For God’s sake

"For you were called for freedom, brothers. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" (From today’s Second Reading, Gal. 5:13-14).

What a timely message to all our political leaders — those who won as well as those who lost in the recent elections — from the Presidential all the way to the local levels. To freely choose to move ahead, in the name of God. For God’s sake! And this means nothing more and nothing less than to serve one another in love. To move on, without looking back.

"No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God." (From today’s Gospel reading, Lk. 9:62).

The proclamations of the COMELEC, the NAMFREL, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, and the official Congressional Committee were unanimous. Inspite of incidents of local election fraud here and there, as in previous elections, over all there was not massive cheating nationwide. The elections were generally peaceful and honest.

This is where God is calling us as a nation right now. We owe it to God and our people to put our act together, if we want to receive God’s blessings and guidance for the months and years to come. God and country are THE PRIORITY in our political life — not partisan politics and self-serving interests.

The politics of polarization is clearly from evil forces that are leading us to the brink of national disaster.

We therefore appeal to all our political leaders, particularly those who lost in the recent elections, to keep listening to the whisperings of God within them. What may He be trying to say to you, rather than what you may be trying to say to Him. Let us use of our God-given capability of discerning His will — for the sake of our present and our future, for the sake of our children and grandchildren, our people, especially the poor and marginalized.

We appeal especially to our Filipino men, since you are called by the Creator to be the moral role-models of your families and community, inspired and guided by no other than God the Father and God the Son.

The moral challenges to our Filipino males are critical, since the majority of our corrupt officials, unfaithful spouses, and criminals in prison are males. The majority of our so-called "illegitimate fathers" and those involved in high-stakes gambling, drug-and-alcohol addiction — are males. And those who caused the recent legalistic delays and filibustering in Congress are males.

But wait. Side by side with all that is a growing number of Filipino males who are credible leaders in their own, respective spheres of moral influence. We celebrated Father’s Day last week, and the newspapers were full of inspiring stories of Filipino males and fathers. From Roberto de Ocampo, former Secretary of Finance and now president of the Asian Institute of Management, to Jose Mari Chan, the well-known singer and songwriter. From Bobby to Toby Claudio, that father-and-son team of Toby’s Sports, whose dream is to make sports accessible to every Filipino child. From the 2004 winners of the Ulirang Ama Awards to the counterpart Huwarang Ama awardees.

We need many more male role-models, particularly in our political life. From the politics of polarization to the politics of nationalism. To both the winners and the losers in the recent elections – God calls each one of you to use your victory or defeat as your unique opportunity for the three G’s: your Growth, Greatness, and Godliness as a person.

Amen.