I feel frustrated, but aren’t we all, I get frustrated because of the culture we are raised in. We are so closed knit in our beliefs and culture and that we forgot how to keep an open mind on things. I don’t blame our original culture, but the culture that the Spaniards brought in, which we unconsciously ignore, thinking we actually listen and do keep an open mind, but the reality is we really don’t. What I’m saying is the ability to listen to things we are not familiar with. We close our ears, our minds and hearts to things that don’t go with what we believe in. We don’t give it a chance at all, especially when we think that we are right and the rest is wrong. However, who wouldn’t? I mean, if you are so sure that you are right and they are wrong, I guess you wouldn’t waste your time listening to things you are sure you won’t accept anyway right? I use to be the same way. Until, I’ve learned to listen.
I hope anyone who would take time to read this would also keep an open mind. I have to warn you that what you’re about to read is not easy. You will feel threatened, angered, offended and at some point would stop reading and decide that this is all just a bunch of crap that nobody or no one wants to know. However, this is my conscience trying to do whatever I can to do what is right.
Religion, there you go I guess just learning that this is about religion makes your brain go blank and start to lose interest altogether and itching to click the back key. Isn’t it weird that we aren’t interested in subjects when it involves God? Especially to the younger generation and don’t you ever wonder why most people would feel uncomfortable, twinge or cringe each time they hear the word “Bible”? It’s because we consider this as something too personal or taboo to talk about. Or is it because we are afraid that it only talks about punishment and damnation? Or it is probably because the Spanish priests during Rizal’s time have programmed each and every one of our ancestors, not to ask too much about it. Just hear me out.
Aren’t you wondering why Rizal said in his book (Noli Me Tangere) that we call all the saints when we are in trouble instead of God? For some reason we tend to ignore that line in his book. Rizal read the Bible I’m sure he did. It is the reason why Rizal actually lost interest to go to church and listen to the Spanish priests because he knows they lie on what they preach. Now, I’m sure you are going to stop reading because I touch a nerve. You’ll probably think that I am just one of those fanatics who keep criticising religion. Well, I’m not. I was a Catholic. Born and raised as one both parents, my ancestors are all one. In fact my great grandmother is half Spanish. I even went to a Catholic school were our teachers were nuns. I wanted to be a nun myself. I actively go to mass, observe all practices: holy week, fasting, Christmas, communions, mass, the works. I go to saint processions, fiestas name it. Until I asked myself, why? Why despite all this I find people materialistic? I find my co-Catholics hypocrites? Why do I feel that this religion only favours rich people? I also asked myself why is that beggar in front of our Catholic church always a beggar? Sadly, the only answer I have was nothing. I realize that despite all of the praying, the novenas, the processions, I felt unfulfilled. Still something wasn,t right. Then I looked at myself closely, I was no different from them. I consider myself as religious but my work outside the church says otherwise. My brothers and sisters don’t respect me, I talk back to my mother, and I was in a way lazy. I don’t know much household chores, though my grades are good, I was always out partying with friends etc. I was even considered as the black sheep of the family. I asked why? Does this mean that all the church goings, the Bible studies, the rosary, novenas are just for show? Does this mean I’m not putting this in my heart?
My mom and I are almost the same. We don’t get along very well, she was a nagger and somewhat I couldn’t say materialistic because she is not as extravagant as her church friends, but she seems to only think about money. It was then that I decided I wanted to go as far away from home as possible when I finish school. I couldn’t stand fighting with my mom all the time. It was heart breaking for me and a guilt ridden life. That’s when I asked God one night. I remember, I was watching Moses’ story in a local television, it was holy week then, this part where all the firstborn were dying because of Moses’ warning to the Roman king. I kept asking myself or God if I would die if I were born at that time. I kept thinking if me and my family would’ve believe him if we were alive then. There was no way for sure to know the answer to that. It was that question that led me to where I am now.
