AUGUST 19, 2010
10. If I had a choice, (this one, I will always have!) I might have not entertained any of my regrets! Kasi, this time I have more courage to set foot on the ground all new to my being! My regrets from the past are "blessings" for my future... I realized: "With God, no regrets!" YAhoooo!... (- end of top 10 regrets list -)
9. If I had a choice, (kaso di na mabawi eh!) I might have inquired about the fare cost from Masinag to Katipunan. Kasi, all those months I paid P16, pero P12 lang pala... (Kapag kulang ang bayad galit ang driver, pero pag labis patay-malisya naman! Madugas ang amfp!)
8. If I had a choice, (kaso wala eh!) I might have not enrolled the courses being taught by boring professors. Kasi sinasabihan ako ng doktor na may "insomnia" pag di makatulog sa gabi! (Ang totoo, I had enough sleep naman during daytime... sa classroom! LOL!)
7. If I had a choice, I might have paid for my SSS contribution 2 years earlier! Kasi sana makakapag LOAN nako ngayong taon, sayang!... (Note: better to avail LOANs than to wait for my pension when I reach 65 yo,. kasi 41 years pa hintayin! Buti yung iba jan, malapit na! haha)
AUGUST 18, 2010
6. If I had a choice, (this one I could have next time) I might have slept earlier. Kasi kung anu-anong pumapasok sa isip ko ngayon... delikado! (Dont get this wrong: "Pleasure is everywhere though... FB is a good souce of it! LOL") It's my choice to go to bed now!
5. If I had a choice (of course, I never had!), I might have named myself "John". Kasi my birthday is St. John's feast day! A holy man! (yung kapangalan man lang ay banal! Kasi yung Julius... asus!)
4. If I had a choice, I might have eaten more squash! Kasi it is very hard to depend on eye glasses! Kahit kaharap na, di pa din nakikita! Losser talaga! (yung iba na nagsusuot ng eye glasses para magpa-cute, sana sila na lang malabo mata! LOL)
3. If I had a choice (certainly, I had!), I might have eaten less and worked out more when I was younger! Kasi mahirap pala pag tumatanda na mataba! Eternal Realization: Diet is a myth!
2. If I had a choice (of course, I had!), I might have not registered myself in this "addictive" FACEBOOK! (booh!) Kasi there is no such thing as "Online Pastoral Year" or "cyber-apostolate"! Presence is always the best!
1. If I had a choice, I might have entered into a Minor Seminary 11 years ago... as young as 12 years old!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
CHASTITY: MY VOCATION
God calls us in different state: in married life, single blessedness, or in celibate life. Celibacy is not for all. It is a particular vocation for those who deemed to follow Christ in the consecrated life. Thus, it is a charism – a gift from God. Furthermore, celibacy is an abstention from sexual relations, or so to say; the state of being unmarried. Particularly, the consecrated persons: priests, nuns, and religious have to be healthy celibates for they are called to be engaged with God and His people alone.
Most of the time, people connects celibacy with the issue of “sex”. This is the very reason why celibacy appears not so pleasing in the modern times. In fact, a very few number of young people are choosing this as their way to sanctity. It is as though many cases of sexual misconduct of the consecrated people can be blamed upon the rising of their idea about sex and the lack of right knowledge of it.
On the other hand, some of the young people are engaged in sexual activities at their early age. They are comfortable in speaking of things regarding their sexual experiences only to their colleagues at their age. Usually, the youth are hesitant to talk about such topics with the authoritative figure who can give them right information about sex and sexuality. It is because they are afraid of reprimands, disciplinary actions, and judgments from authorities like parents and formators. This fear is rooted from the belief that “sex” is bad. It is also true as in the cases of many young candidates to priesthood and even to a few numbers of ordained pastors. This case challenges the Church and its promotion of vocations among the youth. Moreover, it must be clear to the young people that the openness of their mind about sex is not to be faced through trial. They need to be guided to a proper way of understanding their sexuality.
