Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-04 ng Setyembre 2026
Kuha ni Bb. Bernadette Reyes ng GMA News, Sto. Domingo, QC, 29 Agosto 2026.
Paano nga ba ilalarawan ating kalagayan bilang isang sambayanan sa ngayon?
Lubog sa baha, lubog sa utang, lubog sa hirap ng kabuhayan, lubog sa bulok na sistema, lubog sa red tapes at bureaucracy ng gobyerno, lubog sa mga walang malasakit at mga sakim na politiko, lubog sa mga walang pakialam na kababayan, lubog sa kawalan ng kahihiyan. Saan pa tayo nakalubog?
Ngunit hindi lamang tayo lubog kungdi tayo man ay baon na baon sa marami pang suliranin at problema, mga siste at gawi naglilibing sa atin ng buhay!
Sadsad at baon
na ekonomiya,
salapi wala nang halos halaga;
sadsad at baon
sa korapsiyon
lahat ay pera pera
na lang talaga;
sadsad at baon
sa mga hirap at sakit
taumbayan walang magawa
kungdi magtiis
umasa sa ayuda,
ayaw nang mangarap,
tila nahirati na sa
pagtunganga.
Maglakad sa lansangan
lalanghapin hangin
kasama mga usok ng sasakyan
habang iniiwasan dumi
at lubak sa daan;
mga mukha ay sambakol
karamihan ay litang ang isipan
nakatingin sa kawalan
wala nang panahon pag-isipan
ating kinasasadlakan
maliban sa gawan ng paraan
kumakalam na sikmura
mga paang inaalipunga.
Sino sasaklolo
sa ating pagkalubog
o mag-aahon sa ating pagkakabaon?
Mga halal na upisyal
mga manhid at walang alam
sariling kapakanan at kaluguran
tanging pakialam:
nang sumigaw ng tubig,
sumbat ang naging tugon,
nang puntahan mga sinalanta
pinangalandakan kanilang
mamahaling damit
sa postura at ayos
hindi madapuan ng insekto
mga palatandaan ng kanilang
kakaibang sakit
kleptospirosis -
yumaman sa pangungurakot.
Sino ang daramay sa ating kapighatiang dinaranas kung ulit ulit lamang din nating ihahalal mga sumalaula sa ating bayan?
Nasa ating mga kamay ang kapangyarihan upang umahon sa pagkalubog, bumangon sa pagkabaon sa mga bulok at gahamang politiko na di na dapat iboto at iba pang mga bulaang propeta na puro pangako ng kaunlaran hatid naman ay kapahamakan; higit sa lahat, suriin nating mabuti ating puso at kalooban kung tunay ating pananampalataya sa Diyos na lumikha ng lahat baguhin makasariling pag-uugali iwaksi gawaing mapanglamang dahil tunay ang sinabi ng binibining tagapagbalita, hindi pala baha ang magpapalubog sa ating bayan kungdi kasakiman.
Lord My Chef Sunday Music by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, 30 August 2026
Ang aking tokwarts kagabi, brownout, 29 Agosto 2026.
We go OPM (Original Pilipino Music) this last Sunday of August, our Buwan ng Wika – kaya dapat nga pala isulat ko ito sa wikang pambansa.
Kakaiba sa ating nakagawian na pag-uugnay ng mga makabagong musika sa ebanghelyo ng bawat Linggo, walang kinalaman itong napili nating awitin ngayon sa Ebanghelyo na inyong napakinggan sa mga Misa ngayong Linggo.
Kagaya ng karamihan kahapon bunsod ng malalakas na ulan at pagbaha, wala din kaming kuryente sa parokya sa Fatima, Valenzuela mula alas-sais ng gabi hanggang kinabukasan ng alas-dos ng madaling araw.
Mag-isa lamang ako sa ibaba ng aming simbahan, katabi ng garahe. Binuksan ko ng lubusan aking pintuan upang pumasok malamig na hangin habang balot ng kadiliman buong silong ng simbahan maliban sa aking munting kandila na sinindihan.
Ma-drama ang eksena.
Basla ng aking tokwarts sa may garahe, kagabi pa rin.
At doon ko naalala ang kantang Ang Himig Natin ng Juan dela Cruz Band na binubuo nina Joey “Pepe” Smith, Wally Gonzales at Mike Hanopol. Isa ito sa mga awitin ng una nilang album na pinamagatang Himig Natin na kanilang inilabas noong 1973. Itinuturing ito ang hudyat ng simula ng Pinoy Rock music na pinalaganap noon ng estasyong DZRJ-AM.
Elementary pa ako noon. Narinig ko na inaawit at tinitipak sa gitara ng isang barkadahan ng mga kabataan malapit sa amin bahay noon. Sila nagturo sa akin na makinig palagi sa DZRJ dahil nga sa Pinoy Rock at iba pang mga magagandang tugtugin.
Bagay na bagay sa panahon ngayon itong awiting ito na maituturing na isang panaghoy sa kriminalidad na umiiral, hindi kalamidad.
Ako’y nag-iisa at walang kasama di ko makita ang ating pag-asa
[chorus] Ang himig natin ang inyong awitin upang tayo’y magsama-sama sa langit ng pag-asa
Tayo tayo lang ang magsama-sama. Puwera mga walang-hiyang pulitiko at upisyal ng gobyerno na nagnakaw ng bilyones na halaga sa kaban ng bayan para sa mga palpak at karamihan ay ghost projects sa flood control kaya lumala pagbaha sa maraming lalawigan at rehiyon.
Mula sa malikhaing panulat ni Smith na siyang ring umawit, maigsi lang naman Ang Himig Natin na nagsasaysay ng dalamhati ng isang kaibigan. Marahil tinutukoy ni Smith ang musikang Pinoy na noon ay hindi pa gaanong katatag na tinatabunan ng mga banyagang musika. Paulit-ulit lang naman ang lyrics kaya masarap kantahin kapag nakainom na…..
Ako’y may kaibigan at s’ya’y nahihirapan handa na ba kayong lahat upang s’ya’y tulungan
[chorus] Ang himig natin ang inyong awitin upang tayo’y magsama-sama sa langit ng pag-asa
Simple at payak ang mga titik. Malalim.
Ngunit ang nagdala sa awitin ay ang musika.
Out of this world. Parang panaginip sa malalim na pagkatulog.
