Sensitive but True

The Church’s stand versus the RH Bill has become a sensitive issue causing some division among groups. But we should keep on the search for the truth. After all it is the “truth that sets us free” (cf. Jn. 8:32).

First of all, the Church’s official position has been and is consistently opposed to artificial contraceptives and abortion. Why? Because it is pro life and follows God’s original decree: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:22). The Church’s position and belief are in favor of a disciplined family morality and openness to life in the sexual relations of man and woman united in faithful monogamous marital union.

They talk of overpopulation but what will happen as effect of undue population control? It will be a sort of depopulation tending towards humanity’s extinction. Observe the places where contraceptives are extensively practiced. Sure there is such feeling of satisfaction and being unrestrained in immoral practices in a great number of places, but the people’s strength is being sapped when there are no more younger people who would eventually be the support of the older generation.

It is ironical to observe the phenomenon of the more progressive powerful nations insinuating through monetary allurements and offers, plus some veiled coercion so as to make the poorer developing nations control their populations. Perhaps the latent motives may be to get hold of the natural resources of the underdeveloped countries and have political control over them.

Certainly the issues have somehow become divisive and emotional. At least we must try to seek out the truth of the whole issue at hand. St. Padre Pío had mentioned this: “Faith is not to be argued over, either you accept it with your eyes closed, admitting the inadequacy of the human mind to understand its mysteries, or you reject it. There is no middle way. The choice is up to you” (from the book Padre Pío the Stigmatist, written by Fr. Charles Mortimar Carty, p. 104). Psalm 71:15 somehow expresses this inadequacy of man in front of Divine truth. It says: “I will tell of your goodness; all day long I will speak of your salvation, though it is more than I can understand.”

Surely this issue is sensitive since some prominent legislators have been requesting to be exempted from Church sanctions. But there’s nothing personal or emotional there. The Church speaks authoritatively within her realm of faith and morals. Canon law gives some sanctions. But deep in your heart you know you cannot escape from God’s justice. “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). It is for your own eternal well-being when the Church exhorts us to follow God’s eternal decrees. Man is destined, with God’s help and mercy, for an eternal bliss unless he loses it through his own fault and pride if he dares abuse of God’s goodness. Let’s not forget the hidden agenda of Satan who keeps on busily campaigning for more inmates to the shady dungeons of Hell.

RH Bill Contradictions

It’s about time we check how really the RH Bill would help the Philippines. First of all, it would be rather negative to focus on the overpopulation aspect when really, people and persons aptly formed and educated are an asset to the republic. Such popular personalities as Manny Pacquiao or the late Cardinal Jaime Sin did not belong to the suggested two-child family (Sec. 17 of the RH). Pacquiao is third of several children; Cardinal Sin was 14th of 16 children, and so with many famous personalities.

The title itself of the bill seems to project itself as being concerned for the health and welfare of women. Yet the promotion of artificial contraceptives and abortifacients are terminating numberless lives of future men and women, and even misconstruing the position of woman as if she were only an instrument of pleasure. The name mentions reproductive health but even for that aspect such is not reasonable logic when we say we care for the mother’s health but not for the life of the child. And as regards contraceptives, it is not even firmly established that there are no side effects for the mother. The RH Bill pretends to be on the side of the health of the mother and the child but it advocates ways that can terminate life (sec. 7), such as abortion and abortifacients. Is that true love and care of our people’s lives or a hypocrisy of corruption — And by prescribing sex education in the primary grades (Sec. 13), the RH Bill would be scandalizing the young and innocent, who may be reared better regarding sexual morality in the natural atmosphere of the family. The Bible threatens with divine punishment those who occasion scandal for the young and innocent. “Scandals will inevitably arise, but woe to him through whom they come. He would be better off thrown into the sea with a millstone around his neck than giving scandal to one of these little ones” (Lk. 17:1-2). The title Reproductive Health implies an improvement of the quality and preservation of human life, but the use or promotion of abortifacient contraceptives (Sec 7) actually destroys life. Isn’t that a contradiction?

We must search and seek truly what is for the good of our people, both in body and spirit, and not be corrupted by the anti-life agencies offering sums of money. The Bible tells us two gospel truths we must keep in mind. “The love of money is the root of all evils. Some men in their passion for it have strayed from the faith and have come to grief amid great pain” (1 Tim. 6:10). This is a serious matter so people who do not care about God’s laws and the dictates of conscience must beware since God knows our inmost thoughts and desires. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

Free Choice Subtleties

(w/ supplementary on Excommunication)

Just as saying “You cannot have the cake and eat it too,” the same is with people who talk of “free choice” but will not accept the consequences of their acts. The final two destinies of man which are either the eternal reward of happiness in heaven or the eternal sufferings of the fires of hell, depend on the choices we make in the acts which we do in our transitory earthly life. Jesus suffered so much on the cross to save us from eternal death in hell and the Church follows that same mission of Jesus, a mission of truth and love, to save man from Hell and achieve the heavenly reward. The final goal is always above all in our efforts of achieving total fulfillment in our life and personhood. Let’s avoid the dreadful pitfall of Hell. The Bible warns us: “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

Below is the supplementary excerpt taken from the book, The Facts of Life, by Dr. Brian Clowes, Ph.D., member of the Human Life International, pp. 220-221.

The Canon and its Requirements.
Canon 2350 states that all who procure abortion shall be automatically excommunicated.
Canon Law Number 1398 states, quite simply, in Latin and English:
Qui abortum procurat, effectu secuto, in excommunicationem, latae sententiae, incurrat – “Those who successfully abort [a living human fetus] bring on themselves instant excommunication.”
Latae sententiae means the person brings instant excommunication upon himself or herself with his act. No solemn pronouncement need be made by the Church or a bishop or priest, and no one else need even know about the abortion. For automatic excommunication to take place, the woman (and those who cooperate in the abortion) must meet three conditions:

(1) They must know that abortion is a mortal sin. Most Catholics have probably never heard this preached from the pulpit. However, if a person reads about or hears of the Church’s teachings on abortion from any source, he or she has been informed. Even if a person does not agree with or accept the teachings, he or she knows the Church teaches that abortion is a mortal sin.

(2) The woman and those who cooperate in the abortion must know or suspect
She is pregnant. Many women use abortifacients, including oral contraceptives, Norplant, mini-pills, Depo-Provera and intrauterine devices (IUDs), and may be aborting several babies a year. It is important to note that the woman must have full knowledge of her act. Most people (even many doctors) are completely unaware of the abortifacient effects of these devices and drugs and therefore generally would not be liable to excommunication. If a woman knows a method is abortifacient and uses it anyway, she risks excommunication.

(3) The woman must freely choose abortion. This does not mean she can interpret a boyfriend’s, husband’s or parent’s disapproval of her pregnancy as coercion; she must make a vigorous and positive attempt to avoid abortion, no matter how much pressure she feels. If she believes that she is in danger of physical harm, she should turn to other family members or social service or law enforcement agencies for assistance. In protecting her preborn child, she must exert the same degree of effort she would if the child were an infant or toddler.

Effectu secuto means the excommunication takes place only if the abortion is completed. At the moment the woman’s child dies, she is cut off completely from all the Sacraments, and cannot return unless she sincerely repents and makes a good confession.

Rectitude Guarantee

(official stand)

So many intellectuals and bright guys entering the fray of protracted disputes in connection with the issue of artificial contraceptives, abortion, and sexual morality. Such a din and babel that people will be presently asking: “and where are we now?” We all know, however, deep in our conscience, that God knows all things, He rewards the good and punishes evildoers.

The Church’s stand against the use of artificial contraceptives and abortion has been held firmly since time immemorial and clearly stated at the famed Encyclical Humanae Vitae (1968) of Pope Paul VI. In all the mingled controversies, definitely we do not question man’s innate freedom. Man is free to choose between heaven or hell, salvation or damnation. But he has to act according to a properly formed and informed conscience. As Pope Pius XII explained, “Conscience is a pupil, not a teacher.” It is not enough that an action “feels right,” a person must know what the Church teaches about it and honestly assess the situation, after sufficient prayer and reflection. And of course, no one in any instance may commit acts that are intrinsically evil – such as contraception, abortion, sterilization, adultery or sodomy – regardless of what his “conscience” tells him.

The Canon and its Requirements.
Canon 2350 states that all who procure abortion shall be automatically excommunicated.
Canon Law Number 1398 states, quite simply, in Latin and English:
Qui abortum procurat, effectu secuto, in excommunicationem, latae sententiae, incurrat – “Those who successfully abort [a living human fetus] bring on themselves instant excommunication.”
Latae sententiae means the person brings instant excommunication upon himself or herself with his act. No solemn pronouncement need be made by the Church or a bishop or priest, and no one else need even know about the abortion. For automatic excommunication to take place, the woman (and those who cooperate in the abortion) must meet three conditions:

(1) They must know that abortion is a mortal sin. Most Catholics have probably never heard this preached from the pulpit. However, if a person reads about or hears of the Church’s teachings on abortion from any source, he or she has been informed. Even if a person does not agree with or accept the teachings, he or she knows the Church teaches that abortion is a mortal sin.

