“Demon Possession”

Today’s mass at the St. Therese Chapel in UPLB talked about the demon possession of a man in a swine’s pit. We’ve all heard this one: some of the pigs ran away, some even drowned themselves to avoid being possessed and so the demon took over the man’s body. I’m not here to elaborate this story because I know we all know this story. But today, the priest who gave the sermon made me feel uneasy.

Tonight at 8:30 pm, the St. Therese Chapel will hold an event to welcome the freshmen, the babies of the university. So, going along with the theme, the priest said that not all demon possessions would mean a demon taking over our bodies. It could take different forms like forming bad habits and forgetting how to act as good citizens and of course, as Christians.

He then told a story about a mother who told him about her boy who entered UPLB. The mother said that when his boy was a freshie, he was good: didn’t do drugs, came home weekly, had good grades and prayed often. But when he became a sophomore, he joined a fraternity and as a result, he came home less and less. Then the boy became an activist and his mother saw him on t.v. being clobbered by a policeman because he was doing a rally. And because he became an activist, his mother saw him just once in that year. When he became a senior, he didn’t come home at all because he joined the NPA and was living in the mountains. The boy couldn’t return home for fear that he might get arrested by the AFP.

Now, the priest’s story got me thinking: is it so evil to join a fraternity/sorority/ organization, or be an activist? Will it damn your soul if you involve yourself in such activites?

Fraternity/Sorority/Organization
In UP, first years are discouraged to join any organization because the university would like the freshies to concentrate on their studies first, above anything else. If the students could manage their time and acads well in their second year, then they could join any group they want to.

Being in UP, it means you have brains. And by that, it means you are capable of thinking for yourself which is good and bad. So before joining any orgs/frat/soro in school, you should think about it really hard. Think about the good points the org/frat/soro can do for you and you for them. Will you be helping other people by joining or will it only eat your time and waste your acads away? Most people join these groups to (1) have more friends and a second family (especially if your away from home), (2) to have connections and (3) to have something socio-civic or academical to spend your free time on. Making yourself busy for the right reasons isn’t bad, but just be sure your ready for it and it will not ruin you.

JOINING ORGANIZATIONS/FRATERNIIES/SORORITIES ISN’T BAD. YOU JUST HAVE TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE/S.

Activism
Activists are the frontliners. In UP, they’re called TIBAK and these people aren’t afraid to debate especially when civic rights are being trampled on. Why is activism bad? Is it evil to fight for your right, to speak your mind and to rally outside snobby establishments that takes advantage of us?

Of course, activism isn’t bad. For one thing, it’s one of those things that’s keeping us afloat. If everyone would keep their mouths shut, who would ever know of the injustices?

The priest’s sermon for today was intended well, I know. But the examples he presented may send out wrong ideas. I have an organization and not once did it do me wrong. It all boils down to your decision, your will to choose what’s good for you. Just trust your decisions, be strong and be decisive. And of course, pray to God that you make the right decisions.