Astig ang gitara ni Gonzales. Pasakalye pa lamang ika nga e, solb ka na agad, tsong! Mayroon ding sumasaliw na tila piano at baho sa kanyang solo kaya umaabot ng lima at kalahating minuto ang awitin. Tagos hanggang buto pati kaluluwa, parang kinakalawkaw iyong kalooban upang matauhan sa katotohanan kung inyong pakikinggan at nanamnamin.
Ewan ko lang kung tablan din napaka-kapal at sagad-sagad na kasamaan ng mga upisyal sa gobyerno!
[chorus] Ang himig natin inyong awitin ang himig natin inyong awitin ang himig natin inyong awitin …
Patay na sina Gonzales at Smith. Tanging si Hanopol – ang Jeprox- na lamang ang buhay sa kanila ngunit ang kanilang musika, buhay na buhay pa rin. At habang tumatagal, lalong lumalalim at sumasarap sa panlasa. Heto sila muli sa gitna na maulan na araw ng Linggo. Ingat po, mga kapatid at magtulungan sana sa tuwina.
Isang linggo na akong masayang nagpapaulan sa aking araw-araw na walking dito sa amin.
Natutuwa ako dahil kay dami kong naaalala masasayang karanasan ng paliligo sa ulan noong bata pa kami tulad ng pagtatampisaw sa tubig, pagtapat sa mga alulod ng lahat ng mga bahay at ngumanganga ng nakatingala sa langit para inumin ang ulan.
Mula sa Instagram.
Isa sa mga sumagi sa aking alaala na paksa ng usapan naming magpipinsan tuwing umuulan at tirik din ang araw ay kung totoo nga na mayroon daw kinakasal na tikbalang – isang uri ng halimaw na parang tao kung maglakad ngunit mukha at anyong kabayo.
Ngayong matanda na ako, napag-isipan ko na totoo nga ito at hindi lang basta kalokohan. Nabatid ko na lamang iyan ngayong tag-ulan nang ilang ulit na umulan habang mainit ang sikat ng araw.
Unang tikbalang na tingin kong kinakasal kapag umuulan habang umaaraw ang mga local officials natin gaya ng mga mayor, tapos ang mga senador, kongresista, at mga upisyal ng DPWH. Yung mga sangkot sa ghost project flood scam noong isang taon.
Halimaw ang mga iyon.
Siyempre, sigurado mayroon ding mga tikbalang sa iba pang mga sangay at ahensiya ng pamahalaan na nagpapasasa sa kaban ng bayan habang hindi alintana hirap at pagdurusa ng mga mamamayan lalo na kapag umuulan.
Kundangan naman kasi, marami sa ating mamamayan mahilig mag-alaga at makipagkaibigan sa mga tikbalang, yung mga nakikinabang na negosyante at contractor.
Higit sa lahat, mga mamamayan mismo na bumoboto sa mga corrupt na upisyal.
Sila ang mga kabiyak – asawa – ng mga tikbalang na iyan. Partner in crime. Eka nga, it takes two to tango. Marami sila. Asawa at bisita. Ang iba ninong at ninang.
Nakakasawa nang manood ng mga reels at posts ng mga binaha at pa-shout out shout out pa kay mayor. Puro hinagpis sa social media kesyo palala ng palala na raw ang baha sa kanilang lugar, walang ginagawa mga mayor.
Ang tanong ay, ano nangyari bakit kada eleksiyon binoboto nila mga bulok na yan? Taun-taon pala silang pinahihirapan tuwing tag-ulan tapos minsan sa anim na taon tuwing eleksiyon nakakalimutan kawalanghiyaan at kawalang-silbi ng mga iyan?
Kasalan sa binaha na Simbahan ng Barasoain, kuha ni G. Aaron Favila ng Associated Press, 22 Hulyo 2025.
Walang kinakasal na mag-isa. Tayong mga mamamayan ang asawa, ang kabiyak ng mga tikbalang!
Karamihan din kasi sa atin ay tikbalang. Takot mag-isip, takot manindigan sa tama at katotohanan. At ang hirap sa atin, palaging humahanap ng ibang masisisi maliban sa sarili.
Katulad ng isang matandang ginang na kabatian ko kasi tuwing umaga sa aking paglalakad nadaraanan ko siya sa harapan ng kanyang apartment.
Noong Huwebes ng umaga sa gitna ng ulan habang ako ay naglalakad, sabi niya sa akin bakit daw ako nag-eexercise pa umuulan na?
Kumaway lang ako sa kanya at hindi na sumagot kasi nagdidilig siya noon ng halaman gamit ang lagadera.
Kawalan naman ng galang kung sinagot ko siya ng bakit po kayo nagdidilig ng halaman e umuulan?
Kulang sa pagninilay at pag-iisip? Mas malamang.
Ganyan tayo mga Pinoy, mema. Memasabi lang kadalasan na hindi pinag-iisipan.
Pero maganda at nakatutuwa sinasabi sa isang post sa Facebook buhat sa news report na nabawasan na pagbaha sa Marikina dahil sa mahusay na flood control projects doon ng lokal na pamahalaan pagkaraan ng tatlong taon.
Marami nang lungsod at bansa nagpatunay na maaring maibsan pinsala ng baha kung sadyang pag-aaralan at tunay na hahanapan ng lunas ng mga matitinong tao na may malasakit sa kapwa. At takot sa Diyos. Mangyayari lamang iyan kung boboto tayo ng mga upisyal ng pamahalaan na mayroong malasakit sa paglilingkod. Hindi suwapang. Hindi tikbalang.
Sa kabila ng mga makabagong teknolohiya, parang nabobobo mga tao ngayon: noong bata kami basta signal number 2 ang bagyo, automatic wala nang klase sa elementary at high school.
Bakit gayon na lamang ang pag-asa at pagtutok lalo ng mga magulang sa LGU kung may pasok o wala?
Sapantaha ko diyan ay mas grade conscious ngayon mga magulang kesa mga anak nila na tuwang tuwa naman tuwing suspendido ang klase.
Pakiwari ko tuwing umuulan, maraming tao natatakot maninindigan na pati pagpasok sa paaralan ay inaasa sa mga kinauukulan. Kaya ang gulo ng buhay ngayon!
Noong Martes wala palang klase pero pumasok ako;kinabukasan wala ulit pasok kaya nagpaulan ako at naisip ko magkapareho ang LGU at carwash: kapag nag-announce ng walang pasok mga mayor dahil sa masamang panahon, kadalasan umaaraw, maganda ang panahon. Magpa-carwash ka, pagkaaalis na pagkaalis mo, papatak ang ulan!
