“PLANTING SEEDS OF JUSTICE AND OF PEACE”

As a Postulant of Missionary Dominican Sisters of the Rosary, I am happy and grateful to have attended the talk of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on: “Planting Seeds of Justice and Peace”. There were three Catholic bishops and a Protestant one who discussed on what is happening in the world as it does now in the Philippines.

I was touched with one of the talks of the bishop who began with the the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians, chapter 6 verse 9: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap of our harvest, if we do not give up”. He related this passage to the image of a farmer working in the fields with his own labor, but being prevented by the Government and had his land seized.There were questions that crossed my mind while listening to his talk, such as: Was there justice and peace in them? Did the government show the interest and concern for its people who don’t have land to build a house, to work, etc…?

        In a world of technological development, human life is gradually becoming more and more clearly discriminated between rich and poor, skin color, social status, language, and between nations (the continuous war in Ukraine, Russia, Myanmar, etc.). It is difficult and pitiful for those who have no place in society, especially the poor in the Philippines where I am living with. Most of the people I met in the market had no money to buy food, no home to return to, they just lived on the streets, under bridges. Seeing them, I can only pray for them, ask them questions, give them biscuits, candies or smile to encourage them. But those things are only temporary.

My life in a religious community, I feel blessed to have lived in a safe and well-equipped environment, both physical and spiritual. All of these remind me:  I am called to extend beyond providing material resources. It includes offering emotional support, spiritual encouragement, and opportunities for empowerment to those experiencing poverty starting in my own community. To do acts of kindness, encourage my companions, to uplift and support one another as my rehearse to my effort in helping the poor. For this year 2025 is a year of hope, the Church and the late Pope Francis encourage us to renew, forgive and reconcile with one another and focus on finding hope in God’s word.

POSTULANT : SCHOLASTICA