Remembering God in times of plenty

BY ATTY. BATAS MAURICIO 


 LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God...” (1 Corinthians 1:18, the Holy Bible).

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CULTURE OF GODLESSNESS AT UP? Here are some sidelights of the 100th Commencement (Graduation) Exercise of the University of the Philippines last Sunday, April 17, 2011: The Presidential Security Group barred students and their parents from bringing in umbrellas, cameras and water into the graduation grounds, at the back of the Administration Building, and yet, many people ignored them just the same.

Activists coming from the ranks of the graduates reflect the lack of spiritual moorings of many Filipinos today. Thinking perhaps that they will look good for their disrespect of President Aquino, these graduates not only showed they are ingrates despite the almost free education they got from UP, but, more importantly, they no longer fear God, especially His command to respect the authorities and other people.

And this lack of spirituality is unfortunately reflected by the star of the graduation ceremonies himself, B.S. Math summa cum laude John Gabriel Pelias, who, while thanking almost everyone in his speech, did not remember to thank God, in the same way that UP President Alfredo Pascual also did not thank God when he talked. What is this, a culture of godlessness at the UP?

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MEDIA TO COVER PALARO 2011: There will be sufficient media coverage for Palarong Pambansa 2011, Dapitan City Councilor Apple Marie Agolong, a member of the Palaro’s Executive Committee  chaired by former Zamboanga Del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos, assures. 

“I was able to talk to the different media groups from Cotabato, General Santos, Davao, Cagayan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Cebu, Dumaguete, Bohol and writers from various leading national newspapers in the country. I’m happy to say that I have convinced them to cover the Palarong Pambansa 2011 here in Dapitan,” Agolong said. Well done, Apple.

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REMEMBERING GOD IN TIMES OF PLENTY: It is a common trait, not only among Filipinos but for the rest of the world as well, that while we are yet  struggling against poverty and difficult lives, we constantly remember God in our prayers, supplicating and asking for His blessings and provisions. In short, while we are still poor, we are highly spiritual.

Yet, when life turns around for the better, and we start experiencing material and financial wealth, we forget God, we do not thank Him as much as we should, to the extent even of disobeying His commands, thinking that our lives improved because of our own capabilities. God hates this kind of ingratitude.

“When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you,” the Bible, in its Deuteronomy 8:10-11 says, adding that “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe His commands, His laws and His decrees that I am giving you today.”

Otherwise, if you forget God, “… then your heart will become proud and… You may say to yourself `my power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me’… If you ever forget the Lord your God… I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed” (Deuteronomy 8:12, 17, 19).


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Alalahanin ang Diyos pag yaman ninyo


INSPIRASYON SA BUHAY: “… Sapagkat ang mensahe ng krus ay kamangmangan sa mga napapahamak, ngunit sa ating mga naligtas ito ay kapangyarihan ng Diyos…” (1 Corinto 1:18, Bibliya).

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KULTURA NG KAWALAN NG DIYOS SA UP? Naririto ang ilang bahagi ng ika-100 graduation ceremonies ng University of the Philippines noong Linggo, Abril 17, 2011: Pinagbawalan ng Presidential Security Group ang mga estudyante at mga magulang na magdala ng mga payong, camera, at tubig sa graduation grounds, sa likod ng Administration Building, pero, binalewala lamang sila ng maraming tao.

Ang mga aktibistang nagsipagtapos ay nagpakita naman ng kawalan ng espirituwalidad, gaya ng maraming Pilipino sa ngayon. Nagnais magpa-guwapo sa pambabastos sa Pangulong Aquino, ang mga ito ay nagpakita hindi lamang na ingrato sila sa kabila ng halos libreng edukasyon nila sa UP, kundi wala na silang takot sa Diyos, lalo na sa Kanyang utos na igalang ang mga namamahala at ang kapwa.

At ang kawalang ito ay ipinakita din ng pinaka-tampok na nagtapos sa UP, ang B.S. Math summa cum laude na si John Gabriel Pelias na bagamat nagpasalamat sa lahat na yata ng tao ay nakalimot namang magpasalamat sa Diyos sa kanyang talumpati, gaya ng hindi din pagpapasalamat sa Diyos ni UP President Alfredo Pascual. Ano ito, kultura ng kawalan ng Diyos ang umiiral sa UP?

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MEDIA PARA SA PALARO 2011, OK NA: Sigurado ang sapat na media coverage para sa Palarong Pambansa 2011, ayon kay Dapitan City Councilor Apple Marie Agolong, isa sa mga kasapi ng Palaro Execuive Committee na pinamumunuan naman ni dating Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Romeo Jalosjos.

“Nakausap ko na ang iba’t ibang grupo ng media at mga mamahayag sa Cotabato, General Santos, Davao, Cagayan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Cebu, Dumaguete, Bohol, at maging sa mga pangunahing mga pahayagan sa bansa, at naliligayahan akong iulat na napakiusapan ko silang tutukan ang Palarong Pambansa 2011,” dagdag pa ni Agolong. Congrats, Apple.

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ALALAHANIN ANG DIYOS SA PANAHON NG PAGYAMAN: Ugali na hindi lamang ng mga Pilipino kundi maging ng ibang mga tao sa buong mundo na kung naghihirap pa lamang tayo, madalas nating inaalaala ang Diyos sa ating mga panalangin, humihingi ng Kanyang pagpapala at bendisyon. Sa madaling salita, habang mahirap pa tayo, lubha tayong maka-Diyos.

Pero pag gumanda na ang buhay natin, at nararanasan na nating yumaman, nakakalimutan natin ang Diyos, hindi na natin Siya pinasasalamatan ng nararapat, nilalabag pa natin ang Kanyang mga utos, at iniisip pa nating naging mahusay ang ating buhay dahil sa ating sariling kakayahan. Dito galit ang Diyos.

“ “Kung nakakain na kayo at kayo ay nasiyahan, purihin ang Diyos sa mabuting lupang ibinigay Niya sa inyo,” ayon sa Bibliya, sa kanyang Deuteronomio 8:10-11, na nagsasabi ding “Ingatan ninyong hindi ninyo makakalimutan ang Diyos, hindi susundin ang Kanyang mga utos…”

Kung makakalimutan ninyo ang Diyos “… magiging matigas ang inyong puso at… masasabi pa ninyo sa inyong sarili, `ang kapangyarihan at lakas ng aking mga kamay ang nagbigay sa akin ng yamang ito’… kung lilimutin ninyo ang Diyos … sinasabi ko sa inyo, siguradong malilipol at mawawasak kayo” (Deuteronomio 8:12, 17, 19).