FORGIVE, LORD!
In chapter 7 of the book of the prophet Amos (vv. 1–8), we encounter a curious detail about the prophet’s reaction to three scenes of impending catastrophe shown to him in a series of visions. Instead of simply announcing God’s message, Amos switches roles—from prophet to intercessor, begging for God’s mercy on his people.
Prophets are usually sent with one primary task: to serve as God’s messengers. They are given the privilege of knowing and understanding God’s will, proclaiming His word, and calling people to repentance to avert disaster. But they were not expected to intercede or mediate on the people’s behalf. In ancient Israel, that was the role of the priest.
Yet in Amos 7, twice we hear the prophet cry out with a priestly heart:
“Forgive, Lord!
How can Jacob stand?
He is so small.” (cf. Amos 7:2, 5)
Amos sees visions of a land laid waste, a people suffering the terrible consequences of their own choices. And though he knows the judgment is deserved, he pleads for mercy. He stands before God not only as a herald of truth, but as a brother to his people—moved by their frailty and aware of their wretchedness.
There are moments in prayer when the Lord also allows us to see our own nation shaken—after an earthquake, after fires, after devastating typhoons and floodwaters rising again and again. These are not punishments from an angry God, but the painful consequences of our collective neglect, our indifference, our repeated choices that wound creation and one another.
And like Amos, the only prayer that rises in the heart is:
“Panginoon, maawa na po kayo. Forgive, Lord.
How can our people stand?
We are so small, so helpless.”
In that plea, the prophet’s heart and the priest’s heart become one—to speak truth without losing compassion… to call our people to conversion while begging God for tenderness… to hold judgment and mercy in a single breath.
May the Lord teach us to pray like Amos:
to see the wounds of our land,
and yet never tire of interceding:
“Lord, forgive.
Not because we deserve it,
but because we are Yours.”
Pablo Virgilio David
November 5 at 11:15 PM
Tuwing rumaragasa ang malalakas na bagyo, tatlong higante ang tahimik na humaharang sa galit ng kalikasan — ang Sierra Madre, Caraballo Range, at Cordilleras. Sila ang mga tunay na tagapagtanggol ng Luzon.
🌳 SIERRA MADRE — The Storm Shield
Ang pinakamahabang kabundukan sa bansa. Ito ang unang sumasalubong sa bawat bagyo—binabawasan ang lakas ng hangin at ulan bago pa man maramdaman sa kapatagan.
⛰️ CORDILLERAS — The Tallest Guardian
Matayog at matatag, ito ang gulugod ng Luzon. Ang lakas nito ay sumasalamin sa katatagan ng mga Pilipino sa gitna ng unos.
🌲 CARABALLO RANGE — The Silent Connector
Matatagpuan sa Nueva Vizcaya, ito ang tulay na nag-uugnay sa Sierra Madre at Cordillera—pinagsasama ang kanilang tibay at proteksyon.
Noong nanalasa ang #PepitoPH, ang mga bundok na ito ang unang lumaban. Pinahina nila ang lakas ng hangin, piniga ang mga ulap, at inabsorb ang bagsik ng ulan—para iligtas tayo sa mas matinding pinsala.
Hindi lang sila mga bundok — sila ang ating stormbreakers, heroes, at protectors.
Ngayon, tayo naman ang dapat lumaban para sa kanila — ipagtanggol natin ang Sierra Madre at ang mga kabundukan ng Luzon.
Turismo Central Luzon
November 9 at 8:45 AM
#SierraMadre #Cordilleras #CaraballoRange #Luzon #PepitoPH #NaturePH #EnvironmentPH #ProtectSierraMadre #ClimateActionPH #DisasterPreparedness #SaveOurMountains #Philippines #turismocentralluzon #PrayForThePhilippines #ViralPH #NewsPH
Let’s join in prayer for the victims of Typhoon Tino, who have been affected by its powerful winds, rains, and flash floods. May they receive the support and comfort they need during this difficult time. We humbly ask God for His mercy and protection for those in the path of Typhoon Uwan, that they may be spared from harm and damage.
May God bless and keep us all safe.
HugotSeminarista
November 6 at 7:38 PM
Panginoon, kami ay mapagpakumbabang humihingi ng Iyong banal na proteksyon sa bawat isa sa amin habang kami ay humaharap sa bagyo. Palibutan Mo kami ng Iyong mapagmahal na presensya, ingatan Mo kami mula sa panganib, at gabayan Mo kami sa Iyong karunungan at lakas. Hinihiling namin ang panalangin ni Maria, aming Ina, na yakapin kami sa ilalim ng kanyang balabal ng proteksyon. Nawa’y makatagpo kami ng kapanatagan sa kanyang nag-aalaga na yakap at magtiwala sa Iyong walang kapantay na pag-aalaga.
Amen.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila – Office of Communications
November 9 at 12:09 PM