"Justice is with the Lord, our God" (Bar 1:15a). Thus we read in today's reading. The book of Baruch is situated in the circumstances of God's people in exile in Babylon. Today's reading writes about the people's realization. "We, with our kings and rulers and priests and prophets, and with our fathers, have sinned in the Lord's sight and disobeyed him. We have neither heeded the voice of the Lord, our God, nor followed the precepts which the Lord set before us." (v.17). Their repentance eventually led God to bring their exile to an end.

God loves His people. He raised Israel and blessed them tremendously, according to the promises of His covenant with them. He was very patient with them. He endured their infidelities and rebellions and idolatries. But because He loved them, at some point God brought them to chastisement, in order that they might realize how they had gone wrong, and be brought back to their senses, repent, and thus be restored.

God's chastisement is a manifestation of His love! Many times, it is the only way by which a wayward people can be brought back.

The Philippines too is God's beloved. God has a special plan for this land. But we too have been disobedient and unmindful of the depth of His covenant. We go about our own ways, conforming more and more to the ways of the world around us. Before everything is lost, God sends chastisement, with the purpose that we become reflective of why such disasters happen, and in this way be brought back to the right path.

Why does God allow such disasters as Ondoy to happen to His people? Because He loves us and has a wonderful plan for us. Why do our people have to suffer? Because suffering is redemptive and is cleansing. Why must we suffer pain in life? Because it is the very way of Jesus, in order to come to glory.

God is just and righteous. God is all wise. God does not give up on His people. Let us repent of our infidelities, be faithful to our covenant, and rejoice in God's love for us.

God bless us all.

frank