PITIK-BULAG: An Open Letter to John the Baptist
Dear John, you could have avoided your sudden death by keeping your mouth and eyes closed. Yes, Herod committed adultery by marrying Herodias. He needed to be reprimanded. Everyone knew it was wrong, but they chose not to speak. You could have saved your life from death, but you chose to uphold truth and justice. We admire your bravery and commitment to fight evil and injustices. You have given us a lesson to consider. A difficult lesson but a necessary path to follow. In our times today where killings are alarmingly increasing, we chose to remain timid and silent.
We are cowards. We don’t have the guts to challenge the evil in our midst, nor correct the mistakes and lies we breathe. We are not pro-active. We don’t involve ourselves in finding alternative solutions to drug problems. Killing people, guilty or not, is not the solution to the drug problem. We complain a lot, but we are not talking out in the open.
But John, you chose to uphold justice and truth and took the road less traveled. We admire and envy your dedication; but sad to say, we don’t have the courage to fight for what is right, true, and noble. We are not like you – brave, consistent, and ready to die for what is right.
O John, you are now in the company of saints in heaven. Please remember us. We know what’s the right thing to do. But we have lots of excuses for our inaction and silence. We don’t demand justice for EJK victims, for fear of persecution and failure. We close our lips, ignore the evil we see, and stay in our comfort zones.
O John the Baptist, give us your courage to fight for what is right, uphold justice, defend the oppressed, and be identified with the sinners, poor and powerless. Give us the desire to go to the periphery, the determination speak against senseless violence, and the courage to fight evil in our midst.
Let us seek the approval of God and not of men. Help us to fight for justice even at the expense of being insulted, rejected, and persecuted. Let us boldly speak the truth without any fear. And most of all, help us to be more cooperative, discerning, and pro-active in finding pro-life solutions to the injustices, poverty, and violence in our country.
Like John the Baptist, may God give us the courage to be the new voices of God in the wilderness shouting, “Repent and reform, for the kingdom of God is at hand!”
O John, remember us. And pray for us.
You deserve the company of God and his Saints.
Yours truly,
A Fearful Disciple
– Pitik-Bulag
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August 29, 2020 – The Passion of John the Baptist
Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 17-29
‘What shall I ask for?’ She replied, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ The girl at once rushed back to the king and made her request, ‘I want you to give me John the Baptist’s head, immediately, on a dish.’
