A: 28th Sun of OrdTime (15 Oct 2017) - BEING NAIVE - Mt 22:1-14

“But they were not interested…” (Mt 22:5)

This is the general description of those who received the invitation from the king for his son’s wedding banquet. Other English versions translate it as “But they made light of it” (NRSV, ASV, KJV), “They paid no attention” (NASB), or “Some ignored the invitation” (NAB) pointing to the non-importance of the matter. The Filipino translation shows an angle of personal detachment: “Hindi nila pinansin.”

Interestingly, the Greek text uses the verb “ameleo” which in the lexicon is defined as: “to have no care for, to neglect, be unconcerned”. This echoes the other appearance of this word in the New Testament (cf. 1 Tim 4:14; Heb 2:3;8:9): “[H]ow can we escape if we neglect (“ameleo”) so great a salvation (Heb 2:3)?” Henceforth, in the NT “ameleo” means more than just being uninterested… it is more like being neglectful, snobbish, numb, passive, indifferent, apathetic, uncaring, disconnected, or naïve, especially with regard to universal salvation.

In the latest SWS survey on September 2017, Mr. Duterte’s public approval rating dramatically dropped from 66 to 48—his -16 fall is way lower than Ramos (-4), Arroyo (-8), and B. Aquino (-4) after a year in the presidency. For those who are government oppositionists this is a cause for rejoicing. However, for concerned citizens who critically analyze the moral fabrics of the Filipino society, it is an alarming reality. In the PDI article of John Nery last Oct 10, he posts this question: “But why was there an increase in his satisfaction rating in the ABC classes, in the Social Weather Stations survey, from 65 percent in June to 70 in September? The same survey found that in class D his rating dropped by 10 points from 78 percent to 68, and in class E his rating plunged by 19 points, from 80 percent to 61.”

The interesting query is why are the rich not in sync with the sentiments of the poor sectors of society? Are they just too naïve of what is happening to the poor? Or are they only opening their eyes to their daily concerns while closing to those that dirty them not? Or have they totally lost their social responsibility not seeing it as quintessential to being a true Filipino and Christian?

Remember that the king in the gospel narrative was angered (vv. 7, 12-13) because of the indifference of those who received the invite: the “busy”-ness of those who rejected it (v.5), the cynicism and fury of those who persecuted the envoys (v.6), and the arrogance of those who didn’t wear the wedding garments (v.11). All of them are filled with self-conceit and are fixated only on their own worlds, remaining blind to the social realities happening around them.

A person having this attitude of being emotionally unaffected is called “naïve.” Ironically this French word is based from the Latin word “nativus” or “natus,” which in English mean “natural” and “in born”, respectively. I hope I am mistaken to conclude that being naïve is becoming a very natural Filipino trait especially among the upper classes.

Let the words of St Paul in the Second Reading be then our inspiration: “I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength” (Phil 4:12-13).

- Rex Fortes, CM