The Christ in the Farmers

There is this Greek term in theology known as kenosis describing God emptying Himself for the salvation of His people. This self-emptying of God had its ultimate expression in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who sacrificed himself for the atonement of the sins of humankind. I came across this teaching through seminary studies and professors of theology. Yet little did I know that the kind of people who would really make me understand this truth would come from the humblest of sectors of our society—the farmers.
The week-long orientation of the newly hired ACD teachers, guidance counselors and office personnel reached its final toll with an exposure in Brgy. Salvacion, Sitio Cogonon, Trento, Agusan. It was an opportunity to have a first-hand experience of the lives of the farmers. After a trip of more than three hours in a rented van, the place could be accessible via a 30-minute ride with a 5 to 6-seater katig-motorcycle. I must say, the travel by motorcycle was one heck of a bumpy ride leaving us exposurees calling out to God for our dear lives.
But the most striking experience for me was coming to see and feel the pitiful situation of most farmers in the area. Since most of the agricultural plain lands were owned by big corporations and private companies, farmers are forced to plant on distant and steep terrains deep in the forest. It took us more than an hour of hiking just to reach a relatively small area of rice plantation in a bakilid terrain. Despite the scorching heat of the sun, we tried to accompany the farmers in harvesting. Yet unlike the lumad farmers, we did not stand too long since the toil proved to be too much to bear for most of us. The thought that a single grain of rice is borne out of a farmer’s single drop of sweat finally made sense to me. Personally, the impact and learning drawn out of the Exposure-Immersion experience was far more moving than any book, movie or case study could give. It was as if blinders had been taken out of my eyes. At that moment, I was grateful that I knew and felt how it’s like to be a farmer.
Christ’s act of kenosis or self-emptying is a redeeming sacrifice for others. In the same way, the farmers of our country are doing that same act of self-emptying. They are the silent heroes who empty themselves just so that others may live. I find it ironic that those who toil in planting and harvesting our country’s staple food are those who have less or even nothing to eat. They are the Christ who are persecuted and crucified by the unjust system of our society. Thanks to them, they have taught me who Christ truly is.