P hilippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her husband, family members and their clique members, et al, apparently do not know the Bible in spite of their education in Catholic schools in the Philippines. Hence, they live without following the teachings in the Book of Wisdom. Perhaps they are the epitome of the Filipino Catholics who are not Christians, as described in this essay, Why Not All Filipino Catholics Are Christians

Editor’s Note: 
Perhaps readers may like also to browse its succeeding article,

Post Script to the Editorial, Why Not All Filipino Catholics Are Christians

The first proof that the Arroyos, et al, do no know the Bible is their efforts to prolong the rule and influence of President Arroyo. They do not realize what the Bible says:

‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘the one who is and who was and is to come, the Almighty.’ – The Book of Revelation 1:8

T he Alpha-and-the-Omega axiom has given rise to a Tagalog adage: “Pag may umpisa, may katapusan” (If there is a beginning, there is an end). The Arroyos, et al, do not (and refuse to) admit that she is a lame duck and sooner or later, she will not wield the powers and perks of the presidency.

When Gloria Arroyo leaves the presidency, she will be like the fabled “emperor without clothes.” Without the presidential immunity, she will be like naked and brought to justice, as described in this article:

The Arroyos Have Criminal Liabilities Not Only with the Americans But Also with the Chinese

But Gloria and Miguel Arroyo must remember what the nuns at the Assumption College and the priests at the Ateneo de Manila must have taught them: God is forgiveness and that is why “the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.”

And Zacchae'us stood and said to the Lord, ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold.’ (9) And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. (10) For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.’ Luke 19:8-10

To read the complete story of Zacchae'us, please read Bobot Apit’s Nov 17, 2009 - Tuesday Meditation (Change of Heart - Change of Life!)

It is not too late for the First Couple, et al, to ask forgiveness from the Lord, repent and make restitution like Zacchae'us. After all both Saints Mark and Matthew wrote, “What good is it for a man (mortal) to gain the whole world (of materialism, pomp and power) if he loses his/her soul?”

Perhaps Gloria and Miguel Arroyo, their children, Rasputins, et al, should click on the following links to read again what their school mentors used to teach them in Religion classes:

Mark 8:36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet ...

www.bible.cc/mark/8-36.htm

Matthew 16:26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole ...

www.bible.cc/matthew/16-26.htm

Since Nov. 29, 2009, is the start of the Liturgical New Year, and coupled with the beginning of 2010 on January First, perhaps the Filipino First Couple, et al, should remember what G. K. Chesterton wrote that “The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”

Besides, Advent Is the Time for Redemption and it is never too late to change for the better. The said article also tells the complete New-Year’s message of G. K. Chesterton.

And finally, perhaps Gloria and Miguel Arroyo may like to revisit again this article that tells also of Federico Pascual’s suggestion on how they can find eternal peace:

Our Idea of the First Couple Entering the Monastery Is Like Federico Pascual’s Proposal

T he editor, writers, columnists and staff of the MabuhayRadio.com now ask all our readers, especially the Overseas Filipinos, to include Gloria and Miguel Arroyo in their prayers starting this Thanksgiving weekend all the way to the New Year. Let us all pray that the Filipino First Couple will turn again to the Good News like when they were this tall and studying at the Assumption and the Ateneo. God works in mysterious ways. Perhaps the First Couple and their followers will indeed find redemption and peace of mind this Christmas season, God willing.

Amen. ###