In Dependence

Here in the Philippines, June 12 is Independence Day. Today, it's our 105th celebration, in fact, to be exact. Pinoy or not, may I then request you to say a prayer for the Philippines? Our country has been through a lot and most things, probably, are still not to our liking. Reading the Bible today, though, talks about not being discouraged and we are filled with hope.

June 15 is Father's Day too. We pray for all fathers and their families. We remember too to look to Our Father who is the source of all good. So when leaders and men fail us, we turn to the One who will surely not disappoint.

Psalm 85:9-13 (part of the mass reading today), I believe, is specifically for the Philippines: "Surely he is ready to save those who honor him, and his saving presence will remain in our land. Love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will embrace. Human loyalty will reach up from the earth and God's righteousness will look down from heaven. The Lord will make us prosperous, and our land will produce rich harvests. Righteousness will go before the Lord and prepare the path for him." Can't get a better Independence Day message than that!

Not part of the daily reading for today but which I happened to go through, 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 goes: " Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us. We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed."

Happy Independence Day, Philippines! In the midst of the freedom we enjoy and even the troubles that we face, let us look to God for the grace, love and kindness that we must depend on for apart from Him, we can do nothing. Here's too a prosperous, peaceful, corruption-free (miracles still happen) country. Cheers and blessings!