Taurians….

Sabi MO, ang gobyerno natin ay palpak.

Sabi MO, ang mga batas natin ay sinauna.

Sabi MO, ang lokal na pamahalaan natin ay hindi maganda ang pagkolekta ng basura at ang paglilinis ng mga lugar.

Sabi MO, hindi gumagana ang mga telepono, katatawanan ang kalagayan ng trapiko, at hindi nakakarating sa paroroonan ang mga sulat.

Sabi MO, parang nasadlak sa basura ang ating buong bansa.

Sabi Mo, sabi MO, sabi MO.

E ano’ng ginagawa mo tungkol dito?

Kumuha ka ng isang taong papunta sa Singapore.
Bigyan mo sya ng pangalan, yung sa IYO.
Bigyan MO sya ng mukha, yung sa IYO.
Lumabas KA sa airport nang pinakamatino mong sarili na maipagmamalaki sa mundo.

Sa Singapore, Hindi KA nagtatapon ng upos ng sigarilyo sa kalye.
Ipinagmamalaki MO ang magaganda nilang underpass.
Nagbabayad KA ng mga 60 pesos para makapagmaneho sa Orchard Road (parang EDSA) mula alas 5 hanggang alas 8 ng gabi.
Bumalik KA sa parking lot para bayaran ang parking tiket mo kung napasobra ka ng oras sa shopping o sa pagkain sa isang restaurant.

Sa Singapore, wala KAng sinasabi, meron ba?

Hindi MO susubukang kumain sa lantad kapag Ramadan sa Dubai.

Hindi MO susubukang lumabas ng bahay na walang takip ang mukha sa Jeddah.

Hindi MO susubukang lagyan ang isang empleyado ng kumpanya ng telepono sa London para mapunta sa ibang tao ang mga long distance na tawag mo.

Hindi MO susubukang lumampas ng 90 kilometers per hour sa Washington, at saka sasabihin sa pulis "Alam mo kung sino ako?"

Bakit di MO subukang dumura o magtapon ng upos ng sigarilyo o balat ng kendi sa mga kalye sa Tokyo?

Bakit hindi MO subukang bumili ng pekeng mga papeles sa Boston tulad ng ginagawa sa Recto?

Pinag-uusapan pa rin natin IKAW.

IKAW na gumagalang at sumusunod sa patakarang banyaga sa ibang bansa pero hindi makasunod sa sarili mong lugar.

IKAW na tapon ng tapon sa kalye pagtuntong mo pa lang sa lupa.

Kung IKAW ay nakikisalamuha at pumupuri ng systema sa bansang banyaga, bakit hindi KA maging ganyan sa
Pilipinas?

Minsan sa isang panayam, ang dating Subic Administrator na si Gordon ay may katwiran ng sinabi nyang "Ang mga aso ng mayayaman ay pinalalakad at pinadudumi ng may-ari sa kalye, tapos sila mismo ang pumupuna sa may katungkulan sa kapalpakan sa paglilinis ng mga kalye.
Ano ang gusto nilang gawin ng mga may katungkulan? Magwalis tuwing makakaramdam ng hindi maganda sa tiyan ang kanilang alaga?"

Sa America, bawat may-ari ng alaga ay dapat maglinis matapos ang pagdumi ng aso. Ganuon din sa Japan.

Gagawin ba ng mga Pilipino yun dito? Tama sya.

Pumupunta tayo sa botohan para pumili ng gobyerno at pagkatapos nuon ay tinatanggal na natin sa sarili ang responsibilidad.
Uupo tayo sa isang tabi at paghihintay ng pagkalinga at umaasa na gagawin ng gobyerno ang lahat habang wala tayong iniaalay.

Umaasa tayo sa pamahalaan na maglinis, ngunit hindi naman tayo titigil sa pagtatapon ng basura sa kung saan-saan, at ni hindi tayo pupulot ng anumang piraso ng papel para itapon sa basurahan.

Pagdating sa mga panlipunang talakayin tulad nang hindi pagiging tapat sa kasal, sa mga dalagang ina, sa pagtatalik ng walang basbas ng kasal, at iba pa, maingay tayong nagpoprotesta ngunit patuloy naman nating ginagawa ang mga ito.

Sa sandaling tayo ay mangulila kapag nasa labas tayo ng bansa, naghahanap tayo ng aliw sa iba, kadalasan sa kapwa rin natin Pilipino, na hindi natin iniisip ang ating katungkulan na ating sinumpaan sa ating pamilya nuong narito pa tayo.

Tapos sinisisi natin ang pamahalaan kapag nakikita natin ang karahasan sa kabataan, pagkagumon sa bawal na gamot, at iba pa, samantalang sinimulan natin ito sa hindi pagpansin sa pangangailangan ng ating mga anak ng tunay na pag-gabay at responsibilidad ng isang magulang.

Ang sabi natin, "Ang buong sistema ang kailangang magbago. Ano ang magagawa kung ako lang ang magpapabago sa aking pamilya?"

