“THE
FOURTH KING IS GONE”
(Meditation
delivered by Rev. Dr. Ruben L. Dela Cruz on October 17, 2015 at UCCP
Midsayap,
Cotabato during the Necrological Service for the Celebration of Life :
Remembrance of a Life Journey of Rev. Dr. Eliezer Dulay Mapanao)
Good morning!
Naimbag nga bigat kadakayo amin. Members of the Mapanao Family, brothers and
sisters in Christ, relatives and friends of the Mapanaos: Greetings of Christ’s
Peace!
Last October 8,
on Facebook, many us received an update from Mario about Sir Ely’s fast
deteriorating health condition. His update was preceded by these lines: “Keeping
his sense of humor intact even in the midst of pain, Dad/Lolo Ely asks?: ‘Who
are the 4 kings?’ Answer his own quest, he goes: ‘Melchor, Gaspar, Baltazar and
Gaspar.’
On the surface
it may appear pure humor if not an early sign of Alzheimers that there is a
fourth king that is Eleazar, but there is some sense and similarities to it.
After all, it may not only be a humor but a declaration of faith. Not a self-recognition
and self- bestowment but a humble statement of belief. Like the three kings of
the Orient, Sir Ely left the comforts of the urban center, that is, Manila and
Ellinwood Malate Church, to respond to God’s call to come to the countryside
that is Midsayap and SCC. Like the three kings of old he “travelled hills and
mountains” to come to a plains of uncertainly. If I may paraphrase the SCC the
lyrics of the SCC song may go this way: “In the war torn fields of Midsayap,
stood a school that was never heard”. Yet, Sir Ely embarked on that mission
journey guided by the ‘star of Bethlehem’, bringing himself and his gifts of
talents to offer to the stewardship of Southern Christian College. As Sir Ely
came he penned the now famous lines of the SCC Song: “In the deep green fields
of Midsayap, stands a school so brave and true…”
While writing
this homily today I was tempted to have it titled: The Fourth King is Gone”.
Yes, the fourth king is gone but he has left a legacy of obedience to God’s
call despite the hills and mountains of uncertainties and circumstances. Yes,
Sir Ely had indeed exemplified a true meaning of obedience following only the
light of the star that is Jesus Christ to come into His divine presence
offering a gift not of gold, not of frankincense and even myrrh but a gift of
obedient self and dedicated service. Brothers and sisters, like Eleazar, we,
too, can be the fourth or fifth king if we leave the comforts of our lives and
journey to new frontiers where God wants us to be, bringing with us the gift of
obedient self to offer to Jesus.
The other bible
versions use the term wise men instead of kings. I suppose Sir Ely would also
ask: “Who are the 4 wise men?”, to which he will also answer: “ Melchor.
Gaspar. Baltazar. And Eleazar”.
Brothers and
sisters, today, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines has lost a wise
man in the person of Dr. Eliezer Mapanao. It is needless, however, it is
inspiring, to bring to the fore and to memory his many significant if not unique
contributions to the immense growth and furtherance of the life and work of the
Church through his active involvement and exemplary leadership in its various
ministries, its different judicatories,
and especially the many church institutions.
In 1976 as I
applied for the NBA Religion program of SCC, Sir Ely had only one question to
ask – a question that may sound trivial or superficial yet actually very
profound. He asked: “Why are you here?”
Yes, before Rick
Warren’s soul- searching books on the ‘Purpose Driven Life’, and the “Purpose-
Driven Church”, Sir Ely was already asking you and me the fundamental question
of our being and of our life direction “Why are we here?”
This is the same
question that perplexed the three wise men yet inspired them to journey to the
unknown to seek the baby Jesus. This is the same question that inspired Sir Ely
to create, to innovate, to challenge, to pursue, to pioneer, to lead. That
explains his writing the lines in the SCC Alma Mater Song: “SCC lead the way”.
