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Monday, March 21, 2005
Velasco: You gotta have faith
By Diana B. Velasco
Grain of Salt
"Could we still properly give this sacred time the respect that it deserves if we have to constantly look over our shoulders while we pray?"
THIS week will be the highlight of the Lenten season, that time of the year when we remember the greatest sacrifice of all time, when Jesus gave his life for the forgiveness of our sins. It is a time for us to ponder and affirm if the lives we live are worthy of that sacrifice.
However, recent disturbing events have marred, at the very least, my preferred setting for soul-searching. While I originally intended to reflect within the confines of a place of worship during the holy week, I have had some doubts about the wisdom of that choice.
With the recent siege against Abu Sayyaf members in prison and the threat of retaliation to churches in any city in the country as a result of that event, I have to admit that I am scared, not only for myself but for the rest of the Filipino faithful as well.
Could we still properly give this sacred time the respect that it deserves if we have to constantly look over our shoulders while we pray?
There are two things that we Filipinos are good at during a crisis. We can either laugh at ourselves and the unobvious absurdity of our situation or, when things are particularly hairy, we get on our knees and look to the heavens for answers and salvation.
Given the sanctity of the season and the ominous menace of a heartless terrorist attack, I firmly believe that it is during this time, more than ever, that we have to be steadfast and stand proud within the citadels of our faith.
A wise man once said that it is only in the face of peril will we know who the brave truly are. I say let us collectively prove that we are a people of brave conviction by refusing to succumb to the fear of terribly misguided individuals who have lost theirs.
Faith results to peace and harmonious coexistence. It does not beget the murder of innocent people. It respects the essential human need to connect to a Higher Being, especially in world drowning in a downward spiral of drudgery and terrorism. Faith is about the sometimes faltering but eternally present optimism that the world is still a beautiful place. Even if it scares the hell out of us sometimes, pun intended.
And so I have finally decided to push through with my original plan to spend a substantial portion of the long weekend contemplating my relationship with my God, in a church that could be a sitting duck for stupid extremists. My need for reflection overrides whatever anxiety I may be having right now.
I know He will protect us while we pray. I have faith in that.
(You may email missabsinthe@yahoo.com for your reactions and comments to this article.)
(March 21, 2005 issue)
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