E sino ang magbabago ng sistema?

Ano ba ang mga sankap ng sistema? Napakaginhawa sa atin na ang sistema ay binubuo ng ating mga kapitbahay, mga ibang tahanan, ibang syudad, ibang komunidad, at ang pamahalaan. Pero hindi kasama IKAW at AKO. Pagdating sa ating pagkakaroon ng positibong handog sa sistema, ikinakandado natin ang sarili, pati na ang ating pamilya sa loob ng isang ligtas na pugad at tumatanaw na lang tayo sa malayong mga lugar at bansa at naghihintay ng isang Mr. Clean na dumating at maghatid na mga himala.

O lumilikas tayo. Parang mga tamad na duwag na hindi pinatatahimik ng ating mga takot, tumatakbo tayo sa Amerika upang makisalo sa kanilang luwalhati at purihin sa kanilang sistema. Pero pag naging masalimuot sa New York tatakbo tayo sa Japan o Hongkong. Pag nagkahirapan ang paghanap ng trabaho sa Hongkong, sakay agad tayo sa susunod na eroplano patungong Gitnang Silangan. Pag may digmaan sa Gulf, inaasahan nating masagip at mapauwi ng Gobyernong Pilipino.

Lahat ay handang umabuso at gumahasa sa bansa. Walang nag-iisip na handugan ang sistema. Ang konsyensya natin ay nakasanla sa pera. Mga mahal kong kababayan, ang sulating ito ay matinding nakakakislot ng isipan, nangangailangan ng maraming pagmumuni-muni, at tumutusok din sa konsyensya. Medyo inuulit ko lang ayon sa ating salita ang mga salita ni John F. Kennedy sa kanyang kabansa upang maitugma sa ating mga Pilipino:

"Itanong natin kung ano ang magagawa natin sa ating bansang Pilipinas at gawin ang nararapat upang ang Pilipinas ay maging tulad ng Amerika at ibang kanlurang bansa ngayon."

Gawin natin kung ano ang kailangan ng Pilipinas sa atin.

Sept.30,’07-In the Gospel the rich man lives and enjoys his life of comfort without noticing the poor, hungry, ailing man at his gate. We can be like the rich man. We can be absorbed in enjoying our fortunes and enjoying the fine life. But how do we use our God-given means to ease other’s pain and lift their burden?

Sept.28,’07-Lorenzo Ruiz didn’t go to Japan to evangelize but found himself with the opportunity to witness to the faith. Likewise many Filipinos in foreign shores find themselves in situations where they can witness to ans spread God’s Word. Let us pray that their faith may awaken in others the hunger for God!

Sept.27,’07-‘My soul yearns for you in the night, yes, my spirit within me keeps vigil for you’ (Is 26) As you begin the morning get in touch with your heart’s yearnings. In your deepest, truest yearnings for you, too. Look now and see what hinders you from fulfilling this yearnings.

Sept.26,’07-As generous distributors of God’s manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received.’(1Pet 4:10). Your abilities aren’t yours alone. They’re your unique way to touch others and the world. Think of your abilities. What difference have they made on others?

Sept.25,’07-Jesus says “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it’ (Lk 8:21) Jesus’ sense of family goes beyond blood relations or personal ties. There is a connections: one’s rootedness in God. How much have you allowed the Lord to take root in your life?

Sept.24,’07-Resurrection happens right here, right now. When we rise from painful moments, we experience new life. When caring hands take us out of the dark that entombs us, we are filled with hope. Our own little resurrections are to be lifegivers, like Him who offers us Eternal Life.

Sept.23,’07-Caught up in the troubles of their desert experience the Hebrews make a golden calf and worship it. They forgot God who has led them out of suffering in Egypt. When times are hard we’re tempted to find instant solutions and grab whatever promises us security. What things give you a false sense of security?

Sept.22,’07-In World War II a group of orphans couldn’t sleep at night. If they did they’d awake up crying. Until someone through of giving of giving each one a loaf of bread to sleep with. Assured with food they felt secure and slept soundly. What’s been your bread this week? What’s given you life and energy? Thank God for it.

Sept.21,’07-Matthew sits at his tax booth when Jesus comes to him and calls him. It was a place as earthly and everyday as his tax booth that he encounters Jesus. We may be engaged in our daily tasks, doing the most common of chores but the Lord comes in and calls us. The question is: are we attentive enough to notice?

Sept.20,’07-At mass when we sing or recite ‘Lord have mercy..’ we hear ourselves a honest reminder. We need mercy. We depend on mercy. Knowing how weak flawed we are, we’re humbled by the fact that it’s only God’s mercy which sustains us. This mercy we receive is the same one we need to give to others..

Sept.19,’07-What are the ties that bind you? Our ties pull us together yet they also hold us back. They give us connections yet they also make us dependent. Do your ties connect you to God? Lord, help me to see that some ties be ones that set me free and bind me only to you.

