Showing posts with label Jesus Christ. Show all posts

SI HESUS AT ANG PALM SUNDAY

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kinilala si Hesus dahil sa kanyang mga pagtuturo noong kapanahunan niya at dahil may propesiya o prophesy na may darating na manunubos, inakala ng mga naniniwala sa kanya na siya ang tinutukoy. Nang pumasok siyang nakasakay sa bisero o donkey sa Herusalem noong araw na kung gunitain ngayon ay Palm Sunday, sinalubong siya ng mga taong nagwagayway ng palaspas o palm fronds bilang tanda ng pang pag-welcome sa kanya. Naghiyawan sa tuwa ang mga taong naniniwala sa kanya dahil dumating na raw ang manunubos.

Nang siya ay litisin dahil sa pang-uudyok ng mga religious groups nang panahong yon at pinapili pa ang mga tao kung sino ang ililigtas…siya o ang kriminal na katabi niya, ang pinili ng mga taong mailigtas sa hatol na kamatayan ay ang kriminal. Nang siya ay nagpasan ng krus papunta sa burol kung saan siya at ang iba pang kriminal na nahatulang mamatay ay ipapako sa krus, ANG MGA TAONG NAGWAGAYWAY NG MGA PALASPAS NANG SIYA AY DUMATING, AY SILA RING MGA DUMURA, NAG-ALIPUSTA AT SUMIPA SA KANYA!

NAUULIT  ANG GANYANG EKSENA NGAYON. SA PAGGUNITA NG ARAW NG PALASPAS O PALM SUNDAY AY MARAMI ANG BUMIBILI NITO SA LABAS NG SIMBAHAN BILANG SIMBOLO NG PAG-WELCOME SA KANYA BILANG BAHAGI NG “HOLY WEEK”…..AT PAGKALIPAS NG HOLY WEEK, ANG MGA TAONG MAAGANG GUMISING UPANG DUMALO SA MISA NG PALM SUNDAY AY BALIK SA DATING MGA BISYO….TANDA NG PAG-ALIPUSTA KAY HESUS!

Personal Views on Three Filipino Issues

…Education, School Activities, Christmas

By Apolinario Villalobos

I have nothing against the education, the requirements and activities, and the celebration of “traditions”, but it seems that the practices have gone overboard. Instead of helping, they have created more problems – FINANCIALLY to the impoverished.

EDUCATION is very necessary, no question about that. Unfortunately, the K-12 system has added misery to the parents who can hardly send their children to the former 4-year high school as the new system has stretched their financial agony by two more years. Due to the haphazard implementation of the system, many schools have been caught without the necessary facilities for effective implementation. Before, a high school graduate may already have the chance to work as a store attendant or a security guard so that he or she can earn and save for his or her college education. Today, the parents must spend for the education of their children beyond the Grade 10 up to 12 so that the “high school” education has been attained for a diploma needed for a job as sales lady, security guard, messenger, etc. Why the need for the extra 2 years, then, when the graduates shall land on the same kind of job? I have not yet mentioned here the corrupted printing of text books which have been converted into workbooks that are discarded every end of the school year as  this long-time issue may just ruin the day of viewers.

SCHOOLS COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER IN IMPLEMENTING REQUIREMENTS AND HOLDING OF ACTIVITIES. In first year high school, there is already a requirement for a “thesis” which many students do not even understand. To be able to complete a requirement, they practically “copy/paste” materials from the internet. Some schools right at the early opening of classes are already requiring students to join “educational tours” supposedly as part of a certain “module”. Those who cannot afford the expensive trip are required to submit a report that require them to go to the internet where they spend long hours of browsing and copy/pasting, printing and collating of materials that they stole from the different sites. Where is the connection of the educational trip to the supposedly research?

Here is a classic story of a young mother who sells pastil as a livelihood to help her husband who drives a tricycle with a “boundary” of Php150 a day….to send their 3 children to high school. Since October this year, she has incurred a total loaned amount of Php8,000.00 that she used for the “school requirements” and lately for the “family day” and “Christmas party”. I need not elaborate on the “school requirements”. But the “family day” and “Christmas party” are two activities that should be thought of…as regards their necessity. For practical reasons due to the financial difficulty of the time, are they really necessary when so many families can hardly afford to give their children decent school allowance? After the family day that is supposed to bond the family, the impertinent children are back to their cellfones while the poor mothers are back to their laundry, cooking and cleaning of the house. Unfortunately, as I am writing this, the poor mother and her husband have yet to pay, Php3,000 as balance of their loan…and the year is already ending!

