WARFARE IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM

Much has changed in the business of warfare since the scourged of terrorism took on a new form, becoming more sinister, unpredictably borderless, and wantonly cruel.  Arms technology has invented sophisticated and lethal instruments of death. We see the amazing capability of the predator drones, Apache Longbows, bunker busters, bio-chem bombs, or the Stryker teams.

Mankind may not be aware but in the spiritual realm, there is likewise a more intense warfare being waged. This battle cannot be fought using human methods or instruments. “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world”, says St.  Paul the Apostle(2Cor. 10:4)

God’s warriors do not wage war as the world does.(v.3) They use the mighty weapons of righteousness, truth, love, and humility. They use weapons of divine power to demolish strongholds , and take captive every thought to make  it obedient to Christ.(v.5). They put on the full armor of God, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God.(Eph.6).

Growing Up

Having grown up as a child in the late fifties on to the sixties, the children of my generation didn't have electronic toys or computer games. Playing was more active and physical, of games with inviolable rules. Winning required skills, stamina, cunning, superior use of motor skills, and tactics. But what remains in memory was the amazing imagination which every boy and girl had. All of us boys wanted to be cowboys, and the girls wanted to be queens and princesses. Boys and girls like to play house, playing the role of father, mother and this was where the imagination got interesting because the play would unfold in a spontaneous unscripted childish dialogue. Come to think of it. I still wish to be a cowboy or a hero, but I sure did become a real Dad. I still believe the girls my age now still wish to be queens or princesses, but they did become real moms. These are the things we haven't really outgrown.

IMPEACHMENT, ANOTHER ROUND

I find it interesting that in the impending impeachment proceedings  before the Senate,  the Senate is described as an “impeachment Court” the process is described as an “impeachment trial”, the House of Representatives Panel entrusted with presenting evidence, is described as the “Prosecution Panel” and the defenders of the embattled Chief Justice, as “Defense Counsels.”

The awkwardness in the description is troublesome because it gives the impression that what will unfold is a trial similar to a criminal prosecution, which impeachment, is not.

 I was struck by the statement of my former law professor Justice Serafin Cuevas, (Ret.) in his interview with the media that the “Prosecution Panel” should be disciplined by the “Impeachment court” for its unbridled publicity of evidentiary matters relating to the case. The good Justice said rules are being violated. On the other hand, Rep. Tupas chief of the prosecution panel, sees nothing wrong with pandering to the media’s eye the significance of what they have as proof.  After all, Tupas,  opines,  the  rules of  procedure in the courts of law, do not strictly apply to impeachment, which is not judicial. 

Both opinions seem to be correct, although, I am partial to the view of Justice Cuevas. While impeachment may not strictly be a judicial proceeding, yet, it should be conducted in a proper and orderly manner following the Senate’s impeachment rules. That impeachment is not a judicial inquiry, is no argument to create a public circus out of it. Impeachment may not be judicial but it is basically  a legal and constitutional process. Perhaps it can be fairly characterized as quasi judicial. The lawyers who will appear in this trial are naturally expected to invoke well established legal principles, as already shown in their actions, which would likely be cumbersome, even worse when the proceedings are not conducted in an orderly manner.      

As I ponder on the legal ramifications, it is possible,  that the first round of the hearings will bog down in legal technicalities, as these brilliant legal luminaries lock horns in this historic trial. The boring Clinton impeachment, will be a far cry.

But what is exceedingly remarkable is the fact that here we find the Chief Magistrate of the land, and head of the of the  Judicial Branch, being “prosecuted” by  the House of Representatives of the Legislative Branch, before the “ judgment seat” of the Senate of the same Legislative Branch of government. In principle they are separate, independent, and coequal, yet in this situation, the two are more equal than the other.

There is here  an amazing reversal of roles. The legislative branch has turned into Prosecutor and Judge rolled into one. The Chief Magistrate, the head of the Judiciary and all courts of the land is hailed and tried before this monolithic body of lawmakers, who constitutionally, are suppose to be exercising legislative functions and not judicial.  This is a mystifying constitutional doctrine indeed.            

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR

WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR


Going back to the regular routine after the holidays is a torture. The body is sluggish with too much fat, after pigging out on rich food. I read one columnist in a national daily bewailing the Filipino custom of spending too much, eating too much, drinking too much, firing up much noise, all to welcome the coming of the new year,  which he decries as downright impractical.

How this practice came to be I haven’t the foggiest clue. But what I know is I grew up with it, and couldn’t shake it. The most amazing thing is the heavy purchases of food, which would practically empty the shelves of the shops. I hear one lady lining up ahead of me at the counter, complaining the store ran out of ham, eggs, and salad creams.

The wise writer is definitely right in pointing out the frenetic craziness of it all. Many pockets reach the bottom line by this time. 

I wake up first day of the year lousy and weak but drag my butt to catch up with church services. The only consolation is that I dozed off in the middle of the sermon, if not for  the strong incantation of  my pal the youthful Pastor, exhorting the faithful to forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win  the prize for which God has called us heavenward (Phil.3:13-14) which should be the attitude of every believer at the onset of the new year.

I like the message but the awful feeling still bugs me, probably the result of eating too much meat and sweets. I realize feeding the flesh too much, doesn’t edify the spirit.  What a lousy way to start the New Year.