O
nce
there was a boy no more than ten years of age. Looking at his eyes, you can
merely say that he is full of wisdom and aspiration. One day, he finds himself
daydreaming and said, “When I grow up, I would like to be a President of the
Republic of the Philippines so that I can be of help to the society. No men,
women and children would cry in tears because of lack of food. No more wars and lasting peace would reign.”
These are some of the words of the young and innocent boy. Years and days have
gone by, this young boy grown up to a tall and young man. And like most
reckless teenagers, he usually wastes his time going to movies, disco pubs, and
doing useless things. He is always absent in class and these inexcusable
absences made his parents, teacher, and classmates very much worried. Thus, his
parents were advised to see the principal of the school regarding this problem.
At home, he got a long lecture from his parents. However, the stubborn boy turned
a deaf ear that made his parents especially his mother hurt so much. He thought
of running away to some place where his mother and father would not reach him,
some place where no one knew him. While this thought runs on his mind, a tall
dark man wearing dark shades saw him and said, “Hey, Vincent, what are you
doing here?” Vincent said, “Albert, it’s you, long time, no see. I have a big
problem, you know.” Upon saying his problem, Albert invited Vincent to a narrow
street down to a certain impoverished part of Tondo, Manila. Vincent noticed
little children playing outside with their worn-out and untidy shirt. The
neighboring houses seem like relocation sites of insects and the people are
poor as a rat. Vincent felt pity for them. Tears rolled down on his cheeks,
“No, this is not the kind of life I wanted. Mama and Papa are right. I have to
study hard and do my best so that I will not be like these people. I want to have a
brighter future and ambition to fulfill.” The next morning, Vincent headed home
and there was only one thought in his mind --- to ask for forgiveness for what
he has done.
This
short story taught us the value of asking for forgiveness, admitting one’s
mistake and discovering one’s mission in life. We trust that this Holy Week we have
utilized our precious moments to make introspection about ourselves with the
guidance of Lord Jesus Christ. It is heartwarming to greet this wonderful day
of Easter! Let us welcome the day with renewed hopes, aspirations, dreams
and ambitions in life. The resurrection and new birth of Jesus Christ symbolize
the hope that He gives to mankind. Our reflection during the Holy Week gives us
a broader perspective to bring us into the world and realize our lifelong
mission, the fulfillment of which helps give meaning and essence to our life.
We need, therefore, to live our life and carry out our bounden duty in a manner
that would please God the Father. The challenge for us is to re-examine and
allow ourselves to be guided accordingly as we combat the social ills that
plagued our society – people wallowing in the quagmire of poverty, unemployment
and underemployment, violence, injustice, and corruption. As we venture into
the new era of technological revolution, the modern day Easter celebration conveys not only
the spiritual but also the secular message that each of us can do his or her
share in making this world a better place to live in. We, as a citizen of the
world, have inevitably did mistakes and met challenges in the past but we can
learn from it and use them as stepping stone towards building our future. Indeed, the true
resurrection of our being as an individual and as a nation from the social,
political environmental, economic and cultural milieu can be realized through
God’s saving grace and holy guidance. Happy Easter everyone!!
“A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things.”
