The Blame Game

One unhealthy habit that our son Zek has more-than-willing-to indulged on is eating junk foods. And it does not help one bit that my parents has a modest sari-sari store which is also a mother lode of all those chicha goodies. My wife and I have resorted to all parenthood 101 tips in dissuading him from his eating habit with little progress. So one time I had to make it straight and firm in imposing a stop to his habit.

Zek instantly went straight to his grandfather who was staying inside the store and with his own version of strong advice told him, ”Papa, put down all your chicha goodies because my daddy says I can’t eat them anymore.” My father has a good laugh with him afterwards.


Man in the Mirror

My son, in his innocent reaction, has reminded me what most of us has been doing every time we commit sin – pointing the blame on others.

“He made me so angry so I punched him.”
“She gossiped behind my back so I spread tales about her, too.”
“He promised me that he will leave his wife so I slept with him.”
“He falsely testified against me before so I also make unfounded accusation against him.”

This reality was also biblically highlighted during the commission of the first sin by our parents. Adam pointed to Eve for prodding him to eat the forbidden fruit. And when asked, Eve pointed to the devious snake for deceiving her with lies.

A few year’s ago, I was in a similar dilemma when I allowed myself to have weeks of Saturday-night extra marital affairs with several women. No, it was not of the physical nor emotional nature but of the mental and visual one as I slowly learned to explore the sordid world of internet pornography. Extenuating circumstances may have contributed to my series of mistakes but it was only after I owned up to my sinfulness and weakness that I slowly turned things around and eventually break from that sinful habit-forming activities. I went to confession and put preventive measures to safeguard myself and my thoughts.

I could have blamed pornography. I could have faulted my extenuating circumstances. I could have pointed the finger at the dawning of internet age which created this easy-access. I could have blamed the porn-sites for creating the supply. Instead, I admitted and accepted that my actions and repercussions are of my own making and my sole responsibility alone.

And so, by God’s mercy and grace, personal change finally came.


A Nation on Spotlight

As a nation, we are now facing a critical crossroad that will lead us to either becoming a people who truly respects and fight for the right of one of the weakest part of our society- the unborn, or those who will support a national legislation masking our moral-justification for the termination of life at conception. Both pro and anti RH bill have eloquently interpolated their stands and compelling views with matching statistical data. However, in all its head-spinning and unbelievable twists and turns, in the end, the contentious legislative proposal really boils to one thing – our government leaders does not want to own up to their shortcomings and attempt to shift the blame on other factors as to why there are many poor Filipinos.

They blame the population.
They claim it’s the “outdated” natural family-planning.
They point to the Catholic church for pontificating abstinence and natural family planning.

Let us pray for our so-called leaders that they will have the needed humility and change of heart to realize and accept that as our chosen leaders, true change and prosperity will only come when they lead us with honesty and integrity. Let us continue to hope that they finally emulate their leadership with that of our Lord Jesus as the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd leads his flock to green pasture and protects them from vicious wolves. A good shepherd looks for, rescues and rejoices for every single lost and weak sheep and brings it back to his fold.

And as for us Christians, let our belief in the sanctity and preservation of life be heard.
If we keep silent, it will be construed as a silent concurrence to this evil scheme.

So let it be known – I am strongly opposed to the present RH bill.
I hope you are, too.

God bless.