An Evangelio sa Panahón nin Eleksyon

 

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradít na Komunidad nin Pagtubód (SAKOP) para sa semana kan Octubre 22-28, 2023. Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Mateo 22,15-21 (Ika-29 Domingo sa Ordinariong Panahon - A).

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“Tâwan ki Cesár an ki Cesár, asín sa Diós an sa Diós.” Tamang-tamà iníng kasabihán mantang haraní na an eleksyon nin mga oficiales sa mga barangáy asín SK. Iní an simbag ni Jesús sa patibóng na hapót Saiya kan mga naghahanap nin ikakaparaót Niya: “Tugot magbuwís ki Cesár o bawal?”

Kun magsimbag si Jesús na dapat magbayad nin buwís, ipapalakóp kaining mga parasunod kan mga Fariseos asín ni Herodes na traidor Siya sa banwaan na Judío nin huli ta nagsusuporta Siya sa mananakop na Imperio Romano. Kun sabihon Niya man na daí dapat magbayad, ioosip ninda sa mga autoridád na Romano na Siya nagrerebelde asín nagtutukdò sa mga tawo na magsuway sa Imperio, kayâ dapat Siyang padusahan. Alagad ginamit ni Jesús an saindang patibóng tanganing magtukdô dapít sa autoridád asín Kahadean.

Siisay palán iníng Cesár sa kasabihán? Ini si Tiberio Cesár, an Emperador kan Roma kan panahón ni Jesús. Daí man kita pinapamayohán ngonian nin saróng Cesár, alagad may mensahe an Evangelio sa satong mga botante asin kandidato ngonian na nagdadangadang an eleksyon.

An Diós an paorogón sa gabós.

Iníng kasabihán bakô sa pagbangâ kan materiál o seculár na mga bagay sa lado kan gobyerno asín an espirituál sa lado kan Simbahan. Kundî na an maninigong itaó sa Diós iyó an gabós. Sa Mateo 22 kan hinapót si Jesús nin saróng abogado kun anó an pinakadakulà sa mga batás, sinimbag Niya kaining linya sa pamìbì na Shema Israel sa Deuteronomio 6,5: “Kamòtan mo an Kagurangnan mong Diós sa bilog mong pusò, sa bilog mong kalág, asín sa bilog mong isip.”

An Diós an nagwawaras nin kapangyarihan sa dagâ.

Sa Isaías 45,1-6, iniistorya kun pàno ginibo nin Diós na kasangkapan si Emperadór Ciro (Cyrus the Great) kan Persia para matapos na an pagsakit kan mga Judío sa  irarom kan Imperiong Babilonia asín makaulî sa Israel an mga destiero (exile).

Sabi pa ni San Pablo sa Roma 13,1: “Dapat magpasakop sa mga namámayó kan gobyerno, huli ta mayong autoridád na bakóng tugot nin Diós. An mga autoridád sa ngonian na panahón ibinugtak nin Diós.” Alagad pàno kun bakô marhay an gibo kan mga namámayó?

An Diós an sukol kan satong pagsunód sa mga autoridád sa kinâban.

Daí pwede gamiton an Roma 13,1 tanganing magin butá o daíng isip na parasunod an mga tawo kun lakóp an karâtan asín korupsyón sa gobyerno. Sa Mateo 28,18, iní an sinabi Niya: “Itinaó sako an gabós na kapangyarihan sa langit asín sa dagâ.”

Kun susog sa kabôtan nin Diós an mga pinapapatupad na batás asin marhay an pasunód nin mga pamayó sa gobyerno, maninigò lamang an pagsunód nin mga ciudadano ta para sa ikakaraháy man saná iní nin gabós.

Ngonian na eleksyón, an kabôtan nin Diós iyó an satong paorogón, bakô an mga kinâbanon na tentación. Sa pangangampanya, ipahayag saná an katotoohan, daí magpalakóp nin kaputikan. Sa pagboto, dangogón an dikta kan consciencia bakô an dikta kan kwarta.

Pag tinataó ta an tamà asín maninigò sa Diós, tinataó ta man an marhay asín magayón para sa satong komunidad. Sabi nganì sa Proverbio 29,2: “Kun an matanos an nagkákapót nin kapangyarihan, nag-oogma an banwaan; alagad kun namámayó an tampalasan, nag-aagrangay an katawohan.”

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GIYA SA PAGHIRÁS SA SADÍT NA KOMUNIDAD O PAMILYA • Ngonian na pirilían, pàno mo isasabuhay iníng kasabihán: “Tawan ki Cesar an ki Cesar, asín sa Diós an sa Diós”?

PASUNÓD-SUNÓD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Prayers of the Faithful • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

Maghimatè sa Tingog kan Marhay na Pastor

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradit na Komunidad nin Pagtubod (SAKOP) para sa semana kan Mayo 8-14, 2022. Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Juan 10,27-30 (Ikaapat na Domingo nin Pasko nin Pagkabuhay-Liwát - C).

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Sa evangelio nagpapamidbid si Jesu Cristo bilang satong Marhay na Pastor. Sa Jeremias 3,15, may panugà an Dios sa Saiyang banwaan: “Tatàwan ko kamo nin mga pastores susog sa Sakong puso, na papamayohan kamo na may kadunongan asin pakasabot.” Sa Juan 10,30, sinabi ni Jesus: “Ako asin an Ama sarò saná”. Siya an kapanoan kan profesía kan Marhay na Pastor, na matao nin buhay na daing kasagkoran sa mga naghihimatè sa Saiyang tingog.

Sa panahon nin eleksyon, ano an sinasabi sato kan tingog kan satong Marhay na Pastor?

