"deadly" request

The Funeral Mass was scheduled at 9 AM. The deceased was a young man. He died suddenly from an accident.

I received a call from the parish office a few minutes before the mass.

A man was there with a special request.

"Father, is it possible that before you celebrate the funeral mass, you solemnize first the marriage of N., (the name of the deceased) with his fiancee?"

No answer.

Persistent request: "They intended to get married soon. But he died so suddenly. Is it possible, Father?"

Persistent answer: Silence.

I wonder how the dead can give a consent, answer clearly and truthfully, and finally make the vows of marriage "until death" (when he is already dead)?

Billboards and Heaven

Billboards proclaim so many concerns as well as create so many needs.

They compete for our attention. They attract our senses. They let us follow them.

Billboards adorn the skies now. They block the otherwise beautiful clouds that decorate the heavens. They hide the endless figures beautifying God's creation.

We have so many concerns and needs created by man for man. Many times, they block our view of God's glory and majesty. His generosity and kindness. Mercy and love. They are like the billboards. Instead of leading us to the Almighty, they lead us away, block us from God, and hide God from us!

Waiting for nobody!

It is a concrete structure found in main highways and roads, and in all the barangays of the town. The "Waiting Shed" is a familiar structure. Its main purpose is to provide a shelter for the people while waiting for a ride. The most common means of transportation in the barrios is the tricycle. Then, there is the popular jeepney. And lately, the kolig-lig.

Bolaoen is one of the thirty-four barangays of the town. Since it is a barangay, it cannot be without its own "Waiting Shed"! Of course!

But I wonder what the "Waiting Shed" in Bolaoen is for?

The main place where we have our monthly mass can only be reached by taking the "Hanging Bridge". The Bolaoen Bridge can only hold people; not tricycles, not jeepneys, not the kolig-lig.

Then, why is there a "Waiting Shed" in Barangay Bolaoen?

(Check out the Bolaoen link and you will understand why).

“Be not deceived...”

And they asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?" And he said, “See that you not be deceived..” (Lk. 21,7-8)

“See that you not be deceived..” when man’s dignity is measured by the quality of his life. When man is determined by the kind of life he is living, or even, by the kind of life he will be living. Thus, one's life becomes more meaningful only because he is healthy. Or, one is more dignified because of the wealth he has and the power he wields. Thus, we find that abortion is now justified because the unborn is certainly going to be disabled! Or, that one is “allowed” to die (a euphemism for euthanasia) because of the pain and the suffering one is undergoing. But we ask: can a man become less a man because he has no money and no power? Because he is sick and old?

“See that you not be deceived..” when man is used to attain a material, passing entity, such as wealth, power and pleasure. It debases man’s dignity when he is bought and bribed in exchange for favors that usually are illicit and illegal! That is why there is condemnation of the traffic and prostitution of women and children because they have become means of achieving pleasure!

“See that you not be deceived..” when prophets come proclaiming that money can buy everything! That money is more important than man, that power has to be achieved at the expense of the lives of men, at the expense of principles and morality, that the state exists to be served at all costs, and not to protect, nourish and defend the lives of the individual citizens.

“See that you not be deceived..” when the end justifies all means. Thus, it is OK to tell a lie if only to escape a responsibility and the consequence of one's actions. It is OK to steal if only to have an easy and luxurious, wealthy life. It is OK then to have wealth without work, without social obligations, without conscience! Is it, really?

Matters of Consequence

When a wrong is repeatedly done, it somehow becomes tolerable for the many, and for the wrongdoer.

When the tolerable action is further repeated, it becomes not only tolerable, it becomes "the normal" action; the wrong has become a "right".

When the wrong has become right, eventually it becomes, to our desensitized consciences, the moral standard. The basis for which our succeeding actions are founded.

And when the very foundation of our actions is immoral, what kind of fruits will our actions, our way of life, bear?

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Lest we forget:

It is NOT the normal way for government officials to receive cash, without proper receipts and vouchers. Unless, the "gift" is a bribe. And bribery is illegal and immoral.

It is NOT the usual way that public officials are elected by cheating through manipulations and erasures of public documents. Unless, one is a cheat and a liar. And cheating and lying are wrong and immoral.

It is NOT the regular way that during elections, votes are bought and sold. Unless, the buyer has no respect for the dignity of the voter, and the voter does not value his vote. For vote buying and selling are illegal, and immoral.

It is NOT a practice that a government official usually promises to somebody that "may 200 ka dito". Unless, one is a thief. And stealing is wrong and immoral.

It is NOT the standard of the justice system that a convicted plunderer, is given immediate pardon without the latter admitting guilt and remorse. Unless, the President is named Arroyo, and the convicted plunderer is Erap. For Arroyo and Erap are .....