Congratulations: Iglesia Ni Cristo turns 95!

IGLESIA NI CRISTO TURNS 95: President Arroyo's declaration of July 27, 2009 and every July 27 of every succeeding year as "Iglesia Ni Cristo" day, is well-founded and should be hailed by all Filipinos.

July 27, 2009 represents the 95^th year that the Iglesia shall have been in existence in the Philippines and in the whole world.

Among the things genuinely Filipino which all of us can be proud of, the Iglesia ranks as the best among the best, because it showcases the Filipino's deeply spiritual nature, and confirms our status as a race chosen by God to propagate His Word and belief in Him.

It also confirms, quite strongly, the designation of INC founder, Ka Felix Y. Manalo, as God's Special Messenger and as the "Chosen One" among Filipinos who will lead not only his countrymen but other peoples of the world as well to true salvation.

May I therefore take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency, Mr. Erano "Ka Erdy" Manalo, the INC Executive Minister, and His Excellency, Mr. Eduardo V. Manalo, the INC Deputy Executive, on this momentous occasion, with a prayer that God will continue to bless and guide them all throughout.

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CONGRATULATIONS, PALAWAN SUBTERRANEAN RIVER: Another thing that we can really be proud of is the selection of the Palawan Subterranean River in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan as among the top 77 nominees which managed to enter the finals in the on-going search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

My wife, Judge Angelina Domingo Mauricio, and my daughter, Luisa, joined me in a four-day trip to Palawan last April 2009, visiting the river as the trip's highlight, and we were all awed by what we saw.

I am making an earnest plea for all Filipinos who can cast a vote to really exert their best to vote for the river in succeeding worldwide voting, and then to entice others to do the same thing.

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BIG POPULATION IS NOT A BLESSING? Here is the conclusion of the reaction of a reader who goes by the name Gerry Cortez, on our column that "big population is a blessing":

"You will see the day that there will be more food crisis and many towns in the provinces will refuse to send their food harvests to the big cities so they can feed their own residents/constituents first...." We will continue this next issue.

"We now have rebellions not only because of ideological differences but mainly because of poverty and the growing number of mouths to feed. We have rampant corruption in our country because of our poor population.

"They can be easily manipulated because most of them are not highly educated and very willing to follow any political party that will give them a kilo of rice or a dozen canned sardines.

"And that is precisely what dirty politicians want in their areas. We have political dynasties because of big and poor populations in the towns, cities, provinces and regions. The quality and immaturity of our country when it comes to politics can be attributed to its big and poor population.

"You have cited China and India as good examples but China still has its 'one child policy' which it strictly maintains to survive even if it is now a global economic giant.

"It is very embarrassing to my Chinese friends whenever they read news articles regarding the increasing number of Chinese prostitutes in the Middle East, North and South America and Europe.

"Thousands of Indians and Chinese are escaping poverty everyday by paying huge sums of money to get out of their countries and work abroad. Many Indians sell their organs so they can buy food for their many children. A country will never attain economic prosperity if its development does not cope with the fast population growth.

"Now where is the blessing? God does not want His people to suffer. The government and the church can implement ethical measures on responsible family planning to promote better lives and family prosperity.

"Smaller families would of course mean a very prosperous country as proven in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Australia, and the United States. Poverty is not a blessing. Best regards,

Gerry Cortez..."

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LUMINOUS MYSTERIES START WITH BAPTISM OF JESUS: After the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary of the Roman Catholic Christians, the Mysteries of Light, or the so-called Luminous Mysteries, come next, to narrate another aspect of the life of Jesus Christ starting from His baptism to the Institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.

Significantly, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all contain an account of the baptism of Jesus Christ. In Matthew, we find the story in its Chapter 3, verses 13 to 17. In Mark, we find it in its Chapter 1, verses 9 to 13, while in Luke, the event is narrated in its Chapter 3, verses 21 to 22.

In John, the story is found in its Chapter 1, verses 29 to 34, although this account is not as specific about baptism as was written in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Be that as it may, the baptism of Jesus, performed by His cousin, John the Baptist at the Jordan River, continues to be a confirmation of Jesus' divinity, and of His status as the Son of God.

In all the Gospels, the story is told that after He was baptized, the heavens parted and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove and lightning, with a voice from heaven saying "This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Surely, in all history, there is no other person or being in this world whom God called as His Son, whom He loves and with whom He is well pleased except Jesus.

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REACTIONS? Please email them at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or at www.batasmauricio.com.