When the Rooster Crows

Oftentimes we misundertood that who is a black sheep of the family is always be a blacksheep. We assumed that the imperfections of a son is always construed to his being self centered and self-righteous. And no room for a change. Who we are is always what we wanted to be. This narrow idea widened and became the stumbling block that hurdled man's growth- his spiritual growth and it became his own comfort zone and a home.

Is man's nature evil? Most often than not, man's wrongdoings are already geared towards the idea on his own imperfections. His being is enveloped with the vast ocean of imperfections, yet even bounded, still he has the prerogative, the prerogative that keeps him able and alive. And God plays a major role on this ultimate option.

Let's track the Parable of the Lost Son. As Jesus taught about changes and repentance, He told the story of a man who had two sons. the older son was obedient and faithful. The younger son asked for his share of his father's property and left home. He soon wasted all his money in sinful living, and he became very hungry. Realizing he had been wrong, the younger son decided to return home and beg forgiveness. As the son neared home, his father saw him coming and was overjoyed. The father celebrated his son's return with a feast. This made the older son angry. The father explained to the older son that he would be given all the father had but that it was right to rejoice over the younger son's repentance.

Because of his own wickedness, he is considered as a an outcast of the boundary of God's kingdom, yet he has the freedom to change and God is ready to accept. Repentance and faith are greatly intertwined and no one can separate it. Man needs to return to God in repentance and faith. God does not compel us, so it must be a personal decision.

God's forgiveness is not gained through high spiritual achievements, such as attaining merits through compassionate living or developing high skills in meditation, but only by repentance. The price for our reconciliation with God was paid by Jesus Christ, through his death on the cross. There is nothing more to add, but at the end, His death on the cross will not be meaningfully given or sacrificed without man's participation.

To continue heeding this call needs man's active participation by showing and living man's lives in values and teachings of Jesus Christ and by sharing the great love that Christ has manifested on the Cross. Thus thru man's active participation, he might somehow change for the better and there is always room for perfection.