encounters

Freedom of Religion

2012-01-18T22:16:00.000+08:00

We know from past World History how religion came to be an excuse for misguided fanatics causing tensions, disturbances and upheavals. But such is a far cry from what true religion should be. If that was in the past, it is up to us to correct the mistakes of the past. As St. Paul advised in his first letter to the Corinthians—“As for prophets, let two or three of them speak, and the others attend to them. If one of the listeners receives a revelation, then the man who is already speaking should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn, so that everybody will learn something and everybody will be encouraged. Prophets can always control their prophetic spirits, since God is not a God of disorder but of peace “ (1 Cor. 14: 29-33). Jesus Himself showed respect for human freedom. When in the 6th chapter of St. John’s gospel Jesus spoke about Himself being food and drink for humanity and the bread of life, the gospel relates in Jn. 6:65-69: “After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’” (Jn. 6:65-69).

In matters of religion we do have and enjoy an air of freedom because none is supposed to be forced into any religion against his or her own free will. Nevertheless since religion is supposed to be instrumental in providing us important truths connected to our eternal destiny of happiness versus an eternal destiny of woe and pain, and punishment, surely we are all obliged to seek for the clear and simple truths that can bring us to our true destiny of happiness as reward for our good works. “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 behavior (his works)” (Mt. 16:27).

Face the Situation Fearlessly

2012-01-07T22:48:00.000+08:00

When Jesus or His followers or His angels came to console and encourage people, He used to allay all fears by saying those words which the late Blessed Pope John Paul II quoted upon the beginning of his term as pope in 1978: “Be not afraid.” Actually the more mature we become the less fears we have, since we put more trust in God Almighty, while of course doing the best we can from our own efforts.

That is what one writer, Dr. Alexander Cannon, implied when he wrote the book titled “Powers That Be” in 1935. “Therefore, I say to you: Dream of a great future and that future will come to you! For ‘all things are possible to him that believeth’ (Mk. 9:23). Fear will vanish when you walk up to it and face it like a man. The lion takes its fierceness from your fear: walk up to him and he will run from you; run away from him and he will run after you. Banish fear and you also banish evil. Love one another and hate will be no more. Face a situation fearlessly and there is no situation to be faced.

Never despise the day of small things! Don’t be a spiritual snob! Cast your whole enrgy into loving the little things as well as the big ones, for the little things presage greater ones ahead. You will get signs of the Promised Land long before you see it. Before Christopher Columbus reached the great continent of America, he saw birds in the air, and twigs in the water which told him that his great day was near. So it is with your life!”

Grave harm to the environment

2012-01-03T09:38:00.000+08:00

(cannot pay for many lives lost)

The consequences of indiscriminate mining and logging have just shown how many lives were lost during the storm that hit Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City specifically) last Dec. 16-17, 2011, including other parts of the Philippines, like Dumaguete City, etc. This is of course one wake up call for us all to be reminded of

God’s word that warns us: “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). People just have not been educated in the right and successful way of making money, as expressed by the organization and business expert Robert Townsend, author of the bestseller “Up the Organization” (1970). We quote some of his words here: “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.” The idea is to give good service to the people, money will just naturally follow from our honest and quality service. Money is part of human transactions but should not be the prime motive.

Since those disastrous storms and floods more than a thousand lives were lost, which are of greater value than money. It’s time we Filipinos evaluate our principles. We need to think it over and remember past incidents and occurrences. Perhaps we may recall a proverb that may incite us to greater depth in our actuations or reactions to situations—“the thinking man is always striking out something new.” Yes, by thinking or reflective thought we may find better ways to meet the daily challenges, instead of just talking or being good at criticizing. Yes, remember history so you won’t repeat the mistakes of history. Otherwise when people are just thoughtless or enslaved to money, power and material things, the following question mark will crop up in people’s minds: “When will they ever learn” as is echoed in a favorite song after World War II, “Where have all the flowers gone,” when millions of people died and lost their lives. So it is good that we be active in spreading good ideas of truth and love and justice, yes proclaiming the Good News Jesus Christ. Otherwise the opposite might prevail, the thoughts of hatred, darkness, deception, and materialism. Psalm no. 1 advices us: “He who meditates on the Law of the Lord day and night shall bear fruit in due season as a tree that is planted beside water streams.” We must wake up and do our part to avoid the dangers ensuing from ecological or environmental devastation. God’s word tells us that: “A stubborn heart will come to a bad end at last, and whoever loves danger will perish in it” (Sir. 3:27), in Bisaya—“Ang kagahig ulo sa katapusan magdala kanimo ngadto sa kagubot. Ang magpaduol sa peligro, sa peligro usab madaut” (Sir. 3:27).

DESOLATE LAND

2011-12-07T09:14:00.001+08:00

“They have made it a mournful, desolate place, desolate before me. The whole land has been devastated and no one takes it to heart.” (Jer.12:11-12) Considering present situations that are happening in the Philippines today because of acute discords as regards the RH Bills, it seems to be at the root of many problems, as we know that some big nations and pharmaceutical companies are offering monetary bribes just to sway people’s minds and control the Philippine population.

Check following data for example, and evaluate in conscience what is true for you. After all “truth will out”. One way or another, in spite of all efforts to conceal it, the truth will come to be known. As the above text from Prophet Jeremiah suggests to us – let’s “take it to heart”, that is, be serious about the present happenings, in connection with RH Bills.

A) In 2004, Joseph Chamie, Director of the U.N. Population Division, reported that 60 countries have TFRs (total fertility rates) below 2.1 which means that they will eventually
experience decline and aging. He asserted that the efforts of these countries to raise fertility rates will not be enough to bring them back to replacement levels. Many of these countries are now asking their people to have more children. Why then are our legislators thinking of cutting down our best asset, our people?

B) The Church in the official stand expressed in the Encyclical of Pope Paul VI Humanae Vitae, (on Human Life, dated 1968) has expressed its official stand versus abortion and the abortifacient contraceptives that definitely contribute to the decline of population.

C) The Church defends that since marriage is for love and family institution, sexual relations must be kept for transmission of new life. And then, they must not hide the following truth –

D) Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group 1 carcinogenics (cancer inducing).

E) The Church’s mind is that the table of life must be open to guests as good citizens of the earthly country because of facilities of food, work and education and then become future citizens of the kingdom of heaven, which is our eternal and final destiny as a reward of the good works we may have done.

While legislators are still presently deliberating and debating on the merits or pros and cons of the RH Bill, one important angle is to tackle the issue on the Church’s position banning contraceptives and abortion as immoral and anti-life because it tends towards an aging population that eventually will self-extinct . God’s word has spoken on this in Genesis 1:28, the very first book of the Bible: “God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it’.“ Are they going to legislate on what is evil and immoral, anti-life and anti-Filipino? The Catholic position expressed at the Vatican Ecumenical Council spoke then: “The judgment concerning the interval of time between births, and that regarding the number of children, belongs to the spouses alone. This is one of their inalienable rights, to be exercised before God with due consideration of their obligations towards themselves, their children already born, the family and society.” (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2368).

I believe it unnecessary for legislators to threaten with sanctions in the RH Bill, v.g. 6 months imprisonment or a fine of P50,000 “to maliciously engage in disinformation about the intent or provisions of this Act.” First of all we have to resolve the question whether it is moral to enforce contraception and abortion that may tend towards an aging population and eventual self-extinction.

If we know these plus other facts why are there so many monetary bribes to propagate what is harmful to the people. We ought to respect the future of life, not just look on these realities under the aspect of scot-free pleasures, forgetting that for all our actions we are answerable to God. “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? For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with the angels, and, when He does, He will reward each one according to his behavior.” (Mt.16:26-27).

When Will the Killings End ?

2011-11-16T10:38:00.001+08:00

This title appeared in one of the feature articles of the Davao Catholic Herald published in the October 2011 month. The question is really vital and actual. It is good to delve deeper into that query. It is true we cannot right a wrong with another wrong. St. Paul attests to that in his letter to the Romans 3:8. Actually we must all do something, being the one Body of Christ, to spread the positive ideas instead of the ideas of hatred, envy, greed, and materialism that are at the base of those harmful and violent reactions. Such people are only harming themselves since Jesus had warned us ‘the measure of what you give or do towards others will be the same measure to be turned back to you’ (Lk. 6:36). The Latin proverb (ideae regunt mundum.- translated: it is ideas that rule the world) has really a lot of import and momentousness in the subject we are dealing right now. It is so important we spread ideas that are true and based of justice. In the scuffle at the garden of olives Jesus told his followers who got swords to defend Him, “Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Mt. 26:52).

As members of the one body of Christ we, each one of us, have an important task to do. That is, by word, deed, sacrifice and prayer to be instruments spreading the positive ideas which Christ brought to our world: the ideas of love, joy, peace, harmony, patience, understanding, and concern for the fellowman or woman. Pope Paul VI in his encyclical Populorum Progressio mentions ‘development is the new name for peace’. Each of us therefore has to do our part, like St. Francis who prayed, ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, where there is hatred let me bring your love.. For it is in giving that we receive and in dying that we’re born to eternal life’. Also one Spanish proverb asserts thus: Quien da pan, da paz (He who gives bread, gives peace). Jesus Himself tells us. “It is more blessed to give than to receive”(Acts 20:35). Let’s do our part, each of us, to spread ideas that are positive rather than negative, developmental rather than destructive, understanding rather than judgmental. It’s basic in the teachings of Jesus: ‘Judge not and you shall not be judged for with what judgments you judge, you shall likewise be judged” (Mt. 7:1).

Let’s follow the Prince of peace, the truly victorious one who assured us in the end, whose life showed no trace of violence but only love and sacrifice—“In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33).

What's wrong?

2011-11-10T03:18:00.000+08:00

(RH Bills)

So much controversy now about the present issue. Certainly if we are open to infallible biblical terms we must be open to search and welcome truth. Isn’t that what God’s word tells 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. 7:8-9). So in all these discussions between various groups concerned in the matter at hand we better ask the down-to-earth question: what is wrong and where is it?

Are we not supposed to respect couples in their inviolable right to privacy and freedom with regards to the number and education of their children? Are we not to respect God’s voice speaking through biblical lore and the constituted Church which tells us right from the first book of the Bible, Genesis: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it?” (Gen. 1:28). The basic problems come when the lure of money enters from the sale of contraceptive devices or the temptation of pleasures in undisciplined or illicit sex, in the varying circumstances of man. Truly as we hear of hidden agendas and under-the-table monetary transactions, there’s corruption in the issue at hand.

So truly has God’s word spoken: “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). The mind of the Church in its quest for respect for life is rather we endeavor to improve the food and facilities in the table of life rather than limit the number of guests to the table of life. ‘Live and let live,’ is an age-old axiom that urges us to respect life. Since therefore sexuality is designed and connected with generation of new life, no wonder many official pronouncements of the Catholic Church, such as those for example of Pope John Paul II to the U.S. Bishops have opposed divorce, homosexuality and masturbation.

RH BILL FLAWS

2011-11-02T10:18:00.000+08:00

Since the Bill wishes to openly press for the contraceptive methods of controlling births and population, this will be going against Catholic conscience as expressed clearly by Blessed Pope John Paul II in an address to the Bishops of the U.S.: “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.” Even the propaganda for a two-child policy does seem an encroachment on couples’ privacy and inalienable rights.

You may read therefore from the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, paragraphs 233 and 234.

“ 233. Concerning the “methods” for practicing responsible procreation, the first to be rejected as morally illicit are sterilization and abortion. The latter in particular is a horrendous crime and constitutes a particularly serious moral disorder; far from being a right, it is a sad phenomenon that contributes seriously to spreading a mentality against life, representing a dangerous threat to a just and democratic social coexistence.