“The consecrated celibacy of the sacred ministers actually manifests the virginal and supernatural fecundity of marriage, by which the children of god are born, not by flesh and blood.” (cf. Pope Paul VI, Sacerdotalis Caelibatus, 24 June 1967) For somebody living out celibacy, it simply means: (1)...that the development of full humanity is more important than genital expression; (2)...that there are more important thing than sexual potency; (3)...that self-transcendence is more fully human than self-fulfillment.
This is the only way to make the ministers of the church healthy celibates. Good thing, the church has opened its doors in addressing this issue. In fact, many formation houses and seminaries are now open to the issues concerning their candidates’ tensions and conflicts in the area of sex and sexuality. In this regard, the formators are duty-bound to pay special attention to this issue by giving their candidates proper information and knowledge.
To be celibate also means to be empty for God, to be free and open for His presence in many people and to be available for His service. Hence, the choice of celibacy is an act of radical rejection of a number of myths that our society holds as facts: (1)…that genital sex is absolutely necessary for a person to be fully human; (2)…that sexual relation is the only way to insure one against loneliness; (3)…that sexual orgasm and experience of sexual intercourse is the only proof of one’s masculinity or femininity; (4)…and that sexual fulfillment is the ultimate purpose of life.
With celibacy, therefore, one guards himself against all irresponsible use of sexual power whether inside of outside marriage, ordained and lay alike. For after all, even married people can also be chaste.
Most of the time, people connects celibacy with the issue of “sex”. This is the very reason why celibacy appears not so pleasing in the modern times. In fact, a very few number of young people are choosing this as their way to sanctity. It is as though many cases of sexual misconduct of the consecrated people can be blamed upon the rising of their idea about sex and the lack of right knowledge of it.
On the other hand, some of the young people are engaged in sexual activities at their early age. They are comfortable in speaking of things regarding their sexual experiences only to their colleagues at their age. Usually, the youth are hesitant to talk about such topics with the authoritative figure who can give them right information about sex and sexuality. It is because they are afraid of reprimands, disciplinary actions, and judgments from authorities like parents and formators. This fear is rooted from the belief that “sex” is bad. It is also true as in the cases of many young candidates to priesthood and even to a few numbers of ordained pastors. This case challenges the Church and its promotion of vocations among the youth. Moreover, it must be clear to the young people that the openness of their mind about sex is not to be faced through trial. They need to be guided to a proper way of understanding their sexuality.
“The consecrated celibacy of the sacred ministers actually manifests the virginal and supernatural fecundity of marriage, by which the children of god are born, not by flesh and blood.” (cf. Pope Paul VI, Sacerdotalis Caelibatus, 24 June 1967) For somebody living out celibacy, it simply means: (1)...that the development of full humanity is more important than genital expression; (2)...that there are more important thing than sexual potency; (3)...that self-transcendence is more fully human than self-fulfillment.
This is the only way to make the ministers of the church healthy celibates. Good thing, the church has opened its doors in addressing this issue. In fact, many formation houses and seminaries are now open to the issues concerning their candidates’ tensions and conflicts in the area of sex and sexuality. In this regard, the formators are duty-bound to pay special attention to this issue by giving their candidates proper information and knowledge.
To be celibate also means to be empty for God, to be free and open for His presence in many people and to be available for His service. Hence, the choice of celibacy is an act of radical rejection of a number of myths that our society holds as facts: (1)…that genital sex is absolutely necessary for a person to be fully human; (2)…that sexual relation is the only way to insure one against loneliness; (3)…that sexual orgasm and experience of sexual intercourse is the only proof of one’s masculinity or femininity; (4)…and that sexual fulfillment is the ultimate purpose of life.
With celibacy, therefore, one guards himself against all irresponsible use of sexual power whether inside of outside marriage, ordained and lay alike. For after all, even married people can also be chaste.
Dialogue: A Common Mission of All Religions
ABSTRACT:
Dialogue with our neighbors of other faiths is the only way we can continue our works of human promotion and human rights. To refuse relationships with other religions is to invite suspicion, enmity and fear. Even if ours is the most noble and humanitarian cause, we cannot expect that all our neighbors of other faiths will perceive it that way.
