During the past few months, we encountered a lot of calamities and other chaotic situations in our communities and in the entire world. Here in our country, we have had super typhoons and floods which brought both partial and total destructions to our homes and we lost many valuable things that we have worked hard for. Celebrities residing in Hollywood Hills, the cradle of those in the entertainment industry, suffered so much loss, bigger than you can imagine. Mansions, luxury cars, rare jewelries, and many other material possessions were burned and reduced to ashes. And we all know that it happened after mocking God and declaring that their city is a Godless City.
Well, it is my firm belief that God is a loving God, and he loves us all. He understands our weaknesses and he can even understand our choices including those bad choices of not choosing him and choosing what is worldly instead. What happened in California is different, though. They mocked God and so God simply introduced himself to them, not in a subtle way, but in a way that they could realize that without God in their lives, they are nothing. Some of them may have built their homes with the advanced security details and alarms even against tiny mosquitoes. But where is it now? All were reduced to ashes and nothingness because they rejected the love of God.
People are afraid of what the future has to offer. There is a looming war between the East and the West, there is a global threat of weather disturbances: typhoons getting stronger and stronger, the fear about the “big one,” the fear about some prophecies that are slowly taking place in our midst. To whom can we turn? What must we do to turn the tables of our fate and destiny? What will happen to us in the next five or ten years? Honestly, I am afraid and unsure of what the future holds for me. The only thing that I depend on is the truth that God is a loving God, I am his son, he chose me as a priest, and so he will love and protect me no matter what. With this thought, I can go on with my life normally every day.
We have just celebrated the Feast of the Santo Niño last Sunday here in our country. I believe that the celebration has a message to deliver to all of us, not only to the Filipinos, but to all humanity and even to non-believers and to those who are self-proclaimed god-less and worshipers of king of deceit and lies. God is our Father, and we are his children. God gave us the freedom of choice, and that is an absolute freedom. Everyone believes in a God. There is no way to prove that God does not exist. If you think that there is no God above, please study and learn from the “Quinque Viae” of St. Thomas Aquinas.
The message of the Santo Niño is plain and simple. As children of God, we must always turn to him in times of our needs and difficulties. We must not hold on to other things, like our talents, abilities and possessions because even those things came from him as a gift to us, a gift that we must also share with those who are in need, because we are brothers and sisters in relation to God, our Father. We have just witnessed what happened to those who chose to cut their ties with God. If they are still alive, I believe that they are crying and blaming themselves for their false choices and decisions. Maybe they are now contemplating to end their contract with the Prince of Darkness. Maybe they are now wanting to make their city as a City of God. But it is too late for them to rewind their life and turn the tables to their favor. They enjoyed the gloss and glitters of this world, the fame that any worldly soul can hope for and enjoy. They had their fill of the way they understood life and existence. But now, they only have the ashes to remind them of their own foolishness and mistakes… the greatest mistake to reject God in their lives.
How I wish that this will never happen again to anyone. But the assurance does not lie on my wish, and it only lies on our personal decision to accept God as our Father, and we are his children. If we accept God, then we must be ready to take on the challenge to lose ourselves in him.
On a side note, I am not convinced about the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum to be imposed in our schools. This is not the right way to teach our children about sexuality, especially teaching them these things when they are still focused on their childish games and wants. Do not take away from them their innocence. Sorry, but for me this law is just another Satanic Bill like those other laws, bills and republic acts that are destined to destroy the sanctity of our family and our faith in God. Wake up dear Senators because I do not want you to end up in misery and regret.