For God so love the world that he gave us his only begotten Son and whoever believes in him will have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him (John 3:16-17).
Jesus set love as the standard of morality. It is a love that frees people from sin and from spiritual imprisonment. Morality does not condemn and judge. Moral and spiritual leaders do not condemn but make themselves servants of God in generating morality to generations.
Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17) However, he also challenged us to be servants of truth and rectify errors to mean fraternal correction. We don’t close eyes from obvious social errors but we deep dive into it to at least shed light.
We don’t use our educational attainment and degrees to defend and justify errors, and to institutionalize an evil system.
Pope Francis in his “Fratelli Tutti” emphasized “dialogue and friendship in society.” Indeed, social confusions, doubts, and conflicts are better treated in the realm of a dialogue where the Holy Spirit is invoked to enlighten, lead, unite, and bring to fruition the discussions. He underlined kindness as an attitude and social art to treat the cruel aspects of the world.
I recall proposing an activity to the lesbians and gays of Mountain Province for a forum to discuss about the issues on lesbians and gays and the LGBTQ that originated from the West. I made a distinction between gays and lesbians from LGBTQ because not all the gays and lesbians of Mountain Province belong to the LGBTQ and their advocacies.
I hope it will be a good start to sow more seeds of kindness in the church towards those with special sexual orientation.
I hope to be clarified as well with the objectives, motivations, and stand of the gays and lesbians in forming a particular group for themselves.
It is a fundamental and existential truth that same sex marriage is not in accordance with God’s will and plan. Marriage is solely for man and woman.
Transgender is not as well the plan and will of God. It is the will and plan of man.
Same sex relationship will not always mean same sex marriage. It can also mean same sex partnership.
Same sex relationships, same sex partnership, and same sex marriage are another sensitive issue among churches, lesbians and gays, and the LGBTQ group.
We are not condemning and judging, but as spiritual counselors and leaders, we must have a stand on these alarming and fast circulating moral, spiritual, and social issues. The morality of same sex relationship is not relative but objective founded on the laws of God.
Morality, first and foremost, is the management of good and evil as they confront our life. God gave us the most precious gift – the gift of life. But he gave the law, conscience, sacred tradition, and magisterium to guide it and to defend it from alienation and destruction.
The LGBTQ is a sensitive issue but the church leaders must speak about the truth, especially that LGBTQ issues are becoming public i.e. social media.
It may hurt us to know the truth but let us be firm in our conviction that the Author of Life will be our strength and enlightenment. Let us not be afraid to be rejected by man because of God. God will not reject us for sure when we speak on his behalf.
Respect is our natural disposition to conform to the will, plan, and works of God. Every day is a choice but let the choice be rooted in the Divine Will, Divine Plan, and Divine Order.
I reiterate, same sex marriage is not the will of God. Abortion is never the will of God. Transgender is never the will of God. Divorce is never the law of God. These are of men.
Let us pray more. Let us ponder reflect and discern more in order to listen to the voice of God and realize them when moral issues confront us.
We remember the goodness of Bishops Emiliano Madangeng (May 6), Brigido Galasgas (May 15), and Cornelio Wigiwigan (May 16) on their death anniversaries. Rest in peace and pray for us. Blessed Pentecost Sunday!
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