Sa Juan 10,10, sinabi Niya: “An parahàbon minalaog, daing ibang tuyo kundi maghàbon, maggadán asin magraót. Ako napadigdi tanganing sinda mabuhay asin mapanô nin buhay.” Kaya maglikay sa mga boot mamayó sa banwaan na nagsasagin-sagin na marhay asin maboot pero karâtan palán an katuyohán. Maglikáy kita sa mga utikón asin parahàbon.

An marhay na pastor dinadara sa karahayan asin katanosan an banwaan. Siring Siya sa Kagurangnan sa Psalmo 23,2, na dinadara an karnero “sa mga berdeng sabsaban, sa mga tubig na malinaw”. An maraot na pastor dinadara sa karâtan asin kasâlan an banwaan. Ining mga nakaaging taon nahiling ta kun pàno an mismong mga pamayó kan satong nacion ginibong normal an kadustaan, an kaputikan, asin an panggagadan – asin kadakul an saindang napatubód na an salâ tamà, asin an tamà nagin salâ.

An marhay na pastor may pagmangno sa saiyang nasasakopan, lalo na sa mga nasa laylayan nin sociedad. May pigpapamatè man na pagmangno sa banwaan an mga maraot na pamayó – alagad an tabang na tinatao ninda sa saindang mga constituentes, tinapyasan na nin mas dakulà para sa saindang sadiri. Dangan pag-abot kan eleksyon, ginigibong pambakal nin boto. Asin an mga botanteng pinatood sa barakalan nin boto, hinahaboan na pati an mga kandidatong matanos asin may kakayahan, sa saláng paghonà na an pagmakulog sainda nasusukol sa kun siisay an pinakahalangkaw an pigtatao para iboto.

An marhay na pastor sinusurog an saiyang kawan na inaataman. Alagad an pastor na kwarta saná an habol, susog sa Juan 10,12, “minadulág kun nakakahilíng nin lobo, binabayaan an mga karnero”. An maraot na pastor kasabwat pa kan may mga maraot na plano – an mga nagraraot nin kapalibotan sa saindang pagpayaman, an mga mahàbas sa pondo kan gobyerno, asin an mga lulóng sa kapangyarihan.

Susog sa Talinhaga 29,2: “Kun an matanos iyo an nagkakapot kan kapangyarihan, nag-oogma an banwaan; alagad kun an maraot iyo an namamayo, nag-aagrangay an katawohan.”

Dai man ki perpektong kandidato alagad dakul man an mga matanos asin totoo. Pilion ta an mga pamayó na nagtutubod sa kapangyarihan nin pagkamoot, bako an pagkamoot sa kapangyarihan; an mga nagdudusay kan saindang sadiri, bako itong mga nagpapayaman sa sadiri. Sa panahon nin pirilian, maghimatè kita sa Marhay na Baretà kan satong Marhay na Pastor, bakò sa pekeng baretà (fake news) kan mga utikón na boot mamayó sato.

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GIYA SA PAGHIRAS SA SADIT NA KOMUNIDAD O FAMILIA • Magherás nin experiencia nin mga tentacion asin biyayà sa pagsunód niato sa tingog kan Marhay na Pastor sa panahon nin eleksyon.

PASUNOD-SUNOD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

Adviento kan Satong Kaligtasan

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradit na Komunidad nin Pagtubod (SAKOP) para sa semana kan Noviembre 28 - Deciembre 4, 2021. Basahon an Ebanghelyo gikan sa Lucas 21,25-28.34-36 (Enot na Domingo kan Adviento - C).

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An pinaghalean kan tataramon na Adviento iyo an Latin na advenire na an boot sabihon “pagdatong”. Ano o siisay an madatong? Daing iba kundi an satong Kagurangnan Jesu Cristo.  Asin bako sana saro, kundi duwang pagdatong an pig-aandaman kan Adviento: an enot na pagdatong ni Jesu Cristo kan Siya namundag digdi sa daga, asin an Saiyang Ikaduwang Pagdatong bilang mamuraway na Hade asin Hukom kan gabos na buhay asin mga gadan.

An tema sa ebanghelyo iyo an Ikaduwang Pagdatong. Kaya imbes na manunungod sa mga kaogmahan kan nagdadangadang na Kapaskuhan, ini manunungod sa mga calamidad asin kahorasaan na mangyayari sa kalangitan, kadagatan, asin dagâ, na magdadara nin takot sa mga tawo. Alagad susog sa Lucas 21,28, an dapat niatong gibohon, iyo na “magtingkalag  asin iitaas an payo ta harani na an (satong) kaligtasan”.

Garo baga an Biblia, an kalikasan, asin kasaysayan, parareho nagpapasabong na tanganing mangyari an makahulugan na pagbabago, kaipuhan ngunang mag-agi nin dakulang krisis o katibaadan. Bago an kamurawayan kan Resurreccion, kaipuhan nguna mag-agi si Cristo sa Saiyang Pasion. Kaiba kan kaogmahan kan Kapaskuhan iyo an mga makuring gibo kan mga makapangyarihan asin pagkagadan nin mga inocentes.

May krisis man na pig-aagihan an mga tawong nagmamawot na magbago asin mapakarhay an buhay, nin huli ta an mga kasâlan na boot talikdan nagpipirit na makabalik giraray sa saindang buhay. Ini an pig-aagihan nin mga recovering alcoholic asin mga adik sa droga. Nangyayari man ini sa buhay nin mga banal, siring ki San Agustin, San Francisco de Asis, San Igancio de Loyola, Sta. Teresa de Kolkata, asin iba pa. An kaligtasan asin kabanalan naghahagad nin sakripisyo.

Nangyayari man ini sa satong banwaan na nag-aagi nin krisis asin pagsakit nin huli sa labi-labing korupsyon asin harabasan, pagbaha nin kaputikan, asin mga pang-aapi asin garadanan. Lugod an krisis na ini magpamatè sato nin pagkagutom asin pagkapahà sa katanosan, asin tanyogon kita na maghingowa asin magtarabangan para sa pagbabago kan satong sociedad.

Ano an dapat niatong gibohon tanganing dai magpadaog sa krisis asin kasâlan kundi na manggana sa mga ini asin makamtan an satong kaligtasan?

Maglikay sa kasâlan. Sabi ni Cristo sa Lucas 21,34, “Magmaan kamo, tibaad an saindong puso magabatan kan bisyo, pag-inom, asin mga kapurisawan sa buhay”. Maglikay sa pagpaorog sa mga kaogmahan na minalipas asin kahugakan nin espiritu. Maglikay sa pagkabuyong sa kayamanan asin kapangyarihan. Maglikay sa mga kinabanon na ambisyon na minadara sato sa ibang dalan, parayo sa buhay na diosnon.

Magbantay na dai malanse nin kaputikan na ginagamit an satong takot tanganing magkabarangâ kita asin isikwal an kapwa. Kundi magdanay sa paninindogan sa katanosan, katotoohan, pagkamoot sa kapwa, asin pagkamaimbod sa Dios. Sabi ni Cristo sa Lucas 21,19, “Kun magdanay kamo, makakamtan nindo an buhay”.

Magpamibi sa paghagad nin kusog, nin huli ta kun kita sana, dai ta kakayanon an mga darakulang agyat nin buhay, lalo na an pagbabago nin satong sociedad. Sabi ni San Pablo sa Filipos 4,13, “An gabos magigibo ko huli ki Cristo na nagpapakusog sako”.

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GIYA SA PAGHIRAS SA SADIT NA KOMUNIDAD O PAMILYA • Maghiras nin experiencia nin personal na krisis o inagihan na kadipisilan, asin kun pa’no namatean an presencia nin Dios sa mga panahon na ini.

PASUNOD-SUNOD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

 

The Advent of Our Rebirth as a Nation

Homily for the First Sunday of Advent (C) – 28 November 2021. Readings: Jer 33:14-16; Ps 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14; 1 Thes 3:12-4:2; Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

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Advent Season this year comes at a time when the political season starts heating up. Amidst the politicking, the candidate substitution drama, and the switching of political allegiances, what should concern us Christians the most is the violence.

The first type of violence is the destruction of the truth. Someone said, “The first casualty of war is the truth”. Today we see truth-telling upended by manufactured narratives, government officials lying shamelessly to the public, and troll farms flooding the internet with disinformation, some of them operating as early as seven years ago. Worse, a recent study found out that 52% of young people could not distinguish real from fake news, and they comprise the bulk of our voting population. The number is even higher among older population.

The second type of violence is the wanton corruption perpetuated by those in power. The bottom pit of corruption recently unearthed were the anomalous deals and overpriced purchases in COVID-19 response, which benefitted government officials and their choice friends, and cause so much suffering to our people, especially the poor who are already affected by poor healthcare services and loss of income. In a homily in 2014, Pope Francis said, “The corruption of the powerful is paid for by the poor.”

The third type of violence are the killings and harassments perpetrated against critics and the so-called dregs of society. The culture of killing extends beyond body count to the breakdown of the social conscience. Thus, we see the scandal of Christians who go to Church on Sundays and post bible quotes on social media, but who are also the staunchest cheerleaders of the killings and enablers of murderers.

We enter into Advent in the context of this systemic violence. There is more to the theme of preparation in Advent than just anticipating the festivities of Christmas. It is a season of soul-searching and spiritual preparation in order to fully grasp the meaning of Christmas, thus, to fully celebrate it. Advent also reminds us to prepare for two other events: Christ's Second Coming, and our own mortality.

The Gospel passage this Sunday prophesies cosmic upheavals, a slew of natural disasters, and nations in tumult to precede the second coming of the Son of Man. It seems Scriptures, nature, and history all attest that for meaningful change to happen, some form of violence or crisis has to happen as well. The joy of Easter is preceded by crucifixion and death. The rejoicing at Christmas is accompanied by political oppression and the slaughter of innocents.

A soul’s journey of conversion from the old ways to new life is also fraught with inner violence as the old ways fight back and seek, time and again, to regain control. Read St. Augustine, St. John of the Cross, Thomas Merton, even Mother Teresa, and you will know. Ask any recovering alcoholic or addict and they will tell you this to be true. Salvation, redemption, and human progress come with a heavy price.

So it seems to be true as well for our nation. How then do we turn this blood-soaked time of violence and corruption into our hour of glory? Luke 21,28 says; “But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” How do we stand erect, raise our heads and await our redemption?

First, we have to recognize that we are all involved. The powerful and corrupt political dynasties, and their sycophant enablers, may be mainly to blame. But we too played a part in it. Let us ask ourselves these questions: Have you posted on social media unverified contents that support your personal views? Have you ever thought dirty politics will never change, or accepted that corruption is here to stay? Have you ever participated, willingly or unwillingly, in a corrupt practice because it is a fact of life and you can’t do anything about it? Have you ever conceded that vote-buying and patronage will never be gone during elections? Have you given up on politics and politicians, and chose instead not to care?

If our answer is yes to any of these questions, then we are partly to blame as well. We have heard this line from Edmund Burke often enough: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing.” We are as much part of the problem as the solution.

Second, we have to work on the things we need to stop doing. We need to stop believing that politics will never change for the better. We need to stop affirming that corruption is a way of life. We need to stop conceding that power only belongs to a few. Even in our weakness, there is strength; in our poverty, resources within our reach; in humiliation, dignity; in naivety, wisdom. We need to put a stop to our apathy for a culture of apathy spawns a culture of impunity.