(2) The woman and those who cooperate in the abortion must know or suspect
She is pregnant. Many women use abortifacients, including oral contraceptives, Norplant, mini-pills, Depo-Provera and intrauterine devices (IUDs), and may be aborting several babies a year. It is important to note that the woman must have full knowledge of her act. Most people (even many doctors) are completely unaware of the abortifacient effects of these devices and drugs and therefore generally would not be liable to excommunication. If a woman knows a method is abortifacient and uses it anyway, she risks excommunication.

(3) The woman must freely choose abortion. This does not mean she can interpret a boyfriend’s, husband’s or parent’s disapproval of her pregnancy as coercion; she must make a vigorous and positive attempt to avoid abortion, no matter how much pressure she feels. If she believes that she is in danger of physical harm, she should turn to other family members or social service or law enforcement agencies for assistance. In protecting her preborn child, she must exert the same degree of effort she would if the child were an infant or toddler.

Effectu secuto means the excommunication takes place only if the abortion is completed. At the moment the woman’s child dies, she is cut off completely from all the Sacraments, and cannot return unless she sincerely repents and makes a good confession.

People of conscience desire to know the truth since they are concerned of the welfare of their souls and that of others. So they seek a guarantee of the truth amid all these hullabaloo of voices and opinions. They know they must seek the security of their souls’ ultimate salvation. They heed Christ’s voice who tells them: “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul in the end” (Mt. 16:26). It’s not here a matter of the opinions of the “wise guys” [or false prophets, ravenous wolves who come disguised as sheep] (cf. Mt. 7:15), but the official stand of the Church to which Jesus Christ has affixed the guarantee of truth and rectitude. “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16:18).

Two-Child, One-Child Policies

Some governments try to impose policies to control population, as the above title suggests. But that doesn’t fall under government power to make such imposition. The privacy rights are within the threshold of the families of the citizens. A democratic government is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.

If the terms in the title above were imposed on the people, most of us would be here non-existent. Why? Because many of us are either third or more among the brothers and sisters born from the same parents. Cardinal Jaime Sin spoke of himself as the 14th in a family of 16 children; the recent glamorized hero Manny Pacquiao is third among the children. So the question is--- why are they (from the 1st world) so keen on controlling the population of the 3rd world? People, well formed and educated, are the best assets of a republic, even good citizens of an earthly city or future citizens of God’s kingdom. Why and what’s behind the negative culture of death that aims to control population through abortifacients and abortion? Is it for power, money, or control of natural resources?

To be or not to be, that’s the question. Isn’t it better to follow God’s law that tells us: “So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:12). That’s what one common proverb means to tells us--- “Live and let live.” We should live the life we choose and allow others to do the same. That’s what we expect from a true democratic government, one that respects the basic rights and freedoms of the citizens, not one that thrives on hurling threats to the people because of its own insecurity and lack of backbone. Or because it’s enticed or pressured through monetary enticements or even blackmail coercion from the bigger powers.

Mas Matan Cenas Que Guerras

(more people die from lavish meals than from wars)

We do intend to be pro-life and defenders of life. But if we really are so, let’s look into one forgotten angle. It’s the angle of our food intake. We really think that food is a solution. Yes, that’s true, if taken in moderation. But not when taking improper foods that may harm one’s health.

Look at life nowadays. People sick or dying. And why? Because so much toxins have been fed into our bodies, either by too much food in over-eating, or wrong selection of foods and the many toxins fed into our bodies. Too many toxins cause the diseases and strokes of our day that paralyze the human body. You know where the word toxin comes from. It actually means poison, if taken to excess or because of elements in the food that are not conducive to the health of the human organism. Even the blockages of toxins in the channels connecting the brain to other parts of the body will result in the paralysis, technically termed apoplexy or stroke.

The reaction of people is to have recourse to the safer and more natural foods and cures. People are beginning to discover that natural cures are safer for the health of man. One method which we should not overlook, and is already popularized in India, where it began, and many other parts of the world is: urine therapy. You can even locate this at the Internet websites (many articles may be accessed there).

This is how the doctor and consultant from India described it, as follows in the book – The Golden Fountain: The Complete Guide to Urine Therapy by Coen van der Kroon. Dr. Chandrika Prasad Mishra has this to say: “By the grace of God Almighty and with blessings and good wishes of associates, collaborators, colleagues, and sincere friends like yourself (referring to the author of the book Coen van der Kroon), together with the unique strength of this God-gifted nectar (Shivambu), I have successfully cured or eradicated numerous illnesses, acute as well as chronic, without any difficulty. These include illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, gout (rheumatism), high blood pressure, etc., in addition to various common and dreaded diseases such as cancer, AIDS, heart ailments, etc.” Another urine consultant, Balkrishna Laxman Nalavabe, also from India, in a letter to Coen van der Kroon, also published in page 89 of the same book, has this to say: “Among the various natural methods of treatment, urine therapy is the most simple, effective and safe, and it is available 24 hours a day.”

The MSPC XIV Statement

(RH Bill Perspective)

In the 14th Mindanao Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC) held in Digos Diocese last Oct. 18-22, 2010, and attended by a cross-section of the Catholics in Mindanao belonging to the 21 ecclesiastical jurisdictions (archdioceses, dioceses, prelatures, and vicariates), there were in all 213 delegates composed of Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Religious men and women, and Lay faithful. The topics centered on the Word of God, Creation and Peace. For the sake of brevity, we just select one item in the approved statement which is connected to the ongoing controversy of the RH Bill which presumably seems to acquiesce to the idea of artificial contraceptives and abortion, whether directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly.

Namely the section asserting the following: “In the name of God, the Giver of Life, we condemn in unequivocal terms: Everything and every act which harms, endangers, destroys and kills life: extra-judicial liquidations, terrorism, drug pushing; artificial contraception, sterilization and abortion; thus everything and every act which prevents the conception and birth of human life.”

In the newspapers we read of contrary opinions asserting that people could use their conscience even for acts contrary to the Church legislations, if and when their conscience tells them so. This is where the warning of Jesus directs us to beware of false prophets (teachers) who come under the guise of sheep but are really ravening wolves tempting to erroneous ways that would end in spiritual ruin and eternal damnation (see Mt. 7:15). Instead of teaching the “narrow gate and hard road to life and salvation” (Mt. 7:14), they do seem to be permissively tolerant, yet such is the way deception creeps in. Surely conscience has to be formed and guided by God’s word and the official voice of the Church. We have the guarantee of truth and right when we respect and follow God’s word and instruction as Jesus told Peter, the first pope, after Peter acknowledged Jesus as Messiah and Son of the living God: “Simon, son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter (the original petros means rock) and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16:17-20).

It’s good to remind ourselves of an angle St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina once pointed out: “Faith is not to be argued over, either you accept it with your eyes closed, admitting the inadequacy of the human mind to understand its mysteries, or you reject it. There is no middle way. The choice is up to you.” We may quote St. Augustine: “Rome locuta est causa finite est” (translate: Rome has spoken, the issue is ended).

Final Exams of Life

We usually tend to become apprehensive or fearful when we face the final exams of our scholastic studies. But what about facing God’s final judgment at the end of our lives when the final reward or punishment is either heaven or hell, depending on your behavior in this passing life (see Mt. 25:31-46). Perhaps we should really think it over, why did God’s only begotten Son, Jesus, who came to our world as man, why did He have to suffer such cruel sufferings at His passion and crucifixion? It was a sacrifice for the love of each one of us. He paid for our sins and opened heaven’s gate for us. He died to save us, but still we have to do our part of repentance and conversion and live the new life in Christ, a life of justice, love, mercy, prayer, and forgiveness.

Surely, it is because when one is punished in the fires of Hell for grave sins, the torments there are for an eternity while the rewards in the heavenly bliss are also forever and ever as reward of a life faithful to God’s laws and commands. No wonder Jesus had left us a clear admonition: “What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life? (Mt. 16:26). With the help of God’s grace we can change. St. Paul was previously a rabid persecutor of Christians. At the time when his life changed he exclaimed: “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10).

Why Inter-religious Dialogue?

There is a quotation used by St. Ambrose, St. Augustine and St. Thomas which gives us a positive cue regarding the importance of dialogue. That was recently quoted to us by the Jesuit priest from India, Fr. Francis D’sa, SJ, on a recollection of Mindanao Bishops last Oct. 22-23, 2010. The original Latin goes like this: Quidquid verum a quocumque dicatur a Spiritu Sancto est (translate thus: Whatever is true, irrespective of who says it, comes from the Holy Spirit).

