THERE IS HOPE FOR OUR NATIONAL ENLIGHTENMENT, CONVERSION, AND RENEWAL

THERE IS HOPE FOR OUR NATIONAL ENLIGHTENMENT, CONVERSION, AND RENEWAL

I recently came across a prayer from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) entitled “A Nation’s Prayer for Enlightenment, Conversion, and Renewal.” I believe Filipinos should read it carefully—not simply as a prayer, but as a call to examine ourselves.

The CBCP prayer begins:

“Loving Father, God of truth and justice,
You sent Your Only Son, Jesus Christ,
who by His Paschal Mystery revealed Your mercy
and reconciled us to You and the world.”

Then it describes our difficult situation: “Our nation stands at a difficult crossroads.” The CBCP speaks of truth being cast aside, justice being delayed, and division weakening our society.

But should we lose hope?

I don't think so.

We should always have faith in God. But I also believe that we cannot expect our country to be renewed if we ourselves are unwilling to be renewed.

The CBCP prayer asks the Holy Spirit to “renew our hearts and enlighten our minds.” It calls us to turn “from indifference to compassion, from silence to faithful action, from division to unity, and from despair to hope.”

That is where national renewal must begin—with ourselves.

Let me put this in very simple terms.

Stealing is a sin. “Thou shalt not steal” is the Eighth Commandment. Whether we are talking about billions of pesos in public funds or something as small as taking something that does not belong to us, stealing is wrong.

And when public money is stolen through corruption, it is not merely a political problem. It is, at the very least, a wrongdoing—and for people of faith, a sin.

If we want to turn away from corruption, we must repent.

But what does genuine repentance mean?

It cannot simply mean saying, “I am sorry.”

There must be retribution—returning the stolen money or property, as far as possible. There must also be a genuine resolve not to do it again.

Otherwise, what kind of repentance is that?

The CBCP prayer asks God to forgive us for “accepting excuses in place of accountability” and for remaining silent when wrongdoing occurs. It asks us to choose “conscience over convenience” and “courage over fear.”

I think this is an important message.

The only way to stop massive corruption is not merely to pass more laws. Laws are necessary, but ultimately, the sinners must turn away from sin.

The CBCP prayer reminds me of a powerful biblical quotation:

“If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

There is hope for our country.

But perhaps the question we should ask is not only, “When will our country change?”

Perhaps we should first ask:

“When will I change?”

The CBCP prayer gives us the answer: enlightenment, conversion, repentance, forgiveness, and renewal.

Let us not lose hope.

Let us have faith in God.

And let us begin the renewal of our country by renewing ourselves.

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

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