Sa tuwing umuulan doon nasusubok ating pananampalataya sa Diyos at kapwa, nahahasa ating kakayanang magpasya ng wasto sa pamamagitan ng masusing pag-iisip at pagninilay ng mga bagay bagay. Higit sa lahat, sa tag-ulan lumalabas likas nating kabutihan. O kawalan nito. Walang pakialam sa iba. Kung saan-saan tinatapon mga basura. Palaging iba may kasalan liban sa sarili.
Hanga ako doon sa mga nagpapacarwash maski umuulan. Wala silang pakialam sa lagay ng panahon kungdi sa lagay ng kanilang sasakyan!
Iyon ang dapat: tingnan natin at suriin ating sarili hindi lagay ng panahon o ibang tao labas sa atin. Siguradong babagyo at uulan na kasabay nito ang mga pagbaha. Bakit tila nagugulat at nagugulantang pa tayo kapag nangyari na mga ito? Pagmasdan: kung gaano katagal sina mayor sa puwesto, ganoon katagal na rin ang baha. Kailangan pa bang i-memorise yan? Parang basura yan – babalik sa atin!
Kuha ng may-akda, Huwebes Santo, umuulan habang umaaraw sa Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, 09 Abril 2020.
Balikan natin yung kasabihang mayroong kinakasal na tikbalang tuwing sabay na umuulan at sumisikat ang araw. Natukoy natin mga tikbalang, sino kanilang kabiyak o asawa, pati ninong at ninang hanggang sa mga bisita.
Heto ngayon: hindi ba kapag may kasalan, palagi mayroong pari?
Sino ang tumatayong pari kapag may kinakasal na tikbalang?
E di mga pari din. Mga kasama at kapatid naming pari. Ilan lang naman sila.
Noong isang taon ko pa ito gustong sabihin pero sinasaalang-alang ko aking pagkapari at mga kapatid sa kaparian. Pero, kailangang sabihin.
Isang taon makalipas pumutok ang ghost project scam sa mga flood controls na ang epicenter ay lalawigan ng Bulakan, mismong sa lungsod ng Malolos, hindi maikakaila Katoliko karamihan ng mga tikbalang.
At mga paring Katoliko nagkakasal sa kanila. Mayroon din ilang mga pastor at ministro nagkakasal sa mga tikbalang tuwing umuulan habang umaaraw. May ibang sekta nga nag-aalaga talaga ng mga tikbalang.
Larawan mula sa Facebook post ni Dr. Tony Leachon, “KLEPTOPIROSIS: When Corruption Becomes a Public Health Crisis”, 08 Agosto 2025.
Ilan ang mga pari na humingi ng donasyon sa mga corrupt na upisyales para sa kung anu anong mga pagawain sa simbahan? Hindi ba iyan ay malinaw na pakikipag-kaibigan at kung tutuusin pakikipag-sabwatan sa mga tikbalang?
Ilang parokya pulitiko pinageermano sa kanilang pista kahit hindi taga-roon sa kanila dahil lang sa konting halaga?
Katulad ng malawakang pagbaha, hindi nating kailangang tumingin sa malayo. Lalo na kaming mga pari at lingkod sa simbahan. Kasama kami at kung tutuusin napakalaki at napakabigat ng pananagutan namin lalo sa Diyos na kasama kami sa kasal ng mga tikbalang na iyan.
Gayon pa man, mas marami pa rin sa aming mga pari ang tunay na lumalaban, naninindigan sa katarungan at katotohanan na hindi kailanman nagpauto sa mga tikbalang at kanilang mga galamay sa simbahan.
Sa susunod na umuulan kasabay na sikat ang araw, subukan nating magpaulan at hayaang dumampi sa ating bumbunan, sa ating mukha ang patak ng ulan upang mapaalalahanang mayroong Diyos na higit na makapangyarihan dapat nating sundin at paglingkuran lamang. Hindi mga tikbalang.
At sinabi niya sa kanila, “Kung gayon, ibigay ninyo sa Cesar ang sa Cesar, at sa Diyos ang sa Diyos” (Mateo 22:21).
Sa kahuli-hulihan, ano man ang panahon, higit pa rin palagi ang Panginoong Diyos sa lahat na siyang tanging pinagmumulan ng lahat ng ating kinakailangan at pagpapala. Ito palagi dapat naming panindigang mga pari, umulan man nang umaaraw. Amen.
Larawan kuha ni Michael Varcas ng Philippine Star sa Hagunoy, Bulacan sa isinagawang rally ng mga taga-Parokya ni Sta. Ana sa pangunguna ng kanilang Kura Paroko P. Rodel Ponce laban sa flood control scam noong Setyembre 2025.
Lord My Chef Simbang Gabi Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Monday, Simbang Gabi-VII, 22 December 2025 1 Samuel 1:24-28 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 1:46-56
Photo by author, Church of Visitation, Ein-Karem, Israel, 2017.
One of the most beautiful and touching sites in the Holy Land I have always loved is the Church of the Visitation at Ein-Karem outside Jerusalem where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth.
It sits atop of a hill and there’s no other way to get there except by foot due to the narrow road but, it is worth all the effort for anyone going up there with the beautiful scenes all the way with cool breeze soothing your face and lovely flowers delighting your eyes and senses. It somehow gives every pilgrim a taste of the great love and joy of Mary pregnant with out Lord Jesus Christ visiting her cousin Elizabeth on the sixth month of her pregnancy with John the Baptist.
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
Perhaps we could say the Visitation was the first Christmas party in history as Luke tells us today how Mary rejoiced in God singing the Magnificat after Elizabeth praised her:
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his lowly servant. From this day, all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of servant Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and to his children forever” (Luke 1:46-55).
Aside from this beautiful bronze statues of Mary and Elizabeth at the patio of the Church of the Visitation are the translations of the Magnificat in different languages, including in our very own Filipino which is one of the most popular songs we often sing in our Masses.
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
But, do we really realize the meaning of this song of Mary?
Actually, the Magnificat was composed by Luke that he placed on the lips of Mama Mary. It is part of his artistry, of putting songs on the lips of some of his Christmas characters like Zechariah after John’s circumcision (the Benedictus) and later on Simeon (Nunc Dimittis) at the Presentation of Jesus in the temple.
