ONE STATEMENT, SEPTEMBER 1-30, 2025
"There can only be truth and credibility to the faith
we profess, the faith in which we claim to have in One who gives us life, if we
respect other people's lives, and their right to enjoy it in dignity and peace.
For the moment we stake claim to what is essentially not ours, jading our
consciences by believing we deserve it because we worked for it, even though in
our heart of hearts we got more than what we rightfully deserve, we are
depriving life and future from others who need it more. Because yes, all work
leads to gain, but excessive gain is greed and robbery. All efforts lead to
either success or learning, but those should not come at the expense of those
who have less. For just as nobody is obliged to cater to our whims and wishes,
so also nobody deserves our ridicule, harassment, abuse and oppression."
"Feeling sorry is not enough. For true repentance to
work, there must be change from within, from the heart; in humility that makes
us give up our pride and embrace the lowliest of places that we might be lifted
up again someday. And this is not manifested in outward trappings like our
Sunday best, but the everyday returns--what becomes of us at the end of the day
after we battle our challenges and difficulties, after the enemy batters us
with discouragement and doubt. For a true child of God is also a true warrior,
becoming stronger with every wound and bruise; relying not on personal
strength; life and health not insured by man and policies, but on our Heavenly
Father's love, grace and goodness."
"Aside from the nationwide anti-corruption protests
happening today, this day is also the 53rd anniversary of the dated declaration
of Martial Law under Marcos, Sr. The Filipino people decry corruption,
kleptocracy and abuse; and fittingly so, for behind every corrupt politician is
a corruptor--the cronies and other businessmen and civilian who curry favors to
get as much and get ahead. In effect, we should not lose focus but mindful that
we must be protesting against greed and selfishness. And not only in the public
sphere, but starting from within ourselves. Every time we feel superior or
better, every time we are driven to claim privilege, we lose the peace that
comes from humility, from honest and diligent effort, and the character that is
being built in patience, in foresight, in saving for the future, and in taking
stock of what is happening in our lives and in others, in striving to make
tomorrow better. May we find that peace in our Lord Jesus Christ, while here on
earth, alive and struggling, and even beyond, where pain is gone, and with our
Creator, to whom our spirits return and become one."
"A word to those who condemn corruption and
inefficiency in others: make sure your worktable is clean from and done with
unprocessed transactions and unfinished assignments. Because nothing diminishes
our story and taints our credibility than having unclean hands and guilty
souls. Thankfully, like today's word, we can indeed repent, and make
restitution. So if we have erred, or done someone wrong, or oppressed and taken
advantage of others, we can change and make it up, by being humble and owning up
to our mistakes, giving back what we have unfairly taken, and do better next
time and every time hence."
We Christians have appropriated an entire religion and faith
system from early Judaism and the first century sect established by our Lord
Jesus Christ.
But it seems that some of our most illustrious adherents
have convinced themselves that the 10 commandments are merely suggestions.
"THOU SHALL NOT STEAL!"
(Exodus 20:15, Deuteronomy 5:19)
Leviticus 19:11 - "DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT LIE, DO NOT
DECEIVE ONE ANOTHER."
It's not only forgiven by REPENTANCE but RESTITUTION also.
'Exodus 22:1-4 states that a thief must make full
restitution and pay back double or more, depending on the item stolen.
Leviticus 6:4-5 emphasizes that if someone sins by deceiving
a neighbor or keeping lost property, they must return it in full and add a
fifth of its value.
(Even if you did it by mistake, but you unfairly kept what
is due to another person, you have to return it promptly, and add more value).
Ephesians 4:28: instructs, "Anyone who has been
stealing must stop stealing and start working instead, and do an honest day's
work with their own hands, so that they can give to those in need" (NIV
translation). This verse focuses on stopping the act of stealing and working
[honestly and diligently] to provide for oneself and others.'
(Explanations: mine, verse notes- AI)
#StealingAndNegligentAndCarelessWithholdingAreAllTheft
"Some parties are calling Asia as being on fire these
days; with the onset of many demonstrations, sometimes peaceful, sometimes
violent, that are being done as a response to the people's frustration against
corruption; and as a fight back against the excesses and lavishness of the
ruling elite who are only able to enjoy their extravagant lifestyles at the
expense of the taxes which the greater majority have been compelled to pay in
one form or another, out of their hard-earned efforts at trying to eke out a
living from an increasingly hostile and unfavorable job and employment
environment. It might have been a hopeless, modern slavery kind of existence
from which there is no escape in this physical life. Thankfully, our Heavenly
Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who is more merciful to the poor than the
rich, have given us hope, here on earth and even beyond. We only have to trust
in His goodness and justice; that someday deliverance will come, change will
happen, there will be a good and perfect reward to our sacrifices and
sufferings, and those who have done evil and given in to pride and greed will
receive their just due."
"Virtually everything that's happening around the world
today may be disheartening, but there are still pockets that show grace, mercy,
understanding and love. And though our selfishness and greed as an entire human
population are causing destruction and desolation, poverty and suffering, still
we have a chance to change and do good, make amends and do better. And may we
not forget to pray, and to express our lamentations, our pain and wounded
souls, our hopes and dreams to our Heavenly Father who always listens."
"At times we feel the sheer injustice and unfairness in
life: when evil prospers, when oppression and abuse are covered up while the
victims continue to suffer, when we work so hard yet our efforts are brought to
nothing, when people in power steal and grab, flaunt and parade, even as those
who deserve the rightful social and government service are deprived of what's
due, when the honest and diligent ones encounter a tide of ridicule while the
crooks act and speak with holiness and hypocrisy. May we realize and always
remember that there is even an end to these things; and with prayer and faith
there is hope: that evil will get its due, that justice will soon come, and
with patience, perseverance, and persistence in doing what's good and right, in
speaking up for and upholding what's true and just, someday change will come, a
better future awaits, a life of peace, plenty and prosperity, devoid of
corruption, will be shared by all."
"We should strive to know and understand the unfiltered
truth (not something curated, particularly those that only serve the selfish
and greedy agenda of the so-called messenger, who are only after our purses and
patronage). Only that makes sense, and helps us make the right decisions."
"There is true freedom and peace in living right and
well, in playing fair and clean, in patience and generosity, in selflessness
and empathy, in upholding truth, justice and equity. And no amount of wealth,
especially those gotten from ill and evil means, no matter how flashy and
glamorous they may be, can match that."
"May we all pray and live a prayerful life. As we
strive to internalize prayerful, honest, sincere, and humble values into our
lives, may we all live out the hope we profess, and stop being greedy and
selfish, envious and insecure, discontent and disrespectful."
"If what you're doing is losing its meaning to you, and
the people who matter, then maybe you need a career change. From something that
only brings home the bacon but enslaves your body and soul, to something that
may not pay much, and might entail more physical sacrifices, but would have a
bigger impact on other people's lives and souls too. And may our good Lord
always lead us all in the right path."
"A joyful person is a contented person; one to whom
life may have given bitterness, but didn't let it take root in their soul, and
still remained hopeful and faithful. One whose joy and happiness is complete is
one who does not think ill or attribute evil in others, but does their best in
whatever little life has given them. And even when other people have done them
wrong, the truly complete and secure knows that it is beneath them to respond
in kind. They just quietly go about their way, avoiding those that may rile
them up or lessen their person, confidence and conviction; and instead,
focusing their attention on those that truly build them up and grow their mind
and character."
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