We are now in the season of electing the rulers of our country. Except for the president and vice-president, and except for the few dedicated and nationalist individuals, all candidates for elective position in both upper and lower houses down to the governors, provincial board members, city and mayors and councilors have already hanged and posted their campaign materials presenting themselves as “servants” of the people.

But, Filipino people must not be fooled anymore with empty promises and be blinded with dole out money and groceries. They should realize by now that “P20 pesos per kilo of rice” and “tallano gold” with other campaign gimmicks are just part of “marketing” system in electoral processes.

We should be aware that even in Jesus’ time that leaders of society are rulers, most of them are tyrants and dictators, and they are not servant rulers.

Jesus Christ explained, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them,” (Marcos 10:42). Rulers are not servant instead they lord over and exercise their authority over the people.

This is also true in the Philippines. The rulers of the Filipinos exercise their authority through wealth and power. They did not serve the people but for their family, political and business interests.

We don’t want rulers; we need good servants. We need servants who really serve the people. Jesus told His apostles that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all,” (Mark 10: 43-44).

Verses 42 to 44 of Mark chapter 10 are part of the Gospel reading of Mark 10:35-45 for Sunday (October 10, 2024) which have told us that Jesus’ apostles, the brothers, James and John requested Jesus in verse 37: “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” This request made the ten apostles “became indignant with James and John,” (Mark 10: 41).

Then, Jesus taught his apostles about the best characteristics of a servant leader. He said, “Whoever among you wants to be great must be your servant, and whoever wants to be a leader must be the slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life for the redemption of many,” (Mark 10:43-45).

When Jesus started his ministry, he has in mind to preach the Good News of the liberation of the people who are at the time they live in Palestine which is under the Roman rule. His missionary statement can be read in Luke 4:18-19, which was taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah saying:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Today, this missionary statement and the teaching of Jesus about servanthood are still relevant in our situation where many people are poor, deprived, oppressed, exploited and marginalized (PDOEMs).

Propagating the liberation of the PDOEMs must be done so that people can have a life in its fullness (John 10:10). As servant leaders, Christians including those candidates for elective positions must take, embrace and actualize this cause.

As servants, the greatness of serving the people is an act of offering themselves for the realization of the liberation and salvation of the PDOEMs. Jesus, as an example, offered his life on the cross. Jesus’ apostles were martyred. We, as Christians, must also offer ourselves as offering of sacrifice for the liberation of the PDOEMs.

The Lord Jesus died to redeem the sins of the people, even the sins of selfishness, pride and longing to be “first and greatest.” The Lord Jesus gave Himself as an example and model of service, serving the people. His disciples also did their best and some became saints, martyrs and confessors.

In the Philippines, great servants became revolutionaries like the late Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, Fr. Jeremias Aquino, Fr. Zacarias Agatep, Fr. Nilo Valerio, Fr. Frank Navarro, to name a few.

Fr. Frank Fernandez was wrongly convicted and now languishing in the maximum-security compound in the New Bilibid Prison in Mantinglupa City just because he serves the people. Aldeem Yañez, a former IFI youth leader, is jailed in Cagayan de Oro City because of his commitment to serve God and people. There are servant leaders who are still fighting for national liberation and democracy. They took the less travelled road because their cause is an act of sacrifice.

Now, who are our candidates to become great servants? Who can actualize this teaching of Jesus which states, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”

Let us start studying and analyzing the background and record of the local and national candidates including those nominees for party-lists. With so many candidates, it is tiring to individually study their backgrounds and records. A good measurement of knowing them is using the “pro” and “anti” PDOEMs cause. We should remember that family, economic and political interests are the big considerations to those who are running for elective positions in the Philippine context.

In studying the interests of the candidates, if we can find some of them who are pro-PDOEMs but have no chance of winning against the powerful and wealthy candidates, it is our role and responsibility to offer ourselves in organizing and mobilizing people to support them. We should tell people who are the servant leaders why they passed the standard set by Jesus Christ.

We as Christians can be servants to support our servant leaders who are offering themselves as leaders of the Philippines society on whatever level of political leadership.

We should tell the people about our present societal situation or context. We educate them about the political system in our country. We should offer an alternative of the decadent system in our society. We must convince the people that our choice is the right option. We share our hope and prayer that the liberation and salvation of the PDOEMs is still possible when they themselves as well as we, their supporters will persevere in the struggle.

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