Also to be rejected is recourse to contraceptive methods in their different forms: this rejection is based on a correct and integral understanding of the person and human sexuality and represents a moral call to defend the true development of peoples. On the other hand, the same reasons of an anthropological order justify recourse to periodic abstinence during times of the woman’s fertility. Rejecting contraception and using natural methods for regulating births means choosing to base interpersonal relations between the spouses on mutual respect and total acceptance, with positive consequences also for bringing about a more human order in society.

234. The judgment concerning the interval of time between births, and that regarding the number of children, belongs to the spouses alone. This is one of their inalienable rights, to be exercised before God with due consideration of their obligations towards themselves, their children already born, the family and society. The intervention of public authorities within the limits of their competence to provide information and enact suitable measures in the area of demographics must be made in a way that fully respects the persons and the freedom of the couple. Such intervention may never become a substitute for their decisions. All the more must various organizations active in the area refrain from doing the same.

All programmes of economic assistance aimed at financing campaigns of sterilization and contraception, as well as the subordination of economic assistance to such campaigns, are to be morally condemned as affronts to the dignity of the person and the family. The answer to questions connected with population growth must instead be sought in simultaneous respect both of sexual morals and of social ethics, promoting greater justice and authentic solidarity so that dignity is given to life in all circumstances, starting with economic, social and cultural conditions.”

The mind of the Church is we ought rather increase the food and provision in the table of life rather than limit the usual guests to life’s table. In addition, Blessed John Paul II talks on homosexuality and masturbation: “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, December 29, 1975, No. 9).

The Weakness of Man

2011-10-20T20:48:00.000+08:00

Seeing what’s happening in the world inside and around us we cannot deny that there is such a thing as human weakness or corruption. No wonder we need to humble ourselves, considering our frailty and weakness. Jesus repeatedly reminds us: “Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt. 23:12).

If that’s the case of weakness in man and he gets to humble himself, the next step for man or woman to make is to have recourse to sources of strength and grace. He or she needs to call upon God Almighty to come to his or her aid. That is, to first acknowledge in all humility his dependence on God. He must show understanding of others and not be quick to condemn and blame others. No wonder Jesus explains the kind of person we are to be when He says: “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 own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:1-5).

Let us learn from history the many people’s and leaders’ mistakes who were too proud and judgmental of others yet their lives themselves were paragons of iniquity. In all things God helps us find the solution. St. Paul advised as follows: “Since in Jesus, the Son of God, we have the supreme high priest who has gone through to the highest heaven, we must never let go of the faith that we have professed. For it is not as if we had a high priest who was incapable of feeling our weaknesses with us, but we have one who has been tempted in every way that we are, though he is without sin. Let us be confident, then, in approaching the throne of grace, that we shall have mercy from him and find grace when we are in need of help” (Heb. 4:14-16).

Truth Brings Peace

2011-09-21T11:36:00.000+08:00

A Latin proverb somehow meant the equivalent of the above title. Robur pacis veritas (translated: True peace is stable when founded on truth). Reproductive Health bills are presently stirring hot controversies. Why so? Let’s face the barrage of questions relevant thereto.

Is it pro or against life? Well, if it is open to abortifacients and abortion, it will lead to a decline in population. Why is it that well funded international agencies lend support to controlling Philippine population? Is that not an inalienable private right of concerned couples regarding the number of children they are to have? Is it really promoting the health of mothers? We must keep in mind God’s law that says: “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). How come therefore the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) under the World Health Organization has stated the following: “IARC Monographs Programme Finds Combined Estrogen-Progestogen Contraceptives and Menopausal Therapy are Carcinogenic (cancer inducing) to Humans” (quoted in the book Bishops-Legislators Caucus of the Philippines, page 107, under the sub-title—‘The Truth and Half-Truths About Reproductive Health’. The foreword of the book, dated September 8, 2008, is signed by Catholic Bishops representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, to wit: Most Rev. Angel N. Lagdameo, D.D., Archbishop of Jaro and President, CBCP; Most Rev. Paciano Aniceto, D.D., Archbishop of San Fernando, Pampanga and Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Family and Life; Cardinal Ricardo J. Vidal, D.D., Archbishop of Cebu; Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rasales, D.D., Archbishop of Manila.

Finally, in conscience we ought to ask ourselves: What is to love our Filipino people? Should we not rather follow the infallible truth of God’s word that beckons us: “God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it’ (Gen. 1:28).” Let’s be pro-life! Yes, it’s true, there’s so much pride, confusion, self-interest in our world. But in our quest for the truth we have to keep on. Jesus has assured us without fail: “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). We can have success in our quest for truth in the present discussion, if we persevere and have faith, love, humility and openness to accept whatever is really true..

Robur Pacis Veritas

2011-09-16T11:44:00.000+08:00

The Latin proverb above, translates thus: “The strength of peace derives from the truth.” For example, if the gospel of Jesus Christ is called the gospel of peace (cf. Eph. 6:15) it must certainly contain basic teachings that are a source of strength inside and outside our persons. To us, our relationship of love and prayer to Jesus Christ becomes a source of peace, if only we follow His ways.

Now the ways of Jesus (cf. Jn. 4:34) basically follow God’s will, in a life of love, consideration, respect for the neighbor’s rights, obedience to the Church, following the commandments and a life of truthfulness, that is, a transparency able to face the world. “On these grounds is sentence pronounced: that though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, 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. 3:19-21). Though, of course, human as we are, God’s voice keeps calling us to conversion and a change of heart.

That is the desire of the heart of Jesus as reflected in those three parables of Divine Mercy in Luke chapter 15—(the lost sheep, the lost drachma, the prodigal and the dutiful son). His message is: “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance” (Lk. 15:7). Jesus even implored God’s forgiveness on those who crucified Him: “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34).

The Bible Does Not Lie

2011-09-14T11:45:00.000+08:00

(cf. Jn. 5:39)

One of the important campaigns that we have is for a Bible in every home. It is because the Bible or Holy Scripture basically contains God’s word as officially approved by the Church. Jesus had clearly said this: “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4). Many versions of the complete Bible have already translations in the vernacular or local dialects. And the prices have been put as low as fifty (50) pesos. So it’s really possible to obtain a copy if we sincerely desire so. Maybe contacting our Bible apostolate group in the Diocese or the priest in the Parish. Remember there is truth in the proverb that states: “Where there’s a will there’s a way.” This is based on God’s infallible word in the Bible that states the following: “To those who believe everything is possible” (Mk. 9:24).

We quote the Bible verse because many are already interested in God’s word and where to find it in the Bible in order to refer to it and be inspired or motivated thereby. Maybe this other text can also encourage you: “Whatever you ask for in prayer believe that you will receive it and it shall come” (Mk. 11:24). It shall come if you really believe and if it really is for your own good or humanity’s good, and you do your part to deserve it. Jesus really emphasized the importance of faith. When Jesus chided Peter who was drowning because he began to doubt upon seeing the strong winds and the waves of the sea, He told Peter, “Man of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Mt. 14:31. You can see therefore why it is so important to obtain a Bible for our guidance and spiritual growth. It is God’s inspired word. Or have we forgotten that simple text in the Bible that means so much to us all and refers to effective prayer---“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Mt. 7:7). It’s just a simple text from the Bible, God’s own word that can’t lie or ever be mistaken.

The Sex Education Issues

2011-09-05T23:20:00.000+08:00

We see how the RH Bill issue is also being joined by the sex education issue, I guess, to add more flames or support to the present controversies. But it would be good to be on the right track by referring to reputed and recognized leaders of people and nations as Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi, India’s “Great Soul,” often spoke on sexual morality, and frequently emphasized the importance of sex education. He defined the fundamental difference between comprehensive sex education and chastity education as follows:

“Sexual science is of two kinds, that which is used for controlling or over-coming the sexual passion, and that which is used to stimulate and feed it. Instruction in the former is as necessary a part of a child’s education, as the latter is harmful and dangerous, and fit, therefore, only to be shunned. The sex education that I stand for must have for its object the conquest and sublimation of the sex passion. Such education should automatically serve to bring home to children the essential distinction between man and brute, to make them realize that it is man’s special privilege and pride to be gifted with the faculties of head and heart both, that he is a thinking no less than feeling animal, and to renounce the sovereignty of reason over the blind instincts is, therefore, to renounce a man’s estate. In man, reason quickens and guides the feeling; in brutes, the soul lies ever dormant.” (from A.S. Antonisamy. Wisdom for All Times: Mahatma Gandhi and Pope Paul VI on Birth Regulation. Family Life Service Center, Archbishop’s House, Pondicherry 605001 India, June 1978.)

So let’s be true to ourselves and one another. We must respect the life of the unborn, not just veer away and make use of sex education issues to distract us from the main issue of respect for life.

Why Not ?

2011-09-04T11:47:00.000+08:00

(RH Bill )

The answer could be argued both ways, positive or negative, regarding the controversial RH Bill which some legislators desire to be promulgated and approved. The question is why is the Church against it? We must therefore in all sincerity and conscience seek always where truth really is.

Since it intends to facilitate the sale of artificial means of controlling the birth rate, most of which contraceptives are abortifacients, i.e. destructive of life, that’s the major reason for the Church’s opposition. The teaching of the Church has not changed. On November 12, 1988, Pope John Paul II addressed the final session of a three-day meeting of 300 Catholic moral theologians at the Pontifical Lateran University to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Humanae Vitae (1968) encyclical. There, he summarized the Church’s teaching against birth control in a single sentence: “No personal or social circumstances have ever or can ever justify such an [contraceptive] act.”

Even the world-famous leader and great thinker from India, Mahatma Gandhi, whose country has been a population control battleground for decades, struck at the heart of the matter when he pointed out to Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger: “If it is contended that birth control is necessary for the nation because of over population, I dispute the proposition. It has never been proved. In my opinion, by a proper land system, better agriculture, and a supplementary industry, this country [India] is capable of supporting twice as many people as there are in it today.”

“I am totally opposed to artificial means of controlling the birthrate, and it is not possible for me to congratulate you [Sanger] or your co-workers on having brought into being a league whose activities, if successful, can only do great moral injury to the people. I wish I could convince you and your co-workers to disband the league and devote your energy to a better purpose. You will pardon me for giving my opinion in a decisive manner.”

In the very first book and chapter of the Bible which is God’s revealed word you can read the infallible voice of God: “God blessed them [the first man and woman] saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it’” (Gen. 1:28). During that Nov. 12, 1988 address to 300 Catholic moral theologians, the Pope firmly stated that the ban on contraceptives “cannot be questioned by the Catholic theologian,” much to the consternation of dissenting theologians in the Western world.

The Ban on Contraceptives

2011-09-03T08:32:00.001+08:00

The RH Bill contains provisions that allow or encourage use of contraceptives for purposes of population control. However, the Catholic Church considers that contrary to the prime end of marriage which is a union designed for the preservation of the human race through the procreation and education of children.

Since for Christians the voice of the Holy Father is crucial because it guides towards truth and right, let us listen to some official words of the Holy Father because, being successor of the first Pope, he enjoys the support from heaven above. To St. Peter, the first Pope, Jesus said: “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. 16:17-20).

Since the Popes have succeeded Peter, they also enjoy the assistance of the Holy Spirit in official pronouncements since this is what Jesus promised. Pope Pius XI in the encyclical Casti Connubii [VII] states: “Any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with guilt of a grave sin.”