CHRISTMASTIME IS GIVING, NOT ASKING FOR GIFTS….IT IS ALSO SUPPOSEDLY, THE “BIRTHDAY (?)” OF JESUS  CHRIST. Unfortunately, the parents should be faulted on why children have the wrong notion about the season. In this regard, children are sad if they have no new clothes, toys, no expensive food on the table. Also, instead of thinking about the impoverished as the recipients of material gifts intended for Jesus, they want to have them for their own gratification.

On the other hand, lest I be misunderstood, I like the unifying intention for the celebration of Christmas, but there is a need for its utmost understanding. Many Christians already know how the pagan-based celebration has started. For the sake of unity, there has to be a reason for getting together. Feasts have to be celebrated as man by nature loves festivities and rich food….the way pagans of long ago wanted them. THE PROBLEM IS, MANY OF THOSE WHO OBSERVE THE TRADITION TODAY ARE OBSERVING IT WITH ARROGANCE...THEY FLAUNT TO THE WORLD THEIR EXCESSSES IN LIFE…WITHOUT THROWING A CRUMB TO THOSE WITH THE LEAST IN LIFE.

Dasal ng Mga Kuntentong   Tao

Ni   Apolinario   Villalobos

Lord, salamat sa lahat na ibinigay mong biyaya.

Ok na sa amin kung araw-araw,  ulam namin ay  tuyo

Naawa nga kami sa  ibang walang laman ang kaldero.

Ok na sa amin  kahit ang sinasaing ay NFA rice

Naawa nga kami  sa ibang araw-araw,  pagkai’y “memo-rice”.

Ok na sa amin ang sardinas, ginisa sa maraming miswa’t sibuyas

Naawa nga kami sa ibang araw-araw, gutom ang dinaranas.

Ok na sa amin, dinurog na kaning tutong na pinalambot

Naawa nga kami sa iba, sa sobrang gutom, noo’y napapakunot.

Ok na sa amin, pamatid -uhaw na tubig kahit walang yelo

Naawa nga kami sa ibang walang mainom,   nakatingin sa inudoro.

Ok na sa amin,  manipis na banig sa malamig na semento

Naawa nga kami sa  ibang animo’y  basang  sisiw sa ulan at bagyo.

Ok na sa amin,  celfon na luma kaya’t memory card ay wala

Naawa nga kami sa iba, maski lumang PLDT fone, di pa nakakita.

Ok na sa amin,  sapatos walang sintas, napulot sa tambakan

Naawa nga kami sa ibang walang saplot sa paa, kaya epot, naaapakan.

 Ok na sa amin damit na pinaglumaan, kahit ba galing pa sa ukayan

Naawa nga kami sa iba, suot na t-shirt ay gulanit, animo galing sa digmaan.

Ok na sa amin maglakad paminsan-minsan, sa dyip walang pamasahe

Naawa nga kami sa iba, araw-araw na lang,  nagha-hiking sa kalye.

Ok na sa amin maski walang tv,  radio na lang, basta makarinig ng balita

Naawa nga kami sa iba,  sa kawalan nakangiti, dahil walang silbi ang mga tenga.

 Ok na sa  aming makinood ng nakadispley na tv sa mall at mga tindahan  nito

Naawa nga kami sa iba, pakapa-kapa kung kumilos, walang maaninag sa mundo.

Ok na sa amin,  kulang ang bakod sa  bunganga, maraming nalagas na ngipin

Naawa nga kami sa iba, may kanser sa lalamunan, hindi makakain.

Ok na sa amin asawang bungangera, animo machine gun, boses sa umaga

Naawa  nga kami sa iba,  asawa’y walang alam iluto, nilagang itlog,sunog  pa.

Ok na sa amin,  asawang lasenggo ay sugarol pa, kung minsan may chicks  pa

Naawa nga kami sa iba, inuuwian lamang upang deposituhan ng semelya.

Lord, salamat uli sa  mga biyayang bigay  Mo

At sa  paminsan-minsang  pitik upang kami ay magising

Sa katotohanang, para sa Iyo kami ay pantay-pantay

Kaya walang dahilan para mag-astang aso’t pusang nag-aaway!

Yong ibang blessings, okey lang na sa iba Mo ibigay, Lord…

Amen!