Hence, since truth is a source of freedom and liberation, we must open our eyes and ears to the truth and to reality. After all, there are vestiges of God’s truth in all the peoples or religious of the world. Let’s be open, not narrow-minded in our quest for truth. Jesus said so: “If you make my word your home you will indeed be my disciples, you will learn the truth and the truth will make you free” (Jn. 8:32).

Let’s endeavor to be instruments of truth, by living according to the truth and avoiding expressing things that may be equivalent to lies. As they say, a lie is a half-truth. Truth is a whole truth, not just a part, while hiding another part or parts.. St. Teresa of Avila, great Teacher in the Church, gave us this guiding rule: “Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true.”

Who is Telling the Truth?

In the issues confronting society we must be intent on seeking the truth. There’s some point in discussion or dialogue sharing as the expression goes: truth comes from discussion. That is, of course, when the participants are open and sincere at heart in seeking for the truth. Most surely God’s word is right in the following Bible quote: “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him” (Mt. 7:7).

Certainly in this RH Bill issue, there are different angles to the truth. Let’s not forget one basic presupposition, that truth is identifiable or tantamount to reality. To tell the truth is tantamount to express the fact or reality as it is. It’s not a matter of subjective emotions or desires, since people may have different likes or feelings.

Let’s be sincere in standing for the truth, after all we are going to be judged or pay for it eternally if we lead others to error, falsehood and sin insinuating deceptive and superficial ideas that are based on greed and selfish foundations. The Church’s stand is based on protection of life, family values and unity, and the fact that man’s life on earth is transitory and is destined to live ever happily with God after loyally fulfilling His will here on earth. Every person will face God’s final judgment, as Jesus describes it in the gospel of Matthew chapter 25, verses 31-46, after having pursued and practiced true love of one’s neighbor, respecting his or her rights to life, liberty and property; food, clothing and shelter. “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his works” (Mt. 16:27; cf. Mt. 25:46; ).

In such complicated and muddled issue where the interplay of human interests and emotions come in, we must not forget that the Church’s intervention throughout history has brought in the guidance of our faith based on God’s word. There is a guarantee of truth from Jesus’ assurance when He said to St. Peter, the first Pope: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16:19-20). In the light of faith where we humble ourselves before God’s infallible wisdom, let’s not forget Jesus’ solemn advice and warning: “I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Lk. 18:17; Mk. 10:15; Mt. 18:1-4).

Many times we do not understand things of our faith. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts” (Is. 55:8-9). Even the famous stigmatist priest St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, Italy gave an advice which is good for bright people who think they know everything: “Faith is not to be argued over; either you accept it with your eyes closed, admitting the inadequacy of the human mind to understand its mysteries, or you reject it. There is no middle way. The choice is up to you.”

Remember history; one way or another, in spite of all efforts to conceal it, the truth will come to be known. And the victory of Jesus Christ who said: “If you live according to my teaching, you are truly my disciples; then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:32). The lives of saints, their many miracles, are a testimony to that.

►God’s Law? ▬Ignorance of the Law excuses no one.

►Pro choice? ▬Being a rational animal, man has been given by God the freedom to choose between heaven or hell, if he so chooses to follow or violate God’s law – of love and justice. Yes indeed there is freedom of choice, but you are liable to pay the price of your obedience or disobedience. The two finalities of man are only either an eternal heavenly bliss or the eternal fires of hell. It’s not a matter of free or pro choice but making the right choice that will bring us to our final destiny; yes to be sure that the choice we make will bring us to the true finality in God’s Kingdom of eternal happiness. Man’s life on earth being transitory and a time of probation, the Church’s effort under Christ’s instruction is to teach the truth and help the human person avoid the eternal punishment of hell. To talk about hell is not to deceive humanity but an appeal for humanity’s salvation so they may be able to avoid the eternal punishment of hell fire with the devils after being duly warned. Jesus says it: “It is the truth that sets you free” (Jn. 8:32).

A Common Sense Approach

(to the RH Bill)

The discussions on the RH Bill issue have so far attained national attention, as it concerns life, specifically the life of the unborn. Since it is one prime right, I guess it should. However we must put first things first. Many times the discussions drift towards over-population, lack of food and classrooms or other educational facilities, the poverty issues and others connected to above perspectives.

First of all, the basic rights of man are a non-negotiable element that cannot be excluded—namely, life, liberty and property. The table of life is not intended for control of the guests to life, but rather to increase the food for people to have enough to eat, plus other needed facilities. As a principle, we have to consider that things were made for man, not man to be subjugated to things. God’s guidance through His infallible word can direct us in the right way of acting.

Let’s remember that God can’t lie nor be mistaken. He had said it clear: “I tell you not to worry about your life: What are we to eat? or about your body: What are we to put on? For your life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Look at the crows: they neither sow nor reap: they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than the birds! Which of you for all his worrying can make himself a bit taller? And if you are not able to control such a little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Look at the wild flowers: they do not spin or weave; yet I tell you, even Solomon with all his wealth was not clothed as one of these. But if in the fields God so clothes the grass which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, people of little faith. As for you: do not set your heart on what you are to eat and drink; stop worrying. Let all the nations of the world run after these things; your Father knows that you need them. Seek rather the Kingdom and these things will be given to you as well” (Lk. 12: 22-31).

Even St. Teresa expresses her reasoning this way: “If God provided for us in the past and until now is providing for us, there is no reason to doubt that he will provide for us in the future.”

Truth Will Be Out

In the present debates concerning the RH Bill that seems to push for artificial contraception and abortion, we know the many pros and cons being advanced. In all the din and hullabaloo we know that eventually truth will triumph. It would be good and beneficial to be on the side of the simple and humble truth. That’s what the expression above implies. One way or another, in spite of all efforts to conceal it, the truth will come to be known.

For example, check what may be the motives behind. Some may be after base gain, or other worldly interests. Who or which side is working for the common good of the people and the human person’s benefit of both body and spirit. After all, we know life on earth is but a transitory stage and someday we have to face the judgment of God who rewards according to our deeds. Are we here to limit the guests to life’s table or must we rather work to increase resources and facilities for the betterment of life’s condition? Who is really working for the good of man, not just pretending to do so out of ignorance or self-interest.

Since God alone reigns forever and above all, what is really God’s will in the issue at hand? Money seems to be the enduring symbol of power, pleasure and greed. Who then are being enslaved by it? “The love of money is the root of all evils and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith, and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds” (1 Tim. 6:10). We care for life now and for the future of our land and nation. Let’s not forget the gospel truth that what we do for others shall eventually come back to us. “Do not judge and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you; a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back”(Lk. 6:36-38).

Scandals

(Occasions to sin)

There’s one Spanish saying that conveys an applicable meaning for our moral lives. “La ocasion hace el ladron” (Opportunity makes the thief). That means, if we take away all the precautionary safeguards, that would be tempting enough for violations in thievery or other kinds of sinful acts.

It seems that society today seems to be multiplicating these occasions or temptations too by the uncontrolled use of the media, to the point of indecency, thus showing a lack of respect for the human anatomy, especially of the female figure, being excessively exposed to nudity in the Internet pictures and videos. It is not the right way of making money, which in the present case becomes a source of corruption and abuse, for both young and old, as well as contributing to a distorted view of the human person. The pornography producers are not just doing a wrong way of making money but also contributing a waste of time, since pornography has negative effects in the person.

“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them! It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones. Watch yourselves!’” (Lk. 17:1-3) The word scandal originally derives from the Latin ‘scandalum’ which implies an obstacle to cause someone to trip or fall.

The Contraceptive Issues

Many misunderstand the Church’s official position versus the use of artificial contraceptives and abortion, which are included in the controversial RH Bill; so too the present issues on sex education, which the Church sees as to be gradually developed as is natural within the family supervision rather than to be publicly taught in the public schools. This is exposed to corruption of the youth since pornography or indecent images are very much commercialized without control in the Internet media.

There’s no denying the fact that the proliferation of artificial contraceptives, many of which are abortifacient, can and do really reduce population. A friend Bishop of mine, Bishop R. Baccay, from the Tuguegarao Archdiocese, confided to me his observation in various places or sites he visited abroad where you can no more hear babies’ cries but rather the coughing of older people. Where then is the future of our country if the young people are being cut down in number. Yea, if there be a plan for a 2-child policy, can we then have the famous Cardinal Sin who was 14th in a family of 16 children, or a Manny Pacquiao who is 3rd among the children?

The Church would rather we endeavor to increase the food production and school facilities rather than limit the guests to the table of life. The Bible tells so in the very first chapter of the book: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28). And we must not forget in conscience lest we commit a big mistake if we do not listen to the successor of Peter, the first Pope, whom the Lord Jesus commissioned, saying: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16: 18-20).

