HOLINESS IN THE ‘MARKETPLACE’

TheStrennaoftheRectorMajorhighlightsanelementuniquelycharacteristicofour vocationasmembersoftheSecularInstituteoftheVolunteersofDonBosco,our responsiblereserve.Astheyeastthatworkssilentlytotransformthewholebatchof dough,wearecalledtoliveourvocationauthenticallywithoutrevealingourbeing consecratedsecularssoasnottocallattentiontoourselvesbutratherallowtheHoly Spirittoworkthroughustobethetransformingpresenceinthelivesofotherswe encounter.AsmembersoftheSalesianFamily,weareallcalledtoholinessinour everydaylives.

I would like to share four points I have read about sanctification and how I experienced these

First, sanctification is not about perfection but persistence. Aware of my unworthiness, I ask God in my daily prayers to grant me the graces that I need to grow in holiness, to be lovable, and to be able to love the "unlovable" for me I pray this short prayer “Jesus, open the eyes of my heart and help me see people the way you see them”

Second, sanctification is hard. In the first meeting of the Secular Institutes (SIs) of the Philippines in 2013, a member of the SI of Christ the King from India approached me and asked what is my profession, and I said I am working in the technical department of a company And he told me, “Your job is the real ‘marketplace’ for SIs ” I asked, “why?” And he replied: “Because the nature of your work does not require you to be nurturing, unlike those in the teaching, counseling, or medical professions.”

And that made me realize that, yes, I think he is right. How do I live my vocation there? In the corporate world? By efficiently doing my job, sharing my knowledge, empowering my staff, being honest and strict but fair, especially in dealing with my staff and equipment suppliers, and being punctual at work and in meetings.

I value people, so I find time to interact, especially with the young people, usually not regular employees but outsourced, I greet the building and our office guards, maintenance personnel, and those who serve in our canteen, and I listen to their stories about their dreams, their struggles, their everyday ordinary life. I also receive requests for prayers, guidance, and advice.

Like everyone else, there were times when I encountered difficulties in the office, like when I was asked to change the ratings of my staff so that the less qualified one would get a better rating because he was a friend of the boss of my boss and the other more qualified based on performance, would get a lower rating. I disagreed, and I did not sign the revised ratings. I suffered the consequences, but that did not stop me from doing my job well. Maybe, that is another grace from God, detachment.

Third, sanctification happens because we are united with Christ. Without a personal experience of God, there can be no real transformation. It is Christ who makes us holy.

Fourth, sanctification is slow. I know that I have a long way to go to be holy, and that means more opportunities to rely on God And hopefully, I glorify Him in my life

As the Rector Major stressed, “At times, our human contributions or small efforts can seem insignificant, but will always be important to God We must not confuse littleness and humility with weakness We can do little in the face of the much that is required of us However, it is not enough or irrelevant because it is God who gives its growth provided we do all we can and always in His name ”

In our Annual Retreat last year, our preacher emphasized that we are called and chosen for our specific vocation because we are great sinners, and God loves us We are not called to serve but rather to build relationships, meaningful and salvific, beginning with our own families, then our Institute, the Salesian Family, and the world. Let us always be grateful to God for this privilege. •