Daily Bible Reflections - February 21,2013

LUPANG HINIRANG

 

“You, O, Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples.” – Esther C:16

 

The title of my reflection is our national anthem, which means “a chosen nation.” Indeed, we are the only Christian country in South East Asia blessed with abundant natural and human resources. Expectedly, we should be spiritually and materially wealthy. But sadly, we are not. 

Just like another chosen people, the Israelites of the Old Testament, we have not walked our talk as a supposedly faith-based nation. We have sinned and destroyed our natural wealth.

During one Ash Wednesday, Fr. Troy, our Filipino priest in Abu Dhabi, reminded us in his homily to go back to the basics, to God, during the Lenten season. If we do so, we can claim God’s promised blessings.

I believe that our lasting heritage as a “lupang hinirang” — a chosen people enjoying the fulfillment of God’s promises — can happen if we all repent and believe in the Gospel. Grace Princesa (grprincesa@yahoo.com)

 

Reflection: Do you believe and claim that as a baptized Filipino Christian, you are chosen to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth?

 

Papa God, let me claim my heritage as a favored child of a chosen nation.

 

St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor of the Church, pray for us.