Change

THE STORY is about a wife who opened the front door and, behold, her mother-in-law was on the front porch, asking, "Can I stay here for a few days?" "Of course, you can stay there," was her response, and then she shut the door.

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Today is Pentecost Sunday. In today's Gospel (Jn. 20, 19-23), the Lord gives His Holy Spirit to His disciples, along with His greeting "Peace be with you." You know why we don't have peace in our hearts? You know why there is no peace in your families, in our country, and in the world? That's because we shut the door on the Holy Spirit.

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I don't know what happened, but my column last Sunday, Ascension Sunday, "ascended" into thin air. "Computer glitch" so was I told. Was I upset? Yes, for a while, I must admit, considering the effort I put into it. It was also the first time in five years that this happened. But, after a moment of prayer, continuously saying "Come Holy Spirit," I was at peace with the thought that there is a reason for everything that happens in our lives. So be it. Amen.

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"Peace be with you!" The thought that there is a greater power, that there is Someone in control, that there is a "big picture" is very assuring. May we all be reminded again that a tremendous gift has been given to us. Too bad many of us belittle, take for granted -- if not altogether ignore -- the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is ready and available for us anytime and with Whom there is no "computer glitch."

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We all need the Holy Spirit for a real change of heart, beginning with those who lead us, precisely because they themselves are powerful agents of change. They who are in powerful positions have in their possession a tremendous responsibility toward the people whom they serve. Too engrossed in their positions and possessions, and their commissions, they have, sad to say, forgotten their mission.

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Speaking of change, perhaps the lowly diaper could teach our leaders a lesson or two. First of all, they must remain lowly. Like the diaper, they must protect, serve, and give comfort. I look around and there are many leaders who are bleeders. They bleed our people. They rule not by any principle or creed, but by pure simple greed. As someone put it, many of our leaders are diapers who are full of s___t, and who stink. No amount of PR and publicity can deodorize them. They must have a change of heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. If that does not happen, they should be changed. That is the other thing which our leaders should learn from the lowly diaper -- they are disposable. They are not indispensable.

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Pentecost goes on. In every age and time, God raises prophets who speak on God's behalf, pointing out what is not right, and what should be changed. Let's call them diaper watchers or diaper busters. Archbishop Oscar Cruz is one such person in his lonely and scary crusade against jueteng. Likewise, we have prophets in the likes of Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, Bishop Antonio Tobias, and Bishop Julio Labayen who are not afraid in their crusade for good governance, and whose mouths cannot be muffled by money, favor or patronage. Let us pray that there will be more prophets in our midst who will help bring about a national diaper change.

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We pay tribute to the late Ka Luis Taruc, who till the very end was a true prophet, a real diaper-watcher and diaper-buster. This man had passion and compassion for his country and for his people, something that has become just an incidental to many of our so-called national leaders. I consider it a privilege to have met him through my friend Dik Trofeo, and to have administered to him the sacrament of the sick. He sacrificed a lot, as in a lot, for his country. May our leaders never forget the most important element of public service-sacrifice. Look around you. Are we being served by self-sacrificing leaders? There can be no real change without sacrifice from all of us, starting especially from our leaders.

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Not Abat idea. Personalities and technicalities aside, the idea of retired general Fortunato Abat is not his idea alone. Don't we all want change, unity, peace and progress? Don't we all hope and aspire for a better Philippines? Don't we all wish for a new Pentecost in our day and time? How to achieve this is debatable, but we must continue to listen to prophets in our midst, who point us to the road of righteousness and sacrifice toward greater heights and broader horizons.

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Whenever Sonie de la Cruz went to visit our Lady of Manaoag to ask for the healing of her husband Elmo who had a stage 4 cancer, she always heard Mama Mary's motherly assurance, "Don't worry, my child." And, she always ended with "Thanks for your visit my child!" She is grateful! May we not forget that amid the many changes and happening in our lives, we have a loving Mother who sees, who loves, and who watches over us. She was there on the first Pentecost. She will lead us into a new Pentecost.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, change us, mold us, and use us to become agents of change. Amen.