The imitation of Christ

DIE HARD III

Herman Tiu Laurel

08/17/2007

The Imitation of Christ (De Imitatione Christi), by Thomas à Kempis, is the most widely read Christian spiritual guide first published anonymously, in Latin, ca. 1418; a manual of devotion intended to assist the soul with its pursuit of holiness and communion by way of imitation of Christ’s practice in life. It is probably the greatest manual of devotion for Christians for 500 years now. I narrate this to illustrate the meaning of our last column, as we received numerous questions about the meaning of historian Arnold Toynbees’ “mimesis” of “mimicry” of followers of their leaders.

The power of true leaders and leadership is measured by how the followers strive to imitate their example. In eliciting that mimicry, or reenactment as in reenactment of the Stations of the Cross or reenactment of the crucifixion during Lent, lies the power of leaders like that of Christ even 2000 years after his death. With that mimicry or imitation, or constant reenactment the example set by a leader or leadership a whole society or civilization can transform into his or its image — which may be messianic like Christ or hedonist like Herod of the decaying Roman Empire.

The Passion of Christ as subject to mimesis or mimicry is like all other religions where the leading figures serves as the object of imitation by its followers, such as the meditative asceticism of Buddhists saints, the militant religiosity of Islamic clerics and mysticism of Hindu saints and philosophers. Politics, too, needs objects of imitation, leaders and martyrs, especially transformational politics that requires tens or hundreds of millions of a nation to focus on a common goal and conduct their lives in a certain way toward that goal. Such is the overpowering importance of leadership.

Sacrifice, struggle and its goal, these are key elements in creating empathy between a leader and a people in a bond that creates mimesis. The charisma from an emotionally charged experience between the object of mimesis or the leader, and the mass of observers (of whatever social classes) lock them into a relationship. Shared suffering or the sense of it deepens the bond; but before all these can begin, the indispensable ingredient is — trust. Once trust is established, then the struggle becomes a shared endeavor, and the greater the trust over time, the stronger the bond.

We began this discussion on leadership because of the search for a new direction for the nation after seven years of disastrous and deteriorating malgovernance of Gloria Arroyo. Having been given practically dictatorial powers over the country the past seven years, Gloria has turned things from difficult to desperate, bad (after the Asian financial crisis mishandled by FVR) to the worse economically and politically as her governance deteriorated. The SWS survey of 2001 in comparison to its latest survey shows the people’s reaction:”

“New Philippine President net trust rating up, says survey” (Asian Political News, Feb. 5, 2001). Kyodo: “Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is slowly gaining the trust of people in Metro Manila, a survey said Wednesday. SWS, a private survey group, said Arroyo’s net trust rating has gone up to positive 21 as shown in the Jan. 27 survey compared with negative 34 registered in Jan. 6 to 9 this year. In comparison, SWS said the net trust rating of former President Joseph Estrada further dipped to negative 18 from negative one over the same period.”

Seven years later, the SWS surveys, as well as other surveys, show that more and more people see GMA as a more corrupt president.

Gloria has lost the people’s trust; detained President Estrada regained it and more, as the Pulse Asia survey showed Estrada’s trust rating hitting 48 percent while hers is at a very low level. Gloria is in no position to convict Estrada. The “amnesty” being floated is really Gloria’s escape mechanism and not for Estrada. The seven-year trial has buttressed Estrada’s innocence — as perceived by the vast majority of the people. Gloria’s blatant pressures, such as full-page ads presuming conviction, diminished the Sandiganbayan.

Does Estrada realize that is setting a new example in Philippine politics and leadership — of struggle and sacrifice for truth, setting a measure of leadership that is eliciting such trust in the people and immense distrust of Gloria?

Today, Estrada embodies the nation’s vision against Gloria’s hedonist regime and the peaceful struggle to attain justice.

What is the extent of the people’s mimesis with Estrada’s small “imitation of Chirst?” To the extent that Gloria fears convicting Estrada, for the final overstepping of the bounds of justice could raise the fires of hell for her; and it maybe to the extent of finishing the last revolution.

(Tune to 1098AM, 6 to 7 p.m., M-W-F)

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006