Third, we have to get involved. We have to start respecting ourselves and our vote. “Ang pera sa bulsa, ang boto sa balota” degrades our dignity us voters and undermines the electoral process itself. Our sense of sacrifice has to go beyond the confines of family and loved ones. We have to hold our public officials more accountable. More importantly, we have to hold ourselves more accountable, especially, those of us entrusted with responsibility or position of authority.

Ultimately, we are all accountable to God. When our hour of judgment comes, can we honestly say we have made God’s will the standard of our moral choices? More importantly, when people see what we do, do they recognize Christ in us? More than ever, we have to make our Christian faith relevant to our participation in public life.

In his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (205), Pope Francis echoed the words of Pope Pius XI in 1924, “Politics, though often denigrated, remains a lofty vocation and one of the highest forms of charity, inasmuch as it seeks the common good,” Then he prayed, “I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor! It is vital that government leaders and financial leaders take heed and broaden their horizons, working to ensure that all citizens have dignified work, education and healthcare. Why not turn to God and ask him to inspire their plans? I am firmly convinced that openness to the transcendent can bring about a new political and economic mindset which would help to break down the wall of separation between the economy and the common good of society.”

There is a way in which the martyrs and victims of killings, and those who perished from COVID-19, would not have died in vain; those vilified unjustly by fake news and those made more destitute from corruption would not have suffered in vain. That way is to learn from these tragedies and grow better as a people. Tragic as they may be, these types of systemic violence may just be the thing to rouse us from our "carousing and drunkenness, our petty anxieties", our mediocre citizenship, our inconsistent democracy – but only if we let the Spirit guide our passions toward truth-telling, justice-seeking and peace-making. When this happens, there will be genuine healing and rebuilding. It will be the advent of our rebirth as a nation.

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Artwork: "Hope in the Ruins of Manila", Fernando Amorsolo, Oil on Canvas, 1945

Thoughts that have important consequences are always simple. All my thinking could be summed up with these words: Since corrupt people unite among themselves to constitute a force, honest people must do the same. It’s as simple as that.

Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

Bakong Arog Kaiyan an Dapat Saindo

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradit na Komunidad nin Pagtubod (SAKOP) para sa semana kan Octobre 17-23, 2021. Basahon an Ebanghelyo gikan sa Marcos 10,35-45 (Ika-29 Domingo sa Ordinariong Panahon – B )

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Sa ebanghelyo nagdulok an magtugang na Santiago asin Juan tanganing hagadon ki Jesus na “pag-abot Niya sa kamurawayan”, sindang duwa magtukaw sa kataed Niya, an saro sa too, asin saro sa wala. Boot sabihon na sindang duwa an magin pinakaorog sa gabos na mga disipulos. Kan maaraman ini kan iba pang disipulos, nagkadaragit sinda sa magtugang.

An Gawe nin Kinaban. An pangyayaring ini ginibo ni Jesus na patugmadan sa pagtukdo sainda kan kun ano an mahalaga sa Kahadean, na iba sa gawe nin kinaban. Pinarumdom Niya sinda kun pa’no an mga pamayo kan mga pagano naghahade-hade asin dinadaog-daog an mga nasasakupan ninda. Ini nin huli ta dai ninda midbid an Dios asin dai aram an Saiyang Tugon. An gawe nin kinaban iyo na an kadakulaan nasa kapangyarihan.

Maski sa ngonian, napapanahon an pagirumdom na ini. Nin huli ta an mga pamayo kan satong banwaan na nagsasabing sinda nagtutubod sa Dios, kun dai ninda utobon an Saiyang mga Tugon, nagigin sindang hade-hade asin kagdaog kan saindang mga nasasakopan, asin naaabuso an kapangyarihan.

Kaya sa panahon nin eleksyon, marhay na gibohon na panukol asin panimbang an mga Tugon nin Dios kun siisay an maninigong botohan. Siisay daw sa mga kandidato an mapasar maski sa tolong mga Tugon na ini? Dai ka maggadan, o magsuporta sa polisiya nin panggagadan. Dai ka maghabon, o makinabang sa hinabonan lalo na sa kaban nin banwaan. Dai ka magsaksing-putik laban sa kapwa, asin magpauran nin fake news tanganing manlanse nin mga botante.

An Gawe kan Kahadean. Kaya sa Marcos 10,43-44, si Jesus nagtukdo sa Saiyang mga disipulos: “Alagad bakong arog kaiyan an dapat mangyari saindo. An siisay man saindo na boot magin dakula, dapat magin surugoon nindo; an siisay man saindo na boot magin enot, dapat magin oripon kan gabos.” An gawe kan Kahadean iyo na an kadakulaan nasa paglingkod.

An tunay na paglingkod mapakumbaba. An pagpakumbaba bako pagmenos kan sadiring kakayahan – kaluyahan iyan nin boot. An pagpakumbaba bako nanggad pag-silencio o dai pagsurog kun may inaapi o napapabayaan – pagigin cobarde iyan. Kundi an pagpakumbaba iyo an pag-enot kan karahayan kan kapwa kisa sadiri. An pagpakumbaba pagpapakatotoo sa sadiri nin huli ta kita linalang nin Dios sa pagkamoot, asin an totoong namomoot inienot an namomotan kisa sadiri.

An tunay na paglingkod nagdudusay kan sadiri – siring ki Jesu Cristo na pinahiling an sadiri bilang pangarogan kan Saiyang mga disipulos sa gabos na panahon. Sa Marcos 10,45, sinabi Niya: “Nin huli ta an Aki nin Tawo dai nagdigdi tanganing paglingkodan kundi tanganing maglingkod asin magdusay kan buhay Niya tanganing matubos an dakul na tawo.”

Sa huri, an satong mga desisyon sa buhay, sa pulitika man o sa iba pang aspeto, minapahiling kun arin na gawe an satong pinapaorog – an kinaban o an Kahadean. Kaya bago kita magpili kun siisay sa mga kandidatong pulitiko an tunay na mga pamayong-lingkod, pag-isipan ta nguna kun kita mismo boot man na magtalubo sa pagigin pamayong-lingkod.

