“LIVE BOLDLY”. This is a challenge that came to me after reading an article entitled: “TOTAL ACTION NOT FLABBY REACTION” written by an SVD Priest, Rev. Fr. Ambrosio Manaligod.
The article is actually a criticism on how we, Christians, live our faith. It exposes the reason why there is so much graft and corruption in our country, the Philippines, in spite of the fact that we are considered the only Catholic nation in the Far East, with a population of 90% Christian. It is said that in our country Christianity actually has not failed, but that it has not been truly tried. Some describe our Christianity in the Philippines as a “Split-level Christianity”, meaning we do not really practice what we believe, that there is a dichotomy on what we believe and on how we live. Hence, the challenge to LIVE BOLDLY.
To live boldly means to live according to ones convictions; for Faith is a Conviction, not a certainty. Our Christian Faith is, indeed, a Conviction that God is Our Father and that we are all His children, and that therefore, we should love one another as God loves us. This is the Challenge where probably many of us, Filipinos, fail. This is because loving one another should not only by our lips but more so in our deeds.
Studies reveal that the great majority of our population are living in poverty. The rich are getting richer and richer, while the poor are getting poorer and poorer. Why? Because of greed. Those who have want to have more and more, even at the expense of those who have very little. We have an AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM, where the tillers of the land are supposed to own the land they till. But after almost half a century since its enactment into law, the great majority of the tenant farmers are still subservient to the landowners.
In the recently concluded National Elections, there is an overwhelming desire of the voting population to weed out “Graft and Corruption”. Those who were voted upon to take the reins of the government were chosen with the hope that they, indeed, will implement and enforce laws that are meant to eliminate this “evil” in the government. How they will do it remains to be seen.
Personally I believe, however, that the root cause of graft and corruption should be addressed – that of GREED. Greed for Power- for Property- for Prestige. Unless this root cause is eliminated and changed with the Christian Principle of LOVE, the problem of graft and corruption can never be eradicated.
The challenge, therefore, to live boldly is to take seriously the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ when He said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”. (John 13: 34-35)
In a nutshell, to live boldly means “TO LIVE WHAT WE BELIEVE”.
by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
May 23, 2010
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