The first ones to be cast in hell

jhay — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:16:35 +0000

Holy Week is over, the Philippines will slowly return to its “normal programming” in a few hours’ time since it is, as of this writing, Monday.

Shows that promote mediocrity, giving dole-outs, sex and consumerism will once more dominate the prime-time slots in local television networks for all ages, especially children, to watch and emulate. But in these very same noon-time shows are the same TV personalities who starred in their respective networks’ Lenten season special proving one thing: they may promote the evils mentioned earlier 98% of the year, but during this holy week, they could come full circle and become symbols of repentance, compassion, and being true Christians. Not!!!

As I’ve said, in a few hours’ time, they will be at it again. Just like last year, even more daring and corrupting. Hypocrisy in all its raw glory.

Speaking of hypocrisy, it’s things like these that remind me of something my high school mentor once said;

Sa muling pagbabalik ni Kristo, ang mga una niyang itatapon sa impyerno ay mga ang mga pari at taong simbahan. (In the second coming of Christ, the first ones he’ll cast into hell will be most of the priests and the laity.)

I asked him why so? He replied;

Kasi ang sabi at bilin ni Kristo bago siya umakyat sa langit ay ipalaganap ang Mabuting Balita o magmalasakit sa kapwa tao saan sa mundo. Hindi yung magpagawa nang magpagawa ng mga simbahan, mangolekta ng pera atbp. (It’s because Christ told them to go spread The Good News or become compassionate for others in all corners of the world. He never told them to build huge churches, collect money etc.)

In the context of what is happening today in our country, DJB Rizalist has also answered my question eloquently:

From my experience with little children making up profound excuses for their dereliction of duty in the loss of a favorite toy or article of clothing (and perfervid vows to look for it) the Catholic Bishops newfound dedication to searching for “the Truth” sounds more like an evasion of the Truth even if they already know exactly what it is.

Yet, they are surely mostly good men, if a touch deluded about certain things. It is to me impossible that they are acting out of pure evil or clerico-fascism (though that has always been a fatal attraction), impossible that they do not see the President’s crimes and dishonesty, impossible they do not believe the testimony and the evidence piling up in the Senate about ZTE, Spratly and a dozen other major crimes of the president and her men. Many other impossibilities about them have been eliminated by logic and reason, therefore as Sherlock Holmes said, after you have eliminated the impossible in some mystery, what is left, no matter how improbable has got to be the Truth!

What is left, and it is not that improbable, is that like Romulo Neri himself, the Catholic Bishops have something about themselves that is so terrible and disgusting that they must hide behind a “continuing search for the Truth” even as they are being BLACKMAILED into complicity with a massive coverup.

So what is it? Sexual indiscretions and the fathering of children in confessionals? Homosexual orgies? Acceptance of gambling-stained Pagcor funds, rationalized into sanctity by the needs of charity? Paedophilia? What? Sherlock Holmes wants to know…

I may be ex-communicated for this or something but just like Sherlock Holmes and DJB, I also want to know. So my dear Bishops and priests?

Jun Lozada – Krus ng Katotohanan

jhay — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:21:54 +0000

It’s been a long while since my last update here in The Four-eyed Journal. The last few weeks of the school year has just been too much that it has taken up a great deal of my time. Nonetheless, since this post comes during the Lenten season and it is a time for reflection not just about our faith but also among a lot of many other things, I’d like to share a video that I hope would be a good source or inspiration for all of us to reflect on.

It is a video of Mr Jun Lozada sharing his reflections on why he has come out to tell the truth despite the dangers, perils, criticisms and obstacles hurled against him from the time he has worked in the government up to now that he has stood up for the truth. It was taken in a forum in La Salle Greenhills last March 4, 2008, in which we Lasallians from Dasmariñas, Cavite finally made it out of our province to join our fellow Lasallians and Mr Jun Lozada himself for a gathering for truth, honesty, justice and accountability.

In this sharing that lasted for almost 30 minutes, Jun Lozada brought up the following points that would be good bases for our Lenten reflection:

Apathy and indifference has pervaded our society. Even the Catholic Church has become indifferent to the truth, or the lack thereof, and the corruption in government.
Corruption in government is a form of business. And if you would “rock the boat”, no body would do business with you again.
Most are afraid to carry the torch of light because the very first thing to be illuminated is one’s own self thereby exposing one’s sins and dirty image.
Conscience is the driving force for someone to brave the odds and do what is right and doing something for the truth.
Carry the light of truth and those who thrive in darkness, corrupting others, will reject and even destroy you.
If you will fill your heart with the light of goodness, then there will be no place for a shadow in you.
Act with compassion, not with hatred, because compassion for those who suffer, who are oppressed, who are victims of injustice and corruption will be the reason for our collective constant struggle for change and a better tomorrow. The removal of an evil empire is simply a consequence of this compassion-driven movement.

I hope many will find a gem or two in this video and in these points of reflection. If you happen to find some more, do share them for everyone’s benefit.

The Four-eyed Journal » Faith

The first ones to be cast in hell

Jun Lozada – Krus ng Katotohanan