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GIYA SA PAGHIRAS SA SADIT NA KOMUNIDAD O PAMILYA • Maghiras nin ehemplo nin mga tawong nagin marhay na pamayong-lingkod, o personal na experiencia nin paggibo nin gawe nin sarong pamayong-lingkod.

PASUNOD-SUNOD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

 

Itao sa Dios an sa Dios

Giya sa Prayer-Meeting nin mga Saradit na Komunidad nin Pagtubod (SAKOP) para sa semana kan Oktubre 18-24, 2020. Basahon an Evangelio gikan sa Mateo 22,15-21 (Ika-29 Domingo sa Ordinariong Panahon).

“Itao nindo ki Cesar an ki Cesar, asin sa Dios an sa Dios”. Ano an boot sabihon kaini? Ini an simbag ni Jesus sa hapot saiya kan mga naghahanap nin ikakaparaot Niya. An saindang hapot: “Tugot daw na magbayad nin buwis ki Cesar o dai?”

Ining hapot sarong patibong. Nin huli ta kun magsimbag si Jesus na dapat magbayad nin buwis, ipapalakop kan mga ini – an mga parasunod kan mga poon na padi asin ni Herodes – na traidor Siya sa banwaan na Judio nin huli ta nagsusuporta Siya sa mananakop na Imperio Romano. Kun sabihon Niya man na dai dapat magbayad, ioosip kan mga ini sa mga autoridad kan Imperio na Siya nagrerebelde asin nagtutukdo sa mga tawo na magsuway sa Imperio, kaya pwede Siyang ipadakop asin padusahan. Alagad ginamit ni Jesus an saindang patibong tanganing magtukdo manungod sa autoridad asin Kahadean.

An Dios an paorogon sa gabos. Bako ini sa pagbanga kan material o secular na mga bagay sa lado kan gobierno asin an espiritual sa lado kan Simbahan. Kundi na an maninigong itao sa Dios iyo an gabos. An pinakahalangkaw na batas, an pinakadakulang tugon susog ki Jesus sa Mateo 22,37, iyo ini: “Kamotan mo an Kagurangnan mong Dios sa bilog mong puso, sa bilog mong kalag, sa bilog mong isip.”

An Dios an nagwawaras nin kapangyarihan sa daga. Sa Isaias 45,1-6, pig-istorya kun pano ginibo nin Dios na kasangkapan si Cyrus the Great, emperador kan Persia, para matapos na an pagsakit kan mga Judio sa  irarom kan Imperiong Babilonia asin makauli na an mga na-destiero (exile) sa Israel.

An Dios an sukol kan satong pagsunod sa mga autoridad sa kinaban. Sa Mateo 28,18, bago isubol ni Jesus an Saiyang mga disipulos sa mision, ini an sinabi Niya: “Itinao sako an gabos na kapangyarihan sa langit asin sa daga.” Kun marhay an pasunod nin mga pamayo sa gobyerno asin susog sa kabotan nin Dios an saindang pigpapatupad na batas, maninigo lamang an pagsunod nin mga ciudadano ta para sa ikakarahay man sana ini nin gabos.

Sabi ni San Pablo sa Roma 13,1: “Dapat magpasakop sa mga namamayo kan gobyerno, huli ta mayong autoridad na bakong tugot nin Dios. An mga autoridad sa ngonian na panahon ibinugtak nin Dios.”

Alagad pano kun bako marhay an gibo kan mga namamayo? Marhay na girumdomon na susog sa satong Constitucion, an pinakahalangkaw na autoridad (o sovereign) sa satong democracia iyo an  mga ciudadano (people) bako an mga pulitiko o militar.  Dai puede gamiton an Roma 13,1 tanganing magin buta o daing isip na parasunod an mga tawo kun lakop an karatan asin corupcion sa gobierno.

Sa hampang kan mga maraot na pamayo, si Jesus nagtukdo sa Mateo 20,26: “Bakong arog kaiyan an dapat na mangyari saindo. An siisay man na boot magin dakula dapat magin surogoon nindo.”

Asin kun may pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan, ini an pagirumdom kan Talinhaga 31,8-9: “ Magpahayag ka para sa mga tawo na dai nin boses. Ipakilaban mo an  derecho kan gabos na dai kayang makilaban. Magpahayag ka para sainda asin magin saro kan matanos na hukom. Ipakilaban mo an derecho kan mga dukha asin daing sukat.”

GIYA SA PAGHIRAS SA SADIT NA KOMUNIDAD O FAMILIA • Maghiras nin satong mga ginigibong pag-cooperar o pakipagtabangan sa gobierno ngonian na panahon nin pandemia para sa ikakarahay kan gabos.

PASUNOD-SUNOD KAN WEEKLY SAKOP/FAMILY PRAYER-MEETING • Kumustahan/Pamiridbidan • Disposition to Prayer / Silence • Gathering Song • Opening Prayer • Gospel Reading • Reflection • Sharing • Scripture Response • Closing Prayer (Spontaneous and Our Father) • Closing Song

And many who profess faith

And many who profess faith in God find it
Just to despise one evil and cheer another, so we
Pray for the time when the few who cry for life
Become many, and mass murders, a thing of the past.

This War on Drugs will Fail

This war on drugs will fail because it is founded on the wrong principles.

Human life is expendable.
Human rights are only for the law-abiding.
The ends justify the means.

Due process is a technicality that can be flouted.
Fear is a rightful tool for law enforcement.
Severity of punishment deters crime.
The rule of law is binding only when it serves prevailing doctrine.
Those who oppose the war are to be counted as enemies.
Ethics and faith are irrelevant to the issues at hand.
The death of innocents is acceptable collateral damage.