The teaching of the Church has not changed. On 12 November 1988, Pope John Paul II (already now beatified as Blessed John Paul II) addressed the final session of a three-day meeting of 300 Catholic moral theologians at the Pontifical Lateran University to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Humanae Vitae. There, he summarized the Church’s teaching against birth control in a single sentence: “No personal or social circumstances have ever or can ever justify such an [contraceptive] act.” During this talk, the Pope also firmly stated that the ban on contraception “cannot be questioned by the Catholic theologian,” much to the consternation of dissenting theologians in the Western world. I dare ask therefore to anyone who dares: Who are you to dare dissent from the official stand of the Popes when this alone enjoys the assistance of heaven above and the guarantee of truth. Presupposing our human weakness and limitations, let us at least be open in the quest for the truth. After all, Jesus had assured us—“everyone who seeks always finds” (Mt. 7:8).

At least, be sincere to God, yourself and others in the laborious and honest quest for the truth.

The Holy Bible

2011-08-25T22:27:00.001+08:00

(Guide to Life)

There’s a popular proverb of some great writers of the past, namely: “I fear the man of one book” (in Latin writes thus: Timeo hominem unius libri). Why so? Because you gain mastery when you concentrate on a topic or book, instead of shifting from here and there. As the popular proverb runs: “a rolling stone gathers no moss.” Sometimes people who read all the books that get in their hands turn out confused and mixed up.

It’s the reason why the Church campaigns for a ‘Bible in every home’. It’s the Word of God, a guide for everyone seeking the secrets of everlasting life, or even success in our transitory life on earth. The world tends towards selfish thoughts while the Bible tells us of Jesus’ ways—“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). “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. 6:38).

Such simple words of the Bible, but ask yourself— Isn’t that the secret to success even in simple business deals? People will flock to your store when they know the goods you sell are truly to their satisfaction and gratification. And what more can we ask for? After the trials of this life, the Bible promises eternal life and happiness if only we follow God’s laws and decrees.

Sad Farewells and Goodbyes

2011-08-16T21:01:00.001+08:00

When we look back at our life’s history and the caring people who crossed our lives, it somehow brings a recollection of sad goodbyes and farewells, more so when they have already gone back to the Creator in the after-life. Of course, it’s no use lamenting over what’s already gone or past but we must have more faith in God’s assistance for future things to be done for His kingdom. After all, that’s what is supposed to be for all of us. We are just passing guests of this passing life – Naturally, a last kiss or embrace of anyone close to us is ever etched in our emotional memory. But let’s look at it positively. Consider that even God’s Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, did die for our sakes. All the saints underwent such experience of death as all peoples that ever lived before our times. It’s an occurrence that happens to everybody.

If there were loved ones and friends who cared for us and ever since our childhood days, they have become close to us like our own parents, brothers and sisters. Yes, those kind of people somehow leave an imprint in our memory and emotions. After all we just live a passing life in this world and God keeps on reminding us we were made for an eternal bliss with God in heaven. “What will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? “…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 behavior” (Mt. 16:26). Let us pray for all the people that crossed our lives because after all, if they already passed away, they are part of God’s loving providential hand to care and guide us towards the heavenly kingdom where we all desire to be with all those we love and pray for. We are God’s creation and are destined to serve God in this life and be with him in the next. God desires our final attachment to be only for him. So regarding the people we esteem and love as our own parents, brothers, sisters, and children, God’s infallible word teaches this: “Anyone who prefers father or mother to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who prefers son or daughter to me is not worthy of me. Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me. Anyone who finds his life will lose it; anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt. 10:37-38).

In all circumstances, therefore, let our lives and prayers be to the glory of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let us thank the Lord for all the wonderful people that ever came across our lives.

Against Conscience

2011-08-02T08:07:00.001+08:00

It would be good for our legislators to reconsider their efforts in pushing for laws or bills that run counter to conscience, more specifically in the case of the Reproductive Health Bill. Since it runs contrary to the Catholic conscience of which the Filipinos are the majority, surely some resistance will be oncoming.

Then, too, it is appropriate to consider the reasons alluded to by the Catholic Church, which are primarily for the defense of life, in the privacy of family and home, which is the prerogative right of private families, as regards matters of size of the family and sexual relations between husband and wife. Hence, the Church only wishes to remind couples of God’s original decrees on the propagation of life. “God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it’” (Gen. 1:28). That’s in the first book and chapter of the Bible. There are instances of God’s punishment on those who dare violate God’s laws concerning family, marriage, and sexual morality. Read chapters 18 and 19 of this very first book of the Bible: GENESIS, in those chapters they tell the true of what happened to two cities Sodom and Gomorrah that disappeared from the earth by fire and brimstone that rained from the heavens, because of their sin against God’s laws regarding sexual morality.. Do not forget the warning words of St. Paul: “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

The Humility that Saves

2011-07-30T06:50:00.000+08:00

Many saints (St. Therese, for example), following the theme of Our Lord Jesus Christ, have often said: Humility is Truth. Jesus has repeated several times: “The person who humbles himself shall be exalted, the person who exalts himself shall be humbled” (Mt. 12:11; Lk. 18:14). Yes, Jesus humbled himself, preferring to work His miracles without much propaganda (see Mk. 9:9, and Lk.9:21)).

We too should follow that system of doing good works for the sincere love of God and the neighbor, not for show-off and propaganda, nor for the prospect of money and power, which become temptations for corruption.. After all, this is the more successful way as God Himself has promised. “Be careful not to parade your good deeds before men to attract their notice; by doing this you will lose all reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give alms, do not have it trumpeted before you; this is what the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win men’s admiration. I tell you solemnly, they have had their reward. But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing; your almsgiving must be in secret, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you” (Mt. 6:1-4). Remember that the only true reward comes from God above. Naturally genuine humility must always be based on truth and discipline, not on false ambitions and laxity or insubordination.

The Poverty Issue

2011-07-28T06:49:00.000+08:00

It seems putting the blame on poverty for most of the nation’s woes is out of place. Why did that expression of benediction come out? “Blessed are you poor; the reign of God is yours” (Lk. 6:20).

Actually the poverty issue reverts to oneself or one’s inmost honest efforts. If only we did what we should or could do to think, to study, to do some honest service to humanity, somehow the result would be what Jesus aptly described, saying: “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. 6:38). You can see and observe closely how true these words of Jesus are. Most successful businesses are those that deep in the heart tend to sincerely give good quality products and services to the customer, while those that just think of making money from the customers are usually left out or losing in the business rat race.

Jesus does not want us to worry too much about material things (read this in Mt. 6:25-34). “That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it….Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they are? Can any of you, for all his worrying, add one single cubit to his span of life?” Jesus says the same thing about thoughts on clothing and drinking needs. It is those who lack faith that worry too much on those things. His solution is: “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 trouble of its own” (Mt. 6:25-34). To verify for yourself how true are the words of Jesus concerning our quest to do God’s will always and ever trust in His loving care for each of us, let us ask and observe people who sincerely believe and put to practice Jesus’ words. God can’t tell a lie nor be mistaken. And His words come to us through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

Armed Conflicts

2011-07-24T11:49:00.000+08:00

Certainly we cannot deny there are some armed conflicts in the Philippines or in the whole wide world. However, the question is: should there really be reason for such? We know at times, in isolated or extreme cases there is need or a call to arms, for the purpose of self-defense. Considering all the confusion, evacuations, chaos and suffering and loss of lives that result as side-effects of these armed conflicts, it is really much better to avoid them. Think it over: Can you pay for the value of one life? Jesus had already warned us through His instruction to Peter. “One of the followers of Jesus grasped his sword and drew it, he struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear. Jesus then said, ‘Put your sword back, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Mt. 26:52).

It’s a fact really. Many people die, not just accidentally because of accidental misfiring but also since the proliferation and escalation of firearms is a big temptation to violence. Just think it over. Life is the first right of man. And when people make a call to armed conflict or the use of deadly firearms, there are so many more casualties that could have been avoided. May we always remember God’s infallible word that can’t be mistaken nor lie. “Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see that you are interested only in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay’ says the Lord.” “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink….Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good” (Rom. 12:18-21). Yes indeed. Remember the lessons of past history, the irreparable loss of so many lives. No wonder Benjamin Franklin had truly said: “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” Let’s follow the ideal described by St. Paul: “Love is humble, love is patient, love is forgiving” (1 Cor. 13:4-13).

RH Confusions (why?)

2011-07-21T21:40:00.000+08:00

First of all we have to place the RH Bill in light of Church prohibitions versus contraceptives’ use and abortion. Church authority from the Lord Jesus comes from that text in Matthew’s 16-18, which we quote: “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).

The Church has guided the world towards a morality that respects the fundamental rights of man. If contraceptives were given free rein, being abortifacients, that’s tantamount to decimating the human race. Hence, there are rules governing sexual morality, since from Biblical times in the Old Testament, sexuality has links to human life, which is the first right of man. What worsens the panoramic picture or situation is that the bigger nations or even pharmaceuticals corrupt the matter with money offers that serve to dim the minds of people from right thinking.

Let’s sincerely seek for the true answer in the question at hand, knowing that, since life is but transitory, we must above all seek God’s will and glory. Otherwise we have to keep in mind what St. Paul wrote in his letter to the Hebrews: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, and again: The Lord will judge his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:30-31).

The Church aspires to a society that is young, active, vigorous, serviceable, constructive, and loving.

Pitfalls of the RH Bill

2011-07-14T21:40:00.001+08:00

The discussions on the controversial Reproductive Health bill keep on hitting the headlines. What is really the issue? Well, for one the issue is population control as the Egyptians tried to control the growing population of the Hebrews and King Herod wanted to kill the baby Jesus (see Exodus chapter 1 and Matthew chapter 2). Behind that is the corruption of money and power. The Church teaches as immoral the use of the abortifacient contraceptives. It’s because she wants us to fulfill God’s designs from the very beginning: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:20). That’s at the very first book of the Bible, God’s infallible word. God also punished gravely sins against normal sexuality, as narrated in the Sodom and Gomorrah story (Genesis . chapters 18 and 19) and the masturbating sin of Onan (read in Genesis chapter 38).

If the Church asks for the legitimate and normal use of sexuality between man and woman, it is for the preservation of the human race. It’s just because of people being enslaved to money and pleasure that we encounter the sexual abnormalities that run counter to God’s laws and invite God’s wrath and punishment. We must remember history and think of the past happenings that came to the world because of man’s sins and impenitence. The Virgin Mary had mentioned in Fatima that many souls are condemned to hell because of sins against purity. It is true human nature is weak and modern life gives so many tempting occasions of sin, but the Lord amply provides His grace by His word, His sacraments and our own recourse to prayer. At the Mount of Olives Jesus gave the advice to His disciples” “Pray not to be put to the test” (Lk. 22:39). Ask yourself, after getting to know the contents of the RH Bill, is it really for the health of mother and child? How can it be when it is for population control and aiming at the decline of population? In line with God’ design, we desire a society that is young, vibrant and active, not an aging society that tends towards self-extinction.

Control of Population

2011-07-03T06:10:00.001+08:00

Projects to control population many times turn out to be money-making schemes. Such for example as the birth control devices and injectibles that are being peddled for a price; so too with pornographic materials that serve to incite human sexuality, even when not called to appropriately, or outside legitimate wedlock. Here is where the divine teaching guides us that we are not to be motivated by monetary gain which will only multiply our troubles and problems. It’s an inversion of principles as if the cart were put before the horse, instead of the normal way of putting the horse before the cart. Just observe how bad the results even when applying that to your own life and relationships or even in the quest for successful business. The Bible tells us the truth.

