By: Carlos “Charlie” Contreras
Mississauga , Ontario , Canada

I am just a newcomer in Canada and I noticed it is common to be asked by someone…”how are you?” And many would say…”OH I AM GOOD!” In other countries such as the Philippines , if someone ask the same question, the common answer would be ”I am fine,” or, “I am okay!”

Perhaps we feel good…

when we are spared by tragedies and calamities,
when we have money to secure us and get what we want,
when we have possessions to comfort and enjoy,
when we have succeeded in our career goals and ambitions in life,
when we have fame, titles, positions, power and influence,
when we have connections and contacts to get certain favors,
when we have inherited great fortune and wealth from our parents,
when we have awards, plaques, and the applause of many.
when we get what we want at the expense of others or at the expense of the law,
when we have good health or long life,
when we have the luxury and opportunity to travel and enjoy the beautiful places,
when we have this or that.

While others…

are in pain and suffering from tragedies and calamities,
are struggling from deep poverty and deprivation,
are struggling from sickness, disability, and dying,
are heart broken from failure, frustration, separation, or abandonment,
are empty and lonely from isolation and neglect,
are jobless and could not find a job or means to earn a living,
are in great sorrow from lies, deception, and exploitation,
are deprived of their freedom and rights to choose,
are deprived of justice, dignity, and respect,
are exploited and abused for their ignorance, weaknesses, or inabilities,
are depressed from various circumstances, and perhaps criticized or ridiculed,
have lost hope and want to end their life.

Someone who learned I was already in Canada said…”you are lucky”. Someone who learned I no longer live in one of the hardest hit village in Pasig City (Life Homes Subdivision) by typhoon Ondoy causing loss of lives and severe damage to properties and devastation to my former neighbors said….”you’re lucky because you no longer live there.” Perhaps, I would say…”thank God, we were spared” or…“thank God, we are blessed with these or that.” But I kept my silence and sought my heart and conscience.

After the typhoon Ondoy that caused loss of lives, great damage and destruction to properties to many, what are we hearing and seeing? Finger-pointing, blaming, cursing, and even ridiculing one another. Some blame the dam as the cause of the devastating flood. Some blame others and some to corruption. But when typhoon Pepeng struck Northern Luzon, why did Baguio City which is about 5,000 feet above sea level experienced heavy floods and which many residents are shocked? And many say it never happened before. Was it the fault of someone or caused by a dam?

The problem with us is that we are often too quick to talk than our brain to think first, or so righteous rather than be discreet. By saying something we may be ignorant of does not make us good. What happened to Baguio City should be an eye opener that the calamity is not the fault or ignorance of some but rather a WAKE-UP CALL. WHERE DID THE TYPHOONS CAME FROM? Many victims of typhoon Ondoy are not yet able to rise up when another calamity pounded the country causing similar tragedy to many. What then do we call this? Perhaps, God is sending us again a very strong sign not to be self-righteous and turn from our wicked ways. Haven’t we seen many tragedies and calamities already? Will we continue to be blind and deaf…and refuse to listen to God who speaks through other people and events in life?

It is very sad to hear that CERTAIN PEOPLE ARE EXPLOITING THE SITUATION. Because of GREED, INDIFFERRENCE and SELFISH EVIL MOTIVES, DONATIONS AND RELIEF GOODS THAT DOES NOT BELONG TO THEM ARE EITHER BEING SOLD OR DIVERTED TO OTHERS WHO ARE NOT VICTIMS OR IN NEED. PERHAPS, OTHERS ARE JUST WATCHING THE EVENTS AND DOING NOTHING. Very sad indeed to see some people turning their back and just staying in their comfort zone and probably thinking that it is not their problem. With typhoon Pepeng hitting the country in just one week and causing almost the same loss of lives and damage to properties, will the same sad incidents be seen or heard? Will we feel good because we are again spared?

Do I feel good because my family are now here in Canada and spared by the calamities happening in the Philippines and other countries? I DO NOT THINK SO.

Being or feeling good as what the world define can be being better than others, or having favor for what we want. But…if we know and live the word of God….”NO ONE IS GOOD, NOT EVEN ONE” – Romans 3:9 “FOR EVERYONE HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF GOD’S GLORY” – Romans 3:23 “ONLY GOD IS GOOD!”

“EVERYTHING GOOD COMES FROM GOD”. God gives us good things or favor so that others may be blessed and thank God. We are just stewards and we SHOULD NOT KEEP IT TO OUR OWN SELFISH INTEREST nor become the source of our EVIL DESIRE & PRIDE which will destroy our soul and become an instrument of the devil.

Many have nothing left after being struck by calamities. Many have no jobs due to the continuing global economic recession and the labor supply are overflowing. And perhaps certain employers are taking advantage of. With many tragic events unfolding in our lives and around the world, there are more people who are in need of help. We cannot just leave it to God because He uses instruments such as WE and speaks to us TODAY and everyday of our life. DOING GOOD is LOVING OUR NEIGHBOR (2nd Greatest Commandment) while FEELING GOOD can be the source of PRIDE that will destroy our soul. What do we want to be?

What does it profit to gain the worldly riches while others are in pain and suffering? What good do we say or think about ourselves? Sometimes, tragedy or calamity gives us the opportunity to change our wicked ways.

WILL WE CHANGE?

It’s our choice.

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