Wish for courage, calmness amid corruption issues — Cardinal David

In these dark times that the country is facing corruption issues, Kalookan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David advised the people to wish for "courage and calmness."

"We, as a people, (are) just like Joseph who seemed to be placed in a dark situation," said David in his homily on the third Misa de Gallo on Thursday.

Cardinal David talked about the Gospel reading on Joseph, who decided to follow the will of God and to protect Mary and Jesus.

David stated that the Bicameral debate on the national budget is now being livestreamed, which puts pressure on the lawmakers as the people are watching the procedures.

He also pointed out that this debate used to be done behind closed doors with no minutes or details of the discussion.

This changed, the cardinal added, because of the people's protests.

"Dahil nga ninakawan tayo ng bilyon-bilyon sa mga singit singit, ng mga pork barrell ng mga walang kahihiyan, ngayon binabantayan natin sila. At siyempre dahil sa pagkadismaya sa sistema ng korapsyon na naging parang talamak na cancer dahil sa sama ng loob sa mga ninakaw na bilyon bilyon mula sa kabang yaman na ayaw pa ring aminin nga mga pulitiko at ng mga kontratistang o "Kong-tratistang" sangkot," the prelate said.

(Because we were robbed of billions in our groins, by the pork barrels of the shameless, now we are watching them. And of course because of the frustration with the corruption system that has become like a chronic cancer due to resentment over the billions stolen from the treasury that politicians and the contractors involved still refuse to admit.)

In this situation, the people are faced with the temptation to do hurried actions, to give in to discouragement and despair.

"Pero ito ang panahon na napakahalaga ng ating tulog ng ating pahinga at ang ginagawa niyo ngayon ang pakikinig ng pagbulong ng anghel," he added.

(But this is the time when our sleep and our rest are very important and what you are doing now is listening to the whispering of an angel.)

"Kasi ang anghel ang dapat niya dalhin ang salita ng Diyos," he explained.

(Because the angel is supposed to bring the word of God)

On the question on how to answer God's invitation amid the corruption issues of today, David said the people should ask for the grace to be courageous and calm.

"Minsan ang tunay na kaligtasan hindi natatamo sa pamamagitan ng pag iwas or pagtakas kundi pamamagitan ng pagharap ng tapang at lakas ng loob. Pagharap at pananatili. Hilingin natin ang grasya ng magkasamang tapang at hinahon, tapang at hinahon," he said.

(Sometimes true salvation is not achieved through avoidance or escape but through facing with courage and fortitude. Facing and staying. Let us ask for the grace of combined courage and sobriety, courage and sobriety.)

"Tapang na humarap sa ibig nating iwasan o takasan. Pero kahinahunan ng loob na magbubunyag sa atin ng misteryo lampas sa sarili natin at lampas pa sa imahinasyon natin," he added.

(Courage to face what we want to avoid or escape. But calmness that will reveal to us a mystery beyond ourselves and beyond our imagination.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News