Change is coming?

I have a premonition, it is strong but not certain;

the signs were there, not too subtle warnings.

We chose fear over hope, because we were tired

of broken promises, so we turned mortals into gods

and bid them to save us. All they asked was that

we ignore their faults and laugh at their humor.

We are a nation of faith, of course, we believed.

Pork and the Narrow Gate

HOMILY
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – C – 25 August 2013

Readings: Is 66:18-21; Ps. 117:1, 2; Heb 12:5-7.11-13; Lk 13:22-30

What does our faith tell us about pork? We are not referring to the meat, but to what’s hot right now in Philippine politics, which is the pork barrel scam. Not much, at least directly. However, our readings this Sunday speak precisely against the kind of corruption exhibited by the pork barrel as an institution and the outrageous lengths that it has been abused.

Ostensibly, the fund is supposed to promote development: deliver services to the poor, construct and maintain needed infrastructure, support education and healthcare, etc. That is why in its present form it is called PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund). However, it is designed from the start to promote the politics of patronage. The president decides which lawmakers get the fund and how much, and lawmakers influence how projects are implemented and which contractors get projects, all the while using taxpayers' money in order to maintain a flawed system of political dependency and loyalty. And then comes evidence of ghost projects which are non-existent projects funded by the pork barrel of senators and congress representatives. Where do the funds go? Where else but to lawmakers who allowed their PDAF to be used that way, to professional swindlers, and other parties involved in the whole operation.

In a recent press conference, Cardinal Chito was moved to tears when referring to the scam. He lamented that it was supposed to be money spent for the poor, but stolen from them by people who have lost the sense of the poor’s suffering.

As we work for genuine progress and development in this country, we are reminded that the path (daang matuwid) leading to it must pass through the narrow gate. What is this narrow gate?

This refers to Lk 13,24 which says: “"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Now, what does it mean to enter through the narrow gate? I would like to propose two senses.

1. We remember that following God means following His Way, not our way.

We don't ask God to conform to us, it is us who have to conform to God. We need to recognize that following God’s will is following His best-laid plan for us as individuals and as a people. When we turn away from it, we set ourselves on a road to destruction. 

In 1996, the Rev. Joe Wright led this opening prayer at the Kansas House of Congress: “Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem.
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment...”

His opening prayer made a stir in Congress that day. One legislator walked out, and some criticized the pastor. But when the media aired the story, the response from the public, including those from other countries, was overwhelmingly supportive of Reverend Wright.

Entering through the narrow gate means it is our values that need to adjust, not the reality of what is truly right and just. It means divesting ourselves of our burdens of personal convenience, self-interest, and prejudices, since they hold us back from passing through the gate. After all, it is God’s will that we seek, not our will; it is God’s way that we strive to follow, not our way.

2. We relearn the values of discipline and commitment.

Heb 12,11 says: "At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it."

Can you imagine parents not teaching their kids discipline and expect them to succeed later in life? Can you imagine a teacher advising students that in order to graduate all they have to do is just browse through their books and attend classes only when they feel like it? Can you imagine a music teacher telling his young ward that the surefire way to becoming a great concert artist is simply to love music and practice only when he is in the mood? Can you imagine a coach devising a plan to win championships that does not involve his players' commitment to regular practice sessions and taking care of their health? They are hard to imagine and simply ridiculous.

Can you imagine being elected as a public servant and not exercising the disciplines of integrity and putting the people’s interest first before that of the self, one’s family, and party? Unfortunately, we can, and the pork barrel scam tells us it has been happening for decades.

Now can you imagine yourself as a citizen, and being party as well to this web of corruption? Unfortunately, we also can, either by resigned acceptance of corruption as a way of life, or by actual collusion. Even as we decry the pork barrel itself and its abuses, let us also discern how we too, as individuals and as a Church, may have enabled the culture of corruption and patronage politics. In a way, a Church protesting against the pork barrel is like holding a mirror to ourselves and asking if we too in the Church could pass the test of integrity using current standards of transparency and accountability. It is also a call to action for reforms in this regard within the Church as an institution.

If discipline is important in parenting, education, arts, and sports, why not in citizenship, and why not in our life of faith as well? Yet today we hear of so many people resisting the discipline of faith, interpreting Scriptures according to their needs, and following only Church teachings that best fit their lifestyle. And then they’ll say: “Why be so hard on yourself? After all, God is love.”

Remember Heb 12,6: "for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines". And then Mt 7,21 says: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Not everyone who invokes “God is love” will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Our Gospel this Sunday is a timely reminder of just what we need to do to enter the Kingdom, and help build It on earth through inclusive growth and genuine development for our people. Passing through the narrow gate is the test that determines whether our personal, ecclesial, and national striving are truly in the right path (daang matuwid). The choice before us may not be simple, but it is clear: pass through the narrow gate, or wait until we find ourselves forever barred from entering it.

'Pajero bishops' started with Juico interview

PCSO Chair Margie Juico lied to the people and while under oath. In a TV interview, she did say Pajero, expressing dismay that they were given to bishops and sarcastically implying that they took money away from the poor.

"Marami rin namang mahihirap na, na nakapaikot sa kanila, sa mga dioceses nila, 'no? Naghihinayang lang ako sana naman yung pondo ng PCSO na ginamit pambili lang ng Pajero, marami na sanang natulungan dun sa pondong 'yon."

She did not even bother to validate with the bishops involved and hear first their side. Or if the evidence were strong, she should have written to the DOJ to charge them in court. Instead, she chose to go direct to the media and hurl accusations not even based on their own report.

Now it has been revealed: There were no Pajeros or luxury vehicles. The vehicles were not for the personal use of the bishops involved. The donations were accepted in good faith and used for social action and charitable programs and activities. The Senate found nothing unconstitutional in the donations.

