Binhi sang Pagtuo
March 9, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!
Our reflection for this week comes from Nehemiah 2:11-20.
This is the story of Nehemiah who traveled from Persia to Jerusalem with the mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
“Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire.” This was the situation of Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity.
Before Nehemiah started his work, he inspected and experienced first hand the situation of Jerusalem. While others were sleeping, he went around investigating the needed repairs. He also prayed and listened to God.
If we survey our national situation now, we can also find that we are in crisis. Morgan Stanley, a respected financial institution reported that the money lost in graft and corruption in the Philippines from 1965 to 2001 amounts to $204 billion or about P12 trillion. Last 2004, Teodoro Benigno reported that we lose P230 billion each year to government graft and corruption. Transparency International reported that we are the 3rd most corrupt country in Asia and number 11 in the world on 2004. Last January 2005, we got a higher rating. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Standard and Poor agency reported that the Philippines was the number 2 most corrupt country in the whole world, second only to Bangladesh. With that kind of development, Philippine Inquirer reported that our country became the number 1 most corrupt country last 2007. A week ago, Sen. Jovito Salonga recently filed an impeachment case against the head of the ombudsman office.
Nehemiah explained to the people the situation, and then inspired them to do their part. He organized the people and gave them hope. An acrostic of HOPE developed by Nestor Bunda says, “Help Organize People Everywhere.” Like Nehemiah, it is our duty to make the people aware on what is happening around us, and what kind of reforms is needed.
The people that worked with Nehemiah were not particularly gifted for construction work. There were no architects, engineers, or city planners. Those involved were the high priest and priests, goldsmiths and perfume-makers, rulers and their daughters, temple servants and merchants. God gave them success, and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.
The message of Nehemiah for us is: “Let us rise up and build.” Are you willing to join in the effort of rebuilding our nation?
May God continually bless us all.
Sincerely,
Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
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