Sana ay pairalin ang mga sumusunod ngayong Banal na Linggo at iba pang araw…

Ang Pagpapaubaya at Pagpapakumbaba

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang pinakamahirap gawin ng isang tao lalo na ang may masyadong bilib sa sarili ay ang magpaubaya at magpakumbaba. Hindi matanggap ng isang taong masyado ang pagkabilib sa sarili ang basta na lang yumuko sa ugali o kagustuhan ng iba, lalo na kung pareho sila ng ugali. Sa ganitong pagkakataon, ang panalo sana ay ang taong magpapaubaya at magpapakumbaba, dahil lalabas na mas malawak ang kanyang pananaw. Ang girian na nangyari dahil lamang sa tinatawag na pride o pagkabilib sa mga sarili nila ay walang katapusan, hangga’t walang yumuko. Sa mata ng ibang tao, lalo na ng Diyos,  ang gagawa nito ay nakakabilib. Sa pagkatanggal ng galit sa kanyang dibdib, para na rin siyang natanggalan ng tinik at bigat sa kanyang balikat, dahil nawala ang inaalala niyang hidwaan na para sa kanya ay tapos na. Kadalasan, ang hindi yumuko ay nakokonsiyensiya pa!

May mga pagkakataong ang girian ay sa pagitan ng mag-asawa. Dahil sa tradisyong hindi dapat sinasaktan ang babae, ang dapat na magpaubaya ay ang asawang lalaki. Umiwas na lang hanggang lumamig ang ulo ng asawa niya. Kung sa pagitan ng magulang at anak, dapat lawakan pa ng magulang ang pang-unawa at pagpasensiya. Dapat niyang isipin na kung maaga niyang dinisiplina ang anak, hindi ito magkakaroon ng ugaling barumbado. Dapat aminin ng magulang ang kapabayaang ito na pagsisihan man niya ay huli na. Ang ganyang kaisipan ang dapat magpakalma sa kanya – isang kaisipang may pagsisisi. Hindi naman bulag ang Diyos para hindi makita ang ginagawa niya – yan na lang ang konsuwelo niya.

Walang masama sa pagiging mapagpaubaya basta ang pinagbigyan nito ay hindi naman abusado. May iba kasing tao, lalo na mga magulang, na maipakita lang ang kanilang poder o kapangyarihan, ay hindi pinagbibigyan ang hiling ng anak kahit nasa ayos naman. Palagi lang sana nilang paalalahanan ang anak na bilang mga magulang, hindi sila nagkulang, upang pagdating ng panahon hindi sila masumbatan o makonsiyensiya sa pag-isip na nagkamali sila sa pagpalaki ng kanilang anak.

Madaling sabihin subali’t mahirap gawin…yan ang siguradong reaksiyon sa sinulat na ito. Subali’t sa ibabaw ng mundo, wala namang imposibleng gawin. Dapat lang alalahanin na kung ipipilit gawin ang isang bagay, may paraan palagi. Ang balakid lang dito ay ang “pride” o masyadong pagkabilib sa sarili.

Paalala para sa Banal na Linngo…

Ang Maging Saksi ni Hesus sa Mundo

Ay Obligasyong 24/7

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Akala ng iba, ang pagtayo bilang saksi ni Hesus sa mundo ay nagsisimula at nagtatapos sa dinaluhang Misa, pagbasa ng Bibliya sa harap ng maraming tao, o pagbigay ng agarang tulong lamang. Ang pagiging saksi ni Hesus ay nangangahulugang bahagi Siya ng buhay ng tumatayong saksi kaya bahagi din Siya ng lahat ng kilos, pati sa paghinga nito sa lahat ng sandali.

May ilang tao na pinagyayabang pa ang kanilang pagiging active member daw ng kung ano-anong religious group, at ng mga nauusong “kongregasyon” ng “Bagong Kristiyano” at nakikibahagi pa ng kaalaman nila sa Bibliya, subalit, ni hindi man lang makabati o makangiti sa mga nakakasalubong na kapitbahay. Saan ngayon si Hesus sa mga pinapakita nila sa kanilang kapwa? Gusto nilang masabing Kristiyano pero sa pangalan lang pala, hindi sa kilos at isip, at lalong hindi sa puso.

Hindi kailangang magpapako sa krus tulad ng nangyari kay Hesus upang masabi ng iba na sila ay nagmamahal sa Kanya, kung bugbog-sarado naman pala sa kanila ang kanilang misis at kung sipain ang mga anak ay ganoon na lang tuwing sila ay malasing. Yong iba naman ay milyones ang dino-donate sa mga simbahan dahil mahal daw nila si Hesus, yon pala ang pera ay ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan.

