Just when I start getting all comfortable and settled in in my life, something always happens to change its direction and my life gets unsettled, goes into turmoil but somehow things always become better. I was happy and contented growing up in Angeles, resigned to spending the rest of my life there. Then one day, Fr. Lagerway came to our school and talked to us about the seminary and becoming a priest. So I left my home and went to the seminary and I have been moving my place of residence many times ever since, each new place always better than the last.
I could have just stayed on in the seminary; but one day, I told my Rector that I would want to spend a few years working before finishing my studies. So, I left the seminary and taught at Xavier School and there met the love of my life. I have changed professions and careers several times since then, each new one posing new and bigger challenges but as always each one better than the last.
When things and people get settled down, they get too comfortable and resigned sometimes even in their misery. The force of inertia make people complacent. Leaders begin to believe they are above the law. Priests and religious begin to believe they are beyond sinning. And the people begin to lose hope for their salvation and redemption.
There is turmoil and trouble a brewing in the Philippines right now. I pray this is the sign of coming deep changes and nation-changing events. Even Pope Francis has said he wants to see people creating mess in their churches, stirring things and changing centuries old practices in the Church.
I pray that we work and strive for the weightier matters like justice, mercy and faith.
Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practiced without neglecting the others.”
Matthew 23:23-26