The RH Bill

In the August 7, 2012issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (back of page A7) there was a news AD published by the “Filipinos for Life,” with the striking message – “Reject the RH Bill! Defend and save the Filipino Family!  Huwag nating Hayaang Diktahan Tayo ng mga Dayuhan!  (Let not aliens dictate to us on what to do). 

Part of the contents conveys this point: “They claim that the RH Bill is pro-family, pro-women, pro-health.  In reality the Bill is aforeign dictated policy with United Nations officials calling on governments to pass laws that skirt ‘restrictive’ abortion laws.”

The Logo of the group that had the Newspaper AD, “Filipinos for Life,” contained the Latin idiomatic proverb: Omnes pro vita, Vita pro omnibus (translated: All for life and life for all).  Naturally so, since life is first of all human rights.  We noticed certainly that during the latest Olympics in London it was nations with big populations that garnered many gold medals.  What’s important therefore is not population control but education, training, practice, and discipline.

Secrets of Success

Sometimes we may think that a successful life focuses on getting things, this or that and that.  But the principle, as the Gospel of Jesus Christ accentuates, might be different.  He says, in the Gospel of St. Luke chapter 6:38 for example: “Give, and it shall be given to you.  Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment.  For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you.”

In the Acts of the Apostles chapter 20:35, of which St. Luke is also the author you can read (quoting St. Paul): “I have always pointed out to you that it is by such hard work that you must help the weak.  You need to recall the words of the Lord Jesus Himself who said: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving” (Acts 20:35).

No wonder why we realize the truth of the words of the famed Pope Paul VI who  authored the Encyclical Populorum Progressio (People’s Development, 1967) and said in that Encyclical  the often quoted line – “Development is the new name for peace.”  Hence we notice with admiration and gratefulness that when governments zealously endeavor to encourage and promote education and development we enjoy more peaceful days.

Protection Assured

(Psalm 91)

In Psalm 91 God gives us assurance of His protection, provided we follow the way of faithfulness, truth and humble trust in Him.  The whole Psalm 91 is an assurance, hence we just have to quote in its entirety, as is!

If you live in the shelter of Elyon and make your home in the Shaddai, you     can say to Yahweh, ‘My refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!’

He rescues you from the snares of fowlers hoping to destroy you; he covers     you with his feathers, and you find shelter underneath his wings. 

You need not fear the terror of night, the arrow that flies in the daytime, the     plague that stalks in the dark, the scourge that wreaks havoc in broad daylight.

 Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, you    yourself will remain unscathed, with his faithfulness for shield and buckler.

 You have only to look around to see how the wicked are repaid, you who    can say, ‘Yahweh my refuge’, and make Elyon your fortress.

No disaster can overtake you, no plague come near your tent: he will put    you in his angels’ charge to guard you wherever you go.

 They will support you on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a    stone; you will tread on lion and adder, trample on savage lions and dragons.

‘I rescue all who cling to me, I protect whoever knows my name, I answer    everyone who invokes me, I am with them when they are in trouble; I bring them    safety and  honor. I give them life, long and full, and show them how I can save.’

Olympic Phenomenon

We just witnessed the events at the recent London 2012 Olympics.  Noticing the numbers garnering the coveted gold medals, this makes us think about what position to take as regards population control or the Reproductive Health (RH) bill.  It’s noticeable that you can have better leeway for selection when there are several to choose from.  For example, U.S., Russia, and China got many gold medals and they have big populations.

The right option therefore is not to focus on limiting population but to give better training and education.  The deeper principle is that we have to respect life and let it run its normal course.  That’s what the Bible lore tells us: “God blessed them, saying to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28).

Learn the Lesson

St. Paul in his first letter to Timothy advises him: “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).  Jesus had already directed us in this matter, showing us what should be the right focus.  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice and all other things shall be given you besides” (Mt. 6:33).

So many problems and the present world economic chaos have evolved from that wrong focusing of attitudes that can only engender such a perplexed and failing economy.  Maybe we should go back to those true economists, like the famed author of the book ‘Up the Organization’, Robert Townsend, who enunciated his opinion which sounds like the biblical truth above.  In his book, under the page sub-titled ‘family baggage’ – this is what R. Townsend says: “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.”  That’s how the saints and our pioneers proceeded, by word and example, seeking not money but the ultimate good and discipline of our people; that they learn the important lessons of life.

When people mistakenly make money their main aim, it’s a sure route to failure.  Our aim is the good of the people we serve, not their exploitation.  That’s what God wants us to do in seeking His Kingdom first and His justice because all good things follow after that as the example of God’s holy ones, His servants, have shown.  The cross has been not just a symbol of sacrifice but of victory and lasting happiness as well.

Cards on the Table!

This is one expression of those playing a game of cards asking to show what cards the players have by placing them open on the table.  The same thing happens when we express, seek, or ask for the truth.  We keep an open conversation, not keeping or hiding any agenda or important detail.

That may be the basis of any true and sincere relationship.  It is being true to God, yourself, and the neighbor.  It is based on truth and openness, keeping out any sense or movement of deception. In fact that’s what the original derivation of the word ‘sincere’ comes from: the Latin ‘sine cera’ – translated ‘without the wax’.  It means taking off those wax masks that actors or actresses may put on in a play or opera.  Our main goal in the search for truth is to get to the reality of things for the good of humanity, not hide the truth because of some vested or personal interest which may be disadvantageous or prejudicial to any member of our common humanity.  Let’s remember what the Lord Jesus had said: “The truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32). 

Let’s always endeavor to be grounded in the truth since Our Lord Jesus Christ has plainly told us: “The devil is a murderer and the father of lies” (Jn. 8:44).  If we humbly love the truth, live the truth and tell the truth, we are likely to escape from the devil’s clutches since he is a liar and the father of lies (cf. Jn. 8:44).  So truly was it said by the saints, like St. Teresa: “Humility is truth.”