By Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church, CPU
Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian delivered a short reflection during the Rex D. Drilon Memorial Service.
Note: A short reflection delivered on the occasion of Dr. Rex D. Drilon’s 53rd Death Anniversary, February 21, 2024 at the Evangelical Garden, Jaro, Iloilo City.
In the book “Beyond Order” written by Clinical Psychologist, professor, and media influencer, Dr. Jordan Peterson, the first among his twelve rules for life is “Do not carelessly denigrate social institutions or creative achievement”. To denigrate is to attack its reputation, to defame, to deny its validity. We have seen a lot of people who worked hard to elevate the status of an institution they are connected with, and in the event that there is a falling out of relationships—they just do something detrimental to the existence of an institution they have tried to build. It happens even in our religious organizations. Peterson says that it’s not a win-win solution—everybody becomes a casualty. Social institutions survived and exist for a reason, and that is to provide a strong foundation, a near-inviolable structure — structure that was built from thousands of years of painstaking trial-and-error. And where did this trial-and-error come from? From the creative endeavours of our forebearers. From a responsibility they placed on themselves to ameliorate the conditions of life for the next-in-line. Their blood and sweat paved a brick road through the opaque, and unveiled dormant treasures along the way. We are children of that bounty. With all that being said, achieving balance is key. Lean towards one side too much, and you risk cultural stagnation of a catatonic sort. Lean towards the other, and you risk anarchy from an incoherent entanglement of values. Meaning we move forward to the future yet never forgetting our ancestral past.
It is incumbent, therefore, upon the present generation to revisit and honor the legacies of our fore-bearers and not do anything that will denigrate what they have fought for. In JUDGES 2:7-11“The people served the lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the lord had done for Israel.8 Joshua son of nun, the servant of the lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9 and they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of mount Gaash. 10 after that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 11 then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.
Joshua left an outstanding legacy—he was one of the two(Caleb) who challenged the assertions of the 10 spies who discouraged the people from conquering the Promised lands. When they were at the threshold of the Promised land, Joshua reminded the people to uphold their covenant with God. He recognized the possibility that many of his people will abandon the Lord—Yet he and his family have already pledged their undying allegiance to God: As for me and my house we will serve the Lord!
This outstanding legacy of faith impacted the community that the Scripture testifies: The people served the lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the lord had done for Israel. And then Joshua died and all the elders who knew Joshua—Somewhere along the way, one generation denigrated his legacy—that they have forgotten what the God of Joshua did, : “…another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel…”. The result? They did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served other gods.
It is my prayer that as one community of faith, we will never denigrate the legacies of our forebears. That we would always remember the values and aspirations they have bequeathed to us.
They say, “heroes die twice. The first, is when you bury them to the ground, the second, is when you forget them.” Today, we have come to this sacred place not just to adorn this grave with flowers. We are not even here to remember Dr. Drilon’s death. We are here to remember his life and honor his legacy.
Today, we remember with gratitude the “cloud of witnesses” that propelled Central Philippine University to greater heights. May we, who are alive, should carry on the mission they have started. May their lives inspire us all to never grow complacent and satisfied with what we have achieved but point us to new horizons in ministry.
Today, remember with great fondness, profound respect, and genuine appreciation the life and legacy of the 1st Filipino President of CPU, DR. REX DIVINAGRACIA DRILON.