Sept.18,’07-In Naim, Jesus meets many mourners led by a widow who’s lost her son. In this air of pain and grief Jesus brings back life: Don’t cry, awake I tell you. Be aware of the suffering and bleakness in your midst. Jesus bids you to go where there is lifelessness, so that you can give life and hope to the dying.

Sept.17,’07-’I'm not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed.’ These words at mass recall the centurion. As a good soldier he knows lines of authority. He’s quick to trust Jesus because he recognizes His authority. The Lord’s Word is enough! Can you honestly tell Jesus ‘I trust you in You?

Sept.16,’07-The shepherd goes out of his way to find the one lost sheep. The father happy that his lost son has come back home does everything in his power to welcome him. Who are the lost ones in your life? Who are you losing now? Like the shephered and the father are you doing much to reach those who are lost?

Sept.15,’07-Like many other saints, Mother Theresa experienced doubts and dark moments in her spiritual life. But these moments even nurtured her faith rather than crush it. They taught her to trust God’s far greater power and surrender herself to what’s beyond her own. May her deep longing light up our own!

Sept.14,’07-From a song: ‘We carry the saving cross to the roads of the world/ to the alleys of poverty and misery..’ From a symbol of suffering and death, Jesus has turned the cross into a symbol of life-giving love. Today, we celebrate the triumph of the Cross of those who suffer?

Sept.13,’07-‘Never let evil talk pass your lips, say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit..’(Eph 4) Begin the day by thinking, feeling and doing right. You are God’s messenger: What Good News does He want you to tell others today?

Sept.12,’07-Our God is a God who calls and invites us, not so much that we can do great things for Him but that He can do great things for us. Pause for a while, allow these words to speaks to you. Do your lifegoals and lifestyle allow God to do great things in your life? Or are you too concerned about doing great?

Sept.11,’07-When we don’t feel God in our lives it doesn’t mean He is not with us. When our prayers become dry and dull, it doesn’t mean He is not there. God is ever with us. Perhaps He’s teaching us to pray more deeply, to cling only to Him andnot to ourselves and our own plans. Are you ready and willing to learn?

Sept.10,’07-When we ask for graces we think they’ll come to us quickly or something will change in us in a dramatic way. From a movie: When we ask God to give us patience, He does not giv us that fuzzy feeling. Instead He give us opportunities to be patient. What are these opportunities that God’s gives you now?

Sept.09,’07-‘I called to the Lord in my distress, He answered and freed me. The Lord is at my side, I do not fear. What can man do against me? (Ps 118) As you spend your sunday revisit your recent experiences of redemption. God is faithful, He does not abandon us. He comes to our rescue in our time of great need.

Sept.08,’07-As we celebrate Mary’s birth we remember her who gave birth to the Word-made-flesh. By our own birth we each are asked to allow the Lord to be born in us. Through our words and works God’s Word bears fruit in our lives.Like Mary, are you giving your YES? How do you put into action this YES especially today?

Sept.07,’07-On this first friday of the month, honor the Lord by being His heart to others. Exposing one’s heart isn’t at all easy. It can wound and hurt us. It can make us vulnerable. But only when our heart is ‘outside’ that we can feel what others feel. Help me to remember, Lord: to be weak is to be strong.

Sept.6,’07-Jesus asks Simon ‘to pull out a little from the shore. ‘(Lk.5). Imagine the Lord telling telling you the same words. How does that speak to you in yourlife-situation now? Perhaps He is challenging you to be more open, to have more courage and to take more risks. Remember He is with you as you put out to the sea.

Sept.5,’07-Jesus left a daybreak and looked for a solitary place. ‘Lk.4). If Jesus appears tireless it’s because He draws energy from a rich inner life. He knows how to slow down. He takes helpful stops and has space for things of the spirit. When the spirit moves you to be alone, quiet and to pray, do you follow?

Sept.4,’07-In 2008, a group of 188 Japanese martyrs, mostly laypeople - women and children- will be beatified in Nagasaki. Among them are a mother who died embracing her kids as they were burned to death. Here’s a woman of character: whose family meant everything to her that she taught them faith till the end!

Sept.03,’07-The more we have the more we feel we don’t have. We have many ways to connect today yet we’re more disconnected. Amid the noise and clutter of our world there exists a hunger for something deep. Our deep hungers long for that which lasts and is truly lifegiving. May I find you in my hungers, Lord.

Sept.02,’07-‘When you give a feast invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and blind.’ (Lk 14). Jesus asks us to give attention to the least and last. We are to remember those often forgotten, those who can’t repay us with anything. For aren’t we like this with God–utterly poor that we can’t anything in return?

Sept.01,’07-Welcome to September. The ‘-ber’ months begin. In the Philippines people slowly begin to observe Xmas. One can hear Xmas carols and see Xmas decors. The sights and sounds remind us to joyfully expect the Lord’s coming. It’s 4 months before the actual feasts but ask yourself: How can I best prepare for Him?