REALITY:
An interreligious dialogue is often misconceived as intellectual discussions amongst scholars. However, the term could also mean "interreligious relations" or "interreligious cooperation." In other words, what is prescribed is not just about academic discourses but about genuine interactions, relationships and partnerships with other religions. For that to become a reality, the respective players have to take some basic steps. More so, Christian religions must open up to the possibility of an inter-religious dialogue to promote solidarity among religions.
REFLECTION:
Christian religions do not bind in solidarity with other religions is because of superiority complex. Often, Christians think that they are no longer in need of integrating with other faith. The classical adage, “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” turned to be arrogant because the Church itself also needs to be saved. Thus, Christianity must humbly recognize that other faith could also lead the world to salvation for as long as it promotes the values demanded for salvation. More so, unity among all the peoples is necessary because of the belief that all will return to one and the same God, whatever name He might be called.
RESPONSE:
Therefore, it must be regarded that religions are legitimate means of salvation, but that ultimately this salvation is brought about through God’s might through human cooperation. All religions have an equally deep faith. We thus approach every other faith and its adherents reverently through “dialogue“, having God as the absolute center of such relationship which aims at unity and integrity in the area of fraternity, if not in belief. This must be rooted in the conviction that even though religions have varied ways of praising, worshipping, they still adore the same Deity though in different names.
CONCLUSION:
Furthermore, while remaining faithful to the traditions of our respective religions; the Religions in the world have opted to place priority on the dialogue in their mission. For, only through a dialogue will the Religions discover what it means to be truly Religious as well as truly human related to each other. For instance, by way of dialogue, the Church will be able to baptize people in the Jordan of world’s religiousness as well as to pass through the Calvary of world’s poor. Thus, only then will the Church truly inculturate and be able to walk the Emmaus of the world’s cultural matrix as one of her very own. Such is the mission of religions in the world.
Dialogue with our neighbors of other faiths is the only way we can continue our works of human promotion and human rights. To refuse relationships with other religions is to invite suspicion, enmity and fear. Even if ours is the most noble and humanitarian cause, we cannot expect that all our neighbors of other faiths will perceive it that way.
REALITY:
An interreligious dialogue is often misconceived as intellectual discussions amongst scholars. However, the term could also mean "interreligious relations" or "interreligious cooperation." In other words, what is prescribed is not just about academic discourses but about genuine interactions, relationships and partnerships with other religions. For that to become a reality, the respective players have to take some basic steps. More so, Christian religions must open up to the possibility of an inter-religious dialogue to promote solidarity among religions.
REFLECTION:
Christian religions do not bind in solidarity with other religions is because of superiority complex. Often, Christians think that they are no longer in need of integrating with other faith. The classical adage, “extra ecclesiam nulla salus” turned to be arrogant because the Church itself also needs to be saved. Thus, Christianity must humbly recognize that other faith could also lead the world to salvation for as long as it promotes the values demanded for salvation. More so, unity among all the peoples is necessary because of the belief that all will return to one and the same God, whatever name He might be called.
RESPONSE:
Therefore, it must be regarded that religions are legitimate means of salvation, but that ultimately this salvation is brought about through God’s might through human cooperation. All religions have an equally deep faith. We thus approach every other faith and its adherents reverently through “dialogue“, having God as the absolute center of such relationship which aims at unity and integrity in the area of fraternity, if not in belief. This must be rooted in the conviction that even though religions have varied ways of praising, worshipping, they still adore the same Deity though in different names.
CONCLUSION:
Furthermore, while remaining faithful to the traditions of our respective religions; the Religions in the world have opted to place priority on the dialogue in their mission. For, only through a dialogue will the Religions discover what it means to be truly Religious as well as truly human related to each other. For instance, by way of dialogue, the Church will be able to baptize people in the Jordan of world’s religiousness as well as to pass through the Calvary of world’s poor. Thus, only then will the Church truly inculturate and be able to walk the Emmaus of the world’s cultural matrix as one of her very own. Such is the mission of religions in the world.
