CHRIST described it very clearly. This is how he said it:
“You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that persecute and calumniate you.”
And then he made this conclusion: “That you may be children of your Father who is in heaven, who makes his sun to rise upon the good, and bad, and rains upon the just and the unjust.” (Mt 5,43-45)
This is, of course, beyond our human powers in their natural state. But when animated by God’s grace, our natural human powers can assume the divine capacity to love everyone, irrespective of how they are to us, whether friendly or hostile, likeable or unlikeable, etc.
It’s when we manage to love our enemies that we prove our commitment to God, a commitment that springs from our conversion of heart. Though we continue to be hounded by temptations and sin, and fall into them from time to time, we also would struggle to begin and begin again, renewing and reaffirming our commitment as often as necessary.
This obviously will require a lot of virtues—humility, patience, magnanimity, fortitude, to mention a few. We have to learn how to discipline our emotions and passions, and to be most careful with what we say and how we react to things. We have to be quick to purify our thoughts and intentions whenever some negative elements enter into them.
Let’s remember that the greatest evil and the worst injustice have already been committed, and that is the killing of Christ by man. But such evil and injustice did not elicit another evil reaction from Christ. On the contrary, he offered forgiveness. We do not correct a wrong with another wrong. As one saint would put it, we have to drown evil with an abundance of good.
To be able to love our enemies even as we try our best to resolve with justice and charity our differences, conflicts and other issues is clearly a sign of being Christ-like. It could be the proof that one’s Christianity is real and genuine, and not fake.
We have to be ready to develop and assume this attitude, always asking first of all for the grace of God and trying to have the very mind and heart of Christ. We also need to discipline our reactions and to train our emotions to conform to this basic Christian standard.
Yes, this ideal can only be possible and doable with God’s grace and the constant effort to assume the very mind and heart of Christ. We should never take this requirement for granted.
This will require tremendous effort, of course, but once done, we will surely feel the way Christ felt even in his most difficult moment when he had to suffer his passion and death on the cross. That’s when we can echo St. Paul’s words: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2,20)
Let us brace ourselves to face this challenge of becoming true Christians. Let’s make our Christianity really work, especially in difficult moments. Christ never abandons us, and he is willing to go through the experience with us. We just have to do our part, that is, to go to him, and follow him as best that we can.
Indeed, loving enemies is a sure mark of a true Christian!
Here comes the rain
If we continue to harm the environment,
we are making ourselves more vulnerable.
Rainy days in Eastern Visayas are more than just a change in weather—they can mean flooding, lost homes, damaged farms, and struggling families. Every year, the rains seem to get stronger, the typhoons more frequent, and the land less able to cope. We all prepare as best we can, stocking up on supplies, securing our homes, and listening for weather updates. But shouldn’t we also be asking why things are getting worse and what we can do about it?
The truth is climate change is making disasters hit harder. The planet is warming, causing stronger typhoons and heavier rains. Our forests, which used to absorb water and prevent floods, are disappearing. Our coastlines, once protected by mangroves, are eroding. If we continue to harm the environment, we are making ourselves more vulnerable.
The Mining in Homonhon and other areas, the secret yet lucrative logging perpetuated by illegal loggers deep in the hinterlands of Samar . The wanton disregard of harvesting soil for aggregates even in areas that soil erosion is prone.
We don’t have to be scientists or world leaders to help fight climate change. Simple actions, done by many, create big change. Plant trees, protect mangroves, and reduce waste—these small steps help restore nature’s defenses. Support local efforts for sustainable farming, renewable energy, and disaster preparedness. Talk about climate change with friends and family so more people understand what’s happening.
Most importantly, our voices matter. Communities can push for better policies that protect the environment and hold big industries accountable for pollution and deforestation. This isn’t just about surviving the next typhoon—it’s about making sure future generations inherit a world that is safe to live in.