Ash Wednesday ushers
in Lenten season

Yesterday was the start of the Lenten Season, 40 days devoted to contemplating the passion, death and resurrection of the Savior.

That was why the Church called for fasting and abstinence. But the question is that most of us seem to have overlooked the importance of these disciplines. We pay more attention to the ritual rather than its meaning and implication. Actually, fasting and abstinence simply remind us to appreciate the truth of our existence. We are egocentric. We believe our future depends on ourselves, our will power, our own strength.

But fasting and abstinence is one way by which the Church calls us to conversion, and to heed the Savior's message "to love one another as I have loved you."

It is a call to abandon ourselves for the other. This is what the Christ did for us. He was God. And He assumed human flesh to show us that He really loves us and has forgiven us our sins. Thus, the call for us to "forgive our sins as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us."

It is good that the Lenten Season this year starts off the electoral campaign season. One may consider it a strange coincidence that the Holy Season's messages are beamed to all of us before the campaign season starts or just at the very start of the electoral contest.

If we have the faith, then, we can fully appreciate the need for us to change direction. No longer must we look at our candidates as sources of largesse and funds. Instead, we should examine their credentials and their competence to handle the task of governance.

We have already learned how our neglect and apathy in the exercise of our democratic right have transformed the country into a divided society. The healing process has instead led to killings and murders. Politicians have been killed one after another. And over the airlanes we often hear lies and invented tales as well as double-talk and double-think.

And, if we allow the Lord to help us examine ourselves (the politicians), we must be able to learn and confess that our intent in running for public office is governed by a desired to take advantage of the populace and to subject them to our wishes rather than for us to be able to service them as they deserve.

It is difficult to accept the truth. Very often we tend to rationalize it. We always look at things from our vantage point. Yet, the call by the Church is for us to look at the world around us with the eyes for Christ.

Of course, that's a tall order. We can't by ourselves achieve the desired end - acceptance of the truth. But if we just pray hard for God to guide us, He will send us His Holy Spirit who will open our eyes to the reality of who and what we are and what we have been doing. Then, the only thing He asks of us is to accept the Truth.

I hope and pray that the timing of the Lenten Season's start this year could pave the way for a radical change in our outlook, both voters and those aspiring for high office.

That is a miracle that we often doubt could happen. But then, who says miracles are no longer possible?

But what is needed is our beliefs in God and our faith that He can transform Philippine society as He had done with his Chosen People after 40 years in the desert post their liberation from the slavery of Egypt.*

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