Why? Because singing, like dancing, is the highest expression of our feelings to the one we love. Mothers sing lullabies to their infants, suitors compose and sing songs to their beloved, and we Filipinos sing and dance in whatever mood we are wherever we may be! There is always music in us from the simple gesture of washing the dishes, ironing of clothes to driving and taking a shower. When we sing and dance, we not only show what’s inside us but most of all who we are!
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
In singing the Magnificat which St. Luke patterned after a similar song by Hannah at the birth of her son the Prophet Samuel who’s story we heard in the first reading, Mother Mary expressed her joy and gratitude in the nearness of God among us not only with the coming birth of her Son Jesus Christ but also through her!
The late Fr. Raymond Brown, one of the great biblical scholars of our time noted in his classic “Birth of the Messiah” that Mary as the first Christian is teaching us in her Magnificat the essential task of every disciple of the Lord which is, after hearing the word of God and accepting it, we must share it with others, not by simply repeating it but by interpreting it so that people can see it truly as the good news.
Here we wish to mention something we have read recently about singing and dancing that the best singer or best dancer is one who can listen or hear – and fill the silent gaps in every piece of music. That’s amazing because singing and dancing are not about having super beautiful voice or precise steps. Singing and dancing are more of attitude, of claiming and owning a piece of music as yours. That’s why it is called an interpretation or as young people these days refer to as “cover”.
As we have mentioned earlier, one of the most popular Mass songs in the country is Mary’s Magnificat called Ang Puso Ko’y Nagpupuri but does it reflect our spirituality as a Christian nation?
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
Have you noticed how this 2025 that we heard so little of Mr. Jose Mari Chan his Christmas in Our Hearts?
I feel sorry for Mr. Chan when suddenly this 2025 he is more heard and seen in the McDonald’s commercial shouting “George!” to a fellow senior citizen. We as a nation momentarily forgot about Mr. Chan’s classic line “whenever I see girls and boys selling lanterns” because we as a nation is so disgusted with the ghost project scams of flood controls. We could not even emphatize with the family of the former Undesecretary of DPWH who had died of an apparent suicide because of the “breadth and depth and height” of their corruption running into trillions of pesos. They have cheated on us big time and we really wonder why the big “congtractors” and senators are not yet in jail?
But God has been so good to us this Christmas that we can all sing with conviction the Magnificat for indeed, “the Almighty has done great things for us” like putting into jail in a far away land the former president who called God as stupid not once nor twice but multiple times on television. That is aside from ordering the bloodiest anti-drug campaign he shamelessly likened to Hitler’s Holocaust of Jews in World War II.
The Lord invites us to make this 2025 as the last Christmas we allow corrupt and inept people get elected, that we finally put an end to political dynasty, and stop the stupidity and callousness of people in government who set a budget of 500pesos for people to enjoy noche buena.
Photo by Ar. Philip Santiago, Church of Visitation, the Holy Land, October 2025.
This Christmas let us sing like Mary, as faithful disciple of Christ, sharing Jesus, always Jesus and only Jesus in singing the Magnificat in our daily witnessing to the Gospel, making Jesus come in our life of loving service to everyone especially those in need. Let us actively cooperate with Jesus like Mary his Mother to make these lines a living reality in our midst – “he has mercy on those who fear him in every generation, showing the strength of his arm by scattering the proud in their conceit, casting down the mighty from their thrones, lifting up the lowly, filling the hungry with good things, sending the rich away empty, coming to the help of Israel, for he has remembered his promise of mercy”.
More than a song and hymn, the Magnificat reveals us as the signs of the Christ, the Emmanuel, God-is-with-us! Amen. A blessed week ahead of everyone!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 07 October 2025 Tuesday, Memorial of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Jonah 3:1-10 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Luke 1:26-38
Photo from canningliturgicalarts.com.
On this day of the Memorial of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, our bishops have rightly set this as the National Day of Prayer and Public Repentance in the light of the grotesque corruption and its investigations along with the natural calamities that have hit our country recently.
For hundreds of years, the Rosary has always been used to intercede for peace and conversion not only in Church but also world history. In fact, this feast has its origin in the victory of Christian forces against the Ottoman Turks in the Battle of Lepanto Bay in 1571 that decisively stopped the Moslems from occupying Europe. The first Dominican Pope, St. Pius V attributed that victory to the recitation of the Holy Rosary that further led to its popularity and devotion that greatly spread when subsequent other victories in various parts of the world like the La Naval in the Philippines were attributed to our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.
From Facebook post by Dr. Tony Leachon, “KLEPTOPIROSIS: When Corruption Becomes a Public Health Crisis”, 08 August 2025.
At this time when our country is again at the crossroads of great dangers and threats to its democratic institutions, it is very timely that we celebrate this feast with deep devotion and firm resolve to be converted.
Although we have a proper reading on this celebration, we have preferred to use the first reading of the day from the Book of Jonah when God sent the reluctant prophet to Nineveh to call on its people to be converted lest God destroys the city. Notice the immense love of God in this beautiful story of conversion: God never gave up on Jonah, calling him to go to Nineveh to proclaim his message.
Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s work announcing, “Forty days ore and Nineveh shall be destroyed,” when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in the ashes. When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out (Jonah 3:4-6, 10).
Photo by Aaron Favila, Associated Press, Barasoain Church, Malolos City, 22 July 2025.
Remember, God never gives up on us. That is why he keeps sending us the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother to appear on various occasions especially these past 120 years to keep on reminding us of his call for our conversion essential to having peace.
See how in all of these apparitions of Mama Mary, there has always been the praying of the Holy Rosary. At her final apparition on October 13, 1917 at Fatima, she revealed herself as the Lady of the Rosary, proving once more the great power and lessons of this devotional prayer that has proven over and over again that indeed, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” (Lord Alfred Tennyson). How?
Photo by author, Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches, 20 March 2025.
At the center of our Christian faith and spirituality is the invitation of God for us to “lose” ourselves to him, to trust him more than ourselves.
Jonah had to lose himself literally from the ship to be swallowed by the whale and spitted out after three days. And of course, the people of Nineveh from the king down to the poorest of the poor among them have to “lose” themselves by admitting their sinfulness and being sorry for them to be converted that resulted in God foregoing his plans to destroy their city. They actually won and did not lose in the process despite their sitting on ashes and wearing sackcloth.
In the gospel, we saw how Mary had to “lose” herself so that Jesus Christ may finally come by being born through her into the world when after the angel had explained to her the plan of God, she humbly said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed her(Lk.1:38).
