Thank you, readers

THIS Sunday, we take a break from our usual subject matters to say “thank you” to our readers, especially those who take time out to give us feedback.

Here are some of the email and text messages we received over the past few weeks in response to the views we have expressed in this column.

Attorney Ed Castelo wrote:

“Thank you so much for that very meaningful and inspiring message in your Easter Sunday column in Manila Bulletin, “Finding Life.” We learned so much from it.

I hope that both the young and old have found meaning and energy and good purpose in life by being closely connected to Our Lord Jesus Christ, after reading your shared experience. Indeed, by listening to the promptings of God, through the Holy Spirit, Life would be full and in accord with how the Lord would guide us through it.

Thank you very much and may God continue to bless you and your whole family with His loving care and guidance. My warmest regards.”

Attorney is referring to the piece we wrote the other Sunday.

In that column, we responded to a question raised by a young candidate for congressman. He had earlier asked me if a public servant still has “life” after committing oneself to the service of his constituent.

I shared that public service taught me two things: First, to look for new sources of energy to which we can tap and replenish our supply; second, to look for more productive ways to channel them.

I told him that I personally discovered one powerful source of energy – Our Lord Jesus Christ. Through prayer, meditation, the study of the Word of God, and fellowship with believers, I learned I can be “connected” to His Spirit and be refreshed. I also discovered a deeper meaning of “grace.” It is that strength that comes from a meaningful relationship with God that enables a person to channel that vast reservoir of energy to the things that matter, that count in life.

I explained that it means experiencing the whole gamut of human emotions – sadness and joy, anger and forgiving, anxiety and certainty, doubt and trust – while keeping one’s eyes on a single goal.

It means being one with the rest of creation without being swallowed up by the demands of others. It means finding much joy in the simple things and welling up with a sense of gratitude for the beauty of God’s creation. Having Life means being truly and fully alive.

Another reader texted:

“Ang ganda ng salaysay mo sa History’s grandest entrance tungkol kay Jesus Christ compared sa mga emperors.”

The texter was referring to our Palm Sunday column. There, we stressed in stark contrast to presentday celebrities, Jesus made the grand entrance to Jerusalem not to claim immortality, but to die. We noted that conquerors could demand that their vanquished subjects die for them in subsequent wars.

We underscored that Jesus was different. By making that grand entrance to Jerusalem, he showed that he was “to die for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them…” When history’s greatest conquerors made their grand entrances into vanquished territories, such entrances meant slavery – bondage for those who were conquered.

Jesus was different. Those whose hearts he conquered are instead liberated from their bondage. They become freemen.

Meanwhile, reader Rosario Diwa of Hills of Maia Alta wrote:

“Who were the personalities you were referring to in your column – those who tried to betray our beloved city and who attempted to part ways with Rizal province. Please tell us. They might still be running for public office. We will make sure they are never voted into office again.”

Our reader was referring to our column of April 7. There we wrote about the firm stand made by the people of Antipolo against a shocking move to dismember Rizal province again by taking the city out of its political jurisdiction. This plot was to have been consummated by having the city declared as highly-urbanized.

This was against the aspiration of the people of Antipolo. While the city has what it takes to compete with other cities, the aspiration of Antipoleños is to keep its ties with the province with which it has gotten its identity.

The fact is that these personalities have already been rejected by Antipoleños. They are, so to speak, already consigned to the dustbin of history. They need not be named.

Antipolo has moved forward since then. While we recognize those painful moments in our history, we keep our eyes focused on the future and on what it takes to get there.

Thank you, dear readers.

* For feedback, please email it to antipolocitygov@gmail. com or send it to #4 Horse Shoe Drive, Beverly Hills Subdivision, Bgy. Beverly Hills, Antipolo City, Rizal.