“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).

Greatest Conquest, Conquest of Self

2011-05-29T22:23:00.001+08:00

The many sages of the past have said so. For this we need God’s help and grace (see Mt. 19:26). We might think fulfillment is in making money, winning in games, or politics and getting a famous name, but what can bring us to peace inside and in the final eventuality is really the conquest of self in the direction of fulfilling God’s will every time, anywhere. The saints were always happy even when they were left unattended, unknown or neglected, for their trust was always in God.

So Jesus had reminded us—“What 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?” The very finalities of man can be reduced to four last things, as taught in Christian catechesis: Death, Judgment, Hell or Heaven. At the very last you either end in Heaven or in Hell. Jesus clearly talks about this as He discussed on the narrow and hard road to Heaven and the spacious and wide road to Hell in Mt. 7:11-12, and about the decisive question that will be required of you for entrance to eternal bliss in Paradise or eternal damnation with the devils in Hell. Read that in Mt. 25:31-48. “Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me” (Mt. 25:40-46). On that will depend your ultimate destiny. Don’t be too late on reading such important reminder in that short but important chapter. It asks to be not so selfish and greedy but always considerate on others’ needs, rights and feelings. Why did the Lord God Almighty in sharing man’s lot by taking up our humanity in His Son, Jesus, chose always the line of humility in word and the example of His life? “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted (Lk. 14:11, Lk. 18:14, Mt. 23:12). “I honor my Father but you want to dishonor me. Not that I care for my own glory, there is someone who takes care of that and is the judge of it” (Jn. 8:50). For all our efforts to reach salvation we must remember how much we are in need of God’s grace. But God’s infallible word will not fail in His promises. “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).

Honesty is Best Policy

2011-05-25T22:51:00.001+08:00

Whether in pharmaceuticals, politics or any category of business or enterprise, the principle still holds. Like the defective missile that plummets to its own self-destruction so does any corrupt institution that operates on deception, hidden agenda and insincerity. They do not really operate based on transparency and openness but a way of doing things that leads to doom and failures.

"On these grounds is sentence pronounced that though the light has come into the world men have shown they prefer darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody who does wrong hates the light and avoids it, for fear his actions would be exposed, but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light, so that it may be plainly seen what he does is done in God" (Jn.3:19-21).

The devil which is the source of evil in the world, together with the cooperation of corrupt people, is described by Jesus as "a murderer and the father of lies" (Jn.8:44). How important then we follow the ways of truth and sincerity so as not to fall into the clutches of the devil, the father of lies. Even Shakespeare had quoted that in other words in his work Hamlet: "To thine own self be true and it will follow as night follows day you will be true to every man". (Hamlet Act 1, sc.3) "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" (1Tim.6:10). People get enticed by money offers just as a fish is caught by a bait. The solution is that you never be motivated by the love of money but by the desire to be of service to God and humanity. And you must give the best you can since "the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you" (Lk.6:38).

Obedience to God Comes Before Obedience to Man

2011-05-19T14:44:00.000+08:00

(cf. Acts 5:29)

Amid the entire controversy on the Reproductive Health bill, the main consideration of the Church is that we respect God’s laws as regards respect for the life of human beings, which as you all know is the very first right of man. Of course, it’s not just respecting the life that is existing but it implies also that we respect the normal outcome of life as result of the male and female sexual relationships. If we block nature’s normal trend through artificial devices we go in a direction that brings us close to self-destruction or extinction.

That is the reason why the Church opposes the artificial methods of birth control as being opposed to God’s will and design. “God blessed them, saying to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it.” (taken from the first book and first chapter of the Holy Bible – Gen. 1:28). We must endeavor to follow God’s laws and decrees faithfully, otherwise we risk falling under God’s anger and punishment. St. Paul describes it this way: “it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). Remember history and consider how God has punished those who dared to violate His laws and decrees.

An Alarm Cry

2011-05-07T22:39:00.000+08:00

(versus prostitution)

An anonymous person wrote me and some other bishops asking if we could do something to help the plight of girls being victimized into prostitution at the big cities here and elsewhere. The complexity of the problem is worsened when the dangers of the HIV AIDS virus are being spread this way (in sexual contacts) plus the other sexually transmitted diseases. One problem is at present there is yet no clear medicine for HIV as this is still being researched scientifically, and expenses too may be mounting.

Its true prostitution is an age-old profession, not because it’s moral or legal, but because of human weakness and sinfulness. The person who wrote me told about some big popular cities being punished by God with various calamities: earthquakes, tsunamis and floods because of syndicates and persons of influence that beguile young girls into forced prostitution, under threats, holding their airline tickets, pressuring them into disreputable ways of livelihood just because of their indigent situation. Some of these prostitution joints are being handled or owned by DOM (dirty old men), from ages 40, 50, 60 and above who come from some big nations of the world around us to indulge in their immoralities. These were his exact words of caution which I quote in part below to make our people aware of such problems, especially for the girls of the third world who may seek employment in the big cities:

“As a Christian in America connected with Filipina women groups I wrote yourBishops several years ago on hundreds of young foreign degenerate, ugly old men 50s-60s in the country to sexually target young Filipina whores for money while your Bishops are blind and deaf to this and one day GOD will severely judge your souls for cowardice and negligence. GOD hit Japan with two disasters because it’s a major country where many foreign young women from Asia and Eastern Europe are tricked into Japan by fake jobs and given “free” one-way tickets then outside the airport taken to rented bldgs owned by dangerous criminals and subjected to violent threats, beatings and raped over days and those who still refuse get death threats against family members to force them to “cooperate.” From material I’ve seen many are either infected with aids and others become insane and likely murdered and their bodies cremated. As I wrote prostitution brings crime, violence, drugs, corruption, and the deadly aids and still your Bishops do very little but very tough to condemn condom use in Philippine high schools…”

This situation is supposedly an open secret that comes out in the news because of the problems encountered by those victimized. It might as well be exposed (Jn. 3:19-20) for the sake of saving young lives and putting a stop to the evils in our midst. If it came as an appeal through an anonymous letter, yet because most know of its existence by some sad news of the victims or many off-hand information we get from people, from the Internet, it’s an open secret and God asks us to be concerned, from the conclusive words of the last judgment of each and everyone of us to determine our very final destiny of either everlasting happiness in Heaven or the eternal punishment in Hell. “What you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it for me.” (see Mt. 25:31-46).

Live and Let Live

2011-05-04T20:50:00.000+08:00

(contra RH Bill)

This is a proverb that means we should be free to live and allow others to do the same. This expression precisely comes into play in our present controversies regarding human life. Powerful nations and legislators want to make laws to control and limit human life, for some vested interests presumably. The Church’s position is ever to respect human life, whether born or unborn. Now come into play the contraceptive devices designed to prevent fertilization and implantation, resulting in the decline of population. It will be causing or tend towards extinction of population, leaving mostly the elderly. An ageing lot indeed!

The voice of the Church, following the will of the Creator, wants rather that we improve world situation, facilities and conveniences in the table of life rather than limit the guests to such table. God has said in the very first book and chapter of the Bible – Genesis: “God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it’” (Gen. 1:28).

Truly Risen!

2011-04-21T20:48:00.000+08:00

Contra factum non valet argumentum (You cannot argue against facts). The fact of the Resurrection of Jesus is incontrovertible. You read the various narrations about the Risen Jesus in the Bible, the four gospels and letters of the Apostles, they tell of actual witnesses of the fact of the Resurrection. St. Paul speaks of more than 500 people seeing the Risen Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-5). Most of those saints who attested on the truth of the Resurrection sere supported by God’s assistance by the proof of many signs and miracles that served to prove the truth of what they proclaimed.

That’s the history of the belief of billions of people, in past and present history. We may just enunciate one usual expression which has already become proverbial, applying this to the fact of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God and Our Savior. You can fool some of the people all the time, all the people some time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. All those billions of believers could not be wrong in their belief of the Resurrection.

RH Bill is Flawed

2011-04-17T18:58:00.001+08:00

(Statement by U.P. faculty, students, and alumni)

The RH Bill is envisaging the control of our population, not realizing the negative experience of many nations that are aging and declining, tending towards extinction. The encouragement to use condoms for health protection is also based on false assumptions, because the model in Asia for condom use is Thailand, which has the highest incidence of the HIV AIDS virus, which so far, unfortunately, has no clear medication available to all sectors. The oral-contraceptive pills (OCPs) have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group I Carcinogens.

From the U.P. statement and position paper you read the following: “Our main argument boils down to this: that it is the State’s duty to order society by promoting the well-being of its citizens. Thus it is a disservice to legislate what constitutes harm to its people… While it is true that the State cannot stop people from using contraception, since they may personally choose to expose themselves to its risks, it is not the State’s job to facilitate access to what is harmful…. We urge the legislators to dump the contentious and flawed Reproductive Health bill and to pass more bills strengthening the Filipino family, protecting its citizens against the risks of contraception, defending the scientific fact that conception begins at fertilization, providing essential medicines for the main causes of death, making quality education more accessible to Filipinos, and providing more jobs.”

Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah

2011-04-14T22:59:00.002+08:00

What happened to Sodom and Gomorrrah (cf. Gen. 19:23-26) is a lesson for all of us. Even in the matter of sexuality God has asked us to follow definite rules of conduct as contained in the sixth and ninth commandments. In short, the sexual faculty may be used within legitimate marriage between one man and one woman for purposes of procreation and mutual support and satisfaction of concupiscence. Thus the Church made it clear that the sexual activity has to be ever open to the normal transmission of new life. You look at the meaning of Sodomy in the dictionary; it means an abnormal employment or use of the sexual faculty, contrary to the purpose God designed it for.

This means, if you read the first book of the Bible in Chapters 18, 19, and 38, there are sections talking about God’s decrees as regards the right use of sex. Let us just remember the happening in Sodom and Gomorrah that relates about God’s punishment for the abuse of sex and keep in mind that relevant quotation from St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews: “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

Remember history so you may avoid repeating past sins and mistakes.

U.P. Position Paper on RH Bill

2011-04-08T13:08:00.001+08:00

(the burning and brave exposé)

The above-mentioned position paper recently publicized this year (2011) has been signed by faculty, students and alumni of the University of the Philippines. For Internet access to signatories and references go to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/upiansonrhbill/

What’s the exposé? First, it concluded saying: “We urge the legislators to dump the contentious and flawed Reproductive Health bill and to pass more bills strengthening the Filipino family, protecting its citizens against the risks of contraception, defending the scientific fact that conception begins at fertilization, providing essential medicines for the main causes of death, making quality education more accessible to Filipinos, and providing more jobs.” Quoting from the 1966 Nobel Prize winner Simon Kuznets’ research which argued that a more rapid population growth, if properly managed, will promote economic development through a positive impact on the society’s state of knowledge. And deducing from an Asian Development Bank report: “Two factors were reported to drive the creation and sustenance of a middle class a) stable, secure, well-paid jobs with good benefits and b) higher education. And so, why not create more bills that will strengthen these two factors instead of channeling out limited funds to contraception and sex education?”

In the nation of Thailand which has been hailed as the model for condom promotion, the result has been the highest incidence of the HIV AIDS cases. Moreover, the human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, by far the most common STD (sexually transmitted disease) and a risk factor for cervical cancer among other diseases, is not prevented by condoms because HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, unlike AIDS, and condoms cannot cover all possible infected skin – a fact that is not commonly known. Why spend millions to buy condoms when they are shown to increase incidences of STDs? Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as Group 1 Carcinogens.