Mary “lost” herself to God and eventually became an instrument for our victory in the salvation through her Son Jesus Christ who also “lost” by dying on the Cross only to emerged gloriously victorious after three days when he rose from the dead to win over death and sin for us.
In life, it is when we “lose” that we actually “win”, something we often fail to realize, especially the corrupt government officials and lawmakers. The only peaceful path to resolving all this mess we are into and preventing further escalations of the anger of the people is for those in powers to finally “lose” themselves in humility, to repent and be converted. Snap elections will never restore the confidence of people with them unless those tainted with corruption take the high road of stepping down as a first sign of their decency and statesmanship.
Residents of Hagonoy Bulacan walk their way to flooded portions of premise surrondings St. Anne Parish as they protested following exposes of flood control anomalies. Bulacan has been under scrutiny for receiving multi million worth of flood control projects but still suffers severe flooding. (Photo by Michael Varcas)
Let us pray for their conversion; let us pray for the judges and justices of all courts be fair and just in evaluating the evidence against these people blinded by money and power. Let us pray for them to realize that for a moment, they may “lose” face and money but eventually win salvation and peace. Only God knows what awaits them, if they repent and be converted or remain proud and sinful.
Let us pray for the conversion of Sec. Recto and government economists of the need for the State to “lose” in order to “win” especially the people by cutting our so many taxes. It is about time for the government technocrats to reduce our taxes that have mostly gone to corruption without serving truly the people who have contributed these with their blood and sweat. We are the most taxed country in this part of the world while our neighbors have shown how reducing taxes actually leads to more spending by the people that partly keeps a more vibrant economy.
Let us pray also for ourselves, for one another to realize the need for us to lose ourselves for higher values than material things that are eventually lost. We as a nation, like the Prophet Baruch our bishops have cited must admit our own sins to be “flushed with shame” (Bar.1:15) that all these mess we are into is due to our sins, to our turning away from God as we focused more in pursuing power, wealth and fame that now come so easily via social media.
Photo by Pete Reyes, Sr. Porfiria “Pingping” Ocariza (+) and Sr. Teresita Burias praying the Rosary to protect mutineers during the EDSA People Power Revolt in February 1986.
When we “lose” in God, for God, it is always a “win” in everything. Of course, it is always a difficult path to take that calls for daily conversion in Christ with Mary.
The praying of the six Our Fathers, 53 Hail Mary’s and six Glory Be’s are invitations to the Rosary’s rhythm of daily conversion by meditating the joyful, luminous, sorrowful, and glorious mysteries of the life of Jesus Christ with his Blessed Mother. That is not what not Jesus referred to as “meaningless repetition” of prayers (Mt.6:7); the Rosary is also a prayer method that helps us enter into union in Christ with Mary as guide.
The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium. It is an echo of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer (St. John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, #1).
True, a lot often we may seem to “lose” many battles when we try to stand for what is true and good but in the end, we actually “win” the war against evil, the greatest victory Christ had gifted us, our salvation. That is why in Marian prayers like the Rosary as well as in hymns in her honor we ask her prayer for us sinners to be saved from hell and be brought to her Son Jesus Christ in eternity. That’s the final victory we all hope for in praying and living out the Holy Rosary with Mary. But first, lose ourselves to Jesus like Mary, even Jonah. Happy feast of our Lady of the Holy Rosary!Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City (our email, lordmychef@gmail.com)
Artwork by Mr. Darwin Lance Arcilla, Campus Ministry, OLFU-Valenzuela City.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 24 September 2025 Wednesday, Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Year I Ezra 9:5-9 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Luke 9:1-6
Residents of Hagonoy Bulacan walk their way to flooded portions of premise surrondings St. Anne Parish as they protest this was following exposes of flood control anomalies. Bulacan province has been under scrutiny for receiving multi million worth of flood control projects but still suffers severe flooding. (Photo by Michael Varcas)
God our loving Father, today I feel like Ezra, praying filled with shame sadness and hopes at how we can rebuild, repair and create in you something good for our country.
“My God, I am too ashamed and confounded to raise my face to you, O my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads and our guilt reaches up to heaven… And now, but a short time ago, mercy came to us from the Lord our God, who left us a remnant and gave us a stake in his holy place; thus our God has brightened our eyes and given us relief in our servitude… in our servitude our God has not abandoned us; Thus he has given us new life to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins, and has granted us a fence in Judah and Jerusalem” (Ezra 9:6, 8, 9).
Like Israel of Ezra's time, your know so well, God our Father how our country the Philippines had always been guilty of putting into power corrupt and evil men and women without any respect for you and your people especially the poor and suffering; as a nation, we have always been fragmented not only among each other but within ourselves, doing things contrary to your precepts that corruption in government had sunk deeper into wholesale looting of government money and resources at the expense of the poor and suffering.
Scene at a wedding inside the flooded Barasoain Church in Malolos City, 22 July 2025; photo by Aaron Favila of Associated Press.
We are all angry. Very angry, God our Father for the shameless people tasked to provide us with infrastructures and services that are either non-existent or substandard because they have looted the funds!
But, help us, Lord, how we shall go from here in rebuilding our nation, our government, our institutions including the Church where some parishes as well as priests are beneficiaries of the stolen money; how can we repair not only the buildings but the lives of those destroyed and humiliated and how can we create a more just and humane society in Christ Jesus so that this systematic corruption is finally put into end. Amen.
Photo by author, 08 August 2025.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul, 21 September 2025 Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle C Amos 8:4-7 ><}}}}*> 1 Timothy 2:1-8 ><}}}}*> Luke 16:1-13
Scene at a wedding inside the flooded Barasoain Church in Malolos City, 22 July 2025; photo by Aaron Favila of Associated Press.
Our readings today are so timely like today’s headlines of rampant corruption – actually looting – of tax payers money by DPWH officials in connivance with some lawmakers and contractors.
The scriptures are very challenging for us, especially the first reading from the Prophet Amos.
Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land! “When will the new moon be over,” you ask, “that we may sell our grain, and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat? We will diminish the ephah, add to the shekel, and fix our scales for cheating! We will buy the lowly for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!” The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Never will I forget a thing they have done! (Amos 8:4-7)
Photo by author, Malagos Garden Resort, Davao City, 2018.
The Prophet Amos is telling us something so true today that he had noticed in his own time almost 3000 years ago.
