YOUR mantra for the week: “The best always happens to me.”

Why is the name “Jesus Christ” used by many sects and all claim it has such power? In IAMISM, the power of that name lies not in the person of Jesus of Nazareth but in Jesus Christ as a concept.

In Aramaic, the name Jesus was “Eashoa,” or “the Life-Giver” which was the basis of its later meaning, Savior. The word Christ, “Msheekha” means “the Anointed One,” and the Greek word “Khristos” stands for “oil.”

You may be wondering why a revered title such as Christ merely means oil. But you must also remember that oil was used for anointment and likewise to light lamps in ancient times. In other words, it was a way of saying one is enlightened, in the same way that Siddhartha Gautama was called Buddha, the Enlightened One.

Jesus, having been anointed, meant he realized that the God was within each person when he said, “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30) That also explains the phrase, “Ye are Gods,” spoken by Jesus in John 10:34.

In IAMISM, the greater your realization that God is within you, the more enlightened you are and, thus, also anointed. This is a concept many people will find difficult to accept and yet, when you turn to the Old Testament, you will find out that God’s name is “I am that I am”—proving that the God is within each man… for where do you find your own I AM but within yourself.

What I teach emphasizes that each one of us is responsible for the quality of our lives through the use of our I AM. Use it negatively and your life follows suit; and when you use it positively, you become a miracle worker.

The idea of Jesus’ second coming is really rather peculiar, because in the reincarnation concept, he probably has been back many times—in the form of such revered figures like, for instance, Mother Teresa. And for those who think that there may not have been a historical Jesus Christ, the very concept of a Jesus Christ would still work.

Imagine a world where everyone believes that God is within every human being and you will manifest a world of peace with no more wars—for all major conflicts have been caused by religion.

Congratulations, presumptive President-elect Rody Duterte, for believing in God and not in religion.

Pastors and impostors

Since May 14th, the popular Becky Garcia has been honored with a birthday party practically every other day, so much so, I am tempted to add the title “honorable” to her name.

The one I attended had two very interesting people in the gathering. Beside me was the ever attractive Minda Feliciano, whose love life—which we were quietly discussing in the midst of other conversations going on—is like no other.

In front of me was the irrepressible former Governor of Ilocos Sur Chavit Singson, who noticed I was ready to chuckle about his recent victory as Narvacan councilor, when he remarked, “I know, you think it is funny. But let me tell you, when I become head of all councilors nationwide, I would have spread my connections throughout the country and not just Ilocos.” Having known his closeness to Manny Pacquiao, I asked Chavit who was now handling the boxing legend and now senator’s finances. Chavit laughed and said, “Some pastors and impostors.”

Which body will be buried?

Now that the “Mayor of the Philippines” is set on burying the much hated dictator Ferdinand Marcos in Libingan ng mga Bayani for the simple reason that “he may not be a hero, but he was a soldier,” would that perhaps be included in Marcos’ epitaph?

And even it were so, how would the wives and relatives of the other interred soldiers feel, knowing that the veterans gave up their lives for the country and the one buried among them plundered it and was in fact driven out of the country by a revolution?

Furthermore, will the “body” that is now displayed in the Marcos Museum and Mausoleum in Batac—which a well-known and respected editor who spent many years behind bars during the martial law regime said was “made in Paete and waxed over”—be the one buried? Or will it be the actual body that accompanies it beneath?

Undue advantage

Cynthia Villar’s response to the issue of conflict of interest in the appointment of her son Mark as public works secretary is, “our family does not build roads and highways. We only build houses.” May I remind her that being in-the-know where future highways will be built and which to build first gives its secretary undue advantage.

In contrast to your son, Maribojoc Mayor and former priest Leoncio Evasco turned down the Department of Interior and Local Government post and is not interested in other cabinet positions and will serve the incoming administration in other ways based on his own capacity and skills.

In presumptive President-elect Duterte’s tirade of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, he proudly pointed out how Evasco, one of his best friends, left the church. I wonder whether it was the same reason my father gave me when I told him about my desire to become a priest: “If you do, I will immediately disown you on the grounds of being involved in a fraudulent occupation.”

My prayer

Bravo to Duterte for taking on the Catholic Church like no other president has ever dared before. What he said about bringing all street children to Church so they may be fed by the so-called representatives of God on earth has been my dream for the longest time. I remember how the Church went against the passing of the Reproductive Health Bill and even now that it has become a law, there is an effort to quell it by cutting the budget for its implementation.

I wonder whether Duterte’s stand on the RH Law will discourage the likes of former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza who used to give rewards to families with the biggest number of children
—the most absurd award was given to a couple with 21 offsprings. His defense was God saying, “Go forth ye and multiply.”

He forgot, however, that God was talking to the so-called first two people on earth. The world population is now 7.4 billion. I do not think God, which is infinite intelligence, would still be saying “Go forth…” today, more so in the case of the Philippines.

Everything Duterte has said about religion, I have written about in this column at one time or another. The only thing left is for my prayer to be answered that, one day, we would have a Pope like Duterte, who is totally open-minded, transparent and upfront—of course, minus the cursing.

By the way, Mr. presumptive President-elect, your salary will amount to only P1.44 million annually, whilst the Pope, such as Benedict XVI’s yearly personal allowances was the equivalent of roughly P9.4 billion. As Duterte would say, “Bank of P.I.!” Let’s “Make The Best Happen.”

‘Ro-Ro’ wins!

My fearless forecast has been confirmed: It’s victory for “Ro-Ro” or Rodrigo and Robredo. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

E-mail the columnist: [email protected]; visit www.GeorgeSison.com and www.iamism.org; listen to his “Positive Session” radio program on DWIZ 882 AM every Saturday, 9-10 p.m.