Is It God? Or Is It You?

A lot of times I had been asked about the effectivity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A lot of times I would answer, "It is effective, of course!" It is God who forgives and therefore it is certain. Maybe those who doubt it refers to those people who receive it and yet had not changed.

Conversion, in the first place is a continuing process. After a turn around, we do not stop. We go on journeying towards God. Therefore, it entails constant obedience and following the will of God. If there are times when we go astray, we always have a way to go back.

God definitely forgives. When we recognize our sins and ask forgiveness, the task is just half done. We continue to sustain our contrition by doing everything to avoid sinning again and by actively doing good acts. If we are sincere in turning back from our life of sin, saying sorry should not be enough. We must have the will to do away the things that lead us to sin. We avoid places when we can sin. We refrain meeting people who will lead us to sin. Yes, it is true that one can not completely be away from all sins and temptations, but we know the causes of our sins and where we could be tempted. We need to help ourselves in order to not subject ourselves to temptations or unduly expose ourselves to sins. Our motivation will be the goodness of God. We must appreciate the goodness of God by forgiving us of our sins. We must respond with the resolve never to do it again. Why is it that when we had committed something against our loved one and received forgiveness, we promise to ourselves that we would never commit it again? In so many cases, we are able to hold on to our promise. How much more with God?

Therefore, it is not God who is wanting and at fault in the effectivity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is really our resolve, effort, and sincerity in avoiding sins. It is our responsibility of proving to God that we are worthy of His forgiveness. If we want perfect conversion, we can have it with the help of God and with our creative actions.

Everyone Owns Everything!

We Catholics believe in One God. This God had expressed Himself in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As to how that can be or why is it that way is not the more relevant question. More important is what it shows. Though all are God, they had their own role to play in the salvation of men. The Father led the creation. The Son led the salvation. And the Holy Spirit led the guidance of those whim Jesus had left. They cooperated with each other and shared fully their divinity for the sake of men. They showed us that though they are distinct and equal in dignity, they can work together.
The dogma of the Trinity seeks to challenge Catholics to imitate them. In Genesis, God created man in His image and likeness. It is our calling to reflect divine attributes. Foremost of this attribute is their being community. As the People of God, we must also strive to live as a community. We must be willing to share our talents, time and treasure. The early Christians were this kind of community. They see to it that they respond to the needs of others base on what they have. Because of this, no one was in need in the community. Resources were distributed according to their need. Everyone owns everything and everything is owned by everyone. It was an ideal made real by the early Christians. Thousand of years since, we became worse than better. We have to recover that condition. The world would be a better place if we go back to cooperation, sharing, and being community.

Beginning Small Is The Best Way

Pondo ng Pinoy lives with the principle, "Ano mang magaling, kahit na maliit, basta't malimit, ay patungong langit!". One song of Michael Jackson stated, "Maybe you and I can't do great things. We may not change the world in one day. But still, we can change something today. In our small way!" And maybe some others more believe and live this principle.
Actually, it makes sense. I believe, the principle is more stable, certain, and effective. If we begin with doing good things, no matter how small are they before the eyes of the world, for God, it is always big. Instant success is what it is, instant! It is hard to sustain. There maybe exceptions, but in most cases, it doesn't last. However, those who begin with small things, they progress steadily and establish their ways and their systems permanently.
If we are given the chance to do great and wondrous things, thanks be to God. But the everyday chance of doing good things should never be taken for granted. Rather, they must be appreciated because they will form the foundation not only of our person but of those whose life we will affect. Let us always take every opportunity of doing good!

Election 109 - Toss Coin for Ties!

Did you know that one of the options for deciding a tie in the elections is a toss coin? The other option is by drawing lots. This happened in one of the towns of Bontoc when two candidates (Bellang and Ngeteg) were tied for the last slot. When the election official announced that the tie will be resolved via a toss coin, the people thought that she wad joking. But when she brought out a coin and was ready to toss, that was the time when they realized she was serious. The candidates (who are relatives) talked about the process and had a gentleman's agreement to honor the result of the process. Bellang won the toss and was declared councilor!
You may criticize the process but it is an approved process. Why subject the people to another tedious elections? Why spent more for it? In a civilized place, a toss coin would do! My kudos to the people of Bondoc especially to the two candidates. I hope that all elections in this country will be done in the same spirit. In that case, our elections would be a wonderful rather than a distressful exercise!

Election 108 - What's Up Gov.?

Today, the new governor of Pampanga is a Catholic diocesan priest by the name of Rev. Fr. Ed Panlilio. "Among Ed", as he was fondly called by his flock, defied and beat all odds and won against two formidable candidates (Baby Pineda-suspected Jueteng operator and Mark Lapid-suspected for corruption). With his win, he had proven a lot of things; 1. a candidate only needs the support of his people and need not spend too much for his campaign, 2. a priest is truly the recognized leader of the community, 3. sincerity and reform are two very important causes for civil leadership, 4. faith still prevails over life, 5. the decision on leadership still rests in the people, 6. nothing is impossible!

The win of Among Ed is not without serious consequences though. How would he govern? Does he have the will curb immorality and instill morality? How about those corrupt in the offices, will they be asked to resign or shape up? How would he deal with jueteng? There are many "hows" he would have to address in running the province. How about his priesthood? Will he permanently leave the ministry? What does his winning make of the priesthood? Is civil ministry more important than spiritual ministry? Does this open the gates for priests to run and be an alternative candidate in any election? Surely, the Church is hard put to quickly respond to the question.

But the most challenging question is, like the Mel Gibson challenge to his people to join him to fight the more skilled and equipt English army, "Is there no one else?" Of the millions of citizens in Pampanga province, no one deserved to be their leader other than Among Ed? In the history of the Church and nations, whenever a crisis exists, there will come a time when a new leader will emerge. Out of necessity, a new leader is bound to emerge. In this case, is it Among Ed?

Personally, I believe, Among Ed would be a good leader. His experience as a priest involved in social action will be the nucleus of his service. He also came from a family that was once involved in politics. Therefore, not everything will be new to him. But still, times are very different now. Evil is much much more subtle and sophisticated. After dealing with the evils of their government, my hope is that he would go back to his priestly ministry. I hope that his term as governor is only transitory. What he must do is to form new leaders in Pampanga and form his constituents to be vigilant, hardworking, cooperative and moral. He must form them to stand up for goodness and never tolerate immorality. They must be able to communicate to corrupt citizens that they do not have a place in their province. In any case, I pray for his success. His success is not only a success for Pampanga, but for the Church as well. Congratulations to "Among Ed" and the people of Pampanga!