BY HERMAN M. LAGON
WHAT DOES it mean to serve selflessly? This question is at the heart of civic organizations like the Rotary and Junior Chamber International (JCI).
During the JCI Tamasak Induction Rites for President Gilmarie Joyce Lingga on June 16, 2024, at the
Barotac Nuevo Municipal Building Social Hall, I was given the privilege to share my insights on this profound commitment to scores of Jaycees. Without batting an eyelash, I quickly stressed the Latin term “Magis”, which means “more” — doing more, being more, and striving for the greater good. This principle is not just a concept but a way of life, especially relevant in today’s fast-paced, self-centered world.
Magis, deeply rooted in Jesuit education, pushes us beyond mediocrity, beyond the self. It is about finding joy and purpose in serving others. With my 21-year Ateneo formation, I shared with the all-dedicated, young Jaycees that Magis is not about wealth, power, fame, or status. It is about serving the divine and the universal good. As Fr. James Martin, SJ, notes in “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything,” Magis calls us to find the extraordinary within our unique circumstances, driven by love and devotion.
Former Jesuit and author Chris Lowney, in “Heroic Leadership,” identifies four pillars essential for Magis: self-awareness, love, ingenuity, and heroism. Self-awareness involves understanding our motivations and actions. By knowing ourselves, we can serve others better. Love drives us to care deeply and act selflessly. Ingenuity encourages creative solutions to problems, and heroism calls us to make a difference in the lives of others.
The Rotary principle of “Service Above Self” and the JCI creed, “Service to Humanity is the Best Work of Life,” align perfectly with Magis. Both emphasize putting others’ needs before our own and recognizing that true fulfillment comes from positively impacting others’ lives. By embodying these principles, we enhance our communities and grow as individuals.
How can we then operationalize these principles in our everyday lives and in being with service-oriented organizations? Here are some practical ways: Deploy mobile education units to bring books, internet, and learning aids to remote areas. This addresses educational needs and embodies being men and women for others. Set up rotating health kiosks by volunteer health workers to provide essential services like vaccinations and screenings. This proactive approach ensures we are not just treating diseases but preventing them. Convert vacant lots into community gardens, teaching locals about sustainable farming and conservation. Engaging the community fosters ownership and responsibility towards our environment.
Organize leadership boot camps to harness the energy of young people, fostering a new generation of leaders committed to ethical service and community development. Capture elders’ life stories to preserve cultural heritage and build intergenerational ties. This project gives our young people a sense of continuity and history while also paying respect to our elders. Encourage community members to teach and learn from one another through skill-sharing sessions, which will improve self-sufficiency and respect for one another. These interactions strengthen the resilience of the community and promote cooperation. (To be continued)/PN
