On May 12, the senatorial and local elections will take place all over the country. As Christians and religious denominations, let’s pray fervently to God but should also vote wisely the right candidates.

Let’s not vote candidates who are known as plunderers, tax evaders, vote buyers, and liars.

Let me quote the words of the former Secretary of Finance, Jose lsidro N. Camacho: “This is a critical election for the Philippines... An election that will reveal the moral values of Filipinos (or lack of it). This is an election that will show whether Filipinos can be fooled by falsehoods and lies perpetuated through social media.

“Please pray for discernment to choose a candidate that represents integrity, competence, truth, sincere public service and an unblemished good heart.”

We should also be vigilant and report anomalies to accredited poll watchers like the NAMFREL and PPCRV. It would be a disaster if the integrity of the election is badly tarnished.

In the words of the British statesman Edmund Burke: “The only way by which evil people prosper in society is for the good to do nothing.”

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Today, “Good Shepherd Sunday,” is designated by the Catholic Church worldwide to focus attention on the vocation of priests, nuns and lay brothers, and to pray for more vocations.

Every year thousands graduate from various courses in the country. While there’s an oversupply of secular and vocational courses, there is an under supply of religious graduates.

Since families are the seedbeds of vocations, parents can show their love for God by supporting and encouraging their children who have the inclination to follow in the footsteps of Christ.

I remember a seminarian who was close to becoming ordained an SVD priest. Being the eldest and only male of eight siblings, he was hesitant to continue, thinking of his widowed mother caring for all the daughters.

With heavy heart, he told his mother to leave the seminary and help her. The mother wrote him a heartwarming letter thus: “My son, don’t worry about me and your sisters. If God wants you to become a priest, I won’t block your way. We will manage to survive with God’s help. Son, don’t worry.” That boost his aspiration, inspiring him to go on and eventually became a missionary, and later a diocesan priest working in the USA.

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Ask yourself: How can I help promote more vocations to the priesthood, brotherhood and sisterhood? Do I pray constantly as the Lord urges us, “Pray, therefore, for more laborers to work in the vineyard of the Lord”?

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Mother’s Day. This recalls the funny story of a rescue operation in the sea. Ten men and one woman were clinging to a rope, hanging from a helicopter. They were overloaded. One person had to let go or they would all fall down and drown.

Looking at each other, no one wanted to volunteer. After a couple of minutes, the woman said, “Mothers are used to making sacrifices for their husbands and children. Since nobody wants to go, I’ll give my life for all of you.” The men were so moved by her speech that they all clapped their hands...and all fell down, leaving the woman behind!

Today, we thank and pray for mothers, living or dead, for all their love, caring and sacrifices. There’s a Jewish saying which goes, “God cannot be everywhere so He created mothers.”