"Idolatry is a sin." Inihinto ni Tito ang kotse nang pumula ang traffic light. Sumandal siya sa sandalan at tumingin sa gawi ko. "You know that?"
Binalik ko sa harap ang tingin at sinandal ang ulo sa headrest ng passenger seat. Bumuntong-hinga ako. "What's idolatry, Tito? And what is sin? I don't know that."
"Hindi ba sinabi ng mga magulang mo, 'nak?"
Umiling ako. "Alam ko ang salitang simba dahil naririnig ko ang kaklase ko noon na pinag-uusapan 'yan. Tapos, nandoon din sa TV. Uh, hindi nagsisimba ang mga magulang ko, Tito. They never mention anything about God."
"Are they atheist?"
"I don't know."
"Hmm..." Nakita ko sa gilid ng mata ang pagtango-tango niya. "Kaya dapat mas lalong maging matapang ang Kristiyano sa paghayag ng Salita. Mas magkakaroon dapat ng lakas ng loob na magtanim ng punla sa puso ng mga tao, at Diyos ang magpapatubo niyon."
"I don't understand you, Tito."
Ngumiti siya. "Pinapalagay ko 'nak na hindi mo alam kung ano ang sampung utos."
"Sampus utos?" I shook my head. "What's that?"
Natawa si Tito. "My Lord, a very lost sheep is here!" Bumuntong-hinga siya at bumaling ulit sa akin. "Do you believe that God exist?"
"Uhm... who is God?"
Naging berde ang kulay ng traffic lights. Pinaandar ni Tito ang kotse at pinasulong. "God is the One who created everything. From the smallest particle of dust up to the huge universe... He hold things in His hand. We are His creations."
"Wow. This God is a magnificent God," manghang bulong ko.
"Indeed. He holds the power in heaven and here on earth."
"So... what about this 10 commandments, Tito?"
"10 commandments..." Ngumiti si Tito. "Madalas nilang makalimutan ito. Do not create god to be alongside with God; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. Do not create an image in the form of anything what is in heaven above, or in earth beneath, or the waters below. (Exodus 20:3-4)"
"But... I can see a lot of that images on screens."
Malungkot na ngumiti si Tito. "Alam mo ba kung bakit ayaw ni God na magkaroon tayo ng rebultong sasambahin? Alam mo ba kung bakit ayaw Niya na gumawa tayo ng larawan?"
"No."
"Dahil nagseselos Siya. It was written, You shall not bow down to them nor worship them, for I, your Lord God, is a jealous God. (Exodus 20:5)"
"So... madali lang magselos si God?"
"Yes. He wants people to focus to Him, to worship Him alone. After all, He is worthy of all praises, glory, and honor."
Napatango ako. "Yes, of course. He made all things. So, what does it have to do with the commandments? I mean, what's with the commandments? Are they important?"
"He gave those commandments, 'nak. It is important because it is the will of God. It is our guide in life. Those commandments will teach us things to do in order to please God. In order to be righteous, and is acceptable in the eyes of God."
"Oh... mahalaga pala talaga ang commandments. But you've said that idolatry is a sin. What is sin?"
"Sin comes when you disobey the commandments of God."
"What does it have to do with idolatry? I'm confused."
Ngumiti siya. "Let's define idolatry first so you will understand. Idolatry, according to dictionary, is the worship of a picture or something as god. In other words, idolatry is when you worship things, people, images, carved woods, and the likes."
"Worship? What's worship?"
"It is the act of showing respect and excessive love for someone or something. It is an excessive adoration."
"Ganiyan pala ang worship?" bulong ko.
Naalala ko ang pinangagawa ko sa Vine. 'Yong pagiging obsess sa pictures nila, 'yong paghanga sa kanila nang sobra-sobra, 'yong pakikipag-away ko sa mga bashers ng Vine at ni Ara Taliman, 'yong tumitili ako sa kilig kapag nakikita sila, 'yong hindi ako mapakali kapag hindi ako nakakapunta sa concert nila. 'Yong laman lang ng isip ko ay Vine at mga libro ni Ara Taliman, na halos binibigay ko na ang buong panahon at buhay ko sa kanila...
"So... nagwo-worship na pala ako sa Vine noon?"
Ngumiti siya. "Masaya akong madali mong nakuha ang punto ko."
Tumango-tango ako. "So... idol, does that mean... a greatly loved or admired person?"
"Yes. Not only person, but things you do or your hobbies. Some people worship or let's say, they greatly admired the stars, the constellations, the oceans, the sun... and everything that is seen with our eyes. That's idolatry. When you greatly admire and love a person, a group, a high personality... that's also idolatry. When you greatly love or admire your hobbies such drawings, writings, calligraphy, graphics, and the likes... that's also idolatry. All these things are idolatry."
"Woah." Natawa ako. "I never knew that idolatry covers that great."
"Yes, 'nak. Hindi alam ng tao dahil ginagawang normal ang kasalanan. Pinagtatakpan ng kaaway kung ano ang tamang kahulugan ng kasalanan.
Satan's great weapon is to hide in the eyes of men the truth about sins. He made sins as culture. He made sins as normal. At ito ang sinasabi sa Bibliya, that satan blinded the minds of the unbelievers unless the light of the gospel will shine upon them."
"I never knew about this things..." Napayuko ako. "So that's why idolatry is a sin because it causes people to worship the creation rather than the Creator?"
Huminto na naman ang kotse sa pangalawang traffic lights. Bumuga ng hangin si Tito. "That is the truth."
"But how about this gospel?" Nangunot ang noo ko. "Does it have something to do with all of these things?"
"Yes. The gospel of Christ."
"Christ?"
"Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Have you known Him? Or heard His name somewhere?"
"Y-Yes. I've heard His name somewhere."
Ngumiti siya. Muling pinaandar ang kotse at pinatakbo. "I knew you heard His name. It is impossible for the wolves to seek wholeheartedly the Way to life."
"Way to life?"
"Yes. The way, the truth, and the life. That is Jesus Christ --- the Son of God, who was crucified, died, and was buried. But was resurrected on the third day in incorruptible body."
"You said... He died. How come He was alive?"
"The Spirit of the living God had resurrected Jesus from the grave."
"W-Wow... that's awesome."
"Indeed." Ngumiti na naman nang malapad si Tito. "The crucifixion of Jesus on the cross marked the end of law. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the victory."
"Ha? Pero sabi doon sa kulto na ang tagumpay sa araw na 'yon ay kay satan."
"He is the father of lies. He knew that he lose the battle. Jesus have overcome. Jesus is alive!"
Napangiti ako sa sinabi ni Tito. Umikhim ako. "So... how can Jesus set me free? Do I need to perform some rituals? Or... offer some blood?"
Mabilis na bumaling si Tito sa akin. "Jesus' blood is enough to cover a multitude of sins. You don't have to offer another lamb because Jesus Christ was the perfect Lamb of God. You just have to humble yourself, repent, ask for forgiveness, be baptized in the name of Jesus, and turn away from your sins."
"B-But how?" Lumunok ako. "I can't sense the urge to repent."
Ilang segundong napatitig si Tito Ratunil sa akin bago binalik ang tingin sa harap. "One day, God will bend you on your knees, Rishell."