Photo by Jose Raphael Gonzales/ THE FLAME
The first week of Advent marks not only the beginning of a new liturgical season, but also the start of the nation’s “massive wake-up call,” a prelate said.
During a mass at the EDSA People Power Monument on Sunday, Nov. 30, Cubao Bishop Elias Lumayog Ayuban, Jr. said Advent was God’s gentle but firm way of waking up His people at a time when corruption is stripping them of service and opportunities.
“Jesus is telling us: wake up, open your eyes! Look at what is happening around you. Do not let corruption become ordinary. Do not let lies sound like the truth. Do not let the suffering of the poor fade into the background noise,” Ayuban said.
According to Ayuban, the issue of corruption is stealing not just public funds, but also the future and hope of every Filipino citizen who longs for a better country.
“While most of us are working hard through fair means and pursuing honorable livelihood means, some are abusing our public funds,” he added.
Citing a letter of St. Paul, the prelate explained that Advent is not a season of passivity but of holy vigilance, noting that the saint encouraged people to throw off works of darkness, dishonesty, immorality, selfishness and greed.
“As we stand at the threshold of the season of Advent, our hearts are steered not only with longing for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also with a deep yearning for the rebirth of our beloved country, the Philippines,” Ayuban said.
The bishop also mentioned the vision of Prophet Isaiah in the first reading, which depicted a world that set weapons aside for one that is transformed by the light of God. He expressed hope that the Philippines would rise above corruption not because its leaders have “become saints,” but because its people have refused to put the corrupt in power.
While Ayuban acknowledged that it is difficult to dream the same vision for the Philippines, he called on the faithful to initiate change.
“Kung ayaw magbago ng lipunan, tayo ang magsimula. Kung hindi magising ang mga nasa kapangyarihan, tayo ang unang gigising at hindi natin sila tatantanan hanggat hindi isauli ang kanilang mga ninakaw,” the prelate stated.
(If society won’t change, then let’s start it. If the ones in power do not wake up, let us be the first ones to do so and we will not stop until they do not return what they stole.)
The mass was part of the “Trillion Peso March” in Quezon City, a rally attended by various Church and civic organizations that called for accountability as the government grapples with a massive flood control scandal.
The mass was presided by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who also gave an opening message for the program.
The mass coincided with the first Sunday of Advent, a season that prepares Catholics for the celebration of the birth of Christ. F
