1. ASSERTION:
We should be meek and unassuming at all times.
2. STORY-TELLING:
I was not yet a diocesan seminarian of Imus when I had my first chance to meet the prestigious and well-known bishop of Imus, Msgr. Luis Antonio Tagle, D.D. Not so long ago, I was just hearing his name on the account of his brilliant homilies and peerless teaching skill. Likewise, I see him most often on his television shows. I could hardly forget my longing back then to see Bishop Tagle in person for the simple reason that I never admire anybody the way I admired him.
My desire was realized when I had my exposure program in a parish in Cavite while I was still applying in the diocese. My parish priest was invited by Bishop Tagle for a dinner in a good restaurant to settle some things over the table. Very timely, the priest asked me to accompany him in going out with the bishop. At first, I acted as if I was not willing to join them by saying so many reasons which in fact are all lies. The truth was, even if they don’t invite me, I planned to insist myself in going out with them. That is how I describe my frustration back then to meet my idol. I succeeded, anyway.
The awaited night came. I wore the best clothes in my closet, best pair of shoes in the rack, and sprayed the most expensive perfume that I ever got in my life. I could not draw and well imagine the excitement beaming in me on that moment. My parish priest and I left right away to fetch the bishop in Imus. Upon the Bishop’s boarding, I was on a star-struck that I could no longer speak. When he talked to me, I tried to answer politely anything that he said. I felt so fulfilled and happy until when we arrived in our destination.
At the restaurant, the porters recognized the Bishop right away that they opened the door of the car to warmly welcome him. Thinking that porter will do the same for me, I waited for a moment for them to open the door beside me. But they never did, so I opened the door and got out of the car in my own risk. Jokingly, I told the Bishop of what I thought of but he just laughed. The bishop then was warmly greeted by the people who recognized him. I also smiled and nod my head before the people but they did not mind me. Upon entering the restaurant, Bishop Tagle and my parish priest entered right away without passing over the guard’s safety check. Thinking again that the guard will also let me pass, I followed the Bishop outright. But to my dismay, I was stopped by the guard and was asked to go back to the main door for checking. With disappointment, I said: “I am with Bishop Tagle, why do I have to pass this checkpoint?” and the guard replied with a degrading smile.
I tried hard not to feel bad but I felt so dismayed and just wished that I should have not joined them in that spree. The dismay subsided when we had a dinner over the fine carte du jour and I had a good conversation with my idol whom, I realized, is indeed a brilliant and a simple person. From time to time, other guests in the restaurant are coming close to the Bishop to greet him. But, there was this certain group of not-so-aged people who came to the Bishop for a picture taking. Thinking then that I might get embarrassed if they will not ask me to join them in their picture taking, I excused myself and intended to cope as if going to the wash room. But to my surprise, one of those among the group asked me to stay foot for a while. I said “ok” and I posed with the group ready for the picture taking. I gave my best smile that the camera could capture. Meanwhile, the person whom I thought was the one to take the picture placed the camera on the table and said “You” pointing her fingers to me, “come and take a picture for us!” I did not know how I would react. My joy and smile was changed with cursing face. Well, I still tried to enjoy that humiliating night because of the rare chance to meet my idol. However, that experience made me realize that too much assumptions and pretentions would not always bring out the best upshot.
3. ASSERTION:
Indeed, we should remain meek and unassuming at all times.
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