The God-Problem: Why Does He Allow Natural Disasters?
History would tell us that natural disasters are not new to our country. Year after year, many lives and possessions are being either ruined or sternly affected by successive natural disasters such as earthquake, landslide, hail storm, typhoon, volcanic eruption, and the like - not noting yet their strength, gustiness, or magnitude . When such disasters come, it is not an issue whether you are rich or poor, young or old, man or woman in order to get spared from its force. Nobody draws exempted from its effect.
Our natural pursuit for “order” is innate in us and any chaos is unacceptable, be it in the environment or in other field. This explains why when natural disasters hit us, the situation is found uneasy and people commonly ask - if God loves his creatures, why does He allow natural disasters to hit us? It comes so easy for the people to blame God for the harsh fate of many houses being drowned in mud and flood during typhoons, or the lands covered by lava during volcanic eruptions, or the agricultural areas bunged by loam on the hillside during landslides, and the like adverse effects of calamities. However, people seldom ask themselves of their contribution on such throbbing tragedies brought about by their irresponsible stewardship over the earth. Yes, environmental phenomena will come and we do not have any control over it. But, human beings can lessen its effect.
It is quite significant here to go back to God’s command to human beings in Gen 1:28: “Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over all the living things.” This command speaks of responsibility over the earth which God placed in the hands of human beings. Thus, it carries out the duty to take care of the earth, to make it fruitful and NOT TO ABUSE the environment. Sadly, human beings do the latter, most often than not. When we look around us, we will notice the grave abuses of human beings in the environment. The forest degradation, quarrying and mismanaged wastes speak of it.
However, while many languish because of ruthless effects of the disasters, still many exult for being spared from it. The latter, however, must express their joy not just by mere saying: “Thank you, Lord for sparing us from the calamity.” More so, they must add: “Since you have been kind by sparing us, teach me to be kind too to my brethren who were less fortunate. Allow me to help them, Lord.” Hence, every time when natural calamities take place is an opportune time to lend hands and to share what we preserve with those who were unfortunate enough for not being able to save anything from the disaster. After all, it still pays to re-echo the well-known Filipino song which says: “Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang. Walang sinuman ang namamatay para sa sarili lamang. Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa.” (Nobody lives for himself alone. Nobody perishes for himself alone. All of us are accountable for each other.) If we face disasters and our fellows seem not to care, then that would be the worst disaster that has come our way.
Natural phenomena, therefore, are not purely disastrous. It should not be seen as purely God’s fury that leads human beings to doom due to wickedness. These could also be seen otherwise - as God’s way of uniting the apparently divided Filipino people. Of course, the experience of loss of lives and hardly-earned possessions is painful. But in the long run, we will realize that there is a grace behind loss and a reason why God allows natural disasters: first is the lesson of valuing the environment; the second is the message that despite the development of science and technology, we still do not have full control over everything and thus, we still need God; and the third is to let us relive the spirit that binds us as Filipinos… bayanihan!(helping others in dire need)
Our natural pursuit for “order” is innate in us and any chaos is unacceptable, be it in the environment or in other field. This explains why when natural disasters hit us, the situation is found uneasy and people commonly ask - if God loves his creatures, why does He allow natural disasters to hit us? It comes so easy for the people to blame God for the harsh fate of many houses being drowned in mud and flood during typhoons, or the lands covered by lava during volcanic eruptions, or the agricultural areas bunged by loam on the hillside during landslides, and the like adverse effects of calamities. However, people seldom ask themselves of their contribution on such throbbing tragedies brought about by their irresponsible stewardship over the earth. Yes, environmental phenomena will come and we do not have any control over it. But, human beings can lessen its effect.
