In the same vein, can we now appreciate Dr. Rizal’s optimism about the capabilities of the Filipino in his ‘Hymn to Talisay’?: “We are children that nothing frightens, not the waves, nor the storm, nor the thunder; the arm ready, the young face tranquil, in a fix we shall know how to fight. We ransack the sand in our frolic; through the caves and the thickets we ramble; our houses are built upon rocks; our arms reach far and wide. No darkness, and no dark night, that we fear, no savage tempest; if the devil himself comes forward, we shall catch him, dead or alive.”
What does Dr. Rizal expect of us, who now remind ourselves of his ultimate sacrifice?
In “Hymn to Labor” he has ‘The Boys’ end the play with the following stanza: “… And the ancients will say when they see us: ‘These are worthy, behold, of their breed!’ Not by incense are the dead more honored as by sons who are glorious indeed. For his country at war, for his country at peace, the Filipino will stand guard, will love and will die!”
There is then the matter of honoring him (and other heroes passed into the great beyond) by being ‘glorious indeed’.
Could we honor him with right words and right actions?
After all: “You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you: and the light [of God's favor] shall shine upon your ways.” (Job 22:28, Amplified Bible). Moreover, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life] (Proverbs 18:21)
By the power of our tongues, let us ‘hurl a sizzle of lightning’ by decreeing, in full realization at the moment of utterance, the significance of our unity with the Lord God Almighty:
I AM TAO! Sovereign. Uncommon.
“Out of Time’s abyss and Eternity’s vast cavern I rise: I am the New Year. Now I have come to govern”. [Rizal's 'The New Year' - A Fragment] ———————-
About the author: Edwin D. Bael is Knight Commander of the Knights of Rizal. He was Consul General of the Philippines in Los Angeles 2000-2002. He now resides and works in San Diego, California.
Note: The English translations of Rizal’s works in Spanish are quoted from “The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal translated by Nick Joaquin”.
About Edwin D Bael
Why rizal compared to jesus??
is this the answer for my question?? why rizal compared to jesus??
@lorenz – Readers are free to post their comments or responses to other readers’ comments.Comments on specific posts are responded to by the writers, not necessarily by Team Emanila.