Conclusion by the Position Paper: “Our main argument boils down to this: that it is the State’s duty to order society by promoting the well-being of its citizens. Thus, it is a disservice to legislate what constitutes harm to its people.”

Culture of Life vs. Culture of Death

2011-04-04T20:42:00.002+08:00

Statements from the Church opposing the RH Bill are certainly in connection with a culture of life. The concept of Christian marriage is in itself ordered to the procreation and education of children. Thus it goes against contraception and abortion. Can you imagine the scenario where everyone is making use of contraceptives? That will result to a sin against life and humanity because no children will be born anymore. It will be an aging, decaying society on its way to extinction.

Some want to question why the Church is interfering in legislations of this sort. It is because the morality of sex is not just purely for physical satisfaction but also connected to family unity and procreation and education of the children, as the normal fruit of marriage. If you read the Bible, like in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 8 and 9, Ephesians chapter 5, Galatians chapter 5, you can see his thoughts on sexual morality and purity. Check that. Such sections of the Bible, including the sections in Genesis chapter 19, on the plight and punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah, contain advices against abnormal uses and exploitation of the sex faculty contrary to the purposes decreed by God originally (e.g. fornication, masturbation, abortion). Let’s remember that there are punishments God inflicts on those who violate His laws. A warning that St. Paul echoes in his letter to the Hebrews: “it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31). As to why sexual ethics (in thought, word and deed) is of importance brings us to a reminder from the Virgin Mary’s apparitions in Fatima where she asked for penance and reparation for the sins of impurity because “many souls are falling into Hell’s eternal fires because of the sins against purity.”

Precisely, for the sake of man’s eternal salvation, Jesus left this last instruction to his disciples: “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time” (Mt. 28:19).

Life's Constant Battle

2011-04-02T22:14:00.002+08:00

The Bible tells us that there is an ongoing battle between Heaven and Hell, God and the Devil, Mary and her Son and those who follow them, versus followers of Satan, Truth and Error, Light and Darkness, a culture of life vs. a culture of death, (remember the lessons of Sodom and Gomorrah, after considering the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because of violating God’s design in legitimate and normal sexual relationships or concerning the legitimate and normal use of sex), conflicts between good and evil, love and hate, greed and generosity. In the first book of the Bible is written: “I will make you enemies of each other: you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. It will crush your head and you will strike its heal” (Gen. 3:15). Naturally since ideas enter into minds and hearts, this battle implies also the response in the very heart of creatures. When the followers of Jesus asked him regarding foods that can make a man unclean, He answered thus: “Do even you not understand? Can you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes through the stomach and is discharged into the sewer? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and it is these that make a man unclean. For from the heart come evil intentions: murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, slander. These are the things that make a man unclean. But to eat with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean” (Mt. 15:16-20).

Jesus talks often about the enemy within as pride, for example, “anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted” (Mt. 23:12). That’s a constant tone in the Bible. “A man’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Mt. 10:36). A Spanish saying is quite descriptive when it intones: “Tu enemigo peor eres tu” (You are your own worst enemy). Biblical lore keeps warning: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). Precisely the seven capital sins destroy man from within, namely, pride covetousness, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, sloth. (see St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians 5:16-26). Better check and think it over. We always tend to blame others. But the enemy is within. So God’s word ever warns us: “Judge not and you shall not be judged. Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own?...Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:2-5).

There are temptations from the Devil and evil men, but man is free in his consent to this or that. We need to pray because we need God’s grace in this fight versus evil. Hence it is rightly said: “Prayer will make us leave off sinning or sinning will make us leave off prayer.” It’s always either one or the other to rule our lives.

In the last book of the Bible is described the Devil’s anger: “Then the dragon was enraged with the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children, that is, all who obey God’s commandments and bear witness for Jesus” (Rev. 12:17). “War broke out in heaven, when Michael with his angels attacked the dragon. The dragon fought back with his angels, but they were defeated and driven out of heaven” (Rev. 12:7). In the first book of the Bible the Devil tempted our first parents Adam and Eve to violate God’s command not to eat the forbidden fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, a word in the Bible which means that God is the supreme arbiter of what is good and what is evil, and finite and created man is not to usurp such a divine privilege. (see Gen. 3, or the Fall of man.)

True Concern for Our People

2011-03-12T13:04:00.000+08:00

When the RH Bill seeks to open the doors to abortifacient contraceptives and abortion on demand under the guise of women’s reproductive health, is that a sign of true care and concern for women’s health? What about the other aspects of trauma involved, or the side effects, not to mention the moral consequences involved? Such a [RH] Bill therefore is questionable as regards its sincere concern for our people’s good, here or in the hereafter.

Consider too the offers being made by interested agencies in the pharmaceutical or medicinal field that may somehow be involved in the issue of reproductive sexuality. Then comes in therefore the corrupting factor of money which is being flaunted shamefully without any qualms of conscience, as if God were blind to these hidden agenda. Is that true concern for womanhood? We desire a bright future for a population that is young, alive, peaceful, productive, and hopeful.

That Bill therefore hides its face because, under the guise of population control; in reality it schemes to terminate life by allowing abortifacients, and abortion is in actuality an integral part of the culture of death that will not favor the Philippine growth and population but lead to its decimation and extinction. Imagine those great populations of the world that may be fast disappearing and self-destructing, because of disregard for God’s original decree: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28). We will miss the children’s cries and laughter, when it’s the coughing elderly folk that we may generally get to hear.

Stand of the Church

2011-03-10T02:03:00.000+08:00

(What is good for Filipinos?)

The hotly contested issue of the RH Bill being discussed in Congress is actually intent on seeking what really is for our own good. Which stand: that of the Church or of certain legislators?

There are many money offers from all sides that make the whole point cloudy from the very start. Money, you know, is corrupting. Look back into history. People sold, betrayed, back downed because of disreputable money offers or its equivalent in other worldly advantages.

We are seeking the good of the Philippines with concepts open to the transmission of life so as to have a future of society alive through the cooperation and contribution of the young, duly formed and educated to assume leadership roles in the midst of a vibrant society facing diverse challenges in a world undergoing the normal pains of growth and change. As the saints have expressed: “The glory of God is man fully alive but the life of man comes from God.”

That depends now upon your understanding and respect for life, as God truly intends. “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28). We want a moving and young society, truly alive and obedient to God’s designs, in a love that will reach the eternity of bliss in heaven, after being true to God, to oneself and to one another.

Voice of the People

2011-02-08T05:12:00.000+08:00

(Democracy)

In a democracy the government is supposed to represent the voice of the people, because it must follow its own definition as a government of the people, for the people and by the people. Such is therefore the turbulent confrontation in the Philippines today as regards the Reproductive Health Bill that includes use of artificial contraceptives and abortifacients contrary to the Catholic stand. Well, if we are to respect the majority Catholics of our people or even the Muslim population, the government ought to respect Catholic thought and Islamic policies, at least to be true to its name as a true democracy.

After all, the Church is only fostering what is truly the first right of our people, which is LIFE. You cannot promote the other subsequent rights of liberty and property, unless we admit the very first of the rights of man – LIFE. It would be a false and distorted democracy that says it is for people’s welfare, whereas they intend population control by terminating or obstructing life in various ways and methods. In the very first chapter of the Bible God’s word speaks: “God blessed them, saying to them, Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28). Are we going to allow our minds to be obscured and deviated from the right track just because of the money offers or even the temptations of the world, the devil and the flesh.

The Clear Stand

2011-02-03T17:19:00.002+08:00

Last 30th January 2011, the Catholic Church in the Philippines gave its clear stand rejecting the RH bill as contrary to people’s conscience and contrary to the best interest of lives of our people, in the sense that it violates life by terminating its initial phase in the fertilized ovum or by preventing the normal union of sperm and ovum towards the act of fertilization; this being done through artificial contraceptives that are abortifacients and by abortion. The Church position as explained in the Humanae Vitae encyclical is that the union of the male and female in sexual activity must always remain open to the transmission of new life.

The title of the document Choosing Life, Rejecting the RH Bill asks our people to respect always the sacredness of life in all its stages according to the biblical tenet: “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). Live and let live. Can you imagine that if the lives of millions of young keep on getting aborted through the various abortifacients and contraceptives, life will be as desolate and lonely as an arid desert. The ironical thing is that some powerful and big nations want to oppress the developing nations and have power over their natural resources, especially through the manipulation of birth and population control. The wombs of mothers will become like a war zone of slaughter of the innocents.

The Christians’ celebration of Christmas is a celebration of life, as Mary and Joseph brought into our world God’s only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, conceived in Mary’s virginal womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. Even the Muslim book of the Koran talks of the birth of Jesus from the immaculate womb of Mary in Chapter (Surah) 3 verses 45 to 47.

4 Last Things

2011-01-23T16:29:00.001+08:00

(Forewarned is forearmed)

When a man puts things under consideration he ought always to consider where it eventually leads to. A Latin adage has a point to guide us to when it states: Finis est super omnia (the aim and objective is always foremost in consideration).

Should it be money, as the world does? Of course not! God’s word warns us: “The love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Tim. 6:10). That is what happens many times when people aimlessly move in our world, not for the good of humanity, but just because they want to make more money. They don’t care whether their pursuits are right or wrong, because what’s important for them is their ambition for more and more money. Jesus already warned us: “No one can be the slave of two masters…You cannot be the slave of both God and of money” (Mt. 6:24). St. James in his letter to the Christian people had this to say: “Don’t you realize that making the world your friend is making God your enemy? Anyone who chooses the world for his friend turns himself into God’s enemy.”(Jas.4:4). When your structure is enslaved to money, that will tend towards its own nemesis, i.e. self-destruction.

You look at world reality. The four last things no man can escape: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven. The last two to which Jesus refers as the very last you can find in the gospel of Matthew chapter 25, verses 31 to 46. Jesus tells us they refer to man’s eternal punishment in Hell or eternal bliss in Heaven, depending on his behavior here on earth. This is what Jesus talks about when He gives a word of warning to people who tirelessly enslave themselves to the passing world. “What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? What has a man to offer in exchange for his life?” (Mt. 16:26). “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 behavior” (Mt. 6:27).

Consider what one business analyst once said, Robert Townsend, a follower of Peter Drucker, who wrote the bestseller: “Up the Organization.” He has some practical angles, even if he speaks in the purely business field. “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.” If that principle is essential in the monetary world, how much more in the matter of the eternal salvation of our souls. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice and all other things will be given you as well” (Mt. 6:33).

Why did Jesus have to suffer so much? Answer: to save us from everlasting death: the eternal fires of hell, and to bring us new life by His grace and enjoy everlasting happiness because of a life of true conversion and humility. To the proud and unrepentant, St. Paul who was once a Church persecutor but converted and became an ardent apostle of Jesus Christ has this rigid warning in his epistle to the Hebrews: “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb. 10:31).

Live and let live

2011-01-20T17:59:00.001+08:00

(Golden Rule)

The above title is a common English proverb that signifies a respect, not only for our own, but also our neighbor’s life and rights. It somehow agrees with what the Lord Jesus indicates as the meaning of the prophetic messages and substance of the divine Law. Thus Jesus considers the following a 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).

Presumably respect for life implies also not obstructing the oncoming life that is the normal result of sexual union of man and woman. Hence God’s word is the first book of the Bible. Gen. 1:28 expresses it this way: “God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it.’” What happens in our world is the desire for pleasure, power, money or other forms of greed that make people resort to the use of artificial methods to limit the birth rate.

