Faith in action

By Dr. Herman M. Lagon

“Faith that does justice.” You might have heard this four-word phrase many times in spiritual and socio-political conversations here and there. And, for me, this is one of the most relevant Ignatian values that we are invited to bring to life amid the societal challenges that we face today.

It was no less than St. Ignatius of Loyola who highlighted the importance of explicitly showing one’s love “more in deeds than in words.” He invited us to transcend beyond ourselves. In fact, he warned us not to allow our faith to become empty words, ideas, and feelings that do not effect change, that do not do justice for and with others.

Many of us believe that we are called to be in that constant mission to persistently become better versions of ourselves in “the service of the faith.” But this “service of the faith” is impossible—in fact meaningless—without the promotion of the justice that faith implies.

Perhaps inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesuit philosopher and educational leader Fr. Joel Tabora said:

• one cannot have faith, yet be indifferent to the injustices, corruption, or discrimination against our loved ones, friends, neighbors, and countrymen.
• one cannot say, “I have faith,” yet be blind to the violence, oppression, or bullying against those who cannot defend or speak for themselves.
• one cannot have faith without being sensitive to the plight of the poor, the marginalized, or the multi-cultures in which faith must take root.

• one cannot have faith without living in the context of our need to care for our one planet, our shared environment, our common home.

As Christians, we are forever challenged, in accordance with our human limitations, to practice what we preach. Otherwise, we are no less than hypocrites of our own faith.

If we look at what is happening in our country today, millions of people are crying for justice. As Christians, as human beings, it goes without saying that we don’t just understand them. We, more so, empathize with them. That deep sense of conscience and compassion is manifested clearly, through what we do, more than what we say.

And so, let me ask you this: Do you also desire to have a truthful, just, and humane society? As faithfuls, we are all invited to use our God-given gifts to lead and represent the unrepresented and the misrepresented.

Amid the electoral narrative we face now, we are all invited to be more engaged citizens. We are all encouraged to expose those who lie, cheat, and steal especially those who do it in government; to stand up for human dignity, good governance, and the rule of law. For those who do nothing have already chosen against their faith, against social justice.

And so, as we celebrate Advent, Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion, Graciano Lopez Jaena Day, Christmas, Rizal Day, and New Year’s Eve this December, let us altogether re-commit to our “faith that does justice” by continuously praying and wrestling for the dignity of human life, the promotion of justice for all, the quality of personal and family life, the protection of nature, and the search for peace and political order that will better serve the common good.

Towards the renewal of our faith, I invite everyone to reflect on the following questions:

1. How do I live my faith in action?
2. How can I sustain that desire to advocate for social justice?

We hope that these questions will guide us in our aspiration to be Filipinos of stronger “faith that does justice.” We pray that as we live our lives intentionally in service to, for, and with others, we do this by persistently fighting for social justice and by concretely helping those in need for the greater glory of God.