By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – Monsignor Butch
Guingoni, vicar-general of the Diocese of Pagadian City on Saturday appealed to
the faithful to let Jesus Christ “indwell their hearts and make Him center of
their homes.”
Speaking before
thousands of devout Catholics at the concelebrated mass held at the wharf area
here, Guingoni urged them to help pray for peace in our country, as “people are
now experiencing difficulties in life.”
“People are now faced
with poverty and fear. They have no assurance of their future, as they always
face unexpected dangers,” he added.
Guingoni
cited the latest shooting incident that took place in broad daylight in front
of Southern Midnanao Colleges, along Jamisola Street and near St. Columban
College (Elementary Department), killing two persons.
“In
a situation where there is no assurance, Pope Francis called it ‘colonization
of ideology’,” Guingoni said.
Guingoni
was reminded of the message of Pope Francis in the latter’s meeting with
families in the Philippines last Jan. 16 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila
where he issued a warning against
"ideological colonization" of families after reflecting on the gospel
story of St. Joseph, who was warned in a dream of dangers that threatened the
newly born Jesus.
“God is calling people
to recognize the dangers threatening our own families.
There is an ideological
colonization, thus we have to be careful with that as it tries to destroy the
family," Guingoni quoted Pope Francis as saying.
“Despite the unfortunate
events that happened in our family, we will not lose hope for the child Jesus
inspires us to give our sincere faith to Him. We will allow the child Jesus to
manage the affairs of our lives because he will teach us to do good things,
guide and strengthen us to live good lives,” Guingoni concluded.