THE biggest challenge for Catholics comes after the observance of Holy Week. While Paris tries to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral that burned last week, I think we, Filipinos, must also do our own rebuilding as members of the Catholic Church.
Why do we need rebuilding?
Have you not noticed how our Muslim brothers and sisters are united in every holy day as members of the Islam community? How do some of our Catholic faithful observe Holy Week? If we are not together in the observance of the most important calendar of the Church, how could we be united as citizens of this country which happens to be the only Catholic country in Asia?
While Parisians were mourning for the loss of a Catholic landmark, millions among us were nonchalant about how to be a religious member of the Church. I may sound sanctimonious, I could not help but compare how much reverence Muslims give to their God Allah vis-à-vis the seemingly “dedma” (Filipino slang for “apathetic”) attitude of some of our Catholic members toward our God the Father and His Son Jesus.
We are many parts but we are all one body. Why can’t we observe the Holy Week as one nation and redeem ourselves from being bashed as fake Catholics? We readily accept trivial challenges on the internet. How about challenges requested of us by the Catholic Church and that is to be mindful to the call to prayer?
Crimes committed against fellow human beings are now more heinous, and most especially if we look into how the dead bodies of victims are disposed which is in complete disregard to the value of human life. Chopped bodies, disfigured victims, bodies found in septic tanks and trash bins are indications of how satanic influences are working overtime.
What we need is spiritual warfare to cast the demons back into hell where they belong. The apparent disagreement between our President and the Catholic Church is not helping the present situation. It is sad and a shame to consider ourselves belonging to a Catholic nation and yet we have a President who lambast members of the Church who are supposed to be the Apostles of Jesus Christ.
It is a big challenge for the Catholic Church to strengthen its youth organization, so the young could have a more prayerful life to be able to fight the root of all evil: drugs, alcohol and consumerism.