B: 2nd Sun of Advent (10 Dec 2017) - MAKING THE WAY STRAIGHT - Mk 1:1-8

“Look, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way. A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight” (Mk 1:2-3).

This is the opening words of the Gospel of Mark adapted from the prophecies of Isaiah (40:3; see First Reading) and Malachi (3:1). More than just being a prologue, it serves as the theological vision-mission of the Markan Jesus which is captured succinctly in the Greek word “hodos” (“way”), occurring 16x therein. The epitome of discipleship is adjudged as happening in the episode when Jesus met the blind beggar Bartimaeus (Mk 10:46-52) who was sitting by the roadside (“hodos”). After being healed, he left everything behind—even his only possession, i.e., his cloak—and followed Jesus along the way (“hodos”). Jesus then proceeded to Jerusalem where he was greeted by the people while spreading their cloaks along the way (“hodos”) in Mk 11:8.

Clearly, the “way” is a very important Christian symbol not only in Mark but in the whole gospels (occurring 62x). Furthermore, in the Acts of the Apostles, Saul was converted on his “way” (9:3, 17) to Damascus and the first followers of Christ were initially called not as “Christians” but as belonging to the “Way” (9:2). Because of the importance of the “way”, it is only appropriate to start the Advent Season by making the paths of the Lord straight. It means both physical and spiritual straightening: physical in the sense that we are to do practical things like fasting, praying, and going to the sacraments, and spiritual because we are to change our attitude toward others. Thus, in our gospel today, John the Baptist states two kinds of baptism (Mk 1:8): one is the baptism by water (physical) and the other is the baptism by the Holy Spirit (spiritual).

In the Philippine setting, the physical roadways are on the verge of being cleansed from smoke-belching decade-old jeepneys. Once the king of the roads, the jeepneys will soon be extinct but to be replaced by E4 eco-friendly, safe, and modern (equipped with wi-fi and GPS) public utility vehicles. Doing so, the traffic caused by these dilapidated substandard jeepneys that are difficult to maneuver will be solved, not to mention the cleaner air the public will enjoy. The January 1, 2018 deadline has been fixed for all jeepney drivers and operators to comply.

Right? Partially YES. But if we consider the whole scenario, NO.

Consider that a modern jeepney will cost a mind-boggling Php 1.6 million ($31,500)! Despite the fact that there is a government counterpart (roughly Php 80,000) and it can be loaned from the Landbank (by paying Php 800 a day), this abrupt top-to-bottom ruling will hurt badly the 650,000 drivers nationwide. How in the world can a poor jeepney driver muster Php 800 a day, considering that the minimum fare remains at 8 pesos? This would only mean having at least 100 passengers a day and a minimum of 7 trips just to cover the daily amortization. This does not yet include his fuel and maintenance expenses, much more his daily family needs. And a driver will have to do this every single day for the next 5 years to be able to pay completely his debts! To add insult to injury, the sarcasm and bravado of the president was unleashed to the public:

“Ako ang presidente (I am the president)... Either patayin ninyo ako o sumunod kayo (kill me or follow me)… P***** i** magpapatayan talaga tayo (Son of a b****, we have to kill each other)… Mahirap kayo? P***** i** Magtiis kayo sa hirap at gutom, wala akong pakialam (You are poor? Son of a b****. Endure hunger and poverty. I don’t care). It’s the majority of the Filipino people. Huwag ninyong ipasubo ang tao (Do not jeopardize the people).” [see:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDI38IjOq-4 and news on October 17, 2017].

What more can I say? I am only saddened knowing that these are the very words of the highest government official of our land who is concerned only on the physical way (the development of the highways) but is insensitive to the spiritual way (the condition of the poor drivers).

As we enter our second week of preparation for the coming of our Lord, let us remember that Joseph and Mary suffered the long tedious journey of the way towards Bethlehem. We are not against modernization, but at most times, the way towards it is a long process of dialogue, consultation and listening. It is because the painstaking “way” is already part of the solution.

- Rex Fortes, CM