In the end, we need to pray

THAT'S what we need to do as the election nears, because no matter what we do to ensure a peaceful, honest and credible election, it is only prayer that can assure us of what is truly good for us.

I suggest we continue praying the "Oratio Imperata" at the Masses. Those who have not done so may start now. Aside from that, let us take the initiative to do similar prayers.

I was impressed by the reaction of an official of the Commission on Elections to a statement of concern by some of our beloved bishops. "What we need is prayer, not a church rebuke," he said.

Of course, our bishops just voiced out a legitimate concern about something related to the voters' lists, among others. Let's hope things fall into place on Election Day.

I must confess that I can't help getting worried at how some candidates have been behaving during the campaign. "Worried" is a euphemism. More like it is "sharply disappointed and disgusted."

Many politicians are producing a lot of dirt and poison that can only be a recipe for trouble to erupt one way or another. This point should not be taken for granted. Perhaps there is not so much violence yet, at least where most of us are concerned. But allowing this madness of the election campaign to go on for a while more, there is bound to be some eruption.

Lately, I can't help but suffer sharply when I hear of many of the candidates doing all sorts of funny but dangerous things to advance their candidacies. Not only have they resorted to cheap gimmicks or run counter to logic and common sense -- they have openly abused the privileges of democracy.

What is worse is that they actually show very disturbing signs of precarious mental health, let alone moral health.

We don't like to judge, but neither were we born yesterday. Judging by the words and actions, we can know what dark motives motor the behavior of some of these politicians.

I am not referring to those whose actuations clearly show they are nuts, sorry to say that. Yes, we have a good number of them, which indicates somehow the kind of society we are.

I am referring more to those who are clearly good men and women, with a track record of service, but whose words and actions, perhaps straining under the pressure of the election campaign, leave us both amused and worried.

Imagine a candidate saying that he alone, among all the candidates, can bring back morality to government! Has this gentleman gone nuts? What is he trying to prove, that he is the Messiah?

Another said that in his first 100 days of office, he would attain peace for our country, permanent work for everyone, etc. And what is his track record? He is a high school dropout with no experience at all in public office.

And if you point these out to the followers of this candidate, you are accused of being unchristian, undemocratic, etc. Clearly, there is madness all over.

Many candidates accuse their opponents of black propaganda, of planning to cheat, of rigging the surveys, etc. When asked what basis they have of saying these, they cannot produce one single shred of credible evidence.

All these paint a picture that is not only sickening. It is simply sick. But just the same, this is not the end of the world. We have to have hope.

We have to pray. That's the only way all these stupidities can be integrated into something useful and meaningful.

Meditating on the example of our Lord, we can gather that what he did in the face of the bigotry and shallowness of mind even of his disciples was just to keep quiet, gather them for a little talk in some isolated places, etc.

He was patient and understanding, and just went about teaching the truth about man, all done in charity. He prayed and prayed, and asked his disciples also to pray.

I suppose this should be the basic attitude to have in the face of this difficult situation our country is facing as we go through this election process.

In the end, we have to pray!