It is quite significant here to go back to God’s command to human beings in Gen 1:28: “Fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over all the living things.” This command speaks of responsibility over the earth which God placed in the hands of human beings. Thus, it carries out the duty to take care of the earth, to make it fruitful and NOT TO ABUSE the environment. Sadly, human beings do the latter, most often than not. When we look around us, we will notice the grave abuses of human beings in the environment. The forest degradation, quarrying and mismanaged wastes speak of it.
However, while many languish because of ruthless effects of the disasters, still many exult for being spared from it. The latter, however, must express their joy not just by mere saying: “Thank you, Lord for sparing us from the calamity.” More so, they must add: “Since you have been kind by sparing us, teach me to be kind too to my brethren who were less fortunate. Allow me to help them, Lord.” Hence, every time when natural calamities take place is an opportune time to lend hands and to share what we preserve with those who were unfortunate enough for not being able to save anything from the disaster. After all, it still pays to re-echo the well-known Filipino song which says: “Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang. Walang sinuman ang namamatay para sa sarili lamang. Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa’t isa.” (Nobody lives for himself alone. Nobody perishes for himself alone. All of us are accountable for each other.) If we face disasters and our fellows seem not to care, then that would be the worst disaster that has come our way.
Natural phenomena, therefore, are not purely disastrous. It should not be seen as purely God’s fury that leads human beings to doom due to wickedness. These could also be seen otherwise - as God’s way of uniting the apparently divided Filipino people. Of course, the experience of loss of lives and hardly-earned possessions is painful. But in the long run, we will realize that there is a grace behind loss and a reason why God allows natural disasters: first is the lesson of valuing the environment; the second is the message that despite the development of science and technology, we still do not have full control over everything and thus, we still need God; and the third is to let us relive the spirit that binds us as Filipinos… bayanihan!(helping others in dire need)
Ecumenical Stance: My Comment on the Fact that the Catholic Church has not yet joined the National Council of Churches in Some Countries
Reality:
It was confirmed that in some countries, the local Catholic Church has not yet joined the National Council of Churches. This council is the association of different faith denominations which are aiming at unity and integrity in the area of fraternity, if not in belief. It is rooted in the belief that even though different religions have varied ways of praising, worshipping, they still adore the same Deity though in different names.
Reflection:
It might be possible that the reason why the local Catholic Church in some countries does not join the National Council of Churches is rooted in pride. The leaders of those local Churches think that they are self-sufficient and no longer in need of integrating with other faith. Even history, one can notice such inward attitude of the Catholic Church upon reflecting on the ecclesiological formula of St. Cyprian - outside the Church there is no salvation. According to David Bosch, a missiologist: “The classical Catholic adage, extra ecclesiam nulla salus (“outside the church no salvation”) seemed to have been turned into its opposite –inside the church there is no salvation.”
This assumption is being criticized by the ecumenical conferences in Uppsala (1968) and Bangkok (1973). They say that the Church is arrogant in this expression because the Church itself is also needs to be saved. These conferences proposed that there should be no assumption that salvation is offered to those who are baptized in the Catholic Church alone. Otherwise, the Church might come to be introvert, self-centered and inward-looking.
Another possible reason is the cost of membership in the National Council of Churches. In the favorable note for the Catholic Church, it might also be possible that the membership in NCC is expensive and unaffordable for the local Church.
Response:
The Catholic Church must go back to Jesus Christ. Thus, there is a need to be humble, as Jesus is its model. Hence, the Catholic Church must also recognize that other faith could also lead the world to salvation for as long as it promotes the values demanded by heaven. This is also proposed by the Declaration on Ecumenism of Pope Paul VI: NOSTRA AETATE. Herein, the Catholic Church is being demanded to be united with all people, even with those in different religions. Unity is necessary because of the fact that they will all return to one and the same God.
Therefore, there is nothing wrong if all the local Catholic Churches around the world will join the National Council of Churches.
It was confirmed that in some countries, the local Catholic Church has not yet joined the National Council of Churches. This council is the association of different faith denominations which are aiming at unity and integrity in the area of fraternity, if not in belief. It is rooted in the belief that even though different religions have varied ways of praising, worshipping, they still adore the same Deity though in different names.