There is still the angle to consider that the use of artificial contraceptives may lead to concealed cases of infidelities or immoralities in the sexual relations of the male and female population, as well as many other abuses because of the various anti-life and money syndicates that capitalize on the weakness of the human person in the line of sexuality. As an addendum we include below the Church’s official stand on the matter of sexual ethics which falls under the 6th commandment, taken from an address by Pope John Paul II to the bishops of the United States of America:

“With the frankness of the Gospel, the compassion of Pastors and with the charity of Christ, you have dealt with the question of the indissolubility of marriage, correctly saying: “The covenant between a man and a woman united in Christian marriage is as indissoluble and irrevocable as is the love of God for his people and the love of Christ for his Church. Exalting the beauty of marriage, you have rightly taken a position against both the theory of contraception and contraceptive practice, as did the encyclical letter Humanae vitae. I myself, today, with the same conviction as Paul VI, ratify the teaching of that encyclical issued by my Predecessor “in virtue of the mandate confided us by Christ”.

Describing the sexual union between husband and wife as a special expression of their covenant of love, you have correctly said: “The sexual relationship:is a human and moral good only within the sphere of marriage: outside marriage it is immoral”. As men who speak with “words of truth and the power of God” (2 Cor 6,7), as authentic teachers of the law of God and as compassionate pastors, you have correctly said: “Homosexual practice (which is to be distinguished from homosexual orientation) is morally deceitful”….”Both the Church’s teaching, according to its constant tradition, and the moral sense of the faithful have stated without any hesitation that masturbation is a practice grievously and intrinsically disordered” (Declaration of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith concerning certain questions of sexual ethics,, Dec. 29, 1975, No. 9)..

Obey God rather than Men

People with a conscience have the fear of God in their hearts as they go on their daily living. They respect others’ rights to life, liberty and property, for such is God’s law. Their justice is based on following God’s law, since God is supreme lawgiver under whom all others are subservient. Thus as Jesus had said, the substance of the law is: “So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:12).

That means no one is obliged to obey any human authority when such gives an order violating God’s law, as is basically contained in the 10 commandments. We know of cases in past history, here or in other places, where soldiers were given orders to shoot, but they refused to obey because the would-be victims were innocent people. That happened in cases where the military subjects or members were people with conscience and the fear of God in their hearts. Let’s recall too the response of the early Apostles of Christianity who were commanded by the Jewish Sanhedrin not to teach or propagate the name of Jesus. The Holy Bible describes their reaction as follows. “When they had brought them in to face the Sanhedrin, the high priest demanded an explanation. ‘We gave you a formal warning’ he said, ‘not to preach in this name, and what have you done? You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and seem determined to fix the guilt of this man’s death on us.’ In reply Peter and the apostles said, ‘Obedience to God comes before obedience to men; it was the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus, but it was you who had him executed by hanging on a tree. By his own right hand God has now raised him up to be leader and savior, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins through him to Israel. We are witnesses to all this, we and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him’” (Acts 5:29). Such is the same tenor of the Church when it stands against the anti-life forces that want to obstruct human life by promoting artificial contraceptives and abortion (e.g. RH bill). In the initial pages of the Bible we hear of God’s decree: “God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it.’” (Gen. 1:28).

Let’s give God the first place and command in our lives. Many problems or conflicts in the world were caused by false prophets and leaders with a greed for power and money.

Connected to Vocation

(right use of money)

Having observed some cases of dishonest or fraudulent use of money, especially not belonging to oneself, I do believe it can have an effect on vocation, i.e. it may damage one’s religious vocation as it did in some specific cases of people who did not bother to follow the line of honest use of money they had at hand.. That is also based on the word of Jesus. Yes, truly dishonesty may affect your vocation. Why, because God knows all things, even the most secret desires of your heart, and He rewards each one according to his or her behavior.

“The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great. If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches? And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?” (Lk. 16:10-12). Jesus is speaking about material wealth which is something external to man and of spiritual values or virtues which are the most intimate possessions a man can have. We need to practice truthfulness and sobriety in both cases since they are really connected to each other.

Why Jesus is Peace?

Many claim to be peace or messengers of peace. But why we may say Jesus is peace?

Jesus is peace because He teaches what is needed for peace such as the following tenets from God’s word (the Bible)…. “So always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:`12). Many conflicts and wars come because of people judging their neighbor rashly, ever pointing accusing fingers at the other? Hence God’s word tells us: “Do not judge and you will not be judged; because the judgments you give are the judgments you will get, and the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own? How dare you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye’, when all the time there is a plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:1-5). Then God wants us to forgive one another and reconcile with one another and not take revenge, which will only worsen the cycle of evil and violence. Besides, you cannot pay for the priceless value of one life. That is why, except for self-defense which is a natural human reaction, it had been rightly said—‘there never was a good war or a bad peace’.

God’s infallible word guides us to ward off such unruly feelings of revenge by leaving that to God’s just and Almighty hand. Check God’s word in the Bible: “Do all you can to live at peace with everyone. Never try to get revenge; leave that, my friends, to God’s anger. As Scripture says: Vengeance is mine---I will pay them back, the Lord promises. But there is more: If your enemy is hungry, you should give him food, and if he is thirsty, let him drink. Thus you will heap red-hot coals on his head. Resist evil and conquer it with good” (Rom. 12:17-21).

Moreover, Jesus asks us to reconcile with one another in the spirit of love and harmony. “So then, if you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering” (Mt. 5:23-25). It is a matter of swallowing your filthy pride for the sake of peace, love, harmony, and your own eternal salvation. Jesus gives us the secure assurance, when we follow His way of love and peace. “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world” (Mt. 25:34-35). But to those who show no love, respect and concern for the fellowman or woman, this will be terrible condemnation at Judgment day: “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels”(Mt.25:41).

Sources of Sanctification

God calls us to be holy, as when He said, through His Son Jesus Christ--"Be ye perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect....He causes His sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and His rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike" (Mt. 5:44-48). Yes, God calls us to be saints, definitely. But where is the fountain of living waters where we can drink freely? Jesus had said this, without doubt, --"Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4). The Bishops of the world had gathered in a synod for 2 times and the theme was precisely on the Word of God.

It is clear, though, that Jesus is the Word made flesh as the Bible itself attests in Jn. 1:14. And He Himself had clearly said--"Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you will not have life in you" (Jn. 6:53). "I am the living bread which has come down from heaven" (Jn. 6:51). "Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever" (Jn. 6:58). If we go through the Church's history, there are saints by the thousands, even if you just check on the popular ones or books on the lives of saints. It's true too that God confirms the veracity or sanctity of the believers by accompanying proofs of God's power as Jesus promised: "These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover" (Mk. 16:17018). But let's not forget they were loyal servants of the Church and received the Sacraments of the same Roman Catholic Church. Naturally they admit and believe what that popular Jesuit tagalog song entones: "Ikaw, Jesus, ang tinapay ng buhay, binasbasan, hanati't inialay (translate: Jesus, you are the bread of life, blessed, broken and offered) -- composed by G. Atienza - S. Borres, Jr., SJ and M. Francisco, SJ. The sacramental life in the Eucharist and the other sacraments reaches its perfection when the individual lives his or her life, by being faithful to God's will, in all things, great or small. God's infallible word tells us: "He who is faithful in little things will also be faithful in greater things" (Lk. 16:10).

Remember History

Certainly the review of history has a deep role to play in our life since history, if honest, accurate, and based on facts, can teach us the basics of discipline and respect or care for one another’s rights and needs. As they say, “what goes around comes back.” Jesus Himself had taught us: “The amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back” (Lk. 6:38). So really, it has to be an honest quest for true facts. As a Latin proverb asserts: Contra factum non valet argumentum (No valid arguments are there against facts).

Jesus came to our world, in all humility, asserting the truth, helping humanity in many ways, showing marvelous power, yet always under the humble cover of a simple and loving attitude. God came to our world, born in a stable at Bethlehem . Yet in all the facts of history, we see the hand of God. All the oppressors, the totalitarian regimes wanted full power and authority for themselves alone. But where are all those awesome powers that wanted to put down the Church, both from enemies inside and outside? The Church’s role is only to bring the love, truth and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ to our world. As Jesus was stating once: “Search the Scriptures in which you think you have eternal life—They also testify on my behalf” (Jn. 5:39).

It’s the same way we are to conclude our discussions on history. Where is God’s hand pointing and working out our destiny? As the powerful kings and regimes came and went. And all those deceitful delusions portrayed before man for the greed of money, it’s for us to continue our search for the truth via history. Amid all the dreams of human power and glory—let’s recall a popular song after that World War II with the countless millions dead—“Where have all the flowers gone, the young girls gone, the soldiers gone, the graveyards gone, long time ago? When will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?”

Remember history. Check history. It’s the Lord’s banner of truth and love that continues to fly. The Lord’s promise is ever true: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never prevail against my Church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 16:18).

