Fight of Our Lives

Boxing is a sporting event that pits pugilists of the same weight class. The aim of the protagonists is to knock the other out, if not win points based on effective body shots on the opponent. In the predominantly Catholic nation of the Philippines, boxing is the second most popular sports next to basketball. While Philippine basketball continues to entertain a wider audience, it has failed to make a mark in the world and even in Asia. On the other hand, boxing has become a source of pride as Filipino boxers have become world champions (21 in all) from the time of Pancho Villa to the current toast - Manny Pacquiao.

For a long time, the shoeshine boy from Bogo, Cebu, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde was the poster boy of Philippine boxing until Manny Pacquiao conquered the finest Mexican world champions with his speed and unorthodox style. The victory over lone US Barcelona Olympic boxing gold medallist and 10-time world champion Oscar de La Hoya has put Pacquiao among the greatest boxers of all time. He defied the odds by leaping into a higher weight class and challenging his idol. It was David fighting Goliath.

The taller and more experienced boxer was outclassed and gassed out– quitting before the ninth round could begin.  De La Hoya, with a battered face, got up from his stool walked to the center of the ring and congratulated Pacquiao who told him: “You’re still my idol.” The vanquished warrior responded: “No, you’re my idol.” The two fistic gladiators proved to be real gentlemen, true sportsmen.

Christians are like boxers inside the ring. God places us in this world for the fight of our lives. He provides us rules to ensure that we conduct ourselves with dignity and integrity. Who are our opponents? First is ourselves for we can be our own enemy. If we are weak in spirit and do not have faith in ourselves and in our God, we can easily be knocked down. Second is Satan who attacks us relentlessly with his powerful blows of temptation. He defies the rules set down and is bent on winning at all cost.  He seeks our souls as prize. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”  (1 Peter 5:8)

But Satan is no match to us. While Pacquiao has the talented Freddie Roach as coach, we have the all-powerful Holy Spirit who guides and protects us from the jabs of the devil.  The Holy Spirit shieldsus from whatever punches and hooks thrown our way. In truth it is a mismatch of the highest degree. Against hate, we give love. Against greed, we share in charity. Against pride, we humble ourselves. Against lies, we reveal Truth.  The devil will be defeated.  “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)

Our God gives us the strength, the confidence and the courage to knock Satan out of our lives.  We are meant to be God’s champions here on earth. We are meant to be given a prize worth more than US$11 million (the amount Pacquiao earned), more than fame and prestige, and more than what the world can offer: life everlasting in His Heavenly Kingdom. “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. “ (Galatians 6:8)

by Mel Libre

The Invitation

As hosts of Sow&Harvest, a TawagAwit backyard gardening project, my entire family was kept busy during the week leading to the activity. We had a general clean up in the house, a bit of repainting outside, ground preparation for the garden plots, and planting of a few ornamental plants. Actually I went on official leave from work as I attended to the tasks including ironing so that no laundry would be left hanging as well as buying items to be cooked for the guests. My wife, Debbie, slept late the day before the activity and woke up at dawn to prepare her best recipes.

We started to get worried though as the table was all set and the food were steaming hot, yet our invited brethren had not arrived. Thirty minutes past 12 noon, we felt relieved as they started arriving. When all of the praying, eating, singing, planting, and socialising were done – and the guests had left, Debbie and I were thankful for the wonderful company and joyful experience we had with our guests. All our preparation had not gone in vain.

The mass is God’s banquet. He extends his invitation for us to take part in the Eucharistic celebration. So much effort is exerted in the preparation for the event. Other than the tidying of the church, the parish priest or his assistants give assignments to altar servers, readers and other workers. The printing of the parish newsletter; the encoding of prayers, responses and songs to be projected on the screen; the rehearsals of the choir; and the technical support are among the many things done prior to the singing of the gathering song. The priest needs to write the sermon; observes important pre-missal rituals; and celebrates the mass.

God, therefore, looks forward to His children attending the banquet.. "When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’" (Luke 14:17) When we partake of the body and blood of Christ during the Communion, the Lord fills us with His peace, love and joy. "When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16)

One of the important commandments of the Church is "to keep the Sundays and Holy Days of obligation holy, by hearing Mass and resting from servile work." It is consistent to the passage: "So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." (Genesis 2:3) Let us therefore mark our calendars and diaries for that important date with God each week. His Son Jesus is the sacrificial lamb – and if we fail to come, we will have shunned the grace that cleanses the soul.

by Mel Libre

Forgetting Wrongdoings

Winona Ryder was one of the brightest young actresses of United States, having appeared in notable films such as “Beetlejuice”, “Edward Scissorhands”, “Girl, Interrupted” and “Mr Deeds”. There has been little news about her either in tabloids or mainstream media for sometime – until she made a plane from Los Angeles make an emergency landing in Heathrow, London on November 22, 2008 due to illness, after she took an overdose of tranquilisers. If only to add insult to injury, most news items recalled her conviction for grand theft and vandalism for shoplifting $5,500 worth of designer clothes and accessories at Saks Fifth Avenue department store in 2001. Media do not easily forget wrongdoings.

