Today, the
Christian Union for Socialist Democratic Advancement (CRUSADA) is at a
point of transition--a position of doctrinal reaffirmation and
constitutional revitalization. Needless to say, this path towards making
the Party ideologically stronger and more united poses a lot of risks,
with the most significant being inaction, that is, when it comes to
affairs outside intraparty organization. Nonetheless, the activity of
going back to our roots, reaffirming our principles, and discerning the
Party’s vocation, is in itself a task we should all look forward to,
and, more importantly, a source of hope.
As our Honorable Premier have mentioned, CRUSADA's leaders have decided to instill a constitutional culture within the Party. To new members, this is an opportunity to truly know and understand what the Party has to offer, pursuant to the principles of freedom, solidarity, equality, and social justice. To old members, in contrast, this constitutional reaffirmation allows for the discernment of where the Party currently stands and how it would function in the years to come.
Discernment, as a way of enabling people to decide in the present in light of the past and in the face of several alternative choices, has helped the Party in developing its policies for the advancement of its constitution. I believe that, with God’s blessing, the decisions and resolutions made by leaders of the Party would promote growth, both human and spiritual, in the future. Hence, a sense of hope prevails within CRUSADA amid its past struggles. But of course, the idea of hope is not complete without concrete effort.
Now that the path has been set for all of us here today, it is our responsibility to follow through, for the sake of the Party, for the sake of those who we fight for, and for the Greater Glory of God.
To discern is to ask questions about vocation. Perhaps the revitalization of the Party is CRUSADA’s calling. Finding the purpose of the Party, enshrined in its constitution, is similar to finding a purpose for being in the world, which should always be related to the purposes of God. Thus all questions of Party identity are essentially questions of vocation, questions of how we relate to God and neighbor.
I would like to end by recounting the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Jesus said, 'Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.'
After a momentary loss of identity, the Party, much like the lost sheep, has been searched and found. After a process of discernment and acceptance of CRUSADA's mistakes, comparable to an act of repentance, the Party has rediscovered its calling; CRUSADA, with God's guidance, has found itself.
As our Honorable Premier have mentioned, CRUSADA's leaders have decided to instill a constitutional culture within the Party. To new members, this is an opportunity to truly know and understand what the Party has to offer, pursuant to the principles of freedom, solidarity, equality, and social justice. To old members, in contrast, this constitutional reaffirmation allows for the discernment of where the Party currently stands and how it would function in the years to come.
Discernment, as a way of enabling people to decide in the present in light of the past and in the face of several alternative choices, has helped the Party in developing its policies for the advancement of its constitution. I believe that, with God’s blessing, the decisions and resolutions made by leaders of the Party would promote growth, both human and spiritual, in the future. Hence, a sense of hope prevails within CRUSADA amid its past struggles. But of course, the idea of hope is not complete without concrete effort.
Now that the path has been set for all of us here today, it is our responsibility to follow through, for the sake of the Party, for the sake of those who we fight for, and for the Greater Glory of God.
To discern is to ask questions about vocation. Perhaps the revitalization of the Party is CRUSADA’s calling. Finding the purpose of the Party, enshrined in its constitution, is similar to finding a purpose for being in the world, which should always be related to the purposes of God. Thus all questions of Party identity are essentially questions of vocation, questions of how we relate to God and neighbor.
I would like to end by recounting the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Jesus said, 'Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.'
After a momentary loss of identity, the Party, much like the lost sheep, has been searched and found. After a process of discernment and acceptance of CRUSADA's mistakes, comparable to an act of repentance, the Party has rediscovered its calling; CRUSADA, with God's guidance, has found itself.
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