Reconciliatory Solutions

The countless victims of the many wars and conflicts, the desperate hostage-taking, the homicides of our world, the distressed evacuations and sufferings of people and children, and the very fact that no amount, however great, could ever pay for the lives lost or murdered. And that is basic in God’s law, the fifth commandment—“Thou shall not kill” (Ex. 20:13), expressed in the Old Testament.

But Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten Son, upon whom God the Father showed His approval during the transfiguration with the words: “This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favor. Listen to him” (cf. Mt. 17:5), tells us a deeper approach for obtaining peace, an approach of forgiveness, understanding and reconciliation. God’s word defines love as: “humble, patient and forgiving: (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4-13).

You may get a cue from that proverbial saying: lose a battle but win the war. We win the war when we obtain peace, save lives and progress further in the deeper relationships of love and understanding. Like in the game of chess, you can sacrifice a pawn to obtain over-all victory. Yes, humble your pride, reconcile, and obtain peace and love.

So we must listen to God’s beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the very hope and expectation of all the ages and nations, that even the years are counted from His birth, year one, A.D. (Anno Domini), the year of the Lord. “I tell you, then, that if you are not righteous in a much broader way than the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to our people in the past: ‘Do not commit murder; anyone who does kill will have to face trial.’ But I tell you: whoever gets angry with a brother or sister will have to face trial. Whoever insults a brother or sister deserves to be brought before the council; whoever humiliates a brother or sister deserves to be thrown into the fire of hell. So, if you are about to offer your gift at the altar and you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with him, and then come back and offer your gift to God. Don’t forget this: be reconciled with your opponent quickly when you are together on the way to court. Otherwise he will turn you over to the judge, who will hand you over to the police, who will put you in jail. There you will stay until you have paid the last penny” (Mt. 5:20-26).

People have somehow to realign concepts of justice and right conduct by the light of God’s Son, Jesus, the light of the world (cf. Jn. 8:12), the Prince of peace.

Hasty Answers, Hasty Blunders

If only we realized how important it is to be on the side of truth we would not be so hasty in our statements or answers. We ought to be conscious of what the truth really is or means. First it is identical with a complete reality being spoken of or described. So in courts of justice where they require from you the truth, they will ask: Do you promise to tell the whole truth, and nothing but the truth without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion? So it is said a lie is a half-truth, that is, part only of the truth. So let’s beware of voicing out inaccurate statements, just because of hurry or we want to appear like a hypocritical know-it-all person. What will you get from such appearances when they are only other forms of deception. It’s essential to follow the way of truth because the very opposite is being part of the devil’s tactics, how he has attempted to deceive humanity from the very beginning, and bring as many as possible to the underworld of eternal hell. St. Teresa of Avila , a Carmelite and great teacher in the Church showed how much she favored truthfulness in our talks or statements. Her quoted maxim is quite proverbial. She said: “Never affirm anything unless you are sure it is true.” That will be important advice for media people who are heard by the many who tune in to their radio or TV sets.

Why did Jesus undergo such torments of the Cross for love of us? Because if one were to be condemned to the fires of hell, they are an eternity of pain. I realize why St. Faustina who was privileged with a vision of hell (see paragraph 741 of her diary), ended with a prayer: “Consequently, I pray even more fervently for sinners. I incessantly plead God’s mercy upon them. O my Jesus, I would rather be in agony until the end of the world, amidst the greatest sufferings, than offend You by the least sin.” This shows why the Church places great value on humble suffering, as Jesus saved us by His sufferings on the Cross. The Cross has become the sign of our redemption (cf. Col. 1:24 and the encyclical of Pope John Paul II – Salvifici Doloris).

In Jn. 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as a murderer and the father of lies.

The last book of the Bible talks about the kind of people who will be welcomed into the gates of heaven. “The pagan nations will live by its light and the kings of the earth will bring it their treasures. The gates of it will never be shut by day – and there will be no night there and the nations will come bringing their treasures and their wealth. Nothing unclean may come into it: no one who does what is loathsome or false, but only those who are listed in the Lamb’s book of life” (Rev. 21:24-27). Doing what is loathsome or false points to a life that is not in accord with God’s rulings of purity, righteousness and truth because God is truth and justice par excellence. Yet in his infinite mercy He invites and calls us back to His fold in a life of change and conversion towards our eternal destiny in heaven. The lives of saints testify how their many trials contributed towards their ascent to the heights of sanctity. “We know that by turning everything to their good God cooperates with all those who love him, with all those he has called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Hagedorn’s Exemplar

(Care for the environment)

We keep on looking for models of how life and environment has to be amid the complexities of modern life. But right there in the island province of Palawan , Mayor Edward Solon Hagedorn of the capital city, Puerto Princesa, which is booming in progress, is giving us the tip for success. You know, examples speak louder than words. Well, he has explained his secret. He was once a miner and logger. But he made a turnabout in his life. He realized how important it is to respect creation and the environment. And it’s of course important that he has the political will because “where there’s a will, there’s a way” (a popular proverb). The internet encyclopedia Wikipedia writes this of Hagedorn: “Hagedorn is best recognized as one of the more successful progressive local leaders of the Philippines with his passion and dedication towards the protection of the environment. Hagedorn’s leadership is directed towards establishing a harmony between the environment and development. The mayor has established the City of Puerto Princesa as a model of eco-tourism for the country.”

So we don’t need to talk so much. Just see for yourself how in that capital city, Puerto Princesa, of the island of Palawan , creation and environment are being cared for in a laudable way. It can be done, of course, but with certain commendable qualities of the person, knowledge based on experience and the sincere will to do what has to be done. Jesus tells us too: “Everything is possible for anyone who has faith” (Mk. 9:24). Also an important aspect of this phenomenon is that the common good of man and environment is being attended to more than the material gain which naturally follows this correct mode of action.

Judas Iscariot’s Lesson

When we look back in history we must take a lesson from some happenings in lives of personalities. They could serve an example for us positive or negative; positive if we are to follow, negative if we are to avoid the mistakes. In the case of Judas Iscariot, let’s learn this lesson—never to be motivated by material gain in our life’s mission or work. Why? Judas sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and afterwards he hanged himself.

The same therefore with projects that are intended mainly to make money, they tend to self-destruction. This is in accord with Jesus’ rule of life: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all other things will be given you as well” (Mt. 6:33). A wise business analyst, Robert Townsend, writer of the bestseller Up the Organization (1970) summed it up this way, when applied to business affairs: “Money, like prestige, if sought directly, is almost never gained. It must come as a byproduct of some worthwhile objective or result which is sought and achieved for its own sake.”

So in all our interests or enterprises let’s not make money our main aim: We will then be heading towards self-destruction or suicide. Remember the lesson of Judas Iscariot. Judas had commented this of him: “Alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Better for that man if he had never been born!” (Mt. 26:24). There are many corrupt projects in our world that only exploit people and the earth’s resources for the sake of money. They do not see where their direction is heading to, their own nemesis. Let’s not forget the perennial instruction of Jesus: “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other or be attentive to the one and despise the other. You cannot give yourself to God and money” (Lk. 16:13).

The Pro-Life Victories

The Pro-life stance of the Catholic Church is based on protecting man’s first right, which is life. The Virgin Mary is one figure that stands for life, as she is seen bearing the child Jesus in her arms. She stands for purity and fidelity to God’s word, as can be heard in her answer to the Archangel Gabriel, at the Annunciation. “Let it be unto me according your word”. (Lk. 1:38)

All the excuses for development, poverty alleviation, overpopulation are not above man’s first right-the right to life. The anti-life groups may pose such excuses as ignorance, overpopulation, poverty, etc. But none of these gives you the right to violate life, or prevent its normal course towards birth or conception by artificial contraceptives and abortion. If you really care for people, then live and let live, not just prevent other’s lives, for the sake of your comfort. The Virgin Mary showed such sublime example when she lovingly cared for the Baby Jesus from conception till death on the cross. And now she is the Queen of heaven, Queen of all saints and Queen of all the living. To go against her policy by mistreating or undermining human life is only exposing oneself to God’s anger or vengeance. We cannot break God’s commandments and still go unpunished. Jesus told us the substance of the law and the Prophets: “Do unto others what you want others do unto you.” (Mt. 7:12)

A Basic Error

The use of money is something natural and common anywhere. What’s wrong is when one becomes enslaved to money. It then becomes a source of corruption. Then what we do will not really benefit humanity but only use them to make money. So the temptation is there always, making use of different services or activities for the sake of the money. There is where we need to have a reversal of values so as to avoid being enslaved to money and then become tainted with corruption in whatever task we become involved. The reversal of values means that from the depths of our hearts we have to focus on a noble goal, such as service to God or the true good, the common good of man. Otherwise, when we become infiltrated by wrong ideas, as that of being enslaved to money, then that’s where the trouble begins. We are going in the direction of failure or self-destruction. Just as Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, and hanged himself. Our world must learn the lesson of truly seeking the common good of man, according to God’s will instead of committing the basic error of being deluded by the specter of money. Listen to God’s word that can’t deceive nor be deceived: “People who long to be rich are a prey to temptation; they get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge them into ruin and destruction. The love of money is the root of all evils and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith, and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds” (1 Tim. 6:10). Let’s consider the cases of corruption like people peddling pornography and spoiling the youth, people destroying the environment and causing devastations, people selling contraceptives and obstructing new life, all these for the sake of the money, not because they care for man. As you can see, all that tends to self-destruction, like Judas Iscariot who hanged himself.