So too the Catholic position is consistent in its respect for life and the rights of human beings, from infancy till adulthood, even till death itself. The Church stands against the abortifacient pills or injections, and against abortion. Also in its morality, as derived from the very traditions and earliest teachings, the Church stands against fornication and masturbation, following the 6th commandment – “Thou shall not commit adultery.” (See also Bible texts in Ex. 20:12-16, Deut. 5:16-20).

The concomitant moral rules are intended to build up a faithful, solid and loving family where the child can grow to maturity, both physically and spiritually. Thus stable, God-fearing families make also a strong society.

The Great Battle

2011-01-12T07:12:00.001+08:00

A long time ago this had been predicted by God. You read this in the Bible. All of us, like it or not, get involved, one way or another. It’s the everlasting fight between good and evil, God and the Devil.

Now the battle is to protect the first right of man: human life. As God had decreed in the first chapter of the Bible: “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:25). While agents of darkness campaign to diminish life by abortifacients and abortion, the Church’s voice asks to consider the sacredness of life and the family and to improve rather the resources for a better quality of life and education so as to form future citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Not to limit life’s guests but rather increase the food for the partakers of the table of life.

The Bible describes that continuing battle this way: “Yahweh God said to the serpent, Since you have done that, be cursed among all the cattle and wild beasts! You will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel” (Gen. 3:14-15). “When the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. Then the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly into the desert where she would be looked after for three and a half years. The serpent poured water out of his mouth after the woman, to carry her away in the flood, but the earth came to her rescue: it opened its mouth and swallowed the flood which the dragon had poured from its mouth. Then the dragon was furious with the woman and went off to wage war on the rest of her children, those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus” (Rev. 12:13-17).

Culture of Life

2011-01-02T22:44:00.000+08:00

We look back to the times of Jesus, Mary and Joseph….yes, Christmas time when they cared lovingly for the baby Jesus. So Christmas is a celebration of life, as Mary and Joseph endeavored to save the Christ child from the clutches of King Herod who wanted to end the life of the child. What for? For political reasons, power, greed, and dominance.

Let us reminisce how history can repeat itself, those days of genocide since the very days of Moses, when the Egyptian king wanted to eliminate all male children (see Ex. 1:22), then the murder of the Holy Innocents by King Herod, then the Holocaust of millions of Jews by Hitler’s Nazi regime, the 40 million communistic purges by Stalin in Russia and neighboring countries, and in our very day the continuing holocaust and murders by the millions of abortions throughout the world. Let’s not forget that murder (including abortion) is part of the 4 sins crying to heaven for vengeance. They are, namely: willful murder (including abortion), the sin of Sodom, oppression of the poor, defrauding laborers of their wages.

Probably the sin of Sodom could be at the background and bottom line for many delusory efforts of today to make use of abortion and contraceptives to conceal and hide immoral practices including sodomist practices. The Webster dictionary describes Sodomy as follows: a) copulation with a member of the same sex or with an animal b) noncoital and esp. anal or oral copulation with a member of the opposite sex.

The Catholic Church issues guidelines on sexual practices, because such faculty has been instituted by God for the perpetuation of the human race, not specifically for pleasure. So the Church considers masturbation as a practice that is grievously and intrinsically disordered (see document – Declaration of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith concerning certain questions of sexual ethics, December 29, 1975, no. 9). Several texts from St. Paul show us how sexual immoralities may impede us from entrance to heaven. “When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: fornication, gross indecency and sexual irresponsibility; idolatry and sorcery; feuds and wrangling, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels; disagreements, factions, envy; drunkenness, orgies and similar things. I warn you now, as I warned you before: those who behave like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-22; see also 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Eph. 5:1-20). Remember that when God punished Sodom and Gomorrah the two towns disappeared from the map (see Gen. 19). As St. Paul says in Heb. 10:31, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” If we look for victory in our world, it is because we endeavor to be on the side of truth, while the “devil is a murderer and the father of lies and deception” (see Jn. 8:44).

Sensitive but True

2010-12-18T10:33:00.000+08:00

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

2010-11-25T10:04:00.002+08:00

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

2010-11-22T06:29:00.001+08:00

(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

2010-11-20T06:30:00.001+08:00

(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

2010-11-19T14:18:00.000+08:00

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

2010-11-16T10:11:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-11-06T22:26:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-11-02T15:54:00.000+08:00

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?

2010-10-31T04:57:00.000+08:00

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?

2010-10-16T08:51:00.001+08:00

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

2010-10-12T06:11:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-10-08T07:19:00.001+08:00

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

2010-09-30T05:35:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-09-27T05:16:00.001+08:00

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

2010-09-23T06:19:00.000+08:00

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

2010-09-18T02:25:00.001+08:00

(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?

2010-09-15T11:25:00.001+08:00

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

2010-09-05T22:02:00.001+08:00

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

2010-09-01T08:19:00.001+08:00

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

2010-08-25T08:18:00.001+08:00

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

2010-08-19T06:19:00.000+08:00

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

2010-08-16T20:21:00.001+08:00

(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

2010-08-15T05:52:00.000+08:00

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

2010-08-14T10:04:00.001+08:00

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

2010-08-12T08:35:00.001+08:00

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

2010-08-08T17:36:00.001+08:00

(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?

2010-08-03T16:18:00.001+08:00

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

2010-07-31T21:37:00.001+08:00

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?

2010-07-22T17:33:00.001+08:00

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

2010-07-06T11:38:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-07-03T11:37:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-06-27T21:37:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-06-17T23:13:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-06-12T11:36:00.001+08:00

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

2010-06-10T12:01:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-06-02T22:57:00.000+08:00

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

2010-05-31T09:32:00.000+08:00

(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

2010-05-29T14:49:00.001+08:00

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

2010-05-17T23:34:00.001+08:00

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).

Empowerment of the Laity

2010-05-17T10:49:00.000+08:00

This growing phenomenon of the Laity’s empowerment came as fruit of Vatican II Council 1962-1965. We began to see the sprouting of the basic ecclesial communities where the laity was given more active voice and participation in liturgy and the proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and Savior. It could be a normal evolution of what is really innate in the initiating sacrament of baptism when through this very sacrament, we partake of Jesus’ role as priest, prophet and king. “Go into the whole world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15).

The recent canonical process for the beatification of John Henry Cardinal Newman (1801-1890) of England only shows the timeliness of the move for increased involvement of the laity, always within the bounds of legitimate discipline allowed by Church Canon Law. Cardinal Newman was espousing such idea much ahead of his time. The treatises of the Apostle Paul, that the Church is one body of Christ clearly confirms how much we need to listen to our lay brothers and sisters in Christ for the sake of greater harmony and progress in the Church. “Just as a human body - so it is with Christ. In the one Spirit we were all baptized, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as citizens, and one Spirit was given to us all to drink” (cf. 1 Cor. 12:13). The Church too recognizes what we call magisterium ordinarium, i.e. the daily usual uniform teachings of the Catholic Church is protected from error by God’s ever abiding Spirit. You will therefore see from historicity that the present fundamental teachings of the Catholic faith are basically the same as those from the very beginning of Christianity. This is the fruit of the combined evangelizing work of both clergy/religious and lay people, and there are prominent saints in all categories and groupings of society. Today too we find zealous and fervent Christians in different social sectors. True indeed: “the spirit blows wherever it pleases” (Jn. 3:8). In the Church, as the one body of Christ, each one has a role to play. Hence, we understand why St. Paul commented” It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church” (Col. 1:24).

Christus Vincit

2010-05-15T19:49:00.000+08:00

The expression above – Christus Vincit (translated: Christ is victorious), only indicates the continuing victory of Jesus, as He himself predicted: “In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world” (Jn. 16:33).

The truths and teachings of Jesus are all based on facts, signs and miracles open to all. Even the promise made to St. Peter, the first pope, is realized in actual history: “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).

Since the teachings of Jesus, being spread through the evangelizing mission of the Church, are based on truth and facts, no wonder then that it leads to continuing and ultimate victory. After all, people are after the ultimate reality, that is, eternal salvation. Just as in business, people are after the real thing to their satisfaction, as once said – the customer is always right; so too in the real world people seek the truth, the sources of grace, the ultimate reality, the doctrines based on truth and facts, and accompanied by supernatural approbation of signs and miracles proven beyond doubt. The Bible’s words confirm the evangelizing work of the Church, saying: “And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: there at the right hand of God he took his place, while they, going out, preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it” (Mk. 16:18-20). Throughout the moral controversies of our world, it is the truth that will come out victorious. Jesus is the “way, the truth and the life” (Jn. 14:6). Amid confusion, ignorance, diversity and deception, people seek a guarantee of the truth and their ultimate salvation. Based on fact, not just on hearsay. For example, the Resurrection of Jesus is based on fact and many witnesses.

Evils in Pornography

2010-05-09T06:54:00.001+08:00

Since the arrival of the Internet and the continuing media development there is no doubt that pornography (the depiction of bold images) has infiltrated the minds of people, both young and old. What is unfortunate is its exploitation for lucrative purposes without any regard for the good of society or possible scandal to the young. Besides having an addicting effect on people’s minds, it’s such a waste of time when the concerned individual loses control of self. At the bottom line what is being violated is what St. Paul wrote to Timothy: “The love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Tim. 6:10). This principle is also being violated in many categories of social life when people lack the consideration for the common good of the human person, just because they want to make money. This shows a lack of trust in God’s ever faithful providence which always cares, so long we do our duties to God and the fellow men and women.

In the face of this invasion of pornographic images, here and there, open to the public gaze, we have only to rely on God and His grace amid the tempting circumstances of our day, in the worsening of public morals. Let us remember what St. Paul advices in this same first letter to Timothy. He wants us to rely on prayer and God’s word. You must have heard the saying – “Prayer will make us leave off sinning or sinning will make us leave off prayer.” It’s true as God’s creation, reality is good, nature is good. It is man who perverts God’s designs, since in us still remain the vestiges or weaknesses of original sin, the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve. But God’s redeeming grace comes to us in our Savior, Jesus Christ. We may apply here the advice of St. Paul to Timothy: “Everything God created is good, and no food is to be rejected, provided grace is said for it: the word of God and the prayer make it holy” (1 Tim.: 4:4). We must do away with the debased uses of the pornography of our day to corrupt the young, the pedophilia, the traffic of women and minors, the desire to exploit human weakness and the natural curiosity and attraction between male and female, and the natural beauty of the human body.

Apprehensive or Defensive

2010-05-05T21:21:00.001+08:00

(The Search for Truth)

In the matter of world religions which do have various differences, in today’s era we are approaching the trend of dialogue. After all, the truth is for the benefit of all men and women, therefore we ought to be open to dialogue and sharing truth and good ideas with one another. We know there are some so closed and fearful to dialogue. We must help one another find the truth. “It is the truth that sets us free” (Jn. 8:32), whether it is in this or that category of human living. Let’s not forget that the search for truth is everyone’s obligation since on it depends our eternal salvation or eternal perdition. Precisely the devil’s stratagem is intent on deceiving us with false earthly promises and attractions.

If you have the truth, why will you be so defensive or apprehensive other ideas or truths may enter. They are for your benefit and progress if they are of the truth. Let’s not forget the nature of a lie – a lie is a half truth. So we all have the obligation to search for the complete truth. This too is important since God is a God of truth (cf. Is. 65:16). The devil is a murderer and the father of lies (cf. Jn. 8:44). In the book of Revelation this is how heaven is being described: “I saw that there was no temple in the city since the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were themselves the temple, and the city did not need the sun or the moon for light since it was lit by the radiant glory of God and the Lamb was a lighted torch for it. 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. 21:22-27). So let’s endeavor to be sincere and true to ourselves from the very start since God Almighty knows our very inmost thoughts, desires and actions.

