WE ARE living in a world where hatred, jealousy, revenge and apathy are common reactions of people towards situations when we face troubles, animosities and other encounters wherein our first move is to get even.
Seldom we think about the consequences because what is in our mind when faced by the that kind of incident is to save our face from humiliation, from being taunted and being branded as coward, boneless, weak, to name a few. But is it really an ideal way as human being to react that way?
Of course I cannot tell you that it is not right because a debate will ensue if you insist what you believe and will label it as your stand, a principle, a guide, a practice in life which you justified, “so that they will not trample my dignity, my person, my being human.”
Is it really your dignity that you care for or your pride? We need to be careful with what we say and be more careful with what we do, not because of what other people will say but more on whether it is acceptable to our Creator or not.
Critical thinking tells us that we need to think it over and over again before we pass judgment, before acting as a reaction to a situation. We need to investigate, to validate and gather and treat data before we evaluate so that we can come out with the right generalization. It is following a process. It is not a mere sin now, ask forgiveness later. It is all about life and its essence for existence.
Proverbs 25:21-22 (TEV) says, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. You will make him burn with shame and the LORD will reward you”. A tall order for us especially that we also have limitations but if we are sincere and true to our beliefs, not just a professing but a practising believer then it is not anymore us doing it for ourselves but it is the Holy Spirit working in each one of us.
We have a perfect God and if we really meant to follow Him, we may not be perfect but we can strive to be near perfect. We cannot be spotless but we can minimize our stains. We may not be squeaky clean, but we can lessen our dirt. If we think of doing things and we believe we can do it, we can.
How can we possibly do good in a difficult situation? Simple, just be consistently good. Just what Fr. Julius, our officiating priest said in his homily, “If you hate someone, kill him...with your KINDNESS!
Let me end by quoting Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s poem entitled, “Anyway”:
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; It was never between you and them anyway.
This Corner hopes that we practice to be... near perfect.