December 04, 2014
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Gospel Mt 7:21, 24-27
Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo
I was about fourteen years old when the song Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo rocked the airwaves. Back then, I, and probably 90 percent of kids my age knew the song by heart and would be able to sing the song even in our sleep. In fact, the song had great recall and impact among Filipino listeners that it earned the band that popularized it awards and series of blockbuster concerts.
Looking back, it makes me think that probably the reason why this song became such a hit was because it dealt with realistic scenarios that some of us may have encountered at one point or another.
“Kaharap ko sa dyip ang isang ale
Nagrorosaryo mata niya’y nakapikit
Pumara sa may kumbento
Sa babaan lang po sabi ng tsuper kase me naghuhuli
Mura pa rin nang mura ang ale”
“Nangangaral sa kalye ang isang lalake
Hiningan ng pera ng batang pulubi
Pasensya na para daw sa templo
Pangkain lang po sabi ng paslit
Talagang di ba pupwede?
Lumipat ng pwesto ang lalake”
These lyrics talk about people who piously display their being religious in front of many people yet they lack in compassion and understanding towards others.
The gospel today is telling us that it is just not enough to know and memorize the word of God but also to put them into action through positive attitude and good deeds towards others. The Lord is telling us that to be truly devout or sincere in our spirituality will entail us to engage more with the poor and the needy, and the hungry in food and spirit. It means to love and care for other people as Christ loves and cares for us.
Leah M. Panaguiton
Staff, College Admissions Office & Aid
