Rice at low prices of twenty peso coin per kilogram is the greatest deception that the magical president did during his run for the presidential seat. People were taken for a ride, swallowing the promise hook, line and sinker despite the unbelievable talk. The thinking and discerning were skeptical of the promise and were never lured into the pit of deception. Unfortunately, the gullible lot outnumbered and outvoted the wise, eventually catapulting the magical president into office.
The unfolding comical skit staging a rift between the former president and the magical president is rooted on the attempt by the present administration to push charter change through constituent assembly. The main reason is purportedly to amend restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 constitution. But there are doubts from many quarters that those behind the move to change the charter are out to tinker the entire constitution.
The risk of exposing the constitution to politicians who have varied selfish interests is a real cause for concern by many senators and citizens. There is no need to amend the constitution at this time when the prime consideration is not merely to change the purported restrictive economic provisions but the other provisions, chiefly, the restrictions on term limits. Such unspoken aim is the greatest risk that could open the floodgates to unlimited changes that would eventually alter the system of government.
The prospect of term extension and the possibility of changing the system of government is a threat to to political ambition of the former president’s daughter who is aiming to become the next occupant in malacañan as president of the republic. She is too close to the top-most position and any attempt to derail if not block such path to the presidency would merit all efforts within her power to quill such political maneuvers.
The Filipino people are again placed in a lossing position as powerful politicians clash to pursue their personal ambitions. The hidden agenda being kept by the warring factions would soon be be unveiled. The political skirmishes are mere ways where powerful politicians are just clearly duping.
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Develop the instinct to quickly go to Christ
WHEN we find ourselves in some trouble, let’s be quick to cut the drama and with faith-filled dispatch, let’s just go to Christ asking for his help which he will always give, though in ways that may not be in accordance to our expectations.
This is the lesson we can learn from the readings of the Mass of the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. The first reading from the Book of Leviticus (13,1-2.44-46) tells us that we are like lepers when we fall into sin. We should be isolated.
But the responsorial psalm already offers us how we should respond to this predicament. “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you will fill me with the joy of salvation.” These words should be indelibly etched in our mind and heart and made to shape our reaction whenever we find ourselves in trouble.
The second reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians (10,31-11,1) reinforces the same truth of our faith that whatever we do or whatever happens to us, we should refer ourselves to God, and that like God we should be helpful to everyone, regardless of how one is to us.
“Whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God,” St. Paul said. “Be without offence to the Jews, and to the Gentiles, and the church of God.” With these words, we are made to understand that when we do everything for the glory of God, we can manage to channel in ourselves the universal love God has for everyone, both friend and foe.
The gospel (Mk 1,40-45) clearly tells us that God always has compassion to all sinners as personified by the leper in that episode.
From all these, what we can gather is that we should develop the instinct to immediately go to Christ whenever we find ourselves in any type of trouble, physical, economic, etc., and especially moral or spiritual. Let’s never hesitate to go to God due to fear or shame.
We have to remember that as dramatized in the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son, (cfr. Lk 15) the common conclusion and the lesson to learn is that there would be greater joy in heaven over one sinner who returns to God than over many others who have no need for repentance.
And as reiterated in the gospel of St. John, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (3,17) We should never have any doubt about the mercy of God, even if we may appear to be already abusing the goodness of God. Obviously, we have to make an effort to correspond as fairly as possible to God’s gratuitous offer of mercy to us.
Our main concern should be that whenever we are in trouble, let’s go to God as quickly as possible, asking for mercy and then for grace so we can start healing what is sick in us, or strengthening what is weak in us.
And just as God is merciful to everyone, we should also be merciful and compassionate with everyone, irrespective of how they are to us. We should remember these words of Christ: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you.” (Lk 6,36-38)