Building up hope

WE have to face reality squarely, and the reality is that we are going to have a long and hard road to recovery from the devastation we are suffering due to the October 15 earthquake. Let’s not sweeten it. In fact, let’s try to prepare ourselves for the worst scenarios. That’s how we should be realistic.

            But realism would be incomplete if it is not infused also with hope and optimism, a deep and unshakeable trust in the loving providence of God, and faith in our God-given strengths and talents. Realism should embrace both the worst and the best of people and things in general.

            And so, even now when the pain is still fresh, we have to build up a large reservoir of hope that is based on faith in God and in people and nourished by love. This is the basic formula we have to use as we try to pick up the pieces and start the task of rebuilding.

            We have to pray, we have to strengthen our will to survive and to overcome whatever difficulties we encounter, and this should be reflected in our deeds that should know no limits in their boldness of generosity, grandness and nobility of heart.

            We have to see to it that our faculties are in their proper places and are functioning well. We should be wary of our emotions and passions taking over as the lead factor in our attitude toward this challenge.

            Our boldness should also be prudent. We have to learn to listen to everyone and refrain from entering into useless and distracting arguments over issues that will surely come along the way. People have different views on priorities, etc., and so let’s be prepared for this eventuality, always trying to be calm and civil, and holding our horses.

            Let’s hope that as days pass, we become more organized in our efforts, developing the appropriate structures and networks, and animating them always with continuing words of encouragement and hope, coming from the gospel, common sense, and other sources, and nourishing them with prayers and the sacraments.

            The worst of times are the best of times also. That’s when virtues and greatness flourish amid the rubble of destruction and the ensuing and invasive tendency to fall into helplessness and despair, into self-pity and pessimism. We have to fight against these negative elements that always threaten us.

            We first have to look at the immediate basic needs of the victims, especially those who are isolated. At the moment, there are many reports of people who have no food to eat, water to drink and who have dead to bury or injured to take care of but feel unable to do so properly.

            But this concern should not blind us from giving due attention to the longer-ranged needs of the people—the reconstruction of the roads and bridges, the market places, the town halls, and most of all the churches. The economy has to be jumpstarted.

            This turn of events can help to purify our politics and rehabilitate our politicians who have been more concerned about their political life than working for the common good. This can bring back to them a heart of flesh, throwing away the heart of stone that has become conspicuous, what with all the screaming scandals lately.

            So this is also the time for our own purification, for doing some work of restitution of things that we, whoever we may be, may have unduly taken from others knowingly or unknowingly. There are many sins and misdeeds that we have committed that have passed unnoticed. We have to make up for them.

            Even more important is to look into the emotional, psychological and spiritual condition of the people. A lot of therapy and healing for sure is needed in this area. And this should not be ignored just because it is more intangible than tangible in nature.

            Everyone is begged to do whatever he can contribute. Volunteerism is the name of the game now. There is always something to give, even if it is just prayers and good wishes. Everyone has his own expertise, his own specialization. This is now the time to share gratis et amore. Never mind the pay or reward. God cannot be outdone in generosity.

            And let’s always remember that what we give always gains us a lot more in return, what we seem to lose actually comes back to us a hundredfold, and what we keep to ourselves because of lack of faith and love is actually lost and will work for our own downfall.