Why You Need to Be a Good Person Anyway

CatholicPilgrimagePH.com | by Rev. Fr. Henry Bocala | Why You Need to Be a Good Person Anyway | You probably got upset, over-reacted or blew your top in an emotional outburst. But then you gathered your senses, full of regrets for blurting out bitter words. You felt embarrassed for showing your ugly side and mustered the courage to say in a humble tone, “I’m deeply sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Then you resolved to have better self-control.

Did you do anything worse than the scene above? Anyhow, we all have shortcomings. Everyone has an Achilles’ heel, character-wise. We can never be perfect. The human person is unfinished. We’re always in the state of becoming. There’s room for growth till our gasp of breath.

Acknowledging our limitations sets the stage for personal change. Just be patient with yourself, get over those past booboos, learn from your mistakes and move on! Errors do not totally define you as a person, nor do they seal your future. It’s never too late to begin again. What matters is that now you take steps to become a better person. Deep down you’re really a wonderful fellow. Have no doubt about it!

But you have to think of others in the same way. That’s the point. Every man or woman is radically good. The image of God in us cannot be totally stamped out, despite our weaknesses. We retain our moral bearing (to some degree) and each one can have life-changing conversion.

God never ceases to love us with unconditional love, for we are all His children. We may lose our way for a time, as in the case of the prodigal son, but God the Father will always welcome us back with a loving embrace. All we need to do is retrace our steps back home, armed with a contrite of heart. The Lord forgives and forgets our sins, for God’s mercy is infinitely greater than our miseries.

Because the Lord accepts you for who you are, you’ve got to be kind and understanding toward others. You can’t be harsh or judgmental of your neighbors especially since you don’t really know what they’ve been through. Remember the golden rule: “Do unto others what you would have others do unto you” (Mt 7:12)

You want others to think well of you, respect and acknowledge you, hold you in high esteem and excuse you for your failings? It’s just fair that you treat others equally well. Beyond that, it pays to be kind and understanding, to be appreciative of others, to see their positive side and to pray for them. You may have suffered much. Just be good anyway.

Here’s a beautiful quote from Mother Theresa of Calcutta:
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

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REV. FR. HENRY BOCALA, JC is a secular priest incardinated in the Prelature of Opus Dei. He is a Life Coach, Lecturer, and Author of books such as, Arise and Walk: How Does Your Christian Faith Fit in a Confused World?, Mending A Broken Society: What Happens When We Forget Who We Are?, Vital Signs: Where Is Your Life Heading?, and Your Life Begins Here: Dare To Find Your True Self and Be the Person You Are Meant to Be.

Before receiving the Sacrament of the Holy Orders, Fr. Bocala had worked as a freelance writer and an aide to a Senator in the Philippine Congress. A Political Science graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP), he entered the UP College of Law, but later shifted to ecclesiastical studies. He is also a seasoned painter and has joined several art exhibits.

Since his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Bocala has devoted himself entirely to pastoral tasks especially among students and young professionals. His initial training as a new priest was carried out in Spain, Italy, South Africa, and Israel. He was also the Chaplain of Warrane College at the University of New South Wales in Sydney (Australia) before coming back to the Philippines in 2003.

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