Sunday, August 30, 2015

Health care monitor


As we grow older truly was it said in an ancient people’s expression: ‘Gaudeamus igitur juvenes dum sumus. Post jucundam juventutem, post molestam senectutem nos habebit humus.’ (Let’s rejoice while we are young, after a joyful youth, comes the cumbersome old age and after that we go back to the earth.)  Naturally as we grow older there are age-related ailments, like the plaques or cholesterol that hinder the nerve and veins causing blocks that affect circulation of the blood and the nervous system, resulting in paralysis and strokes.  Meantime, preventives are encouraged to avert the fatal happenings since how true indeed ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’  Moreover, we must not forget an overall principle, necessary as ever for all health aspects: “Work well and rest well.” But above all, “trust in the Lord” (Prv. 20:22).

If you observe how prices have soared in the health care business, this becomes the reason for the poor people to seek the natural remedies that were passed on to them from herbalists who observed the way animals look for remedies for bodily problems.  There is also one possible reason.  The chemicals or Western medicines were extracted from nature then processed, so at times these might be too strong or could have side effects.  Even professional doctors have acknowledged the truth of herbal discoveries after seeing the lengthy lives of those making use of remedies.  We cannot, of course, deny the advances of modern medicine without belittling the discoveries of ancient lore about herbal remedies, which is the way the primitive tribes survived.  We can perhaps analyze why one reputable doctor (Dr. William Donald Kelly, D.D.S., M.S.) had said: “There are only two Physicians—the Almighty and your own body.”

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Truth - craving

Deep down the mystifying intricacies and knotty complexities of this earthly life, amid the seductive, sinful allurements of the modern times, lies the deep craving of the human heart for the truth.  This inner yearning may surface as one confronts and rises from the inescapable errors and failings inherent to a fallen wounded humanity. 

Most probably, the great St. Paul and St. Augustine showed such a sincere quest in their hearts as they sought for an answer to the mystery of salvation.  We know of the background of their lives, as St. Paul at first fiercely persecuted the Church, and St. Augustine had a wayward youth history.  Hence, what the Lord had said is something true, basic and infallible, since God’s word can’t lie nor be mistaken.  “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock, and the door shall be opened for 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).

Nonetheless, the heart must remain sincere in its venture of seeking for the truth.  This goes to explain the evidence of conversion that happened to the great personalities of our faith, as a St. Paul, a St. Augustine and all the saints for that matter, with the help of God’s merciful grace given to the truthful hearts. 

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Corrupted bureaucracy

Jesus had already spoken that persons in public office ought to realize they are in positions of service, not of power – “Think of the Son of Man who has not come to be served but to serve and to give his life to redeem many” (Mt. 10:45).  This is manifested especially when officials see to it that projects and activities reach the finishing line, without their being after base again.

Corruption means that items don’t get done because energies or monies are being spent where they should not be, or at most, are not given restitution, in case they are borrowed or stolen.  An old Chinese saying goes: ‘If all the civil officials are not greedy for ill-gotten gain and armed officers are not afraid of death in fighting for their country, the nation will prosper’.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Opium of the people

                                                                                         
Karl Marx said that religion is the opium of the people.  Let’s look at the facts; facts do not lie.  What did he  do?  After teaching communism, being as he was a German, what happened, when the Germans lost the war. The Soviet communists divided Germany into what it is now—East and West.  And why did Mao Tse Tung say communism advances by the barrel of the gun?  Is the use of force and threat a sign of freedom?  Is it bravery to rely on force and threat as a sign of freedom?  Is it bravery to rely on force, pressure and arms of war?  George Herbert said: ‘War is death’s feast.’  Is that what we intend to give to our people?  A peaceful cemetery?  What did the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley fancy when he wrote:  ‘War is the stateman’s game, the priest’s delight, the lawyer’s jest, the hired assassin’s trade.’

Religion teaches our people to love one another (Jn. 13:34).  It teaches harmony.  Is that what communists call the opium of the people?  We should not act like wolves fighting to get to the prey.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Word-giving analysis


Many do not see how true Jesus was when He said: “According to the measure you extend to others, the same shall come back to you, overflowing” (Lk. 6:38).  And why He said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

The best illustration I could give is a fruit-bearing tree.  See how a generous tree, giving delicious fruit is highly prized by the people. Its seeds are planted to obtain other similar ones.  But the selfish tree that gives no fruit because it says that people do not treat it well, the more she is neglected or cut down for giving no fruit.  The same happens to people who just keep on complaining yet produce no active works to help our people.  They do pure lip-service.  We must learn to analyze well.  Most people who are good at talking and criticizing have not really done much to help other people.  Wouldn’t this be a better world if time was wisely spent in actions towards improvement of self and humanity rather than in mumbling words that would only impair good motives and honest intentions.  Let our words bear fruit in Christifying others, and not waste time in crucifying the good name of people who may yet become instruments for evangelization
in the Father’s plan of salvation.