Zero Tolerance

Why should any human being in the world be merely tolerated? What man has ever made a sacrifice in the name of tolerance? It leads men, instead, to express their own egotism in a book or a lecture that patronizes the downtrodden group. One of the cruelest things that can happen to a human being is to be tolerated. Never once did Our Lord say, “Tolerate your enemies!” But He did say, “Love your enemies; do good to them that hate you” (Matt. 5:44). Such love can be achieved only if we deliberately curb our fallen nature’s animosities.” -Fulton J. Sheen, Peace of Soul

There are many instances that we just let the wrong doing of others pass us by.  We tend to "tolerate" it and just keep it to ourselves.  But if we look deeper, we just don't want to be aggraivated by the situation or we just want to evade the person.  As Sheen would put it, One of the cruelest things that can happen to a human being is to be tolerated.

Loving your enemies is the Christian response to those whom we easily despise or to those who have wronged us.  To love is to be in an uncomfortable situation, where our humility is tested and our patience is challenged.  Jesus, despite knowing the criticisms he will get for entering the home of Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19:1-12), didn't mind for love and salvation was His agenda.  Who was Zacchaeus? A rich "publican," that is, a tax collector for the Roman authorities, and precisely for this he was regarded as a public sinner (Benedict XVI).

The love of Christ transformed this public sinner.  Zacchaeus offered half of his possessions to be given to the poor and to pay back four times of whatever was extorted.  Salvation has come for this sinner.

Christ does not tolerate, He loves.  And so must we.

Don't Buy a Lie (Lessons from the Tuko Trade)

TU-KO!

For a month now, I've been hearing a lot about the "Tuko" or the Philippine Gecko trade. It has been rumored that it's gall bladder enzymes can cure HIV, AIDS, STD and asthma. It can be sold at around Php1,500 each or auctioned.  Yet, never has it been proven that it can cure the mentioned illnesses at all.  Despite this, people still trade whether face to face or online and pay big money. At present the tuko is being illegally captured at night time in the rural areas.  Potentially, it can threaten the ecosystem of an area by disrupting the food chain.

That the tuko can cure AIDS is similar to what Satan wants us to believe, it's lies.  We are intelligent enough to know right from wrong. We even know the ultimate consequence of sin that is hell. Yet, we still "buy" in to sin.  We mistakenly fall into the lies of the temporary cures of this world, so we can forego the eternal healing, peace, and happiness Jesus wants us to gain.

I don't know how long this tuko trade will go on.  I think as long as someone is desperate to get cured of AIDS and will take his or her chances on the Philippine Gecko.  I don't know how long will we believe in Satan's lies of hopelessness, pride, and unforgiveness.  But for as long if we believe and trust in Jesus Christ, we will be guided to the truth and our salvation is in His hands.

The Best Gift

The 13th IKV's final day was truly empowering! Bro. Nic Escalona gave an inspiring talk to the kids, sharing how he was also a KFC member. He said something that struck me, "The greatest gift that my parents gave me was to bring me to Kids For Christ."

This Christmas season, everyone is busy buying gifts for their loved ones.  We think of what will make that person happy and feel special.  The best gift we can ever give to someone is an invitation to a life with Jesus.  Christ is the gift Himself.  God our Father, sent His Son Jesus, to bring us the gift of salvation.  Now, that's Christmas.