Judgment

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

The Holy Book says: “Do not judge and you will not be judged yourself…” (Luke 6:37). At the same time however, the same Sacred Scriptures have the historical “Book of Judges”. Furthermore, the said Scriptures say the following: “Moses sat to judge the people…” (Ex. 18:13). “Why not judge for yourself what is right?” (Luke 12:57). “Don’t you know that God’s People will judge the world?…Do you know that we shall judge angels? (1 Cor. 6:2-3). Meantime, there is the multi-century old consecrated norm that says: “The Church does not judge on internal matters.” viz., She can and only pronounces judgment on what is known in the external forum through words said and deeds done. Reason: Judgment on what is externally unknown but only interiorly known to the human agent concerned is reserved to the Good Lord Who is the only One who knows even the most inner thoughts, hidden designs and desires of every individual.
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Resign

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

There are not only many individuals but also a good number of organizations that have been all saying the same thing by words and statements, through placards and effigies, by way of rallies and marches: “Resign!” Needless to say, all these verbal, written and action driven moves are addressed to one and the same national figure whose over-all credibility and approval ratings are far from enviable. Mere perception or reality, repeated credible national surveys all come out with the same conclusion: The Malacañang occupant should go and be gone—even before 2010.
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Cabinet Revamp and Transactional Politics

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

Now it can be said without reserve and with ethical certainty. There are more than enough indications that Malacañang itself even wants it openly known and noted. The ruling administration has nonchalantly demonstrated and continues to prove that transactional politics is its devious expertise. The publicly admittedly “secret” of a forthcoming cabinet revamp is exactly what transactional politics is all about. Political interests – not the good of the general public – are the priority. Partisan concerns – not the general welfare of the people – are the focus.
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Forgiveness without Repentance, Restitution, Repentance

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

Forgiveness is so easy to say, to give and even to preach when the forgiving persons were not the ones ravaged and damaged, neither the individuals exploited and trampled upon, nor the ones cheated and robbed. And even supposing that the victims themselves of big graft and gross corruption do forgive the culprits, the truth is that these are not forgiven when they are not really repentant, when they simply keep what they stole, when they actually do nothing to repair the damage they did, to undo the injustice they committed. In this case, the ones forgiving must be well commended not only on behalf of humanity but also in the name of the Good Lord. But the ones forgiven remain as culpable, reprehensible and guilty as they really are in reality and fact.
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“A criminal syndicate masquerading as a government”

By Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

Truth to say, the above statement qualifying the ruling administration is not altogether right but neither it is completely wrong. It may not be altogether fair and just, considering the still good number of people in the present government. Yet, it may not be said either that there are no downright incumbent grossly corrupt and corrupting well identified officials in the same administration who have long since been deeply engaged in big continuous and profitable self-service—with consequent flagrant disservice to the citizens.
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Republic of shortages

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

This country is now a land of big and shameful shortages. First, there were shortages of fertilizers, ballot boxes as well as votes. Then, there were shortages of commissions, “bukols” or “longpats”. Now, there are shortages of rice, pigs and irrigation systems. Lately, there seem to be also shortages of lots for building foreign high-rise condo units in Subic, and shortages also of islands for sale in Spratley.
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Conscience

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

In general, conscience is the judgment of sound and right reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of an act that the same is about to do, will do or have done. In particular, moral conscience that is present in the heart of every thinking feeling person, enjoins at the right time, in the proper occasion, to do good and to avoid evil. While usually unsaid in these “modern times”, conscience on the licit or illicit judgments, on the morality or immorality of human acts, can be categorized in the following contrast pairings.
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“Hate the Sin. Love the Sinner”

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

This is a hallowed and consecrated maxim of Christianity. It teaches in few words the inherent dignity and worth of the human person not only as created to the Image of God but also as someone redeemed by Christ Himself. Consequently, it says that there is nothing on earth, in it and above it that is more precious and invaluable than the human person. That is why no matter how odious and vile, hideous and heinous sins are, the sinner still deserves to be loved—in accord with the paramount commandment of loving neighbor hand-in-hand with loving God.
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Pietistic comfort zone

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

To recall one’s sins against God and others. To repent for violations of the Commandments of God and the Laws of Nature. To make amends for sins of commission done as well as for sins of omission realized. It can be said that this series of three agenda items is what is both normative and imperative particularly during this Holy Week—specially for the Christian Faithful. Anyone who would dare say or claim that he or she is sinless, is not a member of humanity.

The yearly commemoration of the painful passion, cruel death and glorious resurrection of Christ is also meant for the Christian Faithful to once again be conscious and receptive of the following realities: To expect difficulties of life. To accept sufferings in living. To be grateful for the blessings in life. Anybody who thinks, claims or expects otherwise, does not belong to this real world.
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“Why? Am I my bother’s keeper?”

By Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

It is no less than the Sacred Scriptures that recorded the question poised by a man named “Cain”. He murdered no less than his own brother. When asked by the Lord where his brother was, the murderer in turn simply posed another question with evasive intent and defensive spirit: “Why, am I my brother’s keeper?” This shameful and detestable question asked so long a time ago when the human family barely began, is once again being asked by many Filipinos who play blind, deaf and dumb when confronted by the atrocious anomalies committed by and scandalous transactions entered into by their government. Their answers are essentially the same as that made by Cain: Why? Is that my business? Should not everyone be for himself? Does love not begin at home?
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