My mom got sick at one time in our lives and she didn’t tell us about it. She was afraid that she will not get well. She told me that for some reason, she wanted to look for spiritual healings on TV. That’s when she saw Almeda’s program on TV where the Jesus Miracle Crusade claims to heal people by putting their hands on their TV screens. My mom then decided to go to where they convene for the healing prayers. As she was about to, my brother next to me ( I am the eldest), was surfing the television when he pointed to a particular TV program where two religions are debating the words in the Bible. My mom’s interest to this program grew and watched it from then on relentlessly. She was even taping it so she can watch it non-stop. Most times I saw her falling asleep in front of the TV. I never knew what it was she was watching it’s just because I don’t care. I mean old people watch anything right? Or that was what I thought. Besides, since we don’t’ really get along we usually just mind our own business. That’s how dysfunctional my family was. We just both gave up on each other. One time I was so interested with debates. That I even bought a book about this, realized that perhaps I could learn how to reason out defensively through any topic that’s when I stumbled to this particular program on TV. This thin man, with bulging eyes, thick glasses was glaring at this poor young scholar from the Catholic Church who was defending OUR beliefs to this man who was shouting at the top of his voice. Instantly, I was interested. I was so angry at this man as he kept bullying this poor young scholar who couldn’t find any verses in the Bible to defend anything that horrible ugly man who kept throwing him so many questions. I was then a little upset with the scholar because I could see he wasn’t at all prepared to defend OUR side. Thinking, I knew how to answer back, I tried. I was dumbfounded when I realize, I don’t know a single verse in my life. This man however knows all the verses from memory. It is as if, he memorized the Bible from cover to cover. He doesn’t even look or open the Bible as he threw verses after verses at this poor Catholic Scholar. He grew pale and I could see that the scholar just wanted to melt and crawl under a bed. I couldn’t stand watching it. I was so ashamed. I felt so ashamed that my religion couldn’t even defend itself from this unknown guy who I wanted to strangle right then and there. I felt I wanted to crawl inside the television and scream at his face how cruel he was treating this poor kid. For the first time ever, I switched the TV off and looked for our old dusty Bible and I couldn’t find it. I went to my mom’s room and asked if she saw it and there it was beside her. To my horror, she was watching the same program and asked her. Who is this man?!! With all the anger I can muster. I never felt so angry in my entire life!!!
I didn’t want to see the Catholic Scholar being bashed out, but for some reason I was hoping maybe he could win this debate. The debate ended we lost and I felt upset. I swear that I will be against this horrible thin-four eyed (with glasses) man whoever he was my entire life and that I will study the Bible and beat him myself. My mom watched again and again and I just refuse to join her. I wanted to ignore but you can’t stop hearing it if she kept playing it over and over her super loud TV and I just didn’t want to argue with her anymore.
For months I loathed him. Until, my mom decided to join whatever their church was, and unfortunately we couldn’t stop my mom even if me and my dad ganged up on her at times for making what we call “the biggest mistake in her life”. She kept watching and I just grew angrier. Then I couldn’t help but hear this verse when he read on TV when my mom popped that VHS in our TV room and it echoed in the whole house: Ephesians 6:2-3 “Igalang mo ang iyong ama at ina (na siyang unang utos na may pangako), Upang yumaon kang mabuti, at ikaw ay mabuhay na malaon sa lupa “. I burst out in tears. I don’t know why, but I felt my heart was going to explode into pieces. I know in my heart I wasn’t a good daughter. Not even a good big sister to my siblings. I wiped my tears and reluctantly sat on the living room couch. I watched and for the first time I heard what he was saying. He wasn’t lying when he said that that the Catholic Church uses the host as a symbolism of Christ’s body during the last supper. He read verses in the Bible that Jesus should not be mistaken to be, literally– as something to be taken orally. Jesus used the bread and the wine as symbol of what was about to happen— His death and suffering. You could probably think of a million reason to contest this, but unfortunately I am not a Bible Scholar so, I lack concrete explanation on this, but I will put my full confidence that if you want to clarify this with this man, then do so. He will give you the answer from the Bible and it will make you think hard.
