Weeding

Any undesired, uncultivated plants that grows out of place and competes with other plants for water, nutrients and space, is a weed. The necessary activity of removing weeds gives fun to a true gardener. This is necessary so that the weeds will not overwhelm the desired plants. It is also enjoyable to those who like to spend time and effort in the garden. As the rainy season continues to water the land, the weeds are also encouraged to grow. This situation of weeding is replicated in our daily lives.

A bad habit continues to flourish until self-control triumphs over the usually repeated choice. Successfully weeding out a bad habit brings newness and opens a door of more opportunity of usefulness with time, resources and attitude. Weeding can be likened, with the risk of being too simplistic, to current events unfolding in our community life. One is the call of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to revamp the Commission of Elections. For the growth of clean and honest elections, the weeds in the Comelec need to be weeded out. Who is the gardener in this case? Or will there be a miracle that the weeds weed them selves out?

For the truth in the Jonas Burgos abduction to be revealed, the falsehood must also be revealed. Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco has taken a commendable and brave step toward moving on with answering the many questions related to the disappearance of a citizen. Immediately, the weeds of death threats and directive to shut-up sprung up immediately to make ferreting out the truth harder. Hopefully another "gardener" arises to help Mr. Velasco with his duty to find out the truth of the matter. The mother of Jonas is attempting to find answers to her questions by filing a petition with the Supreme Court.

A lot of weeding is needed in the endeavor to find and rescue Father Giancarlo Bossi. Now blood and heads of marines have been shed in a violent encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Basilan. More questions have arisen and the blood spilled will further the growth of weeds, increasing the difficulty in getting Father Bossi released by his kidnappers.

When the weeds overwhelm the garden, the garden is lost. In the above cases, the weeding must be done to foster the growth of clean and honest election, finding Jonas Burgos and Father Bossi. Are we helping weed the garden?

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When we let the weeds grow in our life and community, such can be illustrated in the following anecdote: Usapan ng dalawang bata.../Junjun: Magaling ang tatay ko! Alam mo, 'yang Pacific Ocean, siya ang humukay nun!/ Pedrito: Wala 'yan sa tatay ko! Alam mo 'yung Dead Sea ?/ Junjun: Oo.../ Pedrito: Siya ang pumatay nun!*