Second & Third Quarter Issue, 2010
Be of good cheer!
By: Vic Aleria, Jr.
Contemporary times are full of challenges and everything seems to permeate our individual lives. Thus, we experience different kinds of troubles, deep pains and serious problems. Many of us have concerns on employment and livelihood. Others have health issues. Financial matters seem serious and crippling while debts are unending. Many think of a way out abroad. On all of these matters, the strains impact on the relationships.
On the macro side, the issue of corruption - a political issue in the last election - is becoming real and concrete to many of us and not only one can confirm of its truth. It seems that wickedness rule and has a heavy toll on the vulnerable.
We then ask, is there pleasant hope ahead of us? Can we still have a better future?
Indeed, we are affected in many ways than one and some of us shy away from community meetings and activities. It appears then that we fail to appreciate community as a bulwark where we can lean upon and regain strength. More serious than this is - we do not care to say our prayers almost everyday and we succumb to impulsive reaction on daily circumstances. Then we drift at times.
Instead of counting the blessings, we reckon all the problems that had been with us and the experiences would be wearisome because these days are evil days. But we should remember that Christ was born, too, at the height of difficult times with essentially similar to present social and political conditions of greed and powerlessness.
The same is true with the situation in the times of St. Paul when he cautioned the church in Corinth, when he said, “. . . (w)e are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed.” (2 Cor.4:8-9) Such a powerful statement is an urging of a leader full of joyful hope. Indeed, in times of distress, we ought to be hopeful. Such hope must be joyful and peaceful to make it as a strong virtue.
We had been tested by time and our Community had weathered the “stormy seas” in the past yet we remained as a strong bulwark where members can seek refuge and regain strength for rigorous life ahead. Yes, we have limitations and we may have no answer to all life’s questions but we look at the future with full of hope being Easter people. Our vision settles not on the present but beyond. Thus, we strive to be vigilant preparing everyday and taking advantage of every opportunity to develop relationships as an expression of our love to one another. We are a people with a clear vision and direction. As such, we do not allow petty tribulations to hamper our vision of hope and be distracted with personal concerns.
Being a “city on a hill that can not be hidden”, signifies the degree and strength of our trust in the Lord and reflected on the depth of our relationship with Him and to all brothers and sisters in the community. Hence, the stronger we are in that relationship, the more we know Him and recognize His significance in our lives, individually and corporately. That defines our love that we share together in the community.
After all, love heals in many of our difficult situations. But such difficult times require of us to be strong to live in the steadfastness and determination of hope.