As days went by since then, I saw my mom changed—-so MUCH. She stopped wearing those skimpy leggings she used to wear that I hated because I kept thinking she was dressing up for other men other than my dad. She stopped spending two hours in front of the dresser just to put her expensive make up on. I saw her as a real mom one day in a conservative blouse and long skirt and natural beauty. She looked peaceful. I knew in my heart I got my real mom back. She stopped nagging. She suddenly fell silent. She stopped pestering me about the little things. She started smiling heartily again. My mother was anti-social. She only had 2 friends with her whom I loathe so much because I can see that they only want to be with her because of the things she can give. I remembered when I was little, these people she called her friends ganged up on her on some little misunderstanding. She started inviting new friends over, she had 4 of them now. They dressed the same way. No extravagant jewelries, simple and humble really. Each time they come and visit my mom, they brought loads of food. They clean up afterwards and they never asked my mom or any of us of anything. They didn’t act like guests that you had to serve them. They didn’t want to be served instead they serve you what they brought. They even leave the leftovers. It was like that every day. I felt for the first time mom finally found real friends. I felt they were taking good care of her. My mom was happy. They were really nice. I’ve never met people like this. So different from all the people I’ve met who only sees us because of our status – financial status. I grew to like my mom’s friends and started watching the same program that led my mom to this Church. Ang Dating Daan it says, I kept watching it my mind and my heart suddenly opened up. One by one, my bad habits fell; I learned to do little chores each day, step by step. I learned to respect people for who they are. I used to bully this classmate of mine because he was weird, but then regretted it and became friends with him. I stopped fighting with my mom. Stopped being irresponsible, Stopped attending useless parties, I focused more on school and the people around me. I felt better. I no longer felt useless. I volunteered to help my mom around the house, like paying the bills; I meant going to the office and pay the bills not earn the payment. Then, I realized that I should do things that have value instead of vices and vanity.
Now, I’ve been a member of The Church of God International for 10 long years with my mom. The question I asked for a long time was answered. Today this Church received lots of criticism, name calling, defamation, false accusation and discrimination than any other religion in this country. Just like in the Bible when it says: Acts 9:29 “Na nangangaral na may katapangan sa pangalan ng Panginoon: at siya’y nagsalita at nakipagtuligsaan sa mga Greco-Judio..,” this was the reason why Jesus was crucified in His time. It was because Jesus preached with courage and conviction. The Pharisees were angered because He kept criticizing their false teachings. Just imagine this. If a preacher is as soft spoken as a Catholic Priest who would want to crucify him? My guess would be nobody. I f Jesus was as important powerful (as they claim) as Eduardo Manalo or Mike Velarde, who can put them in jail and be executed? My guess is nobody can’t. Perhaps nobody will.
Matthew 10:8 “ Mangagpagaling kayo ng mga may sakit, mangagpabangon kayo ng mga patay, mangaglinis kayo ng mga ketong, mangagpalabas kayo ng mga demonio: tinanggap ninyong walang bayad, ay ibigay ninyong walang bayad.”, does this verse mean anything to you? Why do these preachers charge fees for baptisms and marriages when all these sacraments they’ve received weren’t paid at all? Was there any time that Jesus asked payments for His services as a preacher then? Just think about it. Do we really believe that we will reach the eternal life by not caring at all? Just put it out in a personal human level. Would you favor someone who goes against your will? God is forgiving true, but He can also be angered. God is just, good and kind. He doesn’t rejoice in evil. Are we content to know that vices are prohibited in the Catholic Church but we do them anyway? Why is the beggar in front of the Church always a beggar? I am proud to say that in our Church no member is a beggar. God asked us to care for our brothers and sisters. We do what we can to help them. There are Catholics who are richer than our government and couldn’t bring themselves to lend a hand to their poor fellow Catholics. Why? I am proud that in our Church no one smokes or drinks alcohol not a single one. If you saw one come forward and point it out to us the Church will give him proper teaching and if he doesn’t want to change for God then he can leave. We are not seeking members so we can be plenty in numbers or because we like your contributions, but we seek people who want to be good for God. We up until now are a poor Church. We don’t have classy, elegant Churches. We do what we can to have a decent place to get together. We seek the people and not what they have. WE have members who don’t have anything at all but are taken care of in our Transient Homes, Orphanages for both children and old people. We have free schools from elementary to colleges and this is because of all our combined efforts, but most of the contributions were from our Brothers, Bro. Ell Soriano and Bro,. Daniel Razon, who has jobs of their own and pours out most of their earnings to the Church, Their personal and family need comes last in their lives. They give all themselves for God and the Church.