The Table of Life

2010-05-04T21:28:00.001+08:00

A likely comparison to our world perspective is looking at it as if it were a table wherein humans participate. In the first pages of the Bible where creation is narrated, God decreed that man “be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28). It would not be right therefore that our focus be controlling the guests to the table of life rather than multiplying the food and other resources for the good of man, to make him or her exemplary citizens of the earth and future citizens of God’s eternal kingdom in heaven.

In fact in the Bible’s New Testament, the Savior constantly talks of putting our trust in God, saying: “Why keep on worrying about food to eat or clothes to wear; life is more important than food and the body, more than clothing. Look at the birds of the air or the flowers in the field; the birds do not sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father takes care of them. Even of the flowers which never have to work or spin, God takes care of them and they are more beautiful than the best regalia of king Solomon. If that is how God takes care of the birds in the sky and the flowers in the fields, how much more of you, you people of little faith? Rather seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be given you as well. Do not worry about tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Mt. 6:25-34). St Teresa talks of actual facts when she comments thus: ‘The Lord took care of us in the past, up to now He cares for us, therefore there is no reason to doubt He will take care of us in the future.’

The reason for the comparison is because I heard from a Bishop talking about situations in our world where they did not heed the voice of the Church against the use of artificial contraceptives and abortion, he observed that in the big gatherings of the people, instead of hearing the usual cries of babies, mostly it was the coughing of the old, men or women. In the Tagalog song – Hiram sa Diyos ang aking Buhay, part of the text says: “Ligaya ko nang ako’y isilang ‘pagkat tao ay mayroong dangal” (My joy to be born because I was given a chance to live and to be loved). So Jesus tells us, as we give chance to guests of life’s table: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:25).

What Leads to Peace?

2010-04-30T19:01:00.000+08:00

As we dedicate time and efforts to dialogue on peace and how to obtain peace in our land, we must try to find the answer to the above query: What leads to peace? I remember the age-old Latin proverb which I heard quoted by the late Archbishop Alberto Piamonte of Jaro, Iloilo, an expert canonist or one well-versed in Canon Law: Ideae regunt mundum (translate: It is ideas that rule the world). If the prevalent ideas ruling in a group or community are ideas of envy, revenge, hatred or suspicion, ambition and greed for material gains and pleasures, we may always have sparks of trouble here and there. But if people are guided by the "truth that sets us free", then we may enjoy more lasting peace and tranquility.

Let's consider the ideas irrespective of where they come from so long they are true. Partisan prejudices (even religious) can cloud our minds from the truth. Think about the validity of the ideas that follow.

Such for example: "Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that is the meaning of the Law and the Prophets" (Mt. 7:12). "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, if he is thirsty, let him drink. Thus you heap red-hot coals on his head. Resist evil and conquer it with good" (Rom. 12:18). "If you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either" (Mt. 6:14-15). Shall we not open our eyes to consider the consequences of the conflicts: waste of lives, the evacuations, the tears of mothers and children, the anguish of people in distress, just because some want to vent their anger and hatred on fellow human beings. Listen then to the words of wisdom: "What 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). The value of life is unique, sacred and priceless. Is it worth multiplying the loose, unlicensed firearms that become the tools of death? "Love does no harm to the neighbor; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments" (Rom. 13:10). "The time has come: you must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer than it was when we were converted. The night is almost over, it will be daylight soon-- Let us give up all the things we prefer to do under cover of the dark let us arm ourselves and appear in the light. Let us live decently as people in the daytime: no drunken orgies, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no jealousy. Let your armor be the Lord Jesus Christ; forget about satisfying your bodies with all their cravings" (Rom. 13:11-14). Look at the scenario of the world. Can there every be peace if we don't ever learn the virtue of forgiveness? When will we ever learn?

Humility and Happiness

2010-04-28T19:26:00.000+08:00

a happiness formula)

For the occasion of the Year of the Priest, June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010, Archbishop Fernando Capalla of Davao gave us a copy of a litany of humility for everyone, composed by Cardinal Merry del Val. It describes certain aspects of humility which corroborate the statements of Jesus for our benefit: "Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted" (Lk. 18:14); "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving" (Acts 20:35). Perhaps this could help counteract that spirit of envy or resentment that shows unhappiness at others' achievements. They term that as "crab mentality" in the pejorative sense, like crabs pulling down others climbing up. The right attitude is "to rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow" (Rom. 12:15). Of course, the lasting happiness is that experienced by Jesus and the saints who follow His way: "Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted. Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they shall be comforted....Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right: theirs is the kingdom of heaven...(Mt. 5:5, 10); "Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce you as criminal, on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets" (Lk. 6:23).

Herewith the Litany of Humility for Everyone: (composed by Cardinal Merry del Val who often recited it after the celebration of the Holy Mass). Since love and humility are God's spiritual gifts, it is incorporated in a litany prayer asking it from the Lord Jesus who had 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. 7:7).
Litany of Humility for Everyone

O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus grant me the grace to desire it
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus grant me the grace to desire it .
That others become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.

Artificial Contraceptives

2010-04-27T15:34:00.000+08:00

With the RH Bill issues connected to the stand of several politicians running on these Philippine elections 2010, the contraceptive controversy has gained the forefront. The stand of the Church has been clear since the issuance of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae (on Human Life) of Pope Paul Vi, in 1968. Just as today the minds of people tend to revert to natural cures (or as close to nature) as remedy for sicknesses (vis-a-vis side effects of artificial medications), so also it seems the Church favors the responsible parenthood, only through natural ways of self-control, not the artificial devices of contraception. The production of such devices has become a booming business, that is what has accentuated the issue since money is involved here. The Church favors respect for life, the first right of man, over such other considerations, much more so, since the issue is very much connected to the morality of sex, family, and the purity of morals. The corruption comes in, precisely, since "the love of money is the root of all evils" (1 Tim. 6:10). It does bespeak a lack of trust in God's care when we hear the "lumang tugtugin - matiwas ang caldero ko dahil sa kahirapan ng buhay" (life is so harsh and I will barely have enough to eat, literally translated: "my kettle will be turned upside down for lack of food to cook."

At the beginning of creation: "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). To follow God's will, let us choose the candidates who have a deep respect for life. Rather than limit the guests to the table of life, we must rather increase the resources of food, clothing, and shelter so we may have better citizens of the earth and future citizens of our final destiny of heaven with God and His saints, in our true and final home.

Condemned?

2010-04-20T22:35:00.000+08:00

Is it that important to believe in Jesus, if He is the truth. Evidently. If He shows the true way to God’s kingdom, it must be extremely important to believe in Him. Belief in the sense of doing or acting in accord with His word and example. At least let’s be sincere in finding out and searching the truth in all sincerity. Why? Because ultimate salvation might depend on that. Specially since He has shown by word and deed His divine powers, through clear signs and miracles that only God can do. A normal person will proceed by the evidence of deeds and facts, as the principle states: Contra factum non valet argumentum (translate: You do not argue against clear facts.)

“God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned; but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already because he has refused to believe in the name of God’s only Son” (Jn. 3:18). Shall we not follow that person who in His word and deed only manifests love, truth, purity and justice? Are we not afraid of eternal condemnation? At least let us be true and sincere in humbly searching for the truth. The truth will set us free (cf. Jn. 8:32). Time is too short to waste, especially in the matter concerning our eternal salvation. God is infinitely merciful, compassionate and just. Even so, we can never abuse of such Divine Mercy by ever postponing our conversion. It must be here and now. “If today you hear his voice harden not your hearts, as at Meribah and Massah in the wilderness” (Ps. 94:8). Presumption of God’s mercy is one of the unforgivable sins against the Holy Spirit about which Jesus has sternly warned us (cf. Mt. 12:32). We must trust, but not abuse God’s mercy.

A Matter of Pride

2010-04-17T23:11:00.000+08:00

Pride would be at the root of the violent contentions in our world. Yes, pride and worldly interests. The fitting disposition would be to adopt the position of humility that allows space and freedom to others for development, success and reputation. We must avoid that monopoly that desires everything for oneself which was the mindset of dictators in the past who committed such ghostly massacres of numberless lives (1 mean by the millions).

We have therefore to shun such attitudes of ambition, envy or hate, and be willing to undergo humiliation, contempt or ridicule for the sake of peace. Let's do away with the crab mentality that desires others' downfall, but rather let us show happiness at others' success or achievements. This would be following an attitude that gives a chance for the truth to prove itself amid an air of freedom and democracy that respects others' rights and opinions. Let us follow the advice of Gamaliel that is narrated at the Acts of the Apostles.
as follows.

"So they brought them (the Apostles) in and made them stand before the Council and the High Priest questioned them. 'We gave you strict orders not to preach such a Savior; but you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend charging us with the killing of this man.' To this Peter and the apostles replied, 'Better for us to obey God rather than any human authority! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus whom you killed by hanging him on a wooden post. God set him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses to all these things, as well as the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.' When the Council heard this, they became very angry and wanted to kill them. 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 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 5:27-42).

Truth Sets Free

2010-04-15T19:28:00.000+08:00

(Jn. 8:32)

As we look at the violent chaos in different parts of our world, we begin to wonder, and ask the question: why? The answer must delve deeper. Is the violence inside us or outside us?

Let’s examine a grain of truth in that Spanish proverb: Tu enemigo peor eres tu (translate: You are your own worst enemy). We keep pointing accusing fingers at others when the fault and problem lies within ourselves. Jesus said so: “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 own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:1-5).

Sometimes people make lots of fuss about the kinds of food we eat. Jesus answers that problem in the gospel of Matthew: “He called the people to him and said, ‘Listen and understand. What goes into the mouth does not make a man unclean; it is what comes out of the mouth that makes him unclean…. Can you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes through the stomach and is discharged into the sewer? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and it is these that make a man unclean. For from the heart come evil intentions: murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, slander. These are the things that make a man unclean. But to eat with unwashed hands does not make a man unclean’” (Mt. 15:10-20). These evil intentions and hatred in your heart cause all the trouble in the world, the evacuation problems, the needless loss of precious lives, the human rights violations, and in the end will bring us, if we do not repent, to the eternal fires of hell.

Life is a Battle

2010-04-14T19:30:00.000+08:00

God’s word relates that life is a battle. “Blessed be Yahweh, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle….” (Ps. 144:1). But this is mainly a battle against the Devil and his angels. Since Satan has been permanently excluded from the heavenly bliss, he wants to bring as many as possible to his kingdom, which is the hell fire of everlasting torment and punishments (cf. Rv. 12:7-17). The very finality of each and every person is either heaven or hell. Yes it’s true there are 4 last things: death, judgment, hell or heaven. But the very last, depending on your conduct is either eternal punishment in hell or eternal bliss in heaven. Find this out for yourself by reading Mt. 25:31-46, before it’s too late. In that part of the Bible Jesus shows who will be rewarded or punished eternally, that is, who goes to heaven or to hell.

Earthly life is constant battle against temptations from within and without. The devil makes use of our pride and vanity to tempt us to worldliness. So Jesus warns us: “What 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 soul?” (Mt. 16:26).