The CBCP apologized to the faithful for the pain and sadness the events have brought upon them and for undermining their integrity and prophetic stance vis-a-vis the former administration.

Barangay Jericho

HOMILY
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time – 31 October 2010

Readings: Wis 11:22-12:2; Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14; 2 Thess 1:11-2:2; Lk 19:1-10


Imagine a barangay named Jericho. It was big and prosperous, and has just received news that the Lord Jesus was set to pass through its main road. The barangay chairman was one named Zaccheus, a man of small stature in more ways than one, with a reputation for being corrupt and greedy. He was not generally well-liked but he always won the election because he simply bribed the voters more than his rivals.

Corrupting our Minors, Corrupting the Future

DIOCESE OF LEGAZPI
PASTORAL BULLETIN NO. 03, Series of 2010

To: Clergy, Religious, Lay Faithful
Re: Corrupting our Minors, Corrupting the Future


"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (Mt 18,16)


Reports coming from all over leave no doubt as to the scope and magnitude of corruption and cheating in the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. During our Clergy General Assembly held last Tuesday, every priest present said that vote-buying and selling were rampant in their respective places of assignment and home towns. Radyo Veritas Legazpi and other local radio stations, as well as our local PPCRV units also confirmed this widespread terrible state of affairs.

Standing by the Catholic Church

Finally, an article that speaks my sentiments on the issue. Except perhaps on the facts surounding the supposed excommunication threat on President Aquino. Recently released transcript of that interview with CBCP President Bishop Odchimar has him saying: "excommunication is not a proximate possibility". There has been no intention to threaten P-Noy with excommunication, as previously written, but still is being bandied about in many media outlets and the net.

I won't also be surprised if pro-RH groups won't be too happy with his dialogue issue # 5: "working together to build prosperous, just and sustainable communities so that it does not matter even if our population, as expected sometime in the next five years, exceeds 100 million people..."

A Short Prayer in Remembering 9/11

Today is the 9th anniversary of 9/11.
Lord God, we pray for the victims
from all sides, the living and the dead;
and for their oppressors as well,
whether they believe in You or Allah or none at all.
Inspire us to seek real freedom
that comes from peace that happens
only when justice and mercy meets.
Amen.

Sound Bites + Promises = Inaugural Speech

The inaugural speech of Pres. Noynoy Aquino was plain and straightforward enough, and delivered to an expectant nation what they wish to hear. The sound bites and promises thus produced the desired result: give the people a reason to dream again, and the new administration a good enough working space of trust and confidence.

Many will take the challenge of cooperation and doing our part for the country, including this blogger. But we will not be fans, we will be critical collaborators. We will work. We will speak our minds. We will remember.

God's Call to our Nation Today

HOMILY
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) – 7 February 2010

Readings: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11


The Gospel this Sunday recounts the story of the call of Simon and his partners, the brothers James and John, after a miraculous fish catch. Jesus told Simon (Peter) the iconic words: “from now on you will be catching men” (Lk 5,10).

The same theme of being called by God is found in the other two readings: that of Isaiah in the First Reading and of St. Paul in the Second. There is even a common pattern that runs through all three vocation stories.
1. First, God reveals Himself in an extraordinary experience of grace.
2. This evokes feelings of awe, and also sinfulness and unworthiness, in the one called.
3. Then God gives His assurance and
4. ...the call to mission.
5. Finally, the one called accepts God’s invitation.

The not so enthusiastic initial response to God’s call by Isaiah, Paul and Peter should not come as a surprise. Think about it: how would you feel if you were to be plucked out of your ordinary existence and presented by God Almighty Himself with an opportunity to work with Him closely, intimately, in the great task of building His Kingdom? Imagine the many life changes you have to go through if you would take the offer. Wouldn’t you feel honored and at the same time humbled – maybe even troubled (why me?) – by such an offer?

I know I would; I have gone through a similar experience myself. Same with most priests I know. There comes an inevitable point in seminary formation when we realize we are unworthy of the grace we are seeking. This, I believe, is what being “poor in spirit” means.

It is precisely this spiritual poverty that makes our eyes more open to, our hearts more accepting of, the reality of God’s love happening in many ways in our lives. In turn, this spiritual openness makes people more responsive to God’s call.

The experience is not the exclusive domain of priests and religious, or prophets of old. There was a wedding I officiated where I remember the groom earnestly declaring to his bride: “I don’t know what I have done to deserve a blessing like you.”

The realization of the gratuitousness of love makes us want to participate more in the experience, and share with others the joy we find in it. This, I believe, is what a “calling” means.

God calls everyone of us, each to his or her own mission and way of life. His call is always to participate in His life of grace ever more fully.

These days God has a common call for us as a nation: “God is calling us to participate in transforming our society, to ‘seek good and not evil’ (Amos 5,14)”. This is the opening line of the recent pastoral letter from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), “A Call for Vigilance and Involvement”.

This coming Tuesday marks the start of the official campaign period for candidates running for national positions. As election fever mounts, our bishops remind us, especially our lay people, “to fulfill (your) responsibility in renewing the political order”.

Like Sts. Peter, Paul and Isaiah, we may feel unsure of accomplishing this crucial task. We may even feel jaded and cynical at the many disappointments we have had from our failed leaders and failed promises of elections past. Still every election is an opportunity to effect meaningful change for our country. St. Paul in Rom 5,20 assures us: “where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more”.

The bishops’ pastoral letter asks candidates:
1. to start by being honest and sincere in educating the people on the situation of our country in their campaign;
2. to not manipulate the perceptions of the people but to help them to make good choices for the sake of the country; and
3. to present their platforms and convictions rather than attack others.

The bishops also remind soldiers and police officers:
1. to be vigilant in bringing about peaceful elections, and
2. not allow themselves to be used by politicians or ideological groups.

