THE BLACK NAZARENE

     Perhaps the more enlightened members of the laity as well as the clergy were amazed to witness the millions of worshippers who attended the Black Nazarene procession recently. A more cautious layman
may be right in staying away from the crowd, particularly in view of earlier warnings of possible terrorist attacks or bombings announced thru the media. I suppose a materialist will point out that the Christ figure which is the object of so much religious fervor, nay, frenzy is just like all other man-like, man-made  representations. It is just matter--made of atoms which are in turn made of molecules which are composed of protons and electrons and which currently are known to be composed of subatomic quanta, i.e., quarks, neutrons, gluons, leptons, etc. The strongest microscope or x-ray machine obviously cannot show any tangible 'divine' component in the Black Nazarene. But what the skeptic or materialist cannot see is what the sincere devotees feel and/or perceive in their minds. They may not have read a single treatise in theology or scholastic philosophy, but our Compassionate and Omniscient God does respond to their devotion and child-like faith, for He knows His people will in due course realize He has always been with and in each and everyone of them all the time. Like the children in the Bible story, that barefoot Quiapo mob is not merely by yards or inches but in spirit closer to God than yours truly.

TWO TO TANGO

   The mad tango of graft and corruption
   Would cease or be substantially reduced
   Only if the fixer's terms are refused.
   The upright citizen has the option
   Of absolutely declining to deal.
   Thus, "Best to be Honest" is the maxim
   All must observe under this new regime.
   Never, I'm sure, will our President steal!
   Give bribes no more, so graft will fade away...
   Old palm-greasing customs are now passe.