True and through

Suntory is a famous whiskey brand made in Japan. How did the name come about? I heard that the owner had three sons … hence, Suntory!

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In today’s Gospel (Matthew 21: 28-32), Jesus tells us about a man who had two sons whom he asked to go to work in the vineyard. The first one said “no,” but later on changed his mind and went to work. The second one said “yes,” but later on changed his mind and did not go. “Who did the Father’s will?” The first one.

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Today, let us call to mind the promises we made to the Lord, and the many times we said “yes,” but we ended up with just lip service. Let us not give up. Let us keep on trying and hoping that someday we will be more true too in our thoughts, words, and deeds.

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Today, we honor people who don’t say much, but who love much. They are an inspiration to us, these people who “just do it” without much fanfare, photo ops, nor fireworks. Thank you for people who are honest and truthful.

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By the way, there is a third son in the parable of the two sons. The third son is the one who never listened, never heard, and never cared about the Father’s call for work and mission. These are those who are just too busy enjoying themselves, so caught up in their personal agenda and comfort, who seem to say: “I don’t know, and I don’t care! (wala akong alam, at wala akong pakialam!).” For them, life is one big recreation, and vacation, directed towards pleasure, enjoyment, and self-fulfillment.

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What are the 4 “Ps” that make us not listen to God, and not work for God?

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PERA. MONEY. The love of money can make us belittle and all together snub God’s call to love and to serve. Instead of loving people and using things, some choose to use people and love things. If we make money our biggest mission, passion, and security, we can end up vain, proud, and empty.

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POWER. When we become so engrossed on becoming better, richer, brighter, and holier than others, we end up playing the power game that leads us to selfishness and pride. So engrossed in comparing ourselves with others, we lose sight of our mission for our Master.

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PRIDE. If only we learned to be more humble to God and to be docile to His Words, we will not fall into the sin of pride and its disastrous consequences in our lives. Pride does come before the fall. Foolish pride is the “Waterloo” of people like me and you, who forget God, deny God, and rebel against God.

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PLEASURE. When we do let go of worldly pleasure and attachments, we listen to the call of the flesh and we end up disobeying God. When there is no more room for discipline, sacrifice, mortification, and atonement in our lives, we end up making ourselves god.

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POLITICS. One more P that makes us deaf and disobedient to God is the reality of corrupt, greedy, and manipulative politics, which are all done in the guise of “public service.” Politics divides us, and worse, politics corrupts us. No to politics of guns, goons, and gold! Yes, to politics of God, goodness, and guts. Sana, sana all!

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Today at 70, I say “Thank you Lord for all that has been,” and “Yes, for all that will be.” May the Lord continue to bless and prosper the work of my hands, but more so, may He increase the love in my heart.

Grateful and happy at 70.

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A moment with the Lord.
Lord, help us to be true in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Amen.

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