Praying for a critical election, good shepherds, mothers
Tomorrow is national and local election all over the country. As good Christians and other religious denominations, let’s pray fervently to God but we should also vote wisely for the right candidates, especially presidential aspirants.
Let’s not vote for candidates who’re known plunderers, tax evaders, vote buyers, liars, cowards skipping public debates.
Let me quote the words of the former Secretary of Finance, Jose lsidro N. Camacho: “This is a critical election for the Philippines...An election that will reveal the moral values of Filipinos (or lack of it). This is an election that will show whether Filipinos can be fooled by falsehoods and lies perpetuated through social media.
“Please pray for discernment to choose a candidate that represents integrity, competence, truth, sincere public service and an unblemished good heart.”
We should also be vigilant and report anomalies to accredited poll watchers like the NAMFREL and PPCRV. It would be a disaster if the integrity of the election is badly tarnished.
In the words of the British statesman Edmund Burke: “The only way by which evil people prosper in society is for the good to do nothing.”
Today, "Good Shepherd Sunday," is designated by the Catholic Church worldwide to focus attention on the vocation of priests, nuns and lay brothers, and to pray for more vocations.
Every year thousands graduate from various courses in the country. While there’s an oversupply of secular and vocational courses, there is an under supply of religious graduates.
When I entered Christ the King Mission Seminary in Quezon City, we were seven in high school undergrad. Little by little, our rank dwindled until I was the only one left. I told myself I was the “valedictorian”—but no salutatorian! When I was nearing ordination, I joined the seminarians who came from the SVD seminary in Cebu and from the SVD northern seminary.
Since families are the seedbeds of vocations, parents can show their love for God by supporting and encouraging their children who have the inclination to follow in the footsteps of Christ.
I remember a seminarian who was close to becoming ordained an SVD priest. Being the eldest and only male of eight siblings, he was hesitant to continue, thinking of his widowed mother caring for all the daughters.
With a heavy heart, he told his mother to leave the seminary and help her. The mother wrote him a heartwarming letter thus: “My son, don’t worry about me and your sisters. If God wants you to become a priest, I won’t block your way. We will manage to survive with God’s help. Son, don’t worry.” That boosted his aspiration, inspiring him to go on and eventually became a missionary, and later a diocesan priest working abroad.
Ask yourself: How can I help promote more vocations to the priesthood, brotherhood and sisterhood? Do I pray constantly as the Lord urges us, “Pray, therefore, for more laborers to work in the vineyard of the Lord?”
Today is Mother’s Day. This recalls the story of a rescue operation in the sea. Ten men and one woman were clinging to a rope, hanging from a helicopter. They were overloaded. One person had to let go or they would all fall down and drown.
Looking at each other, no one wanted to volunteer. After a couple of minutes, the woman said, “Mothers are used to Raking sacrifices for their husbands and children. Since nobody wants to go, I’ll give my life for all of you.” The men were so moved by her speech that they clapped their hands...and all fell down, leaving the woman behind!
Today, we thank and pray for mothers, living or dead, for all their love, caring and sacrificesG There’s a Jewish saying which goes, “God cannot be everywhere so He created mothers.”
Support seminarians. Today, Good Shepherd Sunday, let’s help aspiring seminarians to become priests and missionaries. Without seminarians, we cannot have priests, bishops, and popes because they all start as seminarians.