Where have all the hosannas gone?

This was a marathon weekend of watching the ‘Greatest Story Ever Told’ – my favorite is still Mel Gibson’s version of The Passion of the Christ. The story of Jesus is so real and so gripping we can easily relate to it in this generation. Nothing seems to have changed in human nature. In this election period, we continue to witness the same graft-ridden, wheeling and dealing, manipulating, politically-vicious groups all around us.

My late father always compared Jesus’ time to our present times during Holy Week as he would quip:

We still see governors like Pontius Pilate of Rome saying, “I find no fault in this man,” then having him flogged with a leap-tipped whip. After having Jesus cruelly scourged, hoping he has appeased the mob, the governor brings Him out to the loudly-tumultuous mob, declaring ‘I find Him not guilty.’ Ecce homo – here’s the man, Pilate asserts. The masa cry out: “Crucify him!”

Where then is Vox Populi, Vox Dei?

Pilate offers to free prisoners, in honor of the Jewish feast of the Passover, asking the crowd to choose between Christ and a notorious murderer, Barabbas, who had been violently involved in a revolt. The crowd chooses Barabbas for release. In our polls, we still tend to choose guys (and gals) like Barabbas. Virtue is never its own reward.

The final act of political manipulation is what is done to Jesus. “What crime has he committed?” Pilate asks. That’s when the intriguers stick in the shiv. They tell the Roman governor that Christ claims to be ‘King’, and therefore, how can he be King if Caesar is the true ruler? They say that if Pilate sides with Jesus, then he betrays his Boss, Caesar in Rome.

Pilate sees himself losing his own job, even his own head. So he washes his hands of this troublesome fellow. Okay, he orders his men (only Romans can “execute” anyone in the colonies) to march this Jesus over to the hill of Golgotha and get it over with.

Politics in this land is Jerusalem Redux.

Throughout the centuries, the Catholic Church has stood for all that is noble, good and true in the mind and heart of mankind. Despite the accumulated errors and calumnies of her detractors and enemies who impute her, unwittingly or deliberately, the misdeeds and blunders of individuals and even the imperfections of man, the Church stands out as a stabilizing, enlightening and saving influence in human society.

This past Holy Week retreat should have given us the time to contemplate and reflect on our work and mission in life. I hope it has brought some good to our leaders as most of them happen to be Catholics. As a matter of fact, almost all of our presidential candidates are Catholics. Even our past presidents starting from Aguinaldo to Estrada were all Catholics. GMA is a Catholic too.

Yes it’s true that there have been Catholics who have been condemned for their wrong doings, but this was not because they were Catholics but in spite of their being Catholics. Among the 12 Apostles, there was a Judas; and it would be unjust to say that Judas’ sins represent the moral standard and the creed of the Apostles.

If all the presidential candidates are true to their principles (as Catholics) and to the Creed – love God, and obey His commandments, then, they should: (1) love and serve their fellowmen to the best of their abilities and will; (2) be a good citizen and patriot; (3) be progressive and seek the truth and knowledge; (4) be courageous and not yield to the forces of evil; (5) be a power for the good of the community; (6) be a gentleman, a Christian gentleman.

Indeed, our leaders should be courageous in the true sense of the word. They should have the courage of their convictions. They may laugh at the dangers in their fight for righteousness and in the fulfillment of their duties, for they know that if they are with God and God is with them, their cause will eventually triumph. Even defeat may only be a blessing in disguise. If their hearts are free from sin and their conscience is clear, they have no fear even of death, for they know that for the just, this life is only a transition to one of eternal glory and happiness everlasting.

There is among the legends of knighthood, the story of Sir Galahad. Among the famous Knights of the Round Table of King Arthur, he surpassed all in the purity of his soul, and the nobleness of his acts. He was brave and strong, because, in the words of the poet, his heart was pure.

The days of knights in shining armor, with lance and sword are gone. But there is a knighthood no less noble than theirs — the knighthood of Catholic men and women. They do not have to engage in spectacular combats with might and main, but their battles of a moral order in everyday life, for all that Christianity stands for, are no less glorious than the greatest ever fought and won when knighthood was in flower!

During the Lenten season, I reflected on the Sermon on the Mount. It speaks of the moral teachings of Christ. It contains the Beatitudes; The Lord’s Prayer; the Golden Rule; the Ten Commandments and teachings such as: Ye are the salt of the Earth, Love your enemies, Consider the lilies of the field, Judge not, that ye be not judged, Ask, and it shall be given you, By their fruits ye shall know them, Cast not pearls before swine and the image of false prophets as wolves in sheep’s clothing. These teachings should serve as our guide in a life of discipline. With discipline comes peace, harmony and progress in life. Without it, we continue to wallow in the deep abyss of fear, hate and endless bickering, not seeing the light of day at the end of the tunnel. Then, we cry for help.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, the Jews were shouting “Hosanna”! They were acknowledging Him as the promised Messiah, someone whom they thought will free them from the Romans. Hosanna is more than just a shout of fervent and worshipful praise. It is a plea for help. Hosanna is a cry – just like our country’s cry for help, for salvation. But where have all the hosannas gone? No one seems to hear them.

Easter has arrived. Don’t forget it’s not only about the bunnies and the colorful eggs. It is about the risen Christ. It is about a new hope and zeal that we have just received in this blessed season.

Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!