The Philippines...A Missionary Sending Nation In The Future?

The Book of 2 Corinthians 5-14-15 states…"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old order or self has died. Now, everything is new". In reiterating this thought, St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, solemnly attested that as professing Christians,…"We must no longer live as the pagans do, their minds empty and understanding darkened. They live a life separated/estranged from God due to their lack of knowledge or ignorance and sheer stubbornness. Without remorse, they live a life of lust and engage in every sort of lewd conduct. This is not what we learned when we learned Christ. This is of course assuming that He was preached and taught to us in accord with the truth that is in Christ Jesus namely, that we must lay aside our former way of life and the old self which deteriorates through illusion and desire and acquire a fresh, spiritual way of thinking. We must put on that new man or for that matter, that new woman created in the divine image and likeness of God and one whose justice and holiness are borne of truth.

At first, the above concept seems quite weird and again, as many of us will say, quixotic and not at all, doable. And yet it has never been truer than it is now that, in order for the Filipino people to achieve any sense of unity, political, social and economic stability needed as a strong foundation for Filipino Nationhood, we must first of all change/die to our old selves, consider the past fame or shame as rubbish, lovingly forgive and bear with one another and live not only for ourselves but also for others. There is nothing much we can do anyway to undo what has already been done. What we were before is not as important or expedient as to what we can always be in the future.

After almost 2 years of personal campaigning, President-elect Obama was elected resoundingly by the American people who desperately wanted the so-called "change". Indeed, in our own country, there is a growing clamor for profound changes in our political scenario in view of the rampant graft and corruption left unabated since the declaration of martial law in 1972 with many calling for a parliamentary form of government and lately, the federal form of government. Some sectors like the NPA are still adamant and stubbornly holding on to the viability of a bloody revolution. I dare to say that we may have the best platforms or form of government in the world, be it a presidential, parliamentary or a federal form of government. In fact, we may even have a successful bloody revolution. But truly I proclaim to the Filipino people that unless we truly reform our lives and change not so much our politicians per se just like what happened to the USA but more importantly, our own hearts, minds and attitudes befitting a so-called Christian nation and simply practice what we supposedly believe and preach, we will just go on in circles. It would virtually be a case of the same dog but with a different collar. "Alibaba" may indeed be gone in 2010 but if the 40 thieves are still around calling the shots anyway, what else is new?

Has it ever occurred to the reader that our country’s name, Philippines, bespeaks of the apostle St. Philip who is well remembered for his evangelistic zeal in proclaiming the gospel to an Ethiopian who happened to be the Treasurer of the Queen (Acts 8:26-40). True to our name-sake, some modern-day prophets have even boldly predicted that our country, will, in the fulfillment of its divine destiny/calling, will someday, become a missionary-sending nation to the entire world. As St. Peter said in 1 Peter 2:9-10, this would indeed transform our beloved country to be…a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people whom God has chosen to be His own to proclaim the glorious works of the One who called us out of a world of darkness and brought us into His marvelous light. Once we were no people, now we are God’s people." But realistically speaking, unless we wake up from our lethargy and start preparing the groundwork, much like Obama, in the installation of righteous leadership in our country in 2010 and beyond, do you honestly believe that prophetic vision/destiny will ever come to pass?

Incidentally, my wife and I just opened a decent restaurant, "SALAKOT Sizzle & Grill" located at 2122 Beverly Blvd. at the heart of Filipino Town in Los Angeles, CA. Please come by and see us to enjoy great food, fine dining at a reasonable price. After all, we believe that "The Filipino deserve better." Di ba?

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