On uncontrollable rage

MAN is made up of three parts: Body, Mind and Spirit or Soul. All these three parts can get sick. The sickness of the body and mind can be easily detected. But the sickness of the spirit is a lot deeper which the person himself can cure with a contrite heart. Repentance is the main solution to that malady.

Uncontrollable rage can cause a lot of harm to others and the person himself. Often times, people of normal sound minds put themselves in such a situation that makes them violent.

Like two friends will go out on drinking spree. When they get tipsy, the demon spirit of anger will inhabit and take control of them. One will utter a hurting comment against the other and the other friend will react abnormally and get his gun and shoot the other.

It can also happen to a politician whose penchant for publicity gets wild every time there is a TV camera. She would berate people she can dominate and project herself as brilliant. But to the minds of the intelligent, she is a “brilliant nut.”

When I was young, I would go out with friends drinking. After more than an hour, they would notice I have not even finished my half glass of beer. I could hear some comment, “Johnny, ano nga clase pang-inom na?” and they would laugh.

I said, “Amo lang ni ya capacidad ko.”

I would recall the words of our American Jesuit professor, “If you cannot stand on your own two feet, you’re not a man but a jellyfish.” They laughed at me but I was their “yayo” later bringing them home.

When we surrender our minds to alcohol or drugs, we insult God for his kindness in giving us a sound mind and body. Our rationality is the only thing that distinguishes us from the beasts of the fields. Let’s hold on to that, please.