FIRST QUARTER STORM
Do with me whatever you think is good and right. – Jeremiah 26:14
On January 30, 1970, militant students, farmers, and workers demonstrated on the grounds of Congress to demand for a nonpartisan Constitutional Convention. Turned back by riot policemen, the demonstrators marched on Mendiola Street toward Gate 4 of Malacañang. Police and demonstrators clashed in what is now called the Battle of Mendiola. A series of protest rallies followed from January to March of that year — what is now called the First Quarter Storm. Then more rallies followed until Martial Law was declared in September 1972.
At the peak of the unrest, I happened to be president of the Student Council of Centro Escolar University on Mendiola Street. At first, I was reluctant to lead our students to these rallies where we faced police in full battle gear and Molotov bombs exploded now and then. But there were rallies for causes we really believed in — like fighting against oppression of the poor. So we joined the rallies, marching in the streets, unafraid.
In today’s reading we see Jeremiah and John the Baptist bravely fighting a much bigger battle — against sin itself. What could be a tougher fight? Cynthia Santiago (cusantiago@gmail.com)
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REFLECTION:
What causes are you willing to die for?
Lord, grant me the grace to win my battle against my everyday sins.
St. John Vianney, priest, pray for us.
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