“FROM that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:23)
Many of us are deeply concerned about the things that are going on in the world today. Our generation has seen enormous violence, war, and poverty and destructions of societies. Our generation has not only seen death of fellow human beings but also death of morality and human decency.
We’re concerned about our nation, the United States of America. Never in the past decades have we witnessed disturbing divisions in politics that have destroyed the morale of our nation and citizens as we did during this past presidential campaign and election. We close our eyes and hope that everything would be fine–that our children would have food to eat, good education for a better future, and safe cities and towns to walk, work, and play.
We pray that our new president, Donald Trump, will lead the country well by forging unity among legislators as they seek out what is right and just for the welfare of every citizen and every human being in this country. We pray that our leaders will be true to their promises of eradicating corruption and greed in business and politics. We pray that they work together to preserve the sanctity of life, marriages, and families.
We’re not an isolated nation, and so we pray that our newly elected president and his cabinet will create paths of greater dialogues among leaders of other nations so that peace, harmony, and well-being of all people would reign in this world.
When our leaders assure us of these things we can sleep well and not live in fear.
So the best thing that we can do now is to pray for God’s intervention that the values of the Gospel would prevail in the senate, in the congress, in the halls and courts of politicians, governors and judges. Meanwhile we continue to speak up when we see any form of evil and any violation of human rights and justice. We continue to be vigilant citizens in protecting our jobs and families.
The Kingdom of God must reign on earth. It must be entrusted to men and women who are selfless in service, pure in intentions, courageous in making right decisions, and true to their promises to lead with moral integrity.
The Kingdom of God must have people who work hard to bring order in their personal and family lives. The Kingdom of God must have neighbors who care for one another; citizens, lawmakers and administrators who bring shelters to the homeless, food for the hungry, and medical benefits for all.
Let us never be discouraged! Let us live in hope that God’s Kingdom in his Son, Jesus Christ, would triumph in this world through the power of the Spirit!
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From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1999-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of ImmAaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
