Fr. Roy Cimagala is a Catholic priest and the Chaplain of the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE) in Talamban, Cebu City. A prolific columnist and spiritual director, he provides daily theological insights and moral guidance for the modern believer. His writing bridges the gap between traditional Catholic doctrine and the complexities of contemporary Philippine life, offering a roadmap for spiritual maturity and "new creation" in Christ.
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But we have to understand well what the word of God really is. To be sure, God’s word is not just any word. Neither is God’s word just a brilliant idea, a practical doctrine, and an effective ideology. It’s not just a strategy, a culture, or a lifestyle.
We cannot overemphasize the fact that in this world, especially nowadays, good and evil can be so mixed up that we would find it hard to distinguish between the two. The good may appear like evil to us, and vice-versa. Also, what may start as good can turn out bad later on, and the other way around, what can start as bad can turn out good in the end.
As we all know, most of his disciples only had some general and vague idea of who Christ really is. “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” It was Peter who hit it bull’s eye. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Where there is charity, we would know how to be tough and strong and at the same time how to be nice, affectionate, compassionate, etc. But it should be a charity that is a vital expression of the charity of Christ himself.
But it’s also our responsibility, precisely because as God’s image and likeness, we have to learn how to cooperate with God’s work of continuing creation and redemption in our earthly sojourn. In fact, for this, we have to give our all, as can be adduced from what Christ said as the greatest commandment of God for us.
There are, of course, different ways and kinds of rest. But we should try to have a really good one that is fit to our dignity as persons and children of God. And this kind of rest can only be found in Christ who precisely said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11,28)
Christ expressed this concern when he reproached some people for not repenting in spite of the many good things he had done for them. “Woe to you, Chorazine! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” he said. “For if the mighty deeds are done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes.” (Mt 11,21)
He is actually telling us to wage precisely a war to bring about the real peace meant for us, a kind of war that is inspired by true love that comes from God himself. We cannot deny that with all the goodness God has done for his creatures, practically all of the latter have chosen to go against God. And among the enemies, we can be counted, together with the devil, as the primary ones.
This is the proper combination of qualities that is meant for us. That’s what Christ wants us to be. Simple but not naïve. In fact, he wants us to be very clever and shrewd. “Be as cunning as serpents and as innocent as doves,” he said. (Mt 10,16)
We have to be wary of our tendency to easily fall into pride, vanity, and conceit whenever we enjoy special status in our life here on earth. We should strengthen and continue reinforcing our conviction that we are actually nothing without God and that we need to continually keep an intimate relationship with Christ in the Holy Spirit.
We need to take care of our faith. We cannot take this duty for granted, especially now when the world is sinking in confusion and error as it distances itself farther from God.
We should always expect the possibility for us to fall into some state of helplessness, not only of the transitory type but also of the permanent one. That’s just being realistic. And upon that possibility, let’s make the necessary preparation, building up the appropriate attitude, skills, and practices to tackle it. There’s always hope even in our worst scenario. And that’s because God never leaves us, but continues to love and care for us, in spite of all. He gives us everything we need to handle this situation.