The Moratorium

(logging and mining)

Groups from the Catholic clergy and people of Davao Oriental have been requesting a moratorium of the large scale mining and logging operations taking place in the same province. We believe this is for the good of the people. Considering the worldwide dangers of global warming and environmental calamities (e.g. floods) in many areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao , it’s about time. The honorable mayor R. Hagedorn of the capital city of Palawan, namely Puerto Princesa, has clearly shown in word and example, how Palawan has progressively boomed through preservation of its natural resources of wood trees and mining minerals, thus preserving the economy by tourism and the usual and normal livelihood of the native or local inhabitants. He made a reversal in policy or conversion of heart from being a logger and miner previously. He even assured our priests of Davao Oriental that he is willing to talk about his success story in Palawan to our people here in Davao Oriental. You see for yourself and go to Palawan to see how truth speaks for itself.

As the world has always shown, the temptation and corruption comes because of the money in the various sorts of commerce happening around. People get lured because of the money offers. But transactions done because of the money lead to self-destruction, as Judas Iscariot hanged himself, after betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, and the many calamities causing loss of countless lives that came as a result of irresponsible logging or mining transactions. What’s our guiding word from the Bible or even genuine business people of our times. We have to approach the whole matter the way God wants us to do, putting first things first, scil. the will of God first or the true good of man, before the monetary considerations. “Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well” (Mt. 6:33). “The love of money is the root of all evils and there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith, and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds” (1 Tim. 6:10). Remember Judas betrayed Jesus for the money, then hanged himself. The great business analyst Robert Townsend, author of Up the Organization, writing about 40 years ago (1970), had cautioned us: “Money, like prestige, if sought directly, is almost never gained. It must come as a byproduct of a worthwhile objective or result which is sought and achieved for its own sake.” Of the irresponsible people, logging and mining for the money, devastating the environment, we can only pray as Jesus did at the cross: “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34).

War or Reconciliation?

In the Bible the gospel is called the gospel of peace. Peace is everyone’s yearning here in Mindanao . For how can we have progress without peace? There is a truth in a sentence by Benjamin Franklin who said: “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” Why? Could you pay enough for the value of one life? Why did Jesus say: “If you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, go and be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering” (Mt. 5:23). The gospel is called the gospel of peace because it leads to peace if truly and heartily put into practice. Just that simple gospel maxim may help us avert so many conflicts and wars – “Judge not and you shall not be judged….The measure with which you measure will be used to measure you. Why look at the speck in your brother’s eye when you miss the plank in your own? You hypocrite! Remove the plank from your own eye first, then you will see clearly to take the speck from your brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:1-5). This gospel truth, a simple truth but a basic truth (cf. Mt. 5:19).

Hence this is how St. Paul describes the spiritual warfare. “Finally grow strong in the Lord, with the strength of his power. Put God’s armor on so as to be able to resist the devil’s tactics. For it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the Sovereignties and the Powers who originate the darkness in this world, the spiritual army of evil in the heavens. That is why you must rely on God’s armor, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground…. So stand your ground, with truth buckled round your waist, and integrity for a breastplate, wearing for shoes on your feet the eagermess to spread the gospel of peace and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil one. And then you must accept salvation from God to be your helmet and receive the word of God from the Spirit to use as a sword. Pray all the time asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion. Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all the saints; and pray for me to be given an opportunity to open my mouth and speak without fear and give out the mystery of which I am an ambassador in chains; pray that in proclaiming it I may speak as boldly as I ought to.” (Eph. 6:10-20). In our great longings for peace in our country and the world of today, we must ask our heavenly Queen, Mary, to aid us in the work for peace because she is our mother and truly the Mediatrix of all grace. She was the instrument of the birth of God’s beloved Son into our world, Jesus Christ, the very source of grace, peace and reconciliation.

Mary Mediatrix of All Grace

We hear of the Lipa, Batangas apparitions at a Carmelite Monastery when Our Lady described herself as the Mediatrix of all grace. That was in 1984. With Jesus and under Jesus she holds an intercessory role to help us, poor and sinful mortals, reach our final destination and goal, the heavenly kingdom with God our Father, and His beloved Son Our Lord Jesus Christ. This title as Mediatrix is not contradictory but rather correlative to her many other approved titles which you find in her litany, for example, Mother of God, Mother of the Church, Mother of divine grace, Virgin most powerful, Virgin most merciful, Mother of our Creator, Health of the sick, Help of Christians, Queen conceived without original sin, Queen of all saints… The early Fathers of the church, throughout their writings, saw in Mary the new Eve, which was mentioned in the Book of Genesis (3:15), and who was to be closely united in the work of Redemption with the new Adam, Christ, and as the first Eve was in truth the cause of the spiritual death for all humanity, so Mary is the cause of the supernatural life for the human race.

In May 3-7, 2005 a good number of Cardinals, Bishops, and prominent theologians gathered in Fatima, Portugal to attend the Symposium on Mary as Unique Cooperator in the Redemption. The Symposium was sponsored and directed by Cardinal Telephore Toppo, Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, C.S.S.R., Cardinal Edouard Gagnon, P.S.S., Cardinal Ricardo Vidal, Cardinal Ernesto Corripio Ahumada. The topics included Mary’s role as Mediatrix, co-redemptrix and advocate.

Certainly, it is not contrary to God’s plan that a creature, close to the Lord in holiness of life, would be instrumental in man’s salvation. That was also clearly stated by the late Pope John II in his book: Crossing the Threshold of Hope (page 221). “On this universal level, if victory comes it will be brought by Mary. Christ wil conquer through her, because He wants the Church’c victories now and in the future to be linked to her”. In fact the implication of the very last instruction of Jesus before His heavenly Ascension is that everyone of us (as one body of Christ, cf. 1Cor. 12) under guidance of the Church do our utmost in proclaiming and living the message of Jesus Christ. And if the principle is true-contra factum non valet argumentum (translate: You don’t argue against facts), as He had promised He will provide signs and wonders to accompany the work of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. You can only go over and invistigate the history of the Catholic Church and the many recognized saints of Christianity to see how the Lord gives His signs and miracles. “And he said to them, Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved, he who does not believe will be condemned. These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of toungues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick who will recover.’ (Mk. 16:16-20).

Infiltration, Positive and Negative?

Many times, in the realm of ideas, we talk of infiltration when we mean getting influenced or carried away by a set or type of ideas that may have effect in our type of behavior. Hence an ancient Latin saying runs like this: “Ideae regunt mundum” (translated: It is ideas that rule the world). I heard that quoted before by the late Archbishop Alberto Piamonte, of Jaro, Iloilo . Even the word ideology refers to ideas of an individual, group or culture. If infiltration in the dictionary generally refers to a substance or liquid gradually permeating into another, the same may apply to ideas of an individual, group or culture contaminating various groups or people, whether individual or taken together in classes or groups. To discern the veracity or falsity of the ideas, we must follow what God’s word tells us: You know the false prophets or teachers by their fruit as you would a sound or rotten tree by the good or bad fruit they produce (cf. Mt. 7:15). The Lord gives us a stern warning about deceptive teachers or prophets who come as if they were gentle sheep but only generate violence, confusion and division. Consider the many bloody conflicts or wars in the world that originated from false reformers. They pretended to be what they are not, that is why Jesus asks us to unmask their hypocrisy by looking at their fruits. So also does Christ’s Church evaluate their lives, whether they are humble or proud, truthful or liars, obedient or disobedient to legitimate authority in the Church or civil government. Ultimately, whether they follow Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life (cf. Jn. 8:12, Jn. 14:6), who at the Gethsemane garden prayed in this wise to His Heavenly Father: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine” (Lk. 22:42).

In the overt phenomenon of the diverse losses of holy vocations or heresies in the past and present time, it is but imperative that we evaluate our own spiritual situation. Are we sincerely seeking for the ‘truth that sets us free’ (Jn. 8:32)? That calls for much seriousness and truth in the heart. The prophet Jeremiah is so reassuring as he communicates God’s instruction to each of us—“When you seek me you shall find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Shakespeare in his play Hamlet was expressing an essential truth to counter any deep-seated hypocrisy in oneself: “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man (Hamlet Act i, sc. 3).