Doing battle also means using the right strategy. It’s different from facing a lion or a dog, because in such case, if you run away the dog or lion will run after you and bite you. In the spiritual battle of fighting off temptations to sin, the strategy to win relies on prayer, the sacraments, and God’s word. Meditating on God’s word will surely bring many benefits to the soul. Jesus has assured us: “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4). Some saints, like St. Alphonsus, had said you have only to blame yourself if you get to Hell of eternal fire since God in His mercy has provided for the means of repentance and conversion, if you ask for it sincerely, seek for it sincerely, knock for it sincerely. “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. &:7-12). God’s word cannot lie nor be mistaken. We need the graces that are the fruits of prayer, meditation on God’s word and the Sacraments to strengthen us against temptation. “Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things” (1Pt. 5:8). The Lord Jesus had said—“The truth shall set you free” (Jn. 8:32). Consider therefore the triviality and transient nature of all things in the world and learn the eternal truths. With the help of prayer and grace you may come to realize the grain of truth in the sentence: When you reach the bottom you have only to go up. Of course this implies the attitude of being humble and therefore more considerate and kind towards others, more understanding, and happy at the success of others. “The Lord Jesus Himself said: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving” (Acts 20:35). Is there reason to be proud of earthly beauty or virility? There’s a food for thought from that Spanish rhymed expression: hoy en figura, mañana en sepulture (today a figure of beauty, tomorrow in the grave). There’s no room for pride in the passing things of earth that blossom today and vanish as quickly like a delusion. So God’s word keeps on convincing us to be humble and rely on God. “If you live in the shelter of Elyon and make your home in the shadow of Shaddai, you can say to Yahweh, “My refuge, my fortress, my God in whom I trust!” (Ps. 91:1-2). “Happy the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners, nor sits in the company of the insolent, but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night. He is like a tree that is planted by water streams, yielding its fruit in season, its leaves never fading; success attends all he does. It is nothng like this with the wicked, nothing like this!” (Ps. 1:1-4).

Are All Religions the Same?

2010-04-09T06:03:00.000+08:00

Some express as if all religions were just the same so as to be accommodating and appear permissive. But such an attitude does a disservice to the truth. Surely “the truth sets us free” (Jn. 8:32). But to water down the truth and say all religions are the same is tantamount to saying there is nothing true at all. Just like that Spanish saying that runs like this: “amigo de todos, amigo de ninguno” (friend of all, friend of none). If you consider some as your friends, it’s because they are familiar and in good relations with you.

In the world we have to be persistent seekers of the truth. Why? Because the devil who is a murderer and the father of lies (Jn. 8:44) keeps on working with his many agents to bring as many as possible to hell, which is a place of endless woe, despair, and punishment. Amid the confusion and distractions of our world we must learn to be discerning and have a critical mind in constant search for what is truly good, right and just in opposition to the agents of the devil who keep on twisting the truth. That’s a false statement to say – all religions are the same. What is truthful is that we have to respect man’s conscience and freedom to search for the truth. The first letter of St. Peter, the first pope, says: “Be calm but vigilant, because your enemy the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, looking for someone to eat. Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that your brothers all over the world are suffering the same things. You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will see that all is well again: he will confirm, strengthen and support you. His power lasts forever and ever. Amen (1 P.5:8-11). We have to constantly be in search of where and what is the truth since you cannot say that even if there are conflicting statements all of them are true. Let us respect the freedom of every person to seek for the truth.

The Worries of Today

2010-04-08T13:02:00.000+08:00

We need to re-focus our minds so as not to be burdened by the distressful worries of our day that only affect our health. And worrying much will not solve the problems, like the bills to pay, the food to buy, the clothes we need, the relationships we need to mend. Jesus invites us to a solution. And where is that re-focusing? He says: "Come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28). Is it necessary to worry? The Bible says: "Unload your burden on to Yahweh and he will support you; he will never permit the virtuous to falter" (Ps. 55:22; 1P 5:7). Of course, instead of worrying, do what you can, leave the rest to God.

Common sense may tell us this common proverb: "If you can do it, why worry; if you can't do it, why worry." The refocusing we need rather means trusting in God fully and endeavoring with all our might to seek to keep His will (cf> Mt. 6:33). Just be true to yourself and consider whether you are God's servant or a slave to money, worldly pleasures and things of the world. If you are God's servant, seek to do His will with all your heart, in the simple sincerity of a little child (cf. Mk. 10:15, Mt. 18:3).

The Approach of Faith

2010-04-06T16:18:00.000+08:00

Some put on airs as if they were bright and knowledgeable of mysteries but then they miss the point and lose their faith or true knowledge. Even in the matter of knowledge in the world there is need of humility to listen and obey, how much more as regards the mysteries and secrets of God’s kingdom. One related the story of a monk who had a visitor intent on learning the secrets of a life that is truthful. As he poured coffee liberally into the cup of his visitor, the coffee spilled from the cup. The monk told the visitor “That’s your first lesson.” In order to learn you have to be like an empty cup ready to receive the pouring of water, otherwise you will not learn much when you believe you already have all the answers. Then you will fall into that pitiable feature of a proud person – a “little knowledge is dangerous”. The truly wise person is willing to listen since he knows there is still so much to learn.

Jesus has clearly outlined the approach to faith. It does not mean a total absence of signs or motivations but rather as expressed several times by our Lord, it is an attitude of sincerity and simplicity as of a little child. “’I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ Then he put his arms round them, laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing” (Mk. 10:15); refer also to Mt. 18:3 and Lk. 18:17. Such should be our attitude to the life and miracles of our Savior Jesus Christ. St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, the only priest stigmatist, once spoke to a certain convert of his, Federico Abresch: “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.” You can see therefore in world history how those who prided themselves in their knowledge of the world were not able to grasp the divine truths and teachings of Jesus and His Church in spite of the miracles He had performed by His divine power. The culminating miracle in His life was His Crucifixion and Resurrection from the dead, a fact witnessed by hundreds of people, which goes to prove the way of Jesus as the way of love, truth and goodness. Hence St. Paul in the letter to the Corinthians describes love as: humble, patient and forgiving (cf. 1 Cor. 13: 4-13).

Does God Provide?

2010-04-01T15:01:00.000+08:00

The language of non-believers and the worldly is usually negative with respect to God’s merciful care for humans. They keep on talking of overpopulation and food shortages plus a thousand other mixed problems. But when the Son of God, Jesus, came to our world, He indicated the clear facts to us. “Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father takes care of them. How much more of you, are you not worth much more than they? And why worry about clothing? Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you men of little faith? 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 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 trouble of its own” (Mt. 6:25-34).

Even the great Carmelite mystic, St. Teresa of Avila, expresses a fact --“God took care of us in the past, till this very moment he has taken care of us, therefore there is no doubt he will take care of us in the future.” Trust in God is a reality. God is alive. Yet he works His miracles when we deeply and sincerely trust in Him. So He says in Mk. 9:24: “Everything is possible for anyone who has faith” - and in Mk. 11:24 “I give you my word, if you are ready to believe that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you.” Many people have found this statement true based on their true and sincere faith in God and deep personal experience.

Psalm 33:16 expresses the deep trust in God thus: “A large army will not keep a king safe, nor does the hero escape by his great strength; it is delusion to rely on the horse for safety, for all its power it cannot save. But see how the eye of Yahweh is on those who fear him, on those who rely on his love, to rescue their souls from death and keep them alive in famine.”

The Big Issue

2010-03-22T15:15:00.001+08:00

When God created the world, of the things He created man was the masterpiece, as the Scriptures record: "God said, 'Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild beasts, and all the reptiles that crawl upon the earth'. God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them" (Gen. 1:26-27). "God blessed them, saying to them, 'Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it" (Gen. 1:28).

God's plan therefore in its normal course is that man be "fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and conquer it" (Gen. 1:28). You violate such design when you block the normal course of conception and birth by contraceptive devices and abortion which the RH Bill promotes or facilitates. Don't you see that if contraception and abortion are thoroughly implemented in any place, population is heading towards self-extinction and destruction. Note places in the world where the older ones are increasing while the younger generations are disappearing. That is the main issue wny the Church goes against the use of the contraceptive devices and abortion because it forms part of the ugly face of the culture of death. Such is not mercy or love when you block the possibility of new life by preventing conception or terminating human life at the incipient stage just because of worries regarding poverty, overpopulation, lack of educational facilities or other commodities in life. The Lord surely provides for our needs, if we do our part in respecting and helping one another.

God's word is infallible: "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 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 trouble of its own" (Mt. 6:25-34).

The Hamas Incident

2010-03-18T09:45:00.000+08:00

At a time when we are all aspiring for peace in our world we can do no better than be objective in our examination of statements and facts. The son of a Hamas founder, Mosab Hassan Yousef, after spying for Israel , converted to Christianity, affirming that “Islam is a religion that teaches people to kill.” You find the whole story in the daily newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 5, 2010 issue, at the section covering World news—page A26. He likewise added some strong statements like: “it is not a religion of peace….the more you follow the steps of the prophet of Islam and the God of Islam, the more you get close to being a terrorist.”

In the face of the preceding comments let’s just observe the facts without getting angry or reacting negatively. We observe the deaths and victims of war and brutalities. You heard the Latin proverb that states Contra factum non valet argumentum (You cannot argue against facts). After all, we are only aspiring for peace to save precious lives. We want to bring peace to our world. Islam and Christianity are the biggest world religions. As the person, Mosab Hassan Yousef said: “To be honest with you, being killed is not the worst thing that can happen….If they want to kill me…let them do it, and they will be responsible for my blood.” His purpose of the exposé is to prevent more deaths in the enmities and hostilities continuing between Israelis and Palestinians. At this juncture, we ought to remember the advice of the late Pope John Paul II whose prophetic words can only show how important is Jesus’ rule of forgiveness. John Paul II had emphasized this at an international dialogue between all religions at Assisi , Italy . There can be no peace without justice, but there can be no justice without forgiveness.

We must wonder why he converted to Christianity. What are his honest reasons. Let us at least investigate if he is telling the truth. After all Jesus had said: “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened for you. Because everyone who asks always receives, everyone who seeks always finds, everyone who knocks will always have the door opened to him” (Mt. 7:7). People can make mistakes. Let us only try to correct and right whatever wrongs we may have made. Only God does not make mistakes or commit a wrong act.

A Misunderstood Angle

2010-03-15T12:14:00.000+08:00

(Culture of life vs. culture of death)

It does seem misunderstood, the position of the Church against contraceptive devices and abortion. The people and the legislators who push for the RH Bill that is open to such contraceptives and to abortion don’t seem to see our point. The position of the Church is precisely protecting the sacredness of life, even at its very initial stage of conception, plus protecting the potential life or possibility of life from any artificial blockages that hinder the merging of the male sperm and female ovum that normally would result in the conception of a human fetus. This is going against the very course of nature as God intended it at the time of creation. “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it” (Gen. 1:28).

Where is the morality here? They keep on talking about problems of overpopulation, poverty, lack of classrooms, health problems of people, etc. But with all those problems, that doesn’t give you the right to terminate actual life or prevent the emergence of potential life. If everybody does so, that will lead to the extinction of the human race. Just open your eyes at places where the contraceptive mentality is rampantly implemented. Mostly you will see old people. That is why Europe in recent or modern times was being described – “the graying of Europe ”. Since the very start the Catholic Church has been opposed to the use of artificial contraceptives, most of which are abortifacient. And more so, from the time of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae (1968) of Pope Paul VI. That is not just, as some legislators tend to suppose, a stand of some conservative members of the Church, but the very official stand and teaching of the Catholic Church, because she stands for life – the first right of man.

We realize of course the temptation towards corruption and bribery, considering that sexual licentiousness has ever been a temptation to man and that produces a market for those devices that serve to hide immoralities or even marital infidelities. Hence you must have heard of money offers under the table, plus it does seem strategy of the bigger nations to control booming population of the third world.