Independence Day 2020

rpstoledosj

Jun 12

Today, we celebrate our Independence Day.

What should independence be like?

The prophet Isaiah proclaims:

the wilderness becomes a garden land and the garden land seems as common as forest
judgment dwells in the wilderness and justice abides in the garden land
justice is peace, justice means calm and security forever
people live in a peaceful country in secure dwellings and quiet resting places
invasions will cease, as the prophet Isaiah used 'forest' for the invading Assyrians
the rich and the proud, described as the city, have learned to be humble and care for the less fortunate.

So far from our present reality where:

Our forests are being mercilessly cut down and the wood exported.
The harvests of our farms can't be sold, our farmers are at the mercy of usurers while the poor in our cities go hungry.
Justice is blind
- not because it is impartial but because it cannot see the crimes of the powerful and influential, but blindly strikes the defenseless, like
- Jeepney drivers forced to beg because they are forbidden to earn their livelihood to serve those who don't have their own cars
  - Who are forced to walk or compete for the little public transportation allowed to be used by those who never take them
Security is equated with the suppression of dissenting voices through the use of forces who insist, that they are merely enforcing the Law while their birthday party was called a mañanita.
- And by paid trolls in social media.
Where the quiet resting places are cemeteries.

Where then can Independence really make sense according to the Good News of our Lord?

When we have become 'poor in spirit' because we have learned
- that true power does not come from force but from true love which reaches out even to those we disagree with.
- Not to paper over our differences, but because the start of mutual respect can lead to the betterment of as many as possible.
When we can become 'comforted in our mourning' because our faith is in God, our hope in Him and our charity rooted in His Love so much so that we never give up doing what is right even when that is villified or misunderstood
When we have become the 'meek' because we have learned to discern the Will of God and allow ourselves to be led by Him in our decisions and actions.
When our 'hunger and thirst for righteousness' extends to defending those who cannot fight for themselves for what is due them.
When we have become 'merciful' even to those we have come to hate when we allow our darkest impulses to dominate us.
When we have become 'clean of heart' capable of looking only after the interest of others instead of being obsessed with our own.
'peacemakers' because we actively join efforts for truthful and civil discourse, and thereby lessen the possibility of all forms of deliberately-willed violence,
When we cease to be afraid of being 'persecuted for the sake of righteousness', when we are not intimidated by those who do not believe that the sacrifice of our Lord is worth even the sacrifice of our lives.

When we desire and attempt to do all of the above, then indeed we can wish, as true Filipinos and true Christians, a Meaningful Independence Day.

May we all have a Faith-filled Independence Day today.