More than the growing economic disparity among the rich and the poor as well as the growing consumerism during his time still happening today, Amos is not promoting a political agenda nor advocating a revolt against the wealthy and powerful. Moreover, Amos is not like other demagogues encouraging the people to turn away from Money that has become the new god of so many in his time and today.
Amos is a prophet because he speaks in the name of God, denouncing what is inside the hearts of the greedy rich, of their perverse intentions that they keep hidden while observing religious rituals and celebrations – a hypocrisy so rampant even these days. But, with a new twist as it is happening inside the church, among us the clergy.
Workers of a new subcontractor of a flood control structure in Barangay Sipat in Plaridel, Bulacan, lay cement and steels on September 6, 2025 amidst the downpour of rain. Photo by Michael Varcas / The Philippine STAR
In the midst of these shameless flood control scams drowning us, let us take a closer look this Sunday where Amos is directing his strong preaching.
It is not merely to the abusive rich and powerful people but also to us inside the Church – we the priests and bishops and volunteers as Amos warns us how religious practices are easily used by everyone to cover one’s selfish motives especially those inside the church.
How sad that our own diocese is so late in denouncing the flood control scams when the DPWH office that orchestrated the shameful looting is right here in our province of Bulacan, under our pastoral care.
Residents of Hagonoy Bulacan walk their way to flooded portions of premise surrondings St. Anne Parish as they protest this was following exposes of flood control anomalies. The Bulacan has been under scrutiny for receiving multi million worth of flood control projects but still suffers severe flooding. (Photo by Michael Varcas)
Except for the National Shrine of St. Anne in Hagunoy that is worst hit by the floods, it came out way ahead with a call to action that culminated in a rally on their flooded streets this Saturday led by their Parish Priest, Fr. Rodel Ponce prophetically leading his flock in their town’s flooded streets. Another Amos in our midst the other day was Msgr. Dars V. Cabral who led an ecumenical prayer rally in Malolos City with a letter that is bolder than our statement against the corruption.
Why we find the preaching of Amos directed to us in the church are the many connections and links of the involved DPWH officials with so many priests who have asked them for donations in their parish projects, asking them to be the fiesta hermano and donors of funds for church construction which is all over social media.
Check every treasury office of any LGU in the province and city and surely one could find “receipts” or photos of local executives and politicians with priests and bishops on vacation in expensive resorts or dinner in five-star restaurants. And that’s not just once or twice with some of them acting exactly like the nepo babies in flaunting the “good life” in social media, oblivious to the many implications of their actions like the many poor people who are denied of a decent funeral Mass for their departed loved ones when we are always out with politicians and the rich.
From Facebook, 17 September 2025.
Amos reminds us too in the church of our double standards when we are so quick in condemning corruption and sins of those in government and society but we are so slow, even protective of our own brothers involved in sex and financial scams. And just like in the news, we are willing to sacrifice our lay people to take all the beatings just for the sake of our brothers in cloth lest they be put to shame.
The most pathetic double standard we have in the church is when we patronize politicians friendly to our crusades like pro-life and anti-divorce but ostracize those on the other side of the fence.
What a shame! Are they not all tainted with graft and corruption, not to mention immoralities we are so quick to point out in the church? Why can’t we stop asking politicians for favors? Why can’t we be contented with what we have and what we can?
If there is one thing we in the church must stop right away is asking politicians for any favors because that give them the reason, no matter how askew and flimsy, to commit graft and corruption. When we in the church like priests and bishops keep on pleasing the rich and powerful we teach them the wrong notion that corruption is acceptable, that being rich is the key to be close to God through priests and bishops celebrating Mass and sacraments for them.
This is where the very essence of the preaching of Amos is still so relevant today for us: like the people of his time, we too have stopped seeking the face of God in our lives. Like the people of the time of Amos, what we focus is money, money, and more money, a Mammom or false god we unconsciously worship.
Residents of Hagonoy Bulacan walk their way to flooded portions of premise surrondings St. Anne Parish as they protest this was following exposes of flood control anomalies. Bulacan has been under scrutiny for receiving multi million worth of flood control projects but still suffers severe flooding. (Photo by Michael Varcas)
This Sunday, Amos and the Lord Jesus Christ remind us all especially in the church to seek the face of God always – not the face of Mammon that has become the god of many these days.
Let us live in simplicity by being content with what we have. No need to bother the governor or any politician as well as parishioners just for us to have a grand party or a spiritual renewal and retreat out-of-town.
Seek the face of God, not the face of Mammon. That’s the point of Jesus in his parable today of the shrewd steward: the Lord praised the attitude not the person. If we could just be as eager and passionate like him in seeking the face of God in the church, corruption in our government and society would be lessened. Our country would be more humane and decent because in the process, the poor and suffering would realize too that it is God too whom we must first seek, not the face of money.
This Sunday as we all prepare for the rallies in Luneta and EDSA, let us first seek the face of God, let us go to Mass first to pray for our leaders as St. Paul tells us in the second reading. Amen. Have a blessed week ahead!
*We have no claims for holiness or being pure and clean but we have tried as much as possible since our seminary days never to ask donations from politicians that they may construe it as a permission to steal.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul, 16 September 2025 Tuesday, Memorial of Sts. Cornelius, Pope & Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs 1 Timothy 3:1-13 <*((((>< +. ><))))*> Luke 7:11-17
Beloved, this saying is trustworthy: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task (1 Timothy 3:1).
How timely
are your words today,
Lord Jesus:
definitely it is about your
servants in the church;
but, it applies very much
with all other leaders
in the government
and civil society
who have pledged
to serve the poor
and needy.
Give us a prophetic bishop
who is most in touch with
our humanity,
not merely concerned
with one's self
and ego.
We pray, dear Jesus for bishops and government leaders who are decisive with what is true and good and what is just most of all; give us bishops who act decisively as a father, a teacher, and disciplinarian not those concerned with their status and ego.
Jesus journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried our, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her (Luke 7:11-12).
How amazing, dear Jesus, that despite the "large crowd" you were still able to spot the grieving widow at the funeral of her only son because you are so in touch with our humanity unlike with some bishops and most leaders in government; grant us prophetic leaders who are in touch and amazed with the dignity and honor of persons as image and likeness of God that like you, Lord, they could feel and be one in the sorrow of those in pain and sufferings.
In this point in our nation's history, we need so badly, dearest Lord Jesus, a prophetic bishop, even just one who could rally the other bishops and priests with the many faithful to effect change, to speak of the truth so people would be shaken and realize like the crowd in Nain who exclaimed after you have raised the dead boy to life, "A great prophet has arisen in our midst." Amen.
Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela City (lordmychef@gmail.com)
Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-12 ng Setyembre 2025
Larawan kuha ni G. Aaron Favila ng Associated Press, Barasoain Church, Malolos City, 22 Hulyo 2025.
Hindi ko malaman kung ako ay matutuwa o maluluha sa mga larawang nalathala noong panahon ng pagbaha sa aming lalawigan ng Bulacan; kamangha-mangha aming pananampalataya nagpapatuloy mga pagdiriwang ng sakramento lalo na ang kasal kahit lumusong sa baha nagsisimba at paring nagmimisa parang eksena sa pelikula pagmamahalan ng mga magsing-ibig pananalig kailanma'y hindi padadaig sa buhos ng ulan bumaha man.
Nang sumabog na parang dam mga balita ng scam ng flood control program sa lalawigan ng Bulacan, galit at pagkainis aming naramdaman itong mga pagbaha pala ay kagagawan ng kasakiman ng mga halimaw sa kagawaran kakutsaba sa kasamaan mga pulitiko at contractor habang mga mamamayan walang mapuntahan sa araw-araw na lamang malapit nang maging aquaman kalulusong sa baha alipunga hindi na nawala.
Larawan kuha ni G. Aaron Favila ng Associated Press, Barasoain Church, Malolos City, 22 Hulyo 2025.
Isang bagay
ang aking pinagtatakhan
noon pa man
siya ko nang katanungan:
ano ang pahayag
nitong ating simbahan
sa malaswa at malawak
na sistema ng nakawan
na nasentro sa Bulacan
lalo't higit
unang naapektuhan
maraming mga simbahan?
Nasaan ating tinig
at pagtindig
laban sa katiwaliang ito
na matay mang isipin
kay hirap ilarawan
maski paniwalaan!
Mayroon bang kinalaman nakabibinging katahimikan pag-Hermano at pag-Hermana ng mga nasa pulitika dahil sila ang mapera handang gumasta sa mga kapistahan dahil kanilang pakiramdam banal na kalooban ng Diyos kanilang sinusundan kaya naman sila ay pinagpapala at pinayayaman sa patuloy na donasyon sa simbahan habang kapwa ay ginugulangan pinagsasamantalahan?
Masakit man sabihin at mahirap aminin itong mga ghost projects at korapsiyong ating kinasasadlakan ay atin din namang kasalanan at kagagawan sa patuloy na pagboto sa mga bulok na kandidato na sumasalaula sa ating lipunan; tumitindi ang kasamaang ito sa tuwing mga politiko at mga kawaning ganid ang parating nilalapitan upang hingan ng lahat ng pangangailangan sa simbahan maski libreng tanghalian na walang kinalaman para sa ating kaligtasan!
Larawan mula sa Facebook post ni Dr. Tony Leachon, “KLEPTOPIROSIS: When Corruption Becomes a Public Health Crisis”, 08 Agosto 2025.
Lawiswis ng Salita ni P. Nicanor F. Lalog II, Ika-02 ng Setyembre 2025
Larawan kha ng may-akda, 2024.
Tayong mga Pinoy ay mayroong nakakatawang kaugalian ng pagkahumaling masyado sa ating upuan. O silya. O kung ibig ninyo ay salumpuwit sa malalim na salin sa ating wika.
Mula sa ating mga tahanan hanggang sa simbahan at silid-aralan, sa mga sasakyan, mayroon tayong mga paboritong upuan na atin nang inangkin na sariling puwesto, hindi puwedeng upuan ng iba. Sa jeep at bus, lahat gusto sa may estribo. Ganun din sa LRT/MRT. At maski sa eroplano kaya nakakahiya sa mga paliparan sa abroad ang mga kababayan natin na nag-uunahan kapag boarding time na gayong mayroon namang ticket ang bawat isa! Sa sinehan man ay ganoon din. Hindi mo malaman kung likas na tanga o maarte lang na ayaw sundin kinuhang number ng upuan kasi gusto pala ibang puwesto.
Larawan mula sa Pexels.com
Likas marahil ito sa lahat ng tao bunsod ng sinasaad na kapangyarihanng bawat upuan na tinagurian ding luklukan o trono. Hindi man natin aminin, kapangyarihan ang dahilan bakit lahat sa atin ay ibig maupo malapit sa pintuan ng silid at ng sasakyan: hindi lamang para mabilis na makaalis kungdi upang wala ring makapigil na maliwanag na simpleng pagsasaad ng ating ambisyong maging boss na palaging nasusunod maski saan.
At siyempre, ang malalim at mabigat na dahilan ng ating pagkahumaling sa puwesto ng upuan ay ang kapangyarihan at katanyagang dala nito. Kung hindi ka man nasa kabisera na tinuturing siyang puno ng pagdiriwang, hangga’t maari ibig natin ay makadikit sa nakaluklok sa puwesto ng kapangyarihan. Kaya chairman ang pinuno ng ano mang samahan o komite, taglay ay pawang kapangyarihan. Pagmasdan gaano tiisin kanilang almoranas ng mga pulitiko at sabik sa puwesto basta manatiling naka-upo sa puwesto hindi sa paglilingkod kungdi para sa kapangyarihan at kayamanang kaakibat ng bawat posisyon. Suma total, sa upuan nararamdaman natin pagiging hari at reyna, pagiging panginoon at makapangyarihan. Wika nga sa Inggles ay “driver’s seat” – kung sino may hawak ng manibela siya masusunod kung saan pupunta.
Naalala ko lang… noong mga bata pa kami kapag sumasakay ng taxi, palaging sinasabi ng aming ama sa pagbibigay ng direksiyon sa drayber ay silya at mano. Silya kung liliko sa kaliwa dahil ang silya o upuan ng kutsero ay nasa kaliwang bahagi ng kalesa; liliko naman sa kanan kapag sinabing mano na Kastila sa “kamay” dahil hawak ng kanang kamay ng kutsero ang latigo o pamalo sa kabayo para lumakad o tumakbo at huminto. Kaya noon pa man maski sa kalesa, ang silya ay nagpapahiwatig na ng kapangyarihan!
Larawan kuha ni Sarah-Claude Lu00e9vesque St-Louis sa Pexels.com
Hindi masama ang kapangyarihan kung ito ay ginagamit sa kabutihan. Alalahanin tayo bilang tao ay binahaginan ng Diyos ng kanyang kapangyarihan upang malinang ang daigdig at matulungan ating kapwa.