Sa darating na Banal na Linggo, dadagsa sa kalye ang mga “saksi” ni Hesus, mga magkakakawag  upang palabasing sinaniban daw sila ng ispiritu Niya o ng kung sinong santo. Ang iba ay magka-camping sa harap ng Quiapo church at naka-costume pa na hango sa Bibliya, at marami pang ibang paraang pagpapakita ng pagiging saksi daw nila. Sa mga araw na yon…kung kumidlat man, sana ay walang tamaan!

Never Put to Test the Faith of a Person

By Apolinario Villalobos

Some people have the habit of putting to test the faith of others. They should take extra care as regards this kind of attitude due to the rise of so many groups that used to be part of the Roman Catholic Church, for instance, and whose primary reason for leaving is the realization that the ceremonious Mass is not for them, though their exit does not necessarily mean the erosion of their faith in God.

Not only are some of the Roman Catholic adherents have this kind of attitude but others who belong to other churches and the various congregations that mushroomed around, assuming different names – all in the name of Jesus. For them, those who “deprive” themselves of the “words of God” will not be saved. But then, what can these “holy” words do when they are not put into action or practiced? A fanatic person may eat the whole Bible, page by page every day, but it will not do him any good if he or she cannot even say “Hi!” to a neighbor.

The best test of faith founded on what Jesus really wanted done, is the test of one’s own. If one can honestly sacrifice for others, share with others, and be consistent in doing them, there is no need to look around and see what others are doing. By then, others will instead emulate what he does. That is what I call faith by practice…that everyone should do, instead of testing that of someone else’s. Do not give somebody the opportunity to put you to shame by sarcastically asking, “…how about you?” 

Pope Francis deserves to be Left Alone

By Apolinario Villalobos

The new pope is not being political when reaches out to people, and in so doing, travels around the world. He does not choose who to hold or hug or kiss. He does not preach about the magnificence of the papacy and the Vatican…in fact, he is obviously, embarrassed about them. He does not preach to convert, but speaks about universal love and compassion. This is how evangelization should be done, by not talking about the church to which one belongs, but letting other people read his intentions through his actions and pronouncements.

It should be recalled that Francis, upon his assumption of his papal post, started his campaign for the practice of humility when he chose to live in an austere apartment, rather than the luxurious suite reserved for popes. He wanted to be just like anybody else, so he has no qualms about carrying his meal tray when he dines in the canteen with the rest of lay people. He has no aides at his side 24/7, except when on official trips. And, he carries his own bag when he travels!

Instead of bashing him on the internet, those who are anti-pope, anti-Christ, anti-Vatican, and anti-Roman Catholic should try to understand his messages first. They should view the new pope as Francis, a former bishop, an ordinary guy, who assumed the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church which was not his choice in the first place. Francis is not presenting himself as the new Messiah or Prophet. His mission is to spread love and not hatred. He is not even asking to be loved, but for others to include him in their prayers.

Why can’t the bashers just write something about the devilish leaders of nations whose selfish acts trespass other nations’ rights? Why can’t they exhaust their effort in condemning the acts of ISIS advocates who are now being loathed by their fellow Muslims? Why can’t they just write about the conscienceless terrorists who sow fear throughout the world? Why can’t they look around them and paint with words the gruesome poverty and splash them on the internet for the world to see?

The Nail

By Apolinario Villalobos

It is just a simple piece of iron with a head, and its other end is terrifyingly pointed. It comes in different sizes. Some come in the size of a match stick, some in the size of a barbecue stick, with the biggest that come as big as a thumb. Before, the nail was just made from crudely cast iron, but later, copper and brass were used so it won’t get deteriorated by rust, and today, even stainless steel is used so that it can puncture delicate materials such as thin plywood.

Our ancestors before were contented in securing their homes with fibrous tall grass and vines due to the lightness of materials that they used branches, twigs and grass. But today, due to the use of heavy materials, the nail is very important in putting together the roof, wall, floor and stairs, to come up with a house. Obviously, the nail is among the primary components in providing strength to the whole structure.

Nowadays, the nail is unfortunately being used as one of the components in making improvised bombs, and which extortionists and terrorists use in sowing dread throughout the world. In the Philippines, it is also being used as arrowhead for the “Indian pana” (Indian arrow) which hoodlums in Tondo use against their rival gangs. Still another use of the nail, though unbelievably, is in witchcraft. It is purportedly planted in the guts of victims, who claim to painfully and bloodily eliminate them through bowel movement.

