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’.