We do not lost hope, however. Just before election day, former President Cory Aquino moved to invite all presidentiables and candidates to a Mass for unity and peace at San Agustin Church with Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales officiating. That was a good sight to see all of them Brother Eddie Villanueva, Senator Raul Roco, Fernando Poe Jr., Senator Panfilo Lacson, Jr. and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo holding hands singing the Lords Prayer. Can this be the beginning of healing all strife, the way to reconciliation and peace, the promise now that people have voted, they will recognize in it the hand of God. At least if the people voted honestly, objectively choosing the candidate not for any vested interest, but sincerely choosing the most competent, following the dictates of sound reason and conscience and morality, then the way as God would have us follow has been opened.
It is also touching, that televised media, while giving candidates some time to air their campaigns, changed the tone of their broadcasts one or two days before election time. Show-biz characters, newscasters, TV hosts shared prayers for an honest, clean election, for unity and peace. The atmosphere could recall how Jesus prayed to the heavenly Father, "That they all may be one as Thou Father in Me and I in Thee. That they all may be one as we are" (Jn 17:11). Peace is after all the gift of God Himself to men won by Christs unconditional obedience by delivering Himself without reserve to God, thereby defeating the power of Satan which held us in bondage.
It is only in Christ Jesus we can find peace and the only way He points to wherein we should tread is by keeping His Word. "Whoever loves Me will keep My Word and My Father will love him and We will make our dwelling place in Him " (Jn 14:23). This is how we reconcile all things in Christ. It is only when we are at peace with God that we can find the peace he meant when He said: "PEACE I give to you; My peace I leave with you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you" (Jn 14:27).
Sixth Sunday of Easter, John 14:23-29.