Their message is directed foremost to the voters:

“Automated elections will not give us good public officials. Ultimately the leaders that our country shall have will depend on our wise choice of candidates. Do not be swayed by survey results or political advertisements. Follow the dictates of your conscience after a prayerful and collective period of discernment. ‘Winnability’ is not at all a criterion for voting! The vote you cast will be a vote for the good of your country and your children’s future. Serve the common good with your precious vote!”

I would like to conclude with a story that has been circulating in emails recently…

While walking down the street one day a Philippine politician is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the politician.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the politician.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are all having such a good time that before the senator realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the politician joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. "Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

"I don't understand", stammers the politician. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil smiles at him and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning… Today, you voted."

The bishops’ pastoral letter concludes with this appeal: “Let us vote wisely that we may have God-fearing and honest people as our leaders.”

God is calling us to do so.

postscipt from the learning visit

3-7 May 2009

parol from pampanga................. P800.00
ticket to manila ocean park........ P500.00 (with promos)
sampaguita from child vendor...... P 10.00
green inspirations from marikina... priceless
lesson in politics from pampanga.. priceless
rousing words from mayor oca..... priceless
conspiracy with noel cabangon.... priceless
serendipity bus ride................... priceless ;)

much thanks to bcdi-bugs for organizing the trip,
and for galing pook for sponsoring the visit
to 3 top performing lgus:
marikina, pampanga, san fernando.

with prayers for building not just pockets or islands,
but an archipelago of good governance...

An EO 464 catechism

Sounding Board
By Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:05:00 03/03/2008

[Legislative] hearings have served an important role in ventilating issues of profound national concern. In fact, the modern function of hearings is often simply to focus the national attention and place a pressing issue on the nation’s agenda. Some might say that, in certain legislative sessions, such consciousness-raising ranks among Congress’ most constructive accomplishments. —Lawrence Tribe

MANILA, Philippines - Pardon me if the catechist in me should come out, but there is so much confusion about EO 464 that I thought the catechetical method might be the clearest approach. So, here goes:

Q. Is Executive Order 464 still alive?

A. The Supreme Court in Senate v. Ermita said: “Sections 2(b) and 3 of Executive Order No. 464 ... are declared VOID. Sections 1 and 2(a) are, however, VALID.”

Q. What does the voided Sections 3 say?

A. It says: “All public officials enumerated in Section 2 (b) hereof shall secure prior consent of the President prior to appearing before either House of Congress to ensure the observance of the principle of separation of powers, adherence to the rule on executive privilege and respect for the rights of public officials appearing in inquiries in aid of legislation.”

Q. Who are the officials in Section 2(b) referred to in Section 3.

A. They are:

“Senior officials of executive departments who in the judgment of the department heads are covered by the executive privilege;

“Generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and such other officers who in the judgment of the Chief of Staff are covered by the executive privilege;

“Philippine National Police (PNP) officers with rank of chief superintendent or higher and such other officers who in the judgment of the Chief of the PNP are covered by the executive privilege;

“Senior national security officials who in the judgment of the National Security Adviser are covered by the executive privilege; and

“Such other officers as may be determined by the President.”

Q. Are there any officials whom the President may prevent from testifying?

A. If the hearing is an inquiry in the exercise of congressional “oversight function” under Article VI, Section 22, Department Secretaries may not appear without the prior consent of the President. This is repeated in Section 1 of EO 464 which the Supreme Court declared valid.

If the hearing is “in aid of legislation” under Article VI, Section 21 of the Constitution, anyone, except the President and Justices of the Supreme Court, may be summoned.

Q. If the President cannot use EO 464 to block the testimony of officials enumerated in Section 2(b) above, can she still prevent testimony?

A. Yes, by claiming that the testimony being sought is covered by “executive privilege.”

Q. What is “executive privilege”?

A. It is the constitutionally recognized right of the President to withhold certain types of information from Congress, the courts or from the public.

Q. What types of information can be covered by executive privilege?

A. Section 2(a) of EO 464, upheld as valid by the Supreme Court, enumerates the following which are taken from earlier decisions:

1. Conversations and correspondence between the President and the public official covered by this executive order

2. Military, diplomatic and other national security matters which in the interest of national security should not be divulged;

3. Information between inter-government agencies prior to the conclusion of treaties and executive agreements;

4. Discussion in closed-door Cabinet meetings;

5. Matters affecting national security and public order.

Q. Who may claim executive privilege?

A. Only the President or a high official who, after consultation with the President, is authorized by her to claim the privilege.

Q. Must every claim of executive privilege based on the above enumeration be honored?

A. No. The Court in Senate v. Ermita said that in determining the validity of a claim of privilege, the question that must be asked is not only whether the requested information falls within one of the traditional privileges, but also whether that privilege should be honored in a given procedural setting. Thus it is not for one claiming executive privilege “to unilaterally determine that a duly-issued Subpoena should be totally disregarded.”

Q. Who then determines whether the claimed privilege should be honored?

A. The Court. Thus, for instance, when the Nixon administration claimed privilege for certain tapes about the Watergate break-in, the Court, after looking at the claimed privilege behind closed doors, held that the tapes were not covered by privilege and should be released.

For this reason, our Court also said that “Absent then a statement of the specific basis of a claim of executive privilege, there is no way of determining whether it falls under one of the traditional privileges, or whether, given the circumstances in which it is made, it should be respected.” The lack of specificity renders an assessment of the potential harm resulting from disclosure impossible.

Q. What was the opening sentence of the Court in its decision on EO 464?

A. “A transparent government is one of the hallmarks of a truly republican state.”

Q. The President has formed a legal team to study what to do with the appeal of the Bishops to abandon EO 464. What should they say?

A. They should say, “Madam President, read Senate v. Ermita and obey it and thereby begin the process of your salvation.”