A Matter of Truth

(Everyone’s constant quest)

The Church’s stand on abortion and contraception, as well as on other important issues, is not just arbitrary but a matter of truth. It is not for uses to cover immorality, infidelities or sexual permissiveness. And the quest for the truth is obligatory for each and everyone of us. Church proof and credibility relies on objective truth and reality. Hence, the miracles accompanying the Church’s divine mission and her prominent saints, God’s servants, are always open to accurate investigation and documentation. These extraordinary marvels serve as God’s favorable signs of approval on Church fundamental teachings.

Who is afraid of the truth, if you are on the side of truth and right? But the person who is on the side of evil wants to cover his evil deeds that they may not be exposed to the light. “Everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions should be exposed; but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God” (Jn. 3:20).

So the Church pro-life stand is based on our desire to fulfill God’s intent of providing praiseworthy citizens of earth and future citizens of our future homeland and goal – the kingdom of heaven. “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28). In the enduring quest for truth one thing is important – sincerity. Jesus who never lies already assured us: “The one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him” (Mt. 7:8). “You will find me, yea, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13).

The Holy Trinity

(the Central Christian Mystery)

One God in Three Persons, is a central mystery of the Christian faith. It is a statement that defines God’s supreme perfection. There is no contradiction here since we do not say one God vis-à-vis 3 Gods, but One God in 3 Persons. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are 3 Persons in One God, one divine nature. A shamrock flower is one flower with 3 petals, a triangle is a polygon that has 3 sides.

This is a statement regarding the very nature of our Supreme God. One recent saint, Saint Padre Pío was expressing: “Faith is not to be argued over, either you accept with your eyes closed, admitting the inadequacy of the human mind to understand its mysteries, or you reject it. There is no middle way. The choice is up to you.” (book, Padre Pío, the stigmatist, written by Fr. Charles Mortimer Carty). Even the great St. Augustine , who wrote volumes on this very mystery, stood in awe before this awesome nature of God’s perfection – One God in Three Persons.

When Jesus, God’s Son, made the statement: “The Father and I are one” (Jn. 10:29), the Jews fetched stones to stone him, so Jesus said to them, ‘I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?’ The Jews answered him, ‘We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God’ (Jn. 10:31). The claims to godhead by Jesus was clearest when he answered in the affirmative the decisive question by the high priest Caiaphas: “I put you on oath by the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God” (Mt. 26:63). Jesus rose from the dead, 3 days after His Crucifixion. Saint Madre Maravillas de Jesus, OCD, a Spanish Carmelite, famed for her miracles, has this to say: El hacer milagros es como el ultimo esfuerzo del Señor y de su Madre para abrir los ojos a las criaturas y fortalecer la fe (translate: The working of miracles is like a final attempt by Our Lord and His Mother to open the eyes of creatures and to strengthen the faith.).

False Prophets / False Teachers

(the Ravenous Wolves)

When Jesus talked about false prophets as being ravenous wolves, surely being God Himself, as Second Person of the Holy Trinity, He must have had in mind the whole of human history, past, present and future. He sternly warns us against the deception of false prophets (teachers) who come in the guise of sheep but in reality are ravenous wolves. And Jesus adds: “You will be able to tell them by their fruits….A sound true cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit” (Mt. 7:15). The characteristic deception by the devil is this, he even makes unauthorized use of personalities identified with the Church in order to pretend credibility and be able to recruit members. That has been our experience of past history in various parts of the Philippines and the world, and because of the anger and hatred being infused in opposing groups, we know it has caused loss of countless lives here in the Philippines, or even in other parts of the world, just because it follows the line of class struggle, whereas Jesus teaches us to love and reconcile with our neighbor. “If you are bringing your offering to the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, be reconciled with your brother first, and then come back and present your offering” (Mt. 5:23-25).

Not only that, the infiltration of Marxist thought connected to class struggle has occasioned even the loss of many religious vocations, because the ideas happened to be on the wrong track. They keep on angrily parading justice but have forgotten the very source of justice – God’s word: “Man’s anger does not fulfill God’s justice” (Jas. 1:20). Is that the reaction of our one and only Savior, the true lamb who takes away our sins by offering His life on the cross? False prophets constantly utter justice, but the results will tell whether they only meant, not true justice, but a parody of justice. You don’t have to go too far in studying or analyzing the fruits of such wrong teachings or ideas, to Russia and Germany where millions died, even to Spain where the victims of the civil war (around 1936) reached countless thousands and are buried in that famed site called “Valle de los Caidos” (the Valley of the Fallen Ones) in Madrid, Spain. Think of our own history in the Philippines in the 1980+ encounters and troubles. Remember history, or you will keep on repeating the past errors, mistakes and false ideas.

Check for yourself then. How right Jesus was. “What the Spirit brings is very different: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22). The ravenous wolves, check for yourself, under a guise of harmless lambs, are disrespectful, angry, impatient, hateful, unhappy, and temperamental, as part of what you may observe. But then what if violence ensues, as it did in the past. You cannot, even with so much compensation, pay for the inestimable value of one life. So was it said by B. Franklin: “There never was a good war or a bad peace.”

Old Tune

(Lumang tugtugin)

False theories or teachings, like old tunes, do pass away, but since they are connected to human feelings and weaknesses, tend to reappear once in a while. Let’s not repeat the past violent confrontations we have had in the Philippines . The false prophets try to incite and wake up those feelings of anger and hatred for some earthly purpose and the end result are victims of conflicts. And what can you pay for the value of life, yes, even of one life?

This is what happens when people keep on judging the neighbor, for various reasons, as if they were holier than the rest. What happens is the somehow division of groups between rightists and leftists, although it’s not so defined what can make a person belong to this or that group. The best probable example would be the biblical portrayal at the last judgment when people would be divided into two groups, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats (sheep at the right, goats at the left). There must be a deeper reason why Jesus chose this comparison ( see Mt. 25:21-46). It seems the goats make lots of noise, specially in their moment of crisis, while sheep are more quiet and trusting.

That, in my humble opinion, ought to be the way we face reality, with faith in God, hope and calmness, not with lots of noise and judgment of the neighbor, as goats do during time of slaughter. The representation paints the sheep as more positive and the goats, as negative in attitude, that is, the people who keep grumbling, judging the neighbor, and making a disordered, violent society. Here I remember the deep insight of St. Teresa of Avila , in her popular expression: “Much wrongdoing would be avoided if we realized our business is to be on guard, not against men but against displeasing the Lord.” This only shows her great devotion to the ways of God, who always wants us to live a life loving one another, including our enemies. We ought to correct evils in society, not in an adversarial manner but rather producing fruits of harmony and love. After all, we are only passing guests to life’s drama. What is important is that in everything we do, we give glory and thanksgiving to God in the spirit of love and humility. Let’s not resurrect the past forms of class struggle in the Philippines or elsewhere in the world that caused so much loss of lives, vocations, and harmony. They were surely based on a shallow perception of the truth and false ideas because a lie is a half truth.

St. Paul reminds us to walk according to the Spirit: “You can easily recognize what comes from the flesh: immorality, impurity and shamelessness, idol worship and magic, hatred, jealousy and violence, anger, ambition, division, factions, discord and envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I again say to you what I have already said: those who do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God . But the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy and peace, patience, understanding of others, kindness and fidelity, gentleness and self-control. For such things there is no Law or punishment. Yet those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its vices and desires.” (Gal. 5:19-24).

The Magisterium

The above word usually refers to the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church which implies the guarantee of truth and infallibility promised by Our Lord Jesus Christ to St. Peter, the first Pope. “Simon, son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.” (Mt. 16:18-20).

Church magisterium is thus delineated this way: The solemn or the ordinary magisterium of the Church is the norm of faith in truths revealed by God. The solemn magisterium consists of papal or conciliary dogmatic definitions. The ordinary magisterium is the unanimous teaching of the bishops united with the Pope (cf. Canon Law 748-749). For the same reason as above, the daily ordinary uniform teaching of the Church in every place in the whole world is infallibly true because it is one with the universal Catholic Church under the successor of Peter and the Bishops united with him.

Canon 748 – [1.]. All persons are bound to seek the truth in those things which regard God and his Church and by virtue of divine law are bound by the obligation and possess the right of embracing and observing the truth which they have come to know. [2.] No one is ever permitted to coerce persons to embrace the Catholic faith against their conscience.
Canon 749 - [1.] By virtue of his office, the Supreme Pontiff possesses infallibility in teaching when as the supreme pastor and teacher of all the Christian faithful, who strengthens his brothers and sisters in the faith, he proclaims by definitive act that a doctrine of faith or morals is to be held. [2.] The college of bishops also possesses infallibility in teaching when the bishops gathered together in an ecumenical council exercise the magisterium as teachers and judges of faith and morals who declare for the universal Church that a doctrine of faith or morals is to be held definitively; or when dispersed throughout the world but preserving the bond of communion among themselves and with the successor of Peter and teaching authentically together with the Roman Pontiff matters of faith or morals, they agree that a particular proposition is to be held definitively. [3.] No doctrine is understood as defined infallibly unless this is manifestly evident.

