Are we listening? Are we really a Christian nation, as we always pride ourselves to be? The number one sign of authentic Christianity is COMMUNITY. How much time – decades, centuries – do we need to become a Christian community? Humanly speaking, Christ’s patience is running out! What is He telling us in today’s Gospel?
"The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel." (Mk. 1:15). Yes. The Gospel of love and justice and peace. The Gospel of moral integrity, honesty, and the common good. Concern for the poor, the underprivileged, and the marginalized.
And what is our response to all this? A nationwide culture of corruption in all sectors of society. Ruthless politicking on the part of our trapo politicians. And passive indifference on the part of the majority of our citizens.
"Repent", the compassionate Jesus tells us once and for all. Now is the time to change, the Hound of Heaven keeps whispering in our ears, and pounding in our hearts. Change now, or else . . . This same warning was given to Nineveh, as we find in today’s First Reading. "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed," (Jonah 3:4).
The people of Nineveh repented and changed their ways. "When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he threatened to do them, he did not carry it out." (3:10)
Our dear fellow Christians – politicians, businessmen, professionals, employers and employees, fellow-priests, religious, ecclesiastical leaders, and all our fellow-citizens – let us respond to the call of Christ by repenting and changing our ways. And at the end of today’s Gospel is His promise and commitment:
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mk 1:17). This is his call and mission for all of us, Christians. This is what will save and heal our land.
Let us start from both above and below. President Arroyo has already made her bold and courageous start from above. Let us support her from below – starting from our own families.
As we end today the 4th World Meeting of Families, let this be the beginning of every Filipino family’s renewal and commitment to God and country. Among other roles and values, the social and political role of the family must be activated. No less than the Church document on family life in the modern world conveys this mission to all families.
"The social role of families is called upon to find expression also in the form of political intervention: Families should be the first to take steps to see that the laws and institutions of the State not only do not offend but support and positively defend the rights and duties of the family. Along these lines, families should grow in awareness of being ‘protagonists’ of what is known as ‘family politics’ and assume responsibility for transforming society; otherwise, families will be the first victims of the evils that they have done no more than note with indifference." (Familiaris Consortio, #44)
A wake-up call for non-violent but militant advocacy work on the part of families.
Families-for-Others.