act of using the same boat used by ordinary fisher folks, Jesus seems to tell his listeners: “I am one with you even if you call me your teacher or master; there are no barriers between us.” In fact, in order to make them feel he is truly one with them, Jesus didn’t teach using rhetorical or oratorical speeches associated with the elites but utilizes the ordinary language of storytelling of simple folks in parables (Mt 13:3,10).

The general Filipino population has a soft spot for politicians who bear this down-to-earth character. For this reason, Mr. Duterte was elected as President and continues to receive strong public support. We commend him for efficiently connecting to the ordinary people. Yet, after nearly one-year into office, we ask: is his governance really addressing the needs of the poor or merely repeating the political mistakes of the past where oligarchs reign supreme? How can we account the lording over of rich families in the political and economic fields, the imperial presence of global superpowers in our domestic conflicts, and the ever-growing powers of the military in our day-to-day affairs? None of his promises to alleviate the suffering of the poor has been delivered: the peso is at its low, criminality is ubiquitous, unemployment is on the rise, and more sadly death is increasing by the thousands.

Yet, we continue to be in the same ship, which I hope is not sinking at this point. We continue to believe that the oaring is at the right direction. But if it is not, may be brave enough to at least shout to the captain before it is too late, “Save our ship!” Otherwise, he may deem that we are enjoying the fun ride over the rough tides.

- Rex Fortes, CM