PART A

My holiday is just about over. I have been traveling to various locations getting to see old friends and family. I just attended worship service this morning in some random congregation we were passing by and to my surprise it was an old minister I grew up admiring. He was much older now; scratchier voice and hair more gray all around. He always managed to teach with such passion; he would make us laugh during his sermons and then make us cry near the end. His words were always simple and his humility always came through, which is why when he did his conclusions, we were always moved because he spoke from the heart.

I was even excited because in his introduction, he mentioned that it was about parents and children, which was always one of my favourites. But this morning, it was so different. The Minister sounded so monotonous. There was no fire in his voice. He was older but he was not weak; it was no a physical problem – it was more of a spiritual one. As he spoke, he did not have that passion; he preached with no conviction. He did try to tell a joke or two, like he used to do, but there was no connection with the audience. No one laughed.

As he preached about the duties of the parents to their children and the children to the parents, it was very dry. The examples were the usual; you know, teach and guide the children; monitor them; children listen to parents; lead the family in being active and so on. This time, even though the words were familiar, the preaching was empty. There was no heart in the delivery. I don’t blame the old Minister. He tried. You can tell he spoke with experience and his delivery filled with conviction; but alas, the congregation was not in tune. Questions were not answered by the audience; jokes went right over everyone’s heads and the conclusion which should have been a deeply emotional one because the topic should have resonated with all attendees, it felt more like being in the dentist’s office – just get the moment over and done with.

As the service drew to a close, the Minister prayed passionately – praying for families; prayed for the sick parents; prayed for the future of the children. And yet, no one was moved. Some merely answered with a lifeless “Amen”.

It was a sad moment for me because I expected so much from the Minister I respected tremendously. The Holy Spirit just was not there with us.

PART B

During the sermon, the Minister taught about how parents must advise their children even when they have grown up and even when they are married, they should still guide them with wisdom.

I suddenly thought of Sister Tenny Manalo, the wife of the former Executive Minister, Brother Eraño Manalo and the mother of the current leader, Brother Eduardo. I thought to myself, that all these issues came up because, allegedly, Sister Tenny “tried to meddle or get involved” with Church affairs and allegedly tried to get her two other sons, Brothers Mark and Angel to be part of the Church leadership.

Let us suppose that this was “true”. Based on today’s lesson, would it be so wrong for the mother who was at her husband’s side for almost 50 years of his Administration, to give some advice to her son? After all, that is part of her duty is it not? Even Moses was advised by his father in law Jethro.

Secondly, let us say that she did advise the Beloved EVM to have the other 2 siblings to be part of the Church Council, looking at the recent turn of events, would it not be now considered a WISE advice? Imagine if the two were placed there instead of Rodel Cabrera, Radel Cortez, Benefrido Santiago and Matt Pareja – would there have been all that scandal about election payoffs? Definitely not.

Thinking back, all of a sudden, those are wise words from the mother isn’t it?

It’s no wonder King Solomon provided the sage advice:

“My child, listen to your father’s teaching. And do not forget your mother’s advice.” Proverbs 1:8

“The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes his father happy, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother”. Proverbs 10:1