The Road to Emm'aus

Prophecies have a bad habit of biting you in the ass. It's funny how you never know if they are true until they've already happened. Or that they never turn out to be quite literal.

Gnostics believed that the physical is evil while the spiritual is good. It's a bit extreme but not without basis. When we think of sin, it's usually related to something physical or carnal like money and sex. Of themselves, they are not "evil" but wanting them too much or becoming obssessed with them is. Whereas denying them, much like Buddhists refrain from worldly things, is often seen as good.

The Jews of Jesus time thought that the Messiah would set them free. But because they were being oppressed by the Romans at that time, they thought it was a political freedom and not a spiritual one. Sometimes I wonder if Jesus wasn't born at the wrong time.

His deliverance of the Israelites from the Romans would have been quite apt. They were looking for a hero like Moses and Elijah - hence, the frequent references to them. But God had other plans, I think. He was more concerned about mankind's spiritual salvery, it's fear of death. After all, mortal rulers would come and go, so the Israelites would be set free again. It was only a matter of time, really. They didn't need a hero for that.

But fear of death, fear of our lives not having a purpose - that's not something people could be freed from easily. They would need more than a leader; they needed a teacher. Someone who would walk by them and give them courage as they walked the path of life.

Earth Hour

The transcript below is a discussion overheard between two people in a jeep as I made my way home from SM Southmall during Earth Hour. Pardon me if don't tranlate it for my international readers. Yeah, right.

Jeepney Driver (JD): Bakit namatay ang ilaw ng SM?

Passenger (P): Di mo ba alam, World Black Out?

JD: Ha? Ibig mong sabihin sa buong mundo?

P: Oo, sabay-sabay nga, eh!

JD: Bakit di gamitin ng SM yung generators nila?

P: Ewan. Sana nga ginawa nila nung 10pm or 11pm na lang. Para di maka-abala. Patay naman ang ilaw nun, eh!

I swear to God this is was how he conversation played out.

Doubting Thomas

We all doubt. This world has made us jaded that we often question a stroke of luck or a shower of grace. After all, the world isn't kind. Some people believe it's mean but I prefer to think that it seeks to balance things out.

Jesus blesses those who have not seen but believe. In essence, that's all of us who follow him since we have not seen him and yet we believe he is ressurected. They call this belief faith. It's not like trust where we believe because we have seen evidence; it's based on on rational thinking. Faith is irrational because we are called to believe in something we have very little understanding.

The priest who conducted homily spoke of empericist - people who only believe if their 5 senses can detect it. I don't think that people who demand proof are any worse off than people who have faith. It works both ways; those who demand proof will not listen to hearsay but rather judge based on merit. So regardless if people speak ill of someone, unitl the empericist sees for himself, he will not believe. Innocent until proven guilty.

Washing People's Feet

On Maunday Thursday, the gospel for mass described Jesus becoming the servant by washing the feet of his disciples. To have your master lower himself would have unnerved any servant. Especially if you felt were undeserving of such attentions. Or were uncomfortable letting anyone near your feet. LOL

But Jesus was out to make a point, that what He wanted were people who would serve others. It's a hard road and it's better for them to know what they were getting into. If only someone could tell us that everytime we would make a profound choice.

When Peter asked Jesus that not only would his feet need washing, I almost burst out laughing. Okay, that would have gotten me weird stares and disapproving looks but I could imagine Jesus looking at Peter and saying, "Sumusobra ka na, ha!"

Sorry, Jesus, you know what a smart ass I can be at times.

Peter reminds me of the type of person who wants the "power" but doesn't know what responsibilities it entails. I used to be like that. For a time, I wanted to be a priest without really considering if it was what I wanted. What I wanted was safety - someone to tell me what to do so I didn't feel responsible if I failed. And yet we chaffe when we can't go where we want. So I decided to find another way to be close to God.

Politics Make Me Laugh

One high ranking official says that there is no rice shortage but at the same time asks restuarants to offer half-cup servings to lessen the waste. I don't know the exact term for it but oxymoron seems to be the closest I can find.

Unfortunately, that's what we can expect from politicians and people in charge. We say one thing but mean the opposite.

The economy is improving but people are still poor.

We are a rich country pretending to be poor.

We value our employees but we can't pay them better wages.

But then, where would I find my daily fix of stupidity? Not that I'm saying I'm immune. I've had my fair share of incompetence. It's just that it doesn't affect the lives of more than my immediate vicinity. Besides, now that I'm on my 4th month of unemployment, I just can't get it from the workplace anymore.

Not that I don't manage to hear just how worse things off are, I do. Some of my old officemates keep in touch and tell me how bad things are. Actually, they pretty much just vent. I'm more than happy to oblige though. I know how important it is for people to get things off their chest. They seem to find it easier to do so in my presence. Go figure.

In parting - mainly because I don't know how to end this entry - let me leave you with another oxymoron.

It's too bad they can't just keep their mouth shut.