The good news is that the world did not end in the 2012 winter solstice – December 2012 – as the Mayan predicted it. Thank goodness. The bad news is that we still have to put up with the world problems. It is a mess. Maybe we can petition the Almighty God to stop it as world turns in the form of prayer. The other form of petition will be discussed later.
Can we possibly do this? Let’s assume we can. Entitled it “Extinguish all the Snakes.” Because it was this creature who tricked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Life who in turn sweet talked Adam into eating so. After which the couple of origins were driven away from the paradise given by God to live together happily and bare naked. That’s awesome. And then driven into the land of sins and restlessness. That’s awful.
Why do we want to eradicate the serpents, one may ask? Because we want to get even from the evil the original serpent did to our mother of origin, Eve. Vindictiveness understandably is a way of life. When Adam and Eve started conceiving their offspring, population grows in the land of sins and restlessness. then vindictiveness grow.
Did Adam apologize to God? Somehow one wonders if he did, and if granted forgiveness, is it a paradise where we all walk around the land and swim in the lukewarm seas bare naked? Singing songs about love, dancing, drinking the God given wine while praying and all having fun. No rip-offs. No stealing or cheating spouses. No governments. No money and taxes. No worries.
Maybe so. Because God always forgive. And if he does, we, his children, should
But he did not apologize for Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Too bad, there was no Social Studies 101 at the time where he could have learned a thing or two about the essence of apology, petition and forgiveness which I will explain in a few moments. He blamed God for taking a part of his body and created Eve out of it for his companion. He blamed God for conceiving the evil serpent to be around.
The story I just recounted is based on “The Story of Adam and Eve” article I Google on the Web.
Of course, it might just be a fiction but it simplifies the aggregate wisdom of apology, petition and forgiveness which I will discuss in a moment.
In the last three weeks, my Inbox was as busy being slammed towards the hectic days of the Christmas holidays. What is going on? What’s the noise all about? As I scan and read all of them, trying to recall what inspired the e-flood, trying to chill down the actors in breeze and engaged in deep thinking….I finally got the whole picture. That someone dropped a skewed ball that hit an unsuspecting down to earth
New-guy-on-the-block, who in turn threw the ball back as hard as he ever could. It’s not my cup of tea naming names because I never underestimate the wisdom of the readers of Balita. Push comes to shove I will do so.
Apology is more than saying “I’m sorry” for what one did wrong to the other. It implies one’s consideration of the feelings of the other. It’s humane and honorable. It does not mean that one is lowering his total being or giving up his ego or part of it. It settles conflict peacefully and swiftly. It begets kindness. Nothing in life is easier than apologizing.
Forgiveness is more than saying “I forgive you” for what one did wrong to the other. It is the end of anger and resentment of one to the other. It heals broken heart and gives a good feeling. Inability to forgive can make one sick because it causes stress. I was feeling down some time ago and went to my Parish Priest at the Annunciation Catholic Church for help. Here is what he told me. To be happy in life in this world, or something like that, is to remember five things. 1. forgive,2. forgive, 3 forgive, 4 forgive and 5 forgive.
Petition is more than “May we/I beg or request” from a higher authorities to do what one or more wish. It requires one’s valuable time and effort to complete a petition. It is also nerve wrecking. Sensible petition are those that benefit a large or all of the populations, especially the signatories. Where stupidity reigns supreme are those ones that benefits a miniscule number of the population. It is result of vindictiveness, large egos, childish behaviour and lack of social experience. It is the ugliest thing for someone to beg for someone to sign a petition to embarrass or vilify a single person. Why not just refer to the latter two. Or use “plain common sense.”
More to come.
Ray Sabatin