The nail is part of Jesus Christ’s suffering on the cross which Christians believe as His ultimate act in saving mankind from sin. He was nailed on the cross. The nail caused Him pain. The Christian church may have just inadvertently failed to mention the nail every time the saving act of Christ on the cross is mentioned. Without the nail, would His suffering for mankind been completed on the cross? If the cross that He carried is mankind’s sin, the nail is its arrogance, the pain from which penetrated even the last sinew of His muscle!

Ang Lansang (Visayas/ Hiligaynon version)

ni Apolinario Villalobos

Kon tan-awon isa lang ini nga salsalon, may ulo  ang isa ka punta, kag ang pihak mataliwis. Lain-lain ang takus sini: may daw palito sang posporo ka daku, may daw barbecue stick ka daku, asta sa daw kamalugko. Kon sadto salsalon lang ang lansang, subong may saway na para indi madunot sang tuktok, kag may stainless pa, para kon gamiton sa manipis nga plywood, indi delikado kon itum-ok.

Sadto indi pa gawa mabug-at ang mga materyales nga ginagamit sa pagpatindog sang mga balay paryas sang sanga kag hilamon. Amo nga pwede maskin higtan lang sang lanot. Pero, subong kinanlan na gid nga gamitan sang lansang para nga indi magkarabungkag ang mga dingding, salog, baralayan asta hagdan. Kon sa aton pa, lansang ang nagapahunit sang balay para indi ini basta maguba maskin sa hanot sang bagyo.

Ang malain lang kay subong ginagamit man ang lansang nga sangkap sang mga bomba nga ginapawasaag sang mga hurong nga terorista kag ekstursiyunista. Ginagamit man ini nga talom sang pana nga una ginkilala sa Tondo, bilang “Indian pana” (Indian arrow). Ang indi mapatihan nga gamit sang lansang, amo ang sa panghiwit nga kuno ginasulod sang manughiwit sa tiyan sang tawo kag para mapagwa, kinanlan ipamus-on pa nga nagaresulta sa pagkapilas sang tinai kag ariputan.

Masakit man pamatyagon, daku ang partisipasyon sang lansang sa pagluwas ni Hesus sa katawhan. Ginlansang siya sa krus. Lansang ang naghatag sa iya sang pasakit sa krus nga gin-antos Niya para lang maluwas sa sala ang mga tawo. Nalipatan lang siguro sang simbahan nga Kristiyano ang pagmitlang sa lansang, kay ang naandan nila nga gamiton bilang simbulo sang pasakit ni Hesus, krus lang. Kon indi tungod sa lansang, makumpleto ayhan ni Hesus ang sakripisyo Niya sa krus para sa katawhan?  Kon ang krus, amo ang sala sang mga tawo nga ginpas-an ni Hesus, ang lansang naman ang pagkabugalon nila….naghatag sang sakit nga nagapanalupsop sa Iya nga mga kaunuran!

Translations:

salsalon           -bakal/iron

pihak               -kabila/other end

takus               -sukat/size

tuktok              -kalawang/rust

lanot                -baging, damong pantali/vine, hemp

mabug-at         -mabigat/heavy

higtan              -talian/to tie

hurong             -masamang tao/villain

ginapawasaag -pinapasabog/being exploded

panghiwit        -pangkulam/witchcraft, sorcery

nagapahunit    -nagpapatibay/strengthen

ariputan           -puwet/anus

pagmitlang      -pagbanggit/to mention

pagkabugalon –kayabangan/being proud

katawhan        -mankind

Note: Hiligaynon as a Filipino dialect is widely spoken on the island of Panay, of the Philippines’ Visayas region.

Ang Pakộ (Tagalog version)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Isang simpleng kapirasong bakal na may ulo, at ang dulo ay nakakatakot ang pagkatulis. May iba’t ibang sukat ito.  Ang iba ay kasingliit ng palito ng posporo, ang iba ay kasinglaki ng barbecue stick, at mayroon ding halos kasinglaki ng daliring hinlalaki sa kamay. Noon, ang pakộ ay gawa lamang sa bakal, kalaunan ito ay hinulma na rin gamit ang tanso, at bandang huli, ay sa stainless steel, upang magamit sa mga maseselang materyales gaya ng manipis na plywood.

