Introduction

Introduction

Saturday (Sabbath), October 07, 2006, Badbad Oriental, Loon, Bohol, Philippines –

We are a people strong in the 7^th character trait of God, namely: meekness.

Our still ‘uncivilized’ brothers in the hinterlands are described to be gentle ‘tribes’. Many foreigners praised our hospitality; some abused it and made our meek women hospitality girls. Ask Dr. Jose Rizal. Ask our women PO, Gabriela.

Our national animal ‘carabao’ (buffalo) reflects our more obedient and servile nature, which was abused and exploited by foreigners like the Spaniards and others who found our innocence and humility a key to exploit and outwit us. Our national bird had been the gentle harmless little Philippine weaver (maya) whose voice and character are so harmless as if they are a replica or cousin of the dove.

While others equate “meekness” as weakness, thus, they hate this trait, yet Jesus Christ holds this quality as synonym to perfection. Here’s the proof. The verse in Matthew 5:48 “Be you merciful [meek] even as your Father in heaven is merciful [meek]” is rendered in other translations as “Be you perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” So, as far as Jesus is concerned, mercy = perfection! A merciful man has attained perfection, although it may not yet be the highest level.

This gives us a hint that mercy or meekness, humility and gentleness which are similar trait differently named when expressed to different recipient, is the trait of perfection or the key to perfection.

Of God’s seven qualities, we are weaker compared to other races in the first three qualities: love, wisdom and will.

This means that in our heart, our love (even love for self) is weaker than those of other people. That is the reason why we do not thunder when our honor or name is maligned. When our women are abused or turned into prostitutes, we resort to resignation or to crying.

But try insulting a German or a Russian or an American or a Japanese, then, you will understand what I mean. Try hanging an American like they did to our Flor Contemplacion who was hanged in Singapore. We had detected America’s fury and pride when one of America’s youth was caned in Singapore for minor violation!

While we choose to bow down when maligned or harmed, instead of taking revenge, proud nation will go to war for a mere insult.

In comparison with other nations, we, as a people have lesser amount of pride or arrogance because we are more humble than them, not to mention weaker. This is where they connect humility [meekness] to weakness. Because weakness usually produces meekness, or because weak people are usually meek people, they make meekness synonymous to weakness.