From our Own Little Corner

Being geographically distant from Manila, it is a real temptation for those of us in
Mindanao not to be bothered by the turn of events in the capital city of the country, and dismiss the mass actions as mere political noise of disgruntled
citizens. But it can not be the case if one takes seriously the Filipino saying
'ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay sakit ng buong katawan' (the ailment of the pinky
finger is the ailment of the entire body) and the Pauline treatise on the Body of Christ, one can not simply remain indifferent to the socio-political situation of the
country, especially when it involves the blatant suppression of truth and shameless
greed and corruption in government.

Hence, it was a consoling and encouraging experience to see Catholics, and perhaps non-catholics also gathering at the Gaston Park, in front of the CDO Cathedral attending the Mass for Truth and the brief program that followed. I hope that this will not be the last of such activities, but simply the beginning of a series of
activities that will involve not just Catholics, but all people of good will and not just during elections, but all throughout the year, monitoring the public officials and demanding from them accountability, honesty and integrity while they are in office.

From our little corner of the archipelago, let the light of truth shine!

What makes you shine?

The transfiguration story presents Jesus' face and clothes shining and dazzlingly white. We are told that this episode is a preview of his resurrection which will occur after his passion and death. So what brought about the Resurrection which raised Jesus to an entirely new life and made him shine and dazzle in all glory. The answer lies in the event following the transfiguration and preceding the resurrection: the passion and death of Jesus. Jesus is proclaimed "SON" by the Father in the transfiguration. But he claims this sonship as his identity as he hangs on the cross and says: "Father, into your hands I entrust my Spirit." On the cross, Jesus proclaims God as His Father, thereby sealing the indissoluble love between the Father and the Son. A love so powerful it overcame death. And so we say, "Dying, you destroyed death. Rising, you restored life. Come again in glory."

What makes you shine?

Temptations...temptations

The Gospel for First Sunday of Lent on Year A is the Temptation of Christ in the desert. It shows Jesus triumphant over the devil who wanted to trip him off into choosing the easy way out, the popular way, the highest way. But Jesus would not let himself be deceived by the devil. He ultimately placed his trust in the Father who will fill his hunger, who will protect him, whom He alone adores. May we learn from Christ to put our trust entirely on the Lord, and not be deceived by the empty promises of the devil.