Noong unang panahon ay gumagamit ng balat ng kahoy at matitibay na baging bilang pantali sa paggawa ng bahay na yari sa magagaan na materyales tulad ng sanga at dayami.  Subali’t ngayon, dahil sa kabigatan ng mga materyales na ginagamit, kinailangan na ang pakộ sa pagbuo ng bubong, dingding, sahig at hagdan, upang maging bahay.

Sa kasalukuyang, nakakalungkot na pakộ ang isa sa mga sangkap sa paggawa ng mapaminsalang bomba na ginagamit ng mga terorista at ekstursiyunista o mangingikil sa paghasik ng lagim sa buong mundo. Sa Pilipinas, ito ay ginagamit bilang palaso ng “Indian pana” (Indian arrow) na ginagawa ng mga siga sa Tondo laban sa isa’t isa. Ang isa pang gamit ng pakộ ay sa pangkukulam na hindi naman kapani-paniwala. Ito daw ay inilalagay ng mangkukulam sa bituka ng mga biktima at maaaring mailabas sa pagdumi subalit magsasanhi ng sugat at pagdurugo.

Ang pakộ ay isa ring bahagi ng pagsakripisyo ni Hesus sa krus. Ipinako si Hesus sa krus, na nagdulot sa kanya ng matinding pasakit. Dahil dito, hindi ba marapat lamang na isiping kaya natupad ang nakatakda niyang misyon na pagtubos ng sangkatauhan mula sa kasalanan ay dahil din sa pakộ? Bakit hindi idagdag ang pakộ sa krus bilang simbolo ng sakripisyo ni Hesus? Kung ang krus ay kanyang pinasan, ang sakit naman ng pagtusok ng pakộ ang kanyang tiniis hanggang siya ay namatay. Kung ang krus ay bigat ng kasalanan, ang pako naman ay kayabangan ng sangkatauhan  na tumitiim sa bawa’t himaymay ng Kanyang kalamnan!   

The Lesson from the Consistent Humility of Jesus

….that man never ever learns!

By Apolinario Villalobos

The birth of Jesus is the greatest manifestation of his humility. Unfortunately, instead of emulating such virtue, Christians celebrate his questionable birthday every December with so much pomp and unrestrained festivity. To justify the scandalous celebration, “Christians” reason out that they are just “happily celebrating”. Can’t happiness be celebrated in simple ways? Why spend the whole year savings for just a few days of spending all “in the name of Jesus”? Also, it is during such seemingly paganistic manifestation for the “love” of Christ that the hurting difference between the rich and the poor is very much defined…still, we pay no heed to such scandalously unchristian practice.

Bible readers come across parables about Christ’s humility, but instead of emulating them, what they read remain just that – stories from the pages of a book. And yet, they even unabashedly boast that they have read the Bible…and that, they are Christians, too!

When Jesus entered the place of his prophesied judgment and death, he was on a donkey. Today, many church dignitaries cannot go to a certain place without taking a chauffeured luxury car. While some priests are furnished with expensive car by their rich parents, why can’t they refuse such for the sake of their vow of poverty? However, for convenience of mobility when they do their “job”, perhaps, they can opt for a less expensive one so as not to trigger curiosity. Pope Francis has always been calling on his fellow priests to observe utmost humility and simplicity while shepherding their flocks. Unfortunately, only few seemed to have answered his incessant call. Some bishops and priests still drive around in Benzes and cars whose prices are enough to feed a thousand children in one month.

Jesus showed his paramount humility by washing the feet of his disciples. On the other hand, some avowed Christians squirm at the sight of street children and beggars clothed in rags. One morning, while waiting for a ride in front of a big mall, I saw a lady in white churchly dress give a sandwich to a beggar using her fully extended hand to keep her distance, while covering her nose with a handkerchief. When I approached the beggar, I did not smell any revolting odor at all, although he was grimy. The lady obviously attended a morning Mass in the mall as it was a Sunday, and giving a sandwich to a grimy beggar with an fully extended hand while covering her nose, after attending a Mass, was perhaps her “way” to show her being a Christian!

While dying on the cross, Jesus invoked his Father with full humility by asking why he was forsaken. Today, government officials and politicians who are being tried for robbing the government coffer of people’s money, swear to God that they are honest…adding that, they be struck by lightning where they stand if they are telling a lie!...humble, indeed!

Jesus was consistently humble since birth until the time of his death, but we refuse to acknowledge this manifestation….and, today we are paying for such arrogance…by suffering from the onslaught of natural calamities and man-made hostilities!...we just never learn!