No reason for conflict

There are possibilities for reconciliation between Islam and Christianity.  Christians and Muslims should read the Bible and Koran.  In Chapter 5 of St. Matthew Jesus speaks about loving even our enemies. In the Koran too it speaks about Mary: “O Mary!  Allah hath chosen thee and purified thee—chosen thee above the women of all nations” (Surah [chapter] 3:42).  In Surah 3:45: “Behold!  The angels said: O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus: the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of [the company of] those nearest to Allah.” 

In Surah 3:55: “Behold Allah said: O Jesus!  ... I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith.”  In Surah 43:63: “When Jesus came with clear signs, he said, ‘Now have I come to you with Wisdom, and in order to clear to you some of the (points) on which ye dispute: therefore fear Allah and obey me’”.   If we follow Jesus, would there be conflict?  He only came to prove his love for us by his humility and forgiveness, and by his curing of the blind, the lepers, and raising the dead to life (see Surah 3:44 and Mt. 11:5).

There is possibility for an encounter of minds between Muslims and Christians, after all religion is a source of tolerant understanding between peoples because God is a “God of peace, not of dissension” (1 Cor. 14:33).

A transitory life

When we ponder on the life we live in this world we know our lives pass away, human as we are.  We can only thank the Lord for His goodness, giving us all the people we love and those who care for us, reflecting the very goodness of an almighty and provident God.   No one can deny, as the years and centuries go by, that here is a God who truly cares for us and provides for our needs, so long we endeavor to do our part in keeping His laws of justice and righteousness, and truly place our trust in His loving care and protection.

As the Saints of ancient days did acclaim: “Soli Deo omnis honor et gloria” (To God alone belongs all the honor and glory).  That is what we are to humbly pray for: that our humble lives bring honor and glory to the Almighty God, who rules the world and prepares the reward that is due to every man or woman for all the good they have done in this earthly existence. 

A heartfelt tribute to all the good people who lived lives of true service to God and their fellow men and women...an inspiring example for new beginnings and to last for always! 

God's only Son

Jesus, being the Only Begotten Son of God, shares His Divine Nature.   He is love in Person.  He said He is the Son of God, that is the reason the Jews crucified Him.  As we read in the Gospel of Mark, “The High Priest put a second question to him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?’  Then Jesus answered, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Most Powerful and coming with the clouds of heaven around him.’  The High Priest tore his clothes to show his horror and said, ‘What more evidence do we need?  You have just heard his blasphemous words. What is your decision?’  And they all condemned Jesus saying, ‘He must die’” (Mk. 14:61-64).

Jesus proved it so because many witnessed His Resurrection and His many miracles that no man ever did before.  He is true God and true man.  That is why we say: “And the Word was made flesh; he had his tent pitched among us, and we have seen his Glory, the Glory of the only Son coming from the Father: fullness of truth and loving-kindness” (John 1:14).   “Yes, God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but may have eternal life” (Jn. 3:16). 

Hatred of the cross

We know of violent systems and violent people who express hatred for the cross of Jesus.  It’s hard to understand why they hate the cross with the symbol of Jesus Crucified.  Surprisingly the devils fear the cross as well as other symbols of Jesus, as the stole and the blessed –holy—water.   

Why, if the cross ties Jesus down to helplessness?

The reason probably is that the cross symbolizes God’s power over sin and death, and behind the cross is the power of the glorious resurrection of Jesus.  It could be one of the reasons.  It’s evident that without any force or pressure, the greater numbers of the populations have elected to become Christians.

Thanksgiving to the Almighty

IF there is anything to do in our lives, it is best of all an act of thanksgiving to the Almighty for all His mighty deeds of love and care.  We tend to forget this as we get so grossly preoccupied with self-interested worries and thoughts about future fears or possible happenings we think may possibly occur to us.  But all this is simply some indication of a lack of trust in the Almighty and loving Lord.

What is important is to anchor our trust in the loving care of the Almighty instead of becoming enslaved to a thousand worrisome thoughts that can sap the energies of our mind and bodies.  That’s what the Lord Jesus meant to tell us: “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.  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”  (Mt. 6:25-29; 31-33).   

Poor mortals that we are, we think that by much worrying we solve our problems. But the opposite is true, we might solve life’s problems better by trusting and praying to God for help.  After all God’s help is open for those who trust in Him, as this has been proven in the lives of many great and saintly persons in the history of the world and humanity.

Robur pacis veritas

It was a quite significant symbol one of our former Apostolic Nuncios (Mons. Antonio Moreni) gave me, a medal depicting Jesus talking to Peter with the above inscription in Latin—Robur Pacis Veritas (the meaning of which is: The strength of peace lies in the truth).

You get to know the truth by being open to education in the various fields and aspects of reality.  When there is oppression forbidding such openness to truth or reality, then ignorance and violence reigns.  After all, truth is identical to reality.  You have that in the study of Metaphysics.

Besides, when people deceive others, they only show part of the truth, not the whole truth.  That is why it is said:  a lie is a half-truth.  Just like a deceptive salesman who shows a good product without telling you of a defective part.  And the Bible tells us: “The devil is a murderer and the father of lies” (Jn. 8:44).

St. Edith Stein, a Carmelite and Jewish convert to Catholicism, a co-patroness of Europe said some striking words: “He who seeks the truth, seeks God, whether he is aware of it or not.”  That’s it.  We only need to be sincere in our dialogues and quest for the truth, doing away with pride and greed so we may arrive at the “splendor of truth” and the “strength of peace which lies in the truth.”

Too much worrying

In the Bible, Jesus our Lord, advises against excessive worries over our daily needs.  “So do not worry; do not say, ‘What are we to eat?  What are we to drink?  How are we to be clothed?’  It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things.  Your heavenly Father knows you need them all.  Set your hearts on his kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well.  So do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself.  Each day has enough troubles of its own” (Mt. 6:31-34).

This is good for your mental health and stability otherwise excessive worries might be a cause for mental imbalance.  Of course, the thing to do is to bravely face your duties and problems in life and do what can be done, as calmly as possible.  You don’t need to lose your balanced composure, rather, as one author has said: “Face the situation fearlessly and there is no situation to be faced.”

Unforgettable memories

There is no gainsaying the fact that our lives on earth are but temporary and there is an end to a lifetime.  But etched in our minds are the memories of youth with our parents’ love and care; memories of those who from a sincere love taught us the principles of right living and discipline.  That is the kind of love we are most inspired to communicate and share with our fellow humans so the spirit of love may everywhere flourish as Jesus desired it.  And we are grateful to our parents (Papa and Mama) and other close relations who taught us in word and deed (i.e. concretely) this very love of God and of every fellow human being so that we may actually put into practice as widely as possible that very love which Jesus wants us to bring into concrete realization.  After all what will life be worth for if there be no love in the world.

The memories are unforgettable because of the accompanying love behind those considerate acts or services of honest and sincere people   We can’t help but remember and relive the happy memories by sharing such goodness to other persons too. That’s how love is repaid with love, as they say in Spanish—“amor con amor se paga”.

God who has always been the origin and source of all good things and happenings, knows and rewards every good act.  To Him ultimately belongs all the honor and glory and praise.  And since in this world there is the constant struggle between good and evil, we have to do our part in fighting for the vicgory of goodness over evil, especially by raising the banner of Jesus Christ whose main aim was to save humanity from the forces of Satan and all other evil followers opposing the banner of Jesus Christ whose aim is eternal salvation and felicity for us all.