So do most people. More so, if a person is personally affected by the wrongdoing, there is a tendency for the heart to harden. In most instances, individuals ignore the wrongdoer, while others go to the extreme of seeking revenge.

Forgiveness is a virtue that many among us find difficult to inculcate. We must imitate our God who is a forgiving God. “He is so rich is kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” (Ephesians 1:7) He wants us to be perfect, yet He allows us to decide on what to make out of our lives. He sees us when we do wrong.  He is saddened when we sin. He keeps reminding us though that if we want to be with Him, we must follow His commands. If we confess and repent, He forgives us. To cleanse our heart and soul, He allows us to partake of His body through communion. “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.” (Matthew 16:28)

He provides us with a fresh clean state – erasing and forgetting whatever infractions we committed. “Though yours sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Winona had paid for the stolen items, served 480 hours of community service, remained under probation for three years, suffered public humiliation and had a setback in her acting career, but in the eyes of the world the mistake she once committed remains a blot that won’t go away with time.  Not so with God:  “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)

by Mel Libre

Caring Watchman

One of the most phenomenal reality TV shows in recent times is "Big Brother" which was first broadcast in 1999 in Norway. So popular is the teleserye that it has been adopted in 70 other countries. The Big Brother house has cameras all over, recording everything that happens inside. It is interesting how the real character of participants is eventually revealed to the audience. In the Philippines, a handsome actor confessed of his being gay. In Britain, the racist sentiment of one against an Indian actress caused a stir. In another country, the pressure and joy of giving birth was witnessed by millions. Though the producers and directors introduce situations, the housemates have no script, except to follow their own instinct, guided by their values.

Often it is said, "Life is a stage". I say, "Life is an unscripted teleserye". There is no director saying "Cut" or "Take two". Life is not like that. It is God’s plan for us to live the perfect life. “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Human weakness and social pressure compromise our commitment to the Lord; exposing us to temptation and sin.

We can never be complacent in our lives. For each and every moment is accounted for. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.” (Hebrews 4:13) We are never assured of what happens next in our earthly life; for today may be the end. Through our faith in Christ, we are confident that our place in the afterlife has been set down for us.

It is our decision whether to take our place as planned out by God. Should we decide to go with the Almighty, then we will be guided to His plan; and He will set before us the path towards fulfilment. He watches over us, He cares for us every step of the way, thus we should be unafraid. “(F)or he is our God. We are the people he watches over the flock under his care. If only you would listen to his voice today!” (Psalms 95:7)

by Mel Libre

Shut Window, Door Opened

I once joined a singing competition in Toastmasters International in our area. With a wonderfully arranged original composition and instructing a colleague to turn-off the lights to give impact on the commencement of my performance, I confidently sang “Light a Candle”, which was inspired by a spiritually enriching experience. When all the other contestants had rendered their numbers, I was shocked to learn that I did not even figure in the top three.

However we look at it – losing sucks. More so if you had high expectations of yourself, and you performed at your level best.  But in a contest like in an election, there can only be one winner and losers a-many.

The best approach to losing is not to react instantaneously upon learning of the result. One must remain calm, letting the reality of defeat sink into the mind. Cry a little then allow a joyful thought to spark warmth in the heart – you did your utmost best, the better competitor won in this particular contest and the judges came up with a fair decision. Congratulate the victor.

Defeat is not the end of the world. Believe that a window of opportunity may have been shut, but a door has been opened for a more meaningful journey. “[The Lord said], “I will take back the ripened grain and new wine I generously provided each harvest season. I will take away the wool and linen clothing I gave her to cover her nakedness...But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.” (Hosea 2:9, 14)

I am thankful for the loss in that singing competition 15 years ago. It actually challenged me to write better songs and record professionally. Since then, I had written numerous anthems for major events and good causes; released three albums; and was led by the Spirit to my present pursuit of “sharing God’s Word through music and other acts of love.” (TawagAwit mission)

by Mel Libre