LIFE’S INSPIRATIONS: “…For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins…” (Hebrews 10:1-3, the Holy Bible).
-ooo-
WHAT ARE GOV’T LEADERS DOING DURING THE HOLY WEEK? We really do not know what people in authority do during the Holy Week, but wouldn’t it be nice if they would spend their time reading the Bible, if they are Christians, or the holy books of their religions, if they are not Christians? I am saying this because it would seem that almost all people in authority do not read the Bible (or their holy books) at all.
I am therefore suggesting, from President Aquino to Vice President Jojo Binay, to the members of the Cabinet, to our senators and congressmen, and to all local officials and other government employees, to read the Bible this Holy Week 2015. Who knows, this might turn out to be a life-changing event for many of them.
-ooo-
PNOY, ET. AL. MUST READ THE BIBLE THIS WEEK: Here are suggested readings: Matthew 7:24-27, which says: “… `Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
“… `But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash’...”
-ooo-
WHO IS THE REAL GREAT LEADER? Another set of Bible verses worth reading by government officials is that found in Mark 10:42-45, which reads: “Jesus called them together and said, `You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them’…
“…`Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’...”
-ooo-
LEADERS MUST BE IMBUED WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD: Still another set of Bible verses which government officials must read is that found in Genesis 41:9-38. This tells of the story of Joseph, son of Jacob or Israel, who told the then Pharaoh or king of Egypt what the king’s dreams were all about, laying out a plan to save Egypt from a seven-year famine.
The plan involved finding a man in whom the Spirit of God dwells. “So Pharaoh asked them, `Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?’…” Discerning that Joseph had the Spirit of God in him, he Pharaoh made Joseph second-in-command in Egypt.
-ooo-
INTELLIGENCE, NOT WEALTH OR POWER: Finally, government officials should also read 1 Kings 3, which narrates the story of King Solomon, who was asked by God in a dream what he, Solomon, wanted as a gift. Solomon did not ask for wealth or fame, nor even the death of his enemies. He asked for intelligence to be able to rule wisely, which was given him. But God also gave him unequalled riches and fame and victory over his enemies.
-ooo-
PLEASE LISTEN: Broadcasts on spirituality and Word of God: Yes Radio 88.3 FM, Barobo City, Surigao del Sur and Yes Radio 93.9 FM, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, Mondays to Fridays, 8 p.m.; and 92.7 Smile FM, San Francisco, Agusan Del Sur, and Kiss 101.1 FM, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, Mondays to Fridays, 10 p.m.; Win 107.5 FM, Roxas, Isabela, Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.
-30-