It is because of God’s teachings that I’ve decided to write this article. To reach out to those who care. God said: 1John 4:1 Mga minamahal, huwag kayong magsipaniwala sa bawa’t espiritu, kundi inyong subukin ang mga espiritu, kung sila’y sa Dios: sapagka’t maraming nagsilitaw na mga bulaang propeta sa sanglibutan.” Just think. Isn’t this enough warning from God? He asked us to test spirits. He asked us to seek Him. He said that there will be false prophets; do we doubt what He said? Do we not see that there are false preachers? Why don’t we test them? It is the only way to know if they are really God’s prophets right? Trust God, you yourself will know if they are lying. You have the Bible as proof. No one can deny you of finding out the truth.
If you are angry enough of my article, if you feel that you hate me, if you feel that I lie and that I am just a hoax then I challenge you to prove me wrong. Go out and ask around. I am not asking you to join me in this church. What I am asking is learn to INQUIRE. Don,t just say YES to something you don’t fully understand. Even in business you don’t just sign a document– you ANALYZE. You are our responsibility. We promised God that we will do everything we can so all the people can hear and learn the TRUTH. It is also because of this that I know I will have to face God one day and I want to face Him knowing that I’ve done something to tell my fellowmen about the real God. We have to seek the true God who does not tolerate, corruption, greediness, vices or extravagance. The God who cannot lie, who doesn’t allow you to go to night clubs, bars with dancing naked girls, to have mistresses, to cheat your fellowmen, to push or use drugs. The God who teaches us to love your fellowmen and your enemies, who will ask you to do good to all people, to care for everyone. To endure all hardships, to pray for those who oppress you and make you desire with all of your heart to be good in every way, I dare you to try, Open your mind. He said: Proverbs 1:24-28 “Sapagka’t Ako’y tumawag, at kayo’y tumanggi: Aking iniunat ang aking kamay, at walang makinig; Kundi inyong iniuwi sa wala ang buo kong payo, at hindi ninyo inibig ang aking saway: Ako naman ay tatawa sa kaarawan ng inyong kasakunaan: Ako’y manunuya pagka ang inyong takot ay dumarating; Pagka ang inyong takot ay dumarating na parang bagyo. At ang inyong kasakunaan ay dumarating na parang ipoipo; pagka ang hirap at hapis ay dumating sa inyo. Kung magkagayo’y tatawag sila sa akin, nguni’t hindi ako sasagot; hahanapin nila akong masikap, nguni’t hindi nila ako masusumpungan:” Don’t wait until it’s too late. Ask God to point you to the right direction. If you are reading this article until this very end. Then this is not coincidence. It is a destiny. This can mean He is telling you to OPEN YOUR HEART.
Finally, I have done what I had to do. I now put your fate in God’s and your own hands. I have shared, just like God has asked me to tell you about the good news I have received from Him. It is up to you if you will believe it or not. God gave us free will to decide our own fate. God said: Deuteronomy 30:19” I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” and I ask you to please choose the same.
ガルシア
