Tasting row cacao from farm in Calinan

 

Yummy, yummy, yummy ...

I AM THE LIGHT

My column in BusinessWeek Mindanao, Mindanao Daily and The Metro Cagayan de Oro Times

The validity of Jesus' testimony has been explained in John 8:12-30: "I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

As I look around, I find many of our so-called leaders, who demand us to follow them, and I hope we open our eyes and minds before we follow them blind. 

"I am the light of the world!" Admittedly, this sounds for many people a reconditioned exuberance while trembling to what might happen if they are not being able to pay the next electric bill. Did you observe yourself that electric bill amounts keep on rising and rising since staying in the home office because of the pandemic?

I am also pretty sure that also this year Christmas lights are not glowing as the previous years: I am not so much talking about the illuminated advertisements all over the city. I am referring to the private lightenings that usually brighten our homes during the Yuletide season. It's the deep sadness and depression feelings of the people around us. No, this Christmas celebration is not a celebration anymore in times of a new abnormality. 

If we managed to overcome the "Follow-me-I'm-the light"-phonies, and after we managed to find solutions in paying our electric bills, we then sit still in our houses and plan to light a candle for our prayers.

The other side of the season should make us remember that we should never hesitate to show our good hearts even amid a crisis by rendering services to others with passion and enthusiasm. There is nothing really stronger than from the heart of a volunteer - as several UP interns voiced out many years ago.

I am the light of the world. Let's try putting this concept into our minds, hearts and souls. I am pretty sure we'll not walk in darkness especially during this enlightening season and the dramatic cuts in our daily life because of this pandemic.

"Made His light shine in our hearts." (2 Co 4:6).