the world is in chaos...

It is not difficult to conclude that our nation is in chaos, or the world is in chaos. As we watch television, listen to the radio, read the newspapers, talk to each other, we will know that the world is indeed in chaos.

The world is in chaos because what used to be modesty is now called a sex hang -up.

The world is in chaos because what used to be called discipline is now called unhealthy repression.

The world is in chaos because what used to be called disgusting crappy movies are now adult movies.

The world is in chaos because what used to be called moral responsibility is now called being free and liberated.

The world is in chaos because what used to be called chastity is now called neurotic inhibition. The world is in chaos because what used to be called living in sin is now called living a meaningful relationship.

The world is in chaos because what used to be called ethical anarchy is now called theology of liberation.

The world is in chaos because what used to be called killing and aborting a baby is now called choice.

With all these, it is not really difficult to say that our world is in chaos. What is your response to this chaos? I’m anxious of your reply. Some people are too busy. They are much too blinded. They are much too deaf to listen to the chaos. They would rather read a book because they want to let themselves off from all the chaos there is in the world.

When it comes to praying for problems in the family, everybody rushes to church. When it comes to praying so that our problems would be solved, everybody goes to God. But when a priest asks us to pray for the nation, to pray for the world, who comes?

When we want to pray for our own personal needs and intentions everybody rushes to God. But when we are asked to be more patriotic , we say, “I have many preoccupations.”

It is always difficult to gather people and ask them to pray for their nation. - for peace and order in the nation.
It is indeed a danger signal. But don’t you know that chaos is not that bad? Let us remember that chaos preceded creation, the proclamation of the Gospel and the Easter Sunday.
In the face of the present chaos in every nation of the world, in the face of our distorted values, of unjust taxes, of rising criminality, of negligence of the poor, what could be our response?
Our response can be found in the readings of Luke. Have you ever heard of the rainbow? Of the promise of God?

We might be distressed and faced with serious terrible problems but the Lord offers us a rainbow of hope. Somewhere, there is a rainbow of hope waiting for us. We must not lose courage, not only for ourselves but for our nations.

The Gospel tells us about the Lord proclaiming to all of us: “The kingdom is in your midst.”
This is the Good News: that GOD is with us and He will never abandon us. God’s message is a message of hope.

Life is difficult all over the world. In all its nations, chaos is in every corner. Sadly, it is made more difficult by our fellow countrymen. But we must take courage because there is rainbow of hope. GOD is offering us hope.

As we continue to observe the disciplines of Lent, let us pray altogether and ask the Lord to sustain in us the hope we desperately need in addressing chaos around us.