This wisdom led to fruition thus gave birth to organization and programs like
CONCORD, CORUM, MCSF, CONDORA, SHALOM, CREATE, CWACON/CWAMIN, BIHMI, or the new
Brokenshire, DMSF and many more service organizations. This wisdom led to the
development of ministry concepts like “Solidarity: Praxis of Identity, Soil
& Soul, and many others. Before people are even discussing about it Sir Ely
was already doing something concrete about it including important issues and
concerns like relevant education, social development goals, service to
humanity, community participation, lay empowerment, human rights, social
justice, ecumenism, unity in diversity, joint effort, consortia and
partnership, servant leadership and many more. At one time Sir Ely was called
Doctor Acronym. Do you still remember the many acronyms of the SCC Foundation
anniversaries- we had READ: Relevant Education Advances Development; we had
REDEEM; we had REBUILD; we had REGAIN; we had RESPECT; and a lot more of REs.
Because of this pioneering concepts and best practices in educational
development, many of us had wished he became a General Secretary of the United
Church of Christ in the Philippines. He however became Chairperson of the UCCP
General Assembly. He did not become a General Secretary or a Bishop but I guess
he was a bishop maker.
In 1990, Sir Ely
tagged me along to a month-long youth trainers training in Malaysia. He was
then connected with the United Nations ESCAP Youth Training Program. During the
training, as he passionately delivered to youth leaders in Asia and the Pacific
his lectures in social development goals and excellent leadership I was all the
time was very proud to have a mentor- to have a United Church leader – to have
a fellow worker who was revered and highly respected by young people of other
lands.
Yes, more than
ever, in the life and work of our church congregations, his God- given wisdom
is greatly needed in this time of internal turmoil and division. Yes, more than
ever, in the life and work of our church institutions, his God- given wisdom is
greatly needed to help answer the question “Why are we here” and “Where are we
going?” During his time the criteria to become a Trustee of a church-related
institution is the ability to contribute 3Ws: Wealth, Work, and Wisdom. Today
it has digressed to 3 Ps: Politics, Patronage, and Personality. Yes, more than
ever, in the life and work of our communities, his God- given wisdom is greatly
needed in this time of leader selection and in the pursuit of lasting peace.
How we wish he is still among us, but, he is gone. The 4th wise man
Eleazar has gone home to His Lord. But, let us not be totally apprehensive for
Eleazar has left remains of wisdom where we can find strength. The words of the
English poet William Wordsworth which was quoted on facebook by Yssa are an
inspiration. It speaks about remains which can be the legacies. The lines say: “What though the radiance which was once
so bright, be now forever taken from our sight. Though nothing can bring back
the hour. Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower. We will grieve not,
rather find strength in what remains behind”.
Brothers and
sisters, I suppose that most if not all of us had the good opportunity to
interact or live life with the man whose earthly life we celebrate today. In
one or more ways, in a single time or numerous times, our paths crossed and he
had meaningfully influenced our lives. Yes, Ely or Daddy Ely or Lolo Ely or Sir
Ely or Manong Ely – he had influenced our views; he had influenced our values;
he had influenced our intellect; he had influenced our priorities; he had
influenced our actions and service commitments; he had influenced our attitudes;
HE HAD INFLUENCED OUR BEING. But eternally lasting, he had influenced or blessed our faith in the Almighty. As a result
of our relations with this man, we became a better person, a more equipped
worker, a more mature individual, a more loving partner-parent-and child, a
more responsible citizen, and most important – a more ardent believer and
follower of Jesus Christ. Now, even if he is greatly needed the truth is he is
no longer here. But Dr. Eliezer Mapanao’s legacies of missionary- type
trailblazing obedience, of gracious outpouring and sharing of wisdom, of
Christian leadership, of ministry excellence and radiance will continue to live
within us and hopefully live even to those who will come after us. It is for
this reason that we thank and praise God – a life is lived in obedient wise
stewardship. Today we celebrate with much thanksgiving for the fullness of life
in Christ of our dearly beloved Eliezer Dulay Mapanao. In like manner let us
all heed to this biblical call to a life of fullness in Christ like that life of
Eliezer Mapanao: The Apostle Paul had this timeless admonition to the Colossians
and to us as well: The Apostle Paul wrote: “As
you therefore have received Christ Jesus
the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, and established
in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians
2: 6-7). This is God’s/our message for today. In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
================
To know more about Rev. Dr. Eliezer D. Mapanao, read "Tributes to 2 able men" by Domini M. Torrevillas, (PhilippineStar) http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/10/20/1512731/tributes-2-able-men
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