Not long ago we were graced by the pastoral visit of Pope Francis. That was a love fest, an experience of spiritual renewal that uplifted our spirits as the message of love, mercy and compassion resonated with the Filipino people.
Pope Francis challenged us to go to the peripheries, not only geographically but also the existential peripheries: the mystery of sin, of pain, of injustice, indifference, and of all forms of misery. He enjoined us to learn how to weep with those who feel pain and suffering. He captured us with his simple message of God’s boundless love for all humanity, especially those who are left on the wayside including the elderly, disabled, the ignorant, victims of injustice and the poor.
During the first day of his visit, Pope took the time to remind our political leaders to be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good, challenging them to “marshal the moral resources needed to face the demands of the present, and to pass on to coming generations a society of authentic justice, solidarity and peace.” He commended the “praiseworthy efforts to promote dialogue and cooperation” between followers of different religions in the Philippines. He even specifically endorsed the Mindanao peace process: “In a particular way, I express my trust that the progress made in bringing peace to the south of the country will result in just solutions in accord with the nation’s founding principles and respectful of the inalienable rights of all, including the indigenous peoples and religious minorities,”
The outpouring of love and the degree of religious zeal shown by the millions who braved rains, winds, hunger and fatigue were unprecedented. Cardinal Chito Tagle, with unbridled enthusiasm and joy, pronounced the readiness of the Filipino people to go, not to Rome (we all laughed at that), but to the peripheries, to the marginalized, and to become even missionaries of the gospel in our great continent.
Was that just bravado on the part of Cardinal Tagle?
Didn’t many of us feel a spiritual epiphany of sort, believing we can actually rise above our petty differences, lack of discipline and even discord for God’s greater glory?
I am still edified remembering the six hours my family and I stood along CM Recto Avenue with hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, including many Muslims and others of different faiths, as we waited for the Pope to pass by. I told myself then—how beautiful this country, how wonderful this people, how amazing God’s grace is.
And then, Mamasapano happened.
It took no time before the tragic consequences of bad decisions descended in recriminations, accusations and finger pointing. Many did not even wait for the facts still being sorted out by the investigations conducted by a multitude of bodies, including the NBI, Senate, House of Representatives and the Board of Inquiry. While it is understandable that the circumstances surrounding the Mamasapano event could only inflame passions, is it not proper if we waited for the truth to come out as a result of the investigations before calling for drastic measures such as war and the scrapping of the Bangsamoro Basic Law?
Indeed, how quickly, a cacophony of voices of hatred, revenge and calling for war replaced the beautiful harmony of “Tell the world of His Love”.
I still have not made sense out of this. I am sure there are psychological and sociological explanations out there. Certainly there are political motivations for the misinformation and demonization of the peace process and those that have shepherded it like Secretary Ging Deles. And of course the President, who has unfortunately neglected to build strong social capital with the political opposition and some of our key institutions like the Catholic Church, has enemies that are only eager to destabilize the government.
But I still cannot make sense out of what happened to us as a people. The anger I can appreciate, but the vitriol and bigotry I honestly cannot fathom.
This is not a judgment on one side of the spectrum as I think all of us from all political sides have been guilty of these denunciations of each other. Although I try really hard to be deliberate and unbiased, I too have sometimes been quick to judge and I ask forgiveness for those times of intemperance.
Those who died in Mamasapano were killed in a pintakasi, a free-for-all that everyone jumped in with guns ablaze. Long after January 25, 2015, we have continued that pintakasi with our hurtful and cruel words, which some would gladly replace with guns and the bombs.
Is this split-level Christianity that the recently departed Fr. Jaime Bulatao SJ wrote about decades ago? Is this because our experience of faith remains essentially cultural and not spiritual and lived?
I still do not know what happened to us because of Mamasapano.
But what I do know is the prospects of an imminent and permanent peace is dimming. And that we must work very hard to give peace, founded on justice and truth, a chance.
What I do know is my religion calls me not to be self-righteous nor be judgmental, and certainly not to incite anger and hate against individuals or groups. My faith compels me to love and forgive, and yes especially my enemies to whom I must offer my other cheek.
And so it is my hope that these words from Pope Francis last Sunday will guide many of us starting tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, when Lent begins and we, the people of God are called to conversion:
“The Church’s way, from the time of the Council of Jerusalem, has always been the way of Jesus, the way of mercy and reinstatement. This does not mean underestimating the dangers of letting wolves into the fold, but welcoming the repentant prodigal son; healing the wounds of sin with courage and determination; rolling up our sleeves and not standing by and watching passively the suffering of the world. The way of the Church is not to condemn anyone for eternity; to pour out the balm of God’s mercy on all those who ask for it with a sincere heart. The way of the Church is precisely to leave her four walls behind and to go out in search of those who are distant, those on the “outskirts” of life. It is to adopt fully God’s own approach, to follow the Master who said: “Those who are well have no need of the physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call, not the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).
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