THE LEARNED INSTRUCTS - B: 33rd Sun in OrdTime

First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3 (14 November 2021)

“The learned will shine as brightly as the vault of heaven, and those who have instructed many in virtue, as bright as stars for all” (Dan 12:3).

For Daniel, those who would be delivered—whose names are written in the so-called book (v. 1)—and soon awake in everlasting life (v. 2) have two qualities. First, they are described as “learned” or “wise”. The Greek word used here is syniēmi, which literally means “to have an intelligent grasp of something that challenges one’s thinking or practice” (cf. BDAG). It entails comprehending well an idea, which may be achieved by one’s intellectual skill (cf. Deut 32:7; Mt. 13:51) or given by the Lord (cf. Exo 35:35; Lk 24:45).

Regardless, it refers to a level of understanding that is reached by introspection or deep thinking. It goes on to tell that God will reward people who painstakingly study, analyze, and learn from the knowledge in life.

Second, those blessed in the book of life are individuals who “instructed” several people on how to be virtuous. The term “instructed” does not really mean “teaching” here since the original Greek word used is katischyō. This verb is a compound of two words, viz., kata (“over” or “upon”) + ischys (“strength” or “power”), properly defined as “to have the strength or capability to obtain an advantage” or “to have the capacity to defeat” (cf. BDAG). In this sense, the more appropriate translation is “to convince,” “to overcome,” or “to lead” (cf. NRSV). The words of Jesus to Peter in Mt. 16:18 illustrates this verb clearly: “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail (katischyō) it”.

Daniel, hence, inferred that those who are bold and adamant to lead others into virtue would surely be blessed in the afterlife.

Putting syniēmi and katischyō side-by-side under one optic, we are challenged by Daniel to be diligent in seeking the truth to achieve a high level of learning/wisdom and to be passionately persistent in sharing our knowledge to others in order that they would be led to a virtuous living. In the Philippine context, many remain safely seated in the middle of the conundrum of the 2022 elections. Indeed, it is a comfortable space because these passive viewers just think of their own domestic needs and are at peace with everyone amid the exchange of tirades coming from all political camps. Thinking that their silence and numbness mark well their Christianity, they refrain from digging deep into the socio-political problems of the society and ignore any conversation concerning the Filipino collective search for the truth ... to play safe!

On the contrary, they are becoming very un-Christian on two accounts. First, they do not journey toward becoming authentic learned persons. This state of wisdom can only be achieved by questioning and studying the realities of life, the events transpiring before our eyes, and the lessons of history.

Confucius is correct when he says, “The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

Thus, it will be difficult for them to attain eternal life for refusing to seek “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jn 14:6). Second, they do not fulfill their moral obligation of giving instructions to the ignorant, which is one of the spiritual works of mercy (CCC # 2447). True wisdom can be compared to holding a lamp that is not hidden but is placed “on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light” (Lk 8:16). In practical terms, a true holy person must undauntedly proclaim to others the truth that he or she has found. Failure to do so may lead not only to the perdition of the ignorant but to the damnation of the learned, too, for being uncharitable in sharing God’s given knowledge.

- Rex Fortes, CM