Gratitude to Parents

(is tantamount to Gratitude to God)

        One thing we really miss in life is the memory of our parents, particularly those who took care of us from our tender age.  It’s such a natural thing, you know.  This is so much cordial and sincere when it comes from our remembrance of their patient and constant care.  You can’t avoid remembering those gentle acts of love and care.

        Since unavoidably like time and tempests which just pass away, we can’t avoid the ravages of our passing world, which we should definitely offer to the Lord and pray for the loved ones who showered us with loving care sometime in our lives.  Yes, pray for them, for their sincere love and care.  That’s part of life, it’s a passing world.

        Above all, we need to be grateful to the Lord of all things, who has provided for our needs, especially the love of those who truly care for us.  Because He alone is truly the Lord of the Universe, the all-provident God.  To Him be the glory forever and ever.  Amen!

Pro-Life Stand

In the light of present controversies people might wonder about the Catholic Church’s pro-life stand.  It’s not just the Church’s but every person’s privilege to stand for our basic human right which is life.  By nature therefore it is but normal to have the trend and tendency of defending ourselves against an unjust aggressor.  The Church stands for these basic rights of every human person: the right to life, liberty and property.  The three rights generally go together and are supportive of each other.

Naturally the Church would object when society tries to obliterate the respect due to these basic rights just because of dictatorial ambitions of leaders or because money is being given greater importance, or for other shallow or superficial reasons.  When the Church asks for that basic respect for human life in all stages it’s only asking what God’s fifth (5th) commandment tells us: “Thou shalt not kill” (Ex. 20:13).  Jesus explained the basis of that when He expresses in Mt. 7:12: “Do unto others what you want others do unto you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets” (Mt. 7:12). 

Let’s listen to the voice of the Church.  The Church is only asking that we listen to God’s Word above other passing human or worldly considerations.  Why?  When you violate God’s commandment, you will pay for it sooner or later.  God knows all things even the deepest secrets of the heart..

Desolation

“Desolate, all the land, because no one takes it to heart” (Jer. 12:11).

 To take to heart means to ponder or consider the situation seriously.  The Prophet Jeremiah was describing worsening situations of certain lands or cities he was trying to bring back to God.  It would be profitable to heed his advice about taking to heart worsening situations.  Certainly giving time for silent meditation would be of help, as this is the practice of saintly guides that motivate people back to God.

Thus this is advisable in our everyday lives as we meet various challenges, specially when moral trends are worsening.  It’s time to have recourse to God’s unfailing help.  Our Lord Jesus has assured us of God’s aid when He said: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened for you” (Mt. 7:7). 

If you do this with faith, God certainly answers believing hearts.

RH Showdown

Legislators are showing their colors on the issue at hand.  But which side is for respect of the rights of man?  Jesus clearly expressed that a long time ago when He said the golden rule: “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 will be in the conscience of legislators if they enact laws contrary to God’s wishes and the respect for lives of the unborn or infants that cannot defend themselves adequately.  Would you like to be treated that way if you were unborn or an infant child?

They must weigh the scales of justice well for each person is to answer before God for his actions in this life.  Is your vote for or against the RH bill being influenced by money offers or other material advantages?  Then stand for life, liberty and property, which are the basic rights of man!  Make up your mind and do as Jesus did.  “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me, and to complete his work” (Jn. 4:35).

Begin where you are

The dreams of success and achievement must begin from where you possibly can instead of letting them fizzle out into dismal failures or procrastinated oblivion.  With a deep trust in God Almighty you can eventually reach the pinnacle of success, especially in the line of service to the neighbor.  After all, what else could be nobler than a life of love and service in the line of truth and justice.  This should not end in futile dreams but in fact and reality.

After all, following the steps of the Lord Jesus, we know how true was it said in the words of St. Paul: “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).  Nevertheless remember to be humble always since pride is the beginning of the fall and all the saints following the Lord Jesus ever kept the line of humility as much as possible. Jesus kept repeating that: “Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt. 23:11-12).  And that means too that in our work to serve God and our neighbor we must steer clear of doing our work of service for some self-serving motivation remembering the words of Jesus who had said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

 To say it factually, those occasions for practicng humility are really occasions to be truly great.

Mas Matan Cenas Que Guerras

(More People die of Over-eating than of Wars)

            The expression above which is a Spanish proverb only conveys to us the important lesson that self-control or temperance is needed even in matters of satisfying or hunger for food.  You tend to tax your own bodily systems when you don’t control yourself in such ordinary matters as food.  Over-eating, getting over-weight might not be healthy all the time, as too much of anything is bad.

            That Latin axiom may be our guide: “In media stat virtus” (Virtue consists in moderation).  The right application of moderation may also be used as regards other aspects of our life on this earth.