Kaya nang pumarito si Jesus, palagi niyang nililiwanag ang aspektong ito ng ating buhay, ang wastong pag-gamit sa ating kapangyarihan na pakikibahagi lamang sa otoridad ng Diyos.
Doon sa kanyang Huling Hapunan ipinakita ni Jesus ang tunay na kahulugan ng ating “seating position” nang siya ay tumindig at hinubad ang kanyang panlabas na damit upang hugasan mga paa ng kanyang mga alagad. Ang gawaing iyon ay para lamang sa mga alipin ngunit ginampanan ni Jesus upang makintal sa ating mga isipan at kamalayan na ang buhay ay wala sa ating upuan kungdi nasa paninindigan.
Larawan mula sa commons.wikipedia.org, painting ng paghuhugas ng mga paa ng alagad ni Jesus doon sa Monreale Cathed, Isla ng Sicily.
Para kay Jesus, hindi mahalaga kung saan ka nakaupo, kung ano ang iyong posisyon at kapangyarihan. Ang pinakamahalaga sa Panginoon ay kung saan tayo nakatindig o nakatayo, kung tayo ba ay maninindigan katulad niya para sa kabutihan, katotohanan at katarungan.
Bisperas ng Paskuwa. Alam ni Jesus na dumating na ang panahon ng kanyang paglisan sa sanlibutang ito upang bumalik sa Ama. Kaya’t nang sila’y naghahapunan, tumindig si Jesus, naghubad ng kanyang panlabas na kasuutan, at nagbigkis ng tuwalya. Pagkatapos, nagbuhos siya ng tubig sa palanggana, at sinimulang hugasan ang paa ng mga alagad at punasan ng tuwalyang nakabigkis sa kanya.
Nang mahugasan na ni Jesus ang kanilang mga paa, siya’y nagsuot ng damit at nagbalik sa hapag. “Nauunawaan ba ninyo ang ginawa ko sa inyo?” tanong niya sa kanila. “Tinatawag nin yo akong Guro at Panginoon, at tama kayo, sapagkat ako nga. Kung akong Panginoon ninyo at Guro ay naghugas ng inyong mga paa, dapat din kayong maghugasan ng paa. Binigyan ko kayo ng halimbawa at ito’y dapat ninyong tularan” (Juan 13:1, 4-5, 12-15).
Para kay Jesus, ano mang posisyon o katungkalan ay para sa mapagmahal na paglilingkod sa kapwa (loving service to others). Kaya naman tinagurian ding “Maundy Thrusday” ang Huwebes Santo – mula sa salitang Latin na kautusan o mandatum – dahil noong gabing iyon nang ibigay ni Jesus ang kanyang utos ng pagmamahalan sa kanyang mga alagad. Ang sino mang tunay na nagmamahal tulad ni Jesus ay palaging nakatindig at naninindigan para sa minamahal. Walang tunay na nagmamahal nang naka-upo lamang, pa sitting pretty wika nga.
Larawan ng mga upuan sa loob ng Senado, marahil malambot at komportable habang karamihan ng mga kababayan natin nagtitiis sa matigas at marahil lumang upuan nila sa bahay. Kuha ni Avito Dalan ng Philippine News Agency, Mayo 2025.
Ito ang trahedya natin sa Pilipinas. Napakaraming nakaluklok sa iba’t-ibang upuan ng kapangyarihan ngunit hanggang ngayon ay kulelat pa rin tayo bilang bansa dahil wala namang tunay na naninindigan at nagmamahal sa bayan.
Pagmamahal sa sarili ang namamayani sa halos lahat. Kaya naman ang puwesto ay hindi sa paglilingkod kungdi sa pangsariling kapakanan ng mga nakaupo na palaging panig sa mga mayayaman at makapangyarihan. Pawang pakitang-tao lamang mga pagtulong sa maliliit at mahihirap ng maraming nakaupo saan mang puwesto maging mga dating nasa media na nang matikman tamis ng pulitika, lumabas kanilang tunay na kulay.
Palaging katabi ng upuan ay pera kaya naman sa halos lahat ng mga sala ng mga hukom mula Korte Suprema hanggang sa mga munisipyo, maraming kaso inuupuan na tanging katarungang mithi ng mga inapi hindi pa makamtan. Gayon din sa mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan. Puro pasarap sa puwesto mga bossing, naghihintay lamang ng lagay at pabuya kaya kulang at kulang pa rin mga buwis na pinapataw sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan.
At siyempre, hindi magpapahuli ang mga nasa rurok ng luklukan ng kapangyarihan – ang Malacanang at ang Kongreso na alam naman ng lahat ang matagal nang siste ng talamak na korapsiyon.
Ano pa ang ating aasahan kung nakapasok na sa sistema ng pamamahala ang mga mandarambong at sinungaling na pulitiko sa palasyo, kongreso at senado, kapitolyo at munisipyo pati na rin mga munting barangay hall? Sa gara at lambot marahil ng kanilang mga upuan, wala nang upisyal ang ibig tumindig at maninindigan liban sa iilan para sa katotohanan, kaayusan, katarungan at higit sa lahat, para sa bawat mamamayan.
Kailan kaya darating ang panahon na matupad ang sinabi ng Panginoong Jesus na ang “nagpapakataas ay ibaba, at ang nagpapakababa ay itataas” (Lk. 14:11)?
Marahil kapag tumugon na rin tayong lahat sa kanyang panawagang manindigan sa pagtayo mula sa ating komportableng upuan ng kawalan ng pakialam sa lipunan, hindi nasusuhulan lalo na kung halalan. Marahil kapag tumugon na rin ang sambayanan sa panawagan ni Jesus na gumising at tumindig sa paanan ng kanyang Krus upang kasama niya tayong masaktan, masugatan, at mawalan ng lahat para sa tunay na pagpapanibago.
Hangga’t pinipili natin ang masarap na upuan ng kawalang-pakialam sa mga kasamaang umiiral, darating ang panahon hindi na rin tayo makatatayo upang manindigan dahil sa pagkabaon at hindi na tayo makaahon pa sa gulo at pagkawasak sa ating lipunan. Huwag natin iyang payagang mangyari kaya’t makiisa sa mga talakayan at higit sa lahat manalangin para sa paninindigan at kabutihan. Amen.
lordmychef.com 