We hope for a set of leaders who really CARES

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 10, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental!

Earlier today, about 7:30am, my wife Hermely and I casted our ballots. Hermely had a brief scare when her ballot was not accepted by the PCOS machine (Precinct Count Optical Scan) the first time she inserted it. On her second try, she was greeted “Congratulations” by the machine. As of this time of writing, there are reports of malfunctioning PCOS machines all over the country, and failure of elections in some areas. The COMELEC has extended the voting time up to 7pm. There are petitions to extend it up to 11pm if glitches in the machine will continue.

In connection with our celebration of Mother’s Day, we hope and pray that our next set of leaders will be like a mother who really cares for us. Let me share 5 things from the letters of word CARES.

Like a mother, we hope for a leader who is Compassionate.

Jesus was very compassionate. Matt 9:36, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Our mothers have great compassion for their children. They are always concerned about their children. They will always consider the plight of their children before their own situation.

Like a mother, we hope for a leader who shows Affection.

The affection of God to us can be glimpsed in these verses, “…You will nurse from her breast and be carried at her side; you will play on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I'll comfort you…” (Isaiah 66:12-13)

We really need leaders who will show their love and care all throughout their terms, and not just during election time.

Like a mother, we hope for a leader who Restores us.

Psalm 23:1-3 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.”

Our country needs leaders who will restore our Filipino pride and lead the country out of poverty.

Like a mother, we hope for leaders who will Elevate our status.

Leadership is often seen by others as a way to marginalize the people. We can often hear threats like “Just wait for me to become a leader, and then I will trample you down.”

Elevating the status of the marginalized was a way of life for Jesus. He talked to women, tax collectors, sick and poor. God is a God of life. Jesus had a preferential option for the poor because the poor were dying before their time. Jesus always pronounced a blessing to the marginalized sector.

Lastly, we also hope for leaders who will always Seek the will of God.

Jesus always sought the will of God. But he was also tempted to follow his own will. The Lord’s prayer reminds us that even Jesus was tempted to follow his own will. But later on, he prayed “not my will but thy will be done.”

We must also convert the perceived negative Filipino trait that is “Bahala na.” Actually, this phrase was originally “Bathala na” or “thy will be done.” This only shows that Filipinos are culturally a people with great faith on the Almighty God.

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers! Let us pray that the outcome of our national elections will produce a set of leaders who really cares.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain