Piety and politics, 2
We need not wonder why although we appear to be a very devout nation, nothing much or substantial has changed in the way we do things. We remain naïve in our notion of the common good, oftentimes equating it with what merely benefits the majority.
If, as sociologists believe, religion is an agent of social cohesion, then our devotion to the Holy Child should make us one as a people who value and respect each other. Genuine religiosity should not just make us fulfilled or actualized as individuals.
God did not call us to live and die for ourselves. He made us for each other, to truly care and thus help carry each other’s burden. One cannot be truly religious if one remains alone. For this reason, our popular religiosity is supposed to make us feel more fraternal as a people and as a country.
It is for this reason why I find a survey a few years ago (about the Santo Nino and Politics) quite confusing or at the very least wanting. It told us that “the Cebuanos’ faith in the Sto. Niño influences devotees’ political participation, including their choices in the upcoming elections.”
The measure of relevance of a religion or a people’s faith is what comes out in the level of communitarian ethos as a product of their faith. We should start probing and examining why despite the apparent religiosity of some Filipinos still they cannot stand up for the Gospel values that are supposed to be the foundation of any Christian devotion.
Our devotion to the Santo Nino should allow us to see that we just don’t live for ourselves. It must enable us to feel and understand that God is the creator of life. Genuine belief is life giving, and the true believer knows that although society needs discipline this cannot be at the expense of other people’s worth or dignity.
The devotees of the Santo Niño love to sing “Batobalani sa Gugma.” If the words, as it is commonly translated, mean “magnet of love” then those who consider themselves followers of the Holy Child cannot and should not close their eyes to the injustices that continue to happen beside or in front of them.
He or she who is truly magnetized by the Santo Niño is drawn in love and concern to his fellow men.--