Mga kapatid kong mananampalataya, my dear colleagues, It has been a significant four days for us here in Vietnam. We've explored, negoti...
It has been a significant four days for us here in Vietnam. We've explored, negotiated, and dreamed of new possibilities for Claretian Publications. As we prepare to return home to the Philippines this evening, I invite you to pause, breathe, and reflect not just on our business ventures, but on a deeper journey—the one within our hearts.
Today, September 21, 2025, holds a special significance for many Filipinos. Back home, our brothers and sisters are gathering, their voices rising in rallies against corruption, yearning for genuine change in our government. This yearning for justice, for truth, for a better way, resonates deeply with the Word of God we've heard today.
Our readings from Amos, Timothy, and Luke speak powerfully to our situation, both as individuals and as managers in Claretian Publications. They compel us to ask: What are we truly Pondering? What kind of Prudence are we exercising? And what are our ultimate Priorities?
Think of our journey here. We've pondered over countless details: the quality of paper, the efficiency of machines, the cost-effectiveness of ventures. We've been shrewd, meticulous, and dedicated. This is good. This is what it means to be good stewards of Claretian Publications. The parable of the dishonest steward in Luke's Gospel, surprisingly, commends his shrewdness. He used his worldly resources, even in a dishonest way, to secure his future. Jesus is not telling us to be dishonest, but to be just as clever and determined in using our earthly resources for heavenly purposes—to build up God's kingdom.
Here in Vietnam, we've had to make tough decisions, showing prudence in every negotiation. We've weighed risks and opportunities, always with the best interest of Claretian Publications in mind. But let us expand this prudence. Let us ask: How can our ventures, our profits, our every decision reflect God’s will? How can the books we print, the messages we spread, be a force for good, especially in a Philippines aching for change? Amos reminds us sharply: God abhors those who "trample the needy and destroy the poor of the land." As a publishing house rooted in Christ, our prudence must always prioritize justice and the common good, never profit at the expense of people.
Finally, priorities. This is where our journey here, and the cries from home, converge. As we fly home, we carry with us not just potential contracts, but also the stories of the Vietnamese people we've met and the urgent needs of our own countrymen. Paul in 1 Timothy reminds us that God desires all people to be saved. Our mission at Claretian Publications, at its core, is about spreading the Good News, fostering values, and providing light in dark times.
When we return, let our renewed sense of urgency for Claretian Publications be tempered by a deeper spiritual urgency. Let our desire to make "timely, urgent, and effective priorities" for our publications not just be about market share or profit margins, but about our faithfulness to the Gospel. How can our publications address the rampant corruption? How can they offer hope and guidance to a nation yearning for change? Our work must reflect God’s unwavering call for justice and love.
As we look at the rallies back home, let us be inspired by that collective cry for a better Philippines. Let us, as managers of Claretian Publications, see our work as part of that bigger movement for change. Our publications can nurture consciences, inform minds, and inspire hearts to choose integrity, compassion, and a genuine love for God and country.
May this journey not only bear fruit in business but also deepen our commitment to being faithful stewards of God's message, especially for our beloved Philippines. Let us fly home not just with printing ventures, but with hearts renewed, ready to make our lives, and our work, a testament to God's love and justice.
Amen.
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