Moving On

"Oh, TawagAwit? They sounded awful during the Sinulog!" the woman told the other who asked the former to join the group. I was among the singers in the group that performed during the programme on the third Sunday of January 2008 in Auckland. We failed to nail it as the microphones malfunctioned and the group neither had a sound check or a dress rehearsal. It was also the first public performance of the group in a major religious-cultural event – the singers suffered from "freshman jitters". But we have moved on since then.


While we are meant to be perfect in the eyes of God – we are not, for as long as we are in this world. Our humanness builds in each one of us bits and pieces of flaws. "So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin." (Romans 7:14) If we are blotfree then we should be in heaven all at once.

Sainthood is not a birthright, rather, it is a process of tests, sufferings, sacrifices, enlightenment, wisdom and faith. St Paul went through such process as he morphed from adversary to advocate; from cold blade to shining light; from persecutor to evangelist. For it is in the acceptance of our imperfection and admission of our transgressions that we are set free and be elevated to fulfilling our faith mission. "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19)


The past is better left off to the past. Today is what is of importance. As essential as your action is; so is your intent. For even if you fail in accomplishing the task at hand, it is what is in your heart that pleases God. "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." (Hebrews 13:16) The agonising cry of a penitent may seem disgusting to the human ear; but to God it is the most melodic, being the heart sound of repentance and of faith. "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." (Luke 15:7)

by  Mel Libre