The Noblest Profession

CEBU, Philippines - It is the profession of the God-made-man, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostles, His first disciples, addressed Him as “Rabbi,” the Hebrew

for teacher. He called his contemporary teachers who were not practicing

what they were preaching as “blind guides.”

Several centuries before the birth of the Christians’ greatest teacher, the Chinese philosopher Confucius introduced the civil service examinations to professionalize the service of those in government, particularly the teachers. He is remembered for his saying “I live to teach; I do not teach to live.” He meant that his profession is being a teacher. He will not use the teaching profession to enrich himself.

As jokingly expressed in Visayan, “Wala gayu’y nadato sa pagkamagtutudlo.” Why? “Tungod kay ang magtutudlo wala magsalig sa suweldo. Kon dili sa utang, kay daghan man ang magpautang kang Ma’am/Sir kay mobayad man.” (A teacher does not rely on salary, but on debts since many are willing to lend him or her money because the teacher would always pay.)

Besides being the profession of the God-man Jesus Christ, the teaching profession is the noblest because without it the other professionals would be non-existent: architect, engineers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, physicians, priests etc.

The parents and guardians at home are actually the first teachers. We know that the baby is learning even while in its mother’s womb. Parents are willing to spend for their children’s education because what they can teach the young ones at home is not sufficient to enable them to land a decent job.

Another reason why teaching is the noblest profession is because the first teachers at home and the second parents in school are educating the children. Education is from the Latin “educere,” which means ‘lead out of’. For example, the mature lead the immature out of ignorance to knowledge and maturity. They are dealing with man’s higher part which is the soul with its power to think (the intellect) and the power to make decisions, choices, and options, (the will).

The body will sooner or later die and its parts return to dust and ashes when the soul leaves it. On the other hand, the soul is immortal because it has no parts, but powers (the intellect and the will). This is the explanation for the Roman poet Ovid’s verse: “Non omnis moriar” or “Not all of me will die.” A part of me will go on living like my soul.

And it is this immortal soul, dear teachers, which we are ultimately educating. The country is dedicating a whole month (September 5 to October 5) as Teachers’ Month. This year’s theme: “Guro: Kabalikat sa Pagbabago.”

Let us be proud that we are teachers because the future of our country depends on us! (FREEMAN)