In the confused teachings of our world, the divergent doctrines, and the malicious errors that originate from the Devil who is “a murderer and the father of lies” (Jn. 8:44), we need the guiding light of the Roman Catholic Church to guide us towards love, purity, morality, justice and righteousness and reach the final destiny we all aim for – heaven with God as Our Father, source of every good and happiness. Jesus, being God’s only begotten Son, knew how necessary is that guarantee of protecting the Church from wrong teachings since He Himself gave that final instruction for the Church and its missionaries. “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). The universal body of the faithful who have received the anointing of the holy one (see 1 Jn. 2:20,27) cannot be mistaken in belief (Lumen Gentium 12).

The Pro-Life Stance

(Ligaya ko nang ako’y isilang, pagkat tao ay mayroong dangal)
(my happiness for a chance to be born, life is worth living)

We keep on wondering what’s behind the pro-life stance and why. First of all, that has been the stand of the Church, ever since, especially after the Encyclical of Pope Paul VI Humanae Vitae (1968). To save and protect life, not only the actual existing life, but also to protect those lives about-to-be born that are the natural consequence of the union of human male and female persons. We are thereby safeguarding the first right of man which is human life. When you prevent the normal consequence of human births as natural result of sexual union, for example by the contraceptive devices, you are acting contrary to God’s decrees and designs. The Lord who decreed “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28), has promised to care for us, if we only trust in His Providence. His infallible word attests to that. He would rather, that through industry and honest work, we strive to educate and develop ourselves to become productive citizens, so there be sufficient food and sources of livelihood, instead of worrying too much on the control of births by contraceptives. The end result would be the dearth of young workers or professionals and the growth of the aging population. More old people, less young people.

“That is why I tell you not to be worried about food and drink for yourself, or about clothes for your body. Is not life more important than food and is not the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow, they do not harvest and do not store food in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than birds? Can any of you add a day to your life by worrying about it? Why are you so worried about your clothes? Look at the flowers in the fields how they grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his wealth was clothed like one of these. If God so clothes the grass in the field which blooms today and is to be burned tomorrow in an oven, how much more will he clothe you? What little faith you have! Do not worry and say: What are we going to eat? What are we going to drink? Or: what shall we wear? The pagans busy themselves with such things; but your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Set your heart first on the kingdom and justice of God and all these things will also be given to you. Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (M6. 6:25-34).

Gamaliel’s Proposition

We know of secret societies covertly militating against Church teachings on faith and morals. They ought to be reminded to check twice on their policies and actuations, and endeavor to delve deeper in the search for truth and the lessons of history. All the Church doing is to communicate truth and goodness according to the mind of God. Yes, Truth is interchangeable with reality. As Philosophy attest the principle, Contra factum non valet argumentum (translated: Arguments are no better than the fact itself). That is why in the Catholic Church. miracles, history and facts are being accurately documented because we are trying our best to give the truth to our people, with sufficient witnesses to support allegations or statements.

We have heard of sinful lapses in our own ranks. But that is only to prove the point that, human as we are, without God’s grace we are all prone to commit sin. We can always reecho St. Paul ’s thankful expression of gratitude to God—“It is by the grace of God that I am what I am” (1 Cor. 15:10).

Why I mention here in the title Gamaliel’s intervention is because we know of secret societies or people who maliciously or ignorantly oppose Church teachings in the faith and morals. You know, if you study or remember history, it oftentimes repeats itself. It had been commented sometime ago: “Those who do not remember history will repeat the mistakes of history.”

“But one of them, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law highly respected by the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin. He ordered the men to be taken outside for a few minutes and then he spoke to the assembly. ‘Fellow Israelites, consider well what you intend to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas came forward, claiming to be somebody and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed and all his followers were dispersed or disappeared. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared at the time of the census and persuaded many people to follow him. But he too perished and his whole following was scattered. So, in this present case, I advise you to have nothing to do with these men. Leave them alone. If their project or activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. If, on the other hand, it is from God, you will not be able to destroy it and you may indeed find yourselves fighting against God.’ The Council let themselves be persuaded. They called in the apostles and had them whipped, and ordered them not to speak again of Jesus Savior. Then they set them free. The apostles went out from the Council rejoicing that they were considered worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name. Day after day, both in the Temple and in people’s homes, they continued to teach and to proclaim that Jesus was the Messiah” (Acts 5:34-42).

Gutta, Gutta, Cavat, Cavat Lapidem

(drop by drop wears out the rock)

What’s stated above is a famous saying from writers of Latin literature, which I repeat here for its meaningful content. Something similar is meant in – repetitio est mater studiorum (repetition is the mother of education). It could sound boring but many times it’s the way we communicate a truth. It’s the way the hammer lets the nail penetrate a board, by repeatedly hitting it on the head. I know some jokingly or ignorantly twist the above expression to– repetitio est mater stultorum (repetition is the mother of fools).

But God, who knows all things, said it in the very words of holy scripture: “Before God and before Christ Jesus who is to be judge of the living and the dead, I put this duty to you, in the name of his Appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it. Refute falsehood, correct error, call to obedience—but do all with patience and with the intention of teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). The same here is the purpose of the Church in refuting repeatedly the use of artificial contraceptives and the practice of abortion, if only to implement God’s decree in the creation of man. “God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them. God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it’” (Gen. 1:27-28). This is written at the very first chapter of the Bible. Surely it is not God’s wish that we have more and more of the old and gray-haired while the future generations in the children would be disappearing, due to abortion or artificial contraceptives. Yes to responsible parenthood, no to artificial contraception and abortion. We know, of course, the hidden motives in the contraceptive uses, that is, to cover up indecent indulgences or also make lots of money from the sale of the birth control devices. The Church’s stand is for truth, morality and the eternal salvation of each human soul for whom the price was the very shedding of the blood of God’s beloved Son, Jesus Christ. We must always make it a point to search for the truth. Whether as regards civil and political life as citizens, or as regards the eternal destiny of our souls, this saying holds true for both categories: ignorance of the law excuses no one. You will pay for violations in one sector or the other. God knows all things, even the hidden agenda or thoughts.

Election Fever

The usual feverish tempo of elections seems dying out, with joys and sorrows of people whose ambitions were either won or lost in the first automated elections. Certain things have to be kept in mind always, besides keeping elections clean and honest. We should realize God knows all secrets, frauds and dishonest actions.

As we trudge on forward, we must remember history. In the past history we know of despots or autocrats who made use of power tyrannically or arbitrarily, like a Herod, a Hitler or Stalin. We must remember history so we may avoid future mistakes that cost us lives. The ambition of such tyrannical leaders did sacrifice lives by the millions. Check history yourself, it would be too horrendous to mention the staggering numbers of the victims of war and violence. That’s why that expression was coined – “There never was a good war nor a bad peace” (B. Franklin).

Let us remember that what has straightened the concepts of authority are the words and example of Our Lord Jesus Christ who showed us that authority means humble service for the good of the community. “You know that among the pagans their so-called rulers lord it over them, and their great men make their authority felt. This is not to happen among you. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among you must be slave to all. For the Son of Man himself did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:41-45). This is the real and true leadership, an authority that is there to serve, not to dominate or exploit.

Faith Makes a Difference

Why? God works His miracles in answer to our faith. For example, in the gospel of Matthew is narrated the cure of the Roman centurion’s servant who was paralyzed. This was how the gospel put it. After Jesus observed the faith of the centurion, He told him: “Go back then; you have believed, so let this be done for you.” And the servant was cured at that moment. (cf. Mt. 8:13).

Even while still on earth, our faith can be a source of grace and change. Jesus refers to that when He commented after curing or forgiving a person – “Your faith has been your salvation” (cf. Mt. 9:22, Mk. 5:34, Lk. 7:50). This is one basic point in our religion that we realize its teachings and sacraments are a source of righteous deeds. St. Paul described it this way: “I am not ashamed of the Good News (Gospel): It is the power of God saving all who have faith…..as scripture says: “The upright man finds life through faith” ( Rom. 1:16). Many skeptics want to deny this astounding effect of God’s marvels and miracles that comes from faith in Jesus Christ. But much of this is verified and documented historically, especially in the lives of saints and the very historical evolution of the Catholic Church amid all the trials and persecutions in the past and present. That is what precisely Jesus refers to when He talks about the forgiveness of sins. It means a change in persons and personalities for a better life of love and faithfulness to God. “So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem . You are witnesses to this” (Lk. 24:46-48).