Reflection:
It might be possible that the reason why the local Catholic Church in some countries does not join the National Council of Churches is rooted in pride. The leaders of those local Churches think that they are self-sufficient and no longer in need of integrating with other faith. Even history, one can notice such inward attitude of the Catholic Church upon reflecting on the ecclesiological formula of St. Cyprian - outside the Church there is no salvation. According to David Bosch, a missiologist: “The classical Catholic adage, extra ecclesiam nulla salus (“outside the church no salvation”) seemed to have been turned into its opposite –inside the church there is no salvation.”
This assumption is being criticized by the ecumenical conferences in Uppsala (1968) and Bangkok (1973). They say that the Church is arrogant in this expression because the Church itself is also needs to be saved. These conferences proposed that there should be no assumption that salvation is offered to those who are baptized in the Catholic Church alone. Otherwise, the Church might come to be introvert, self-centered and inward-looking.
Another possible reason is the cost of membership in the National Council of Churches. In the favorable note for the Catholic Church, it might also be possible that the membership in NCC is expensive and unaffordable for the local Church.
Response:
The Catholic Church must go back to Jesus Christ. Thus, there is a need to be humble, as Jesus is its model. Hence, the Catholic Church must also recognize that other faith could also lead the world to salvation for as long as it promotes the values demanded by heaven. This is also proposed by the Declaration on Ecumenism of Pope Paul VI: NOSTRA AETATE. Herein, the Catholic Church is being demanded to be united with all people, even with those in different religions. Unity is necessary because of the fact that they will all return to one and the same God.
Therefore, there is nothing wrong if all the local Catholic Churches around the world will join the National Council of Churches.
EMBASSMENT (piece delivered in our homiletics class)
1. ASSERTION:
We should be meek and unassuming at all times.
2. STORY-TELLING:
I was not yet a diocesan seminarian of Imus when I had my first chance to meet the prestigious and well-known bishop of Imus, Msgr. Luis Antonio Tagle, D.D. Not so long ago, I was just hearing his name on the account of his brilliant homilies and peerless teaching skill. Likewise, I see him most often on his television shows. I could hardly forget my longing back then to see Bishop Tagle in person for the simple reason that I never admire anybody the way I admired him.
My desire was realized when I had my exposure program in a parish in Cavite while I was still applying in the diocese. My parish priest was invited by Bishop Tagle for a dinner in a good restaurant to settle some things over the table. Very timely, the priest asked me to accompany him in going out with the bishop. At first, I acted as if I was not willing to join them by saying so many reasons which in fact are all lies. The truth was, even if they don’t invite me, I planned to insist myself in going out with them. That is how I describe my frustration back then to meet my idol. I succeeded, anyway.
The awaited night came. I wore the best clothes in my closet, best pair of shoes in the rack, and sprayed the most expensive perfume that I ever got in my life. I could not draw and well imagine the excitement beaming in me on that moment. My parish priest and I left right away to fetch the bishop in Imus. Upon the Bishop’s boarding, I was on a star-struck that I could no longer speak. When he talked to me, I tried to answer politely anything that he said. I felt so fulfilled and happy until when we arrived in our destination.
At the restaurant, the porters recognized the Bishop right away that they opened the door of the car to warmly welcome him. Thinking that porter will do the same for me, I waited for a moment for them to open the door beside me. But they never did, so I opened the door and got out of the car in my own risk. Jokingly, I told the Bishop of what I thought of but he just laughed. The bishop then was warmly greeted by the people who recognized him. I also smiled and nod my head before the people but they did not mind me. Upon entering the restaurant, Bishop Tagle and my parish priest entered right away without passing over the guard’s safety check. Thinking again that the guard will also let me pass, I followed the Bishop outright. But to my dismay, I was stopped by the guard and was asked to go back to the main door for checking. With disappointment, I said: “I am with Bishop Tagle, why do I have to pass this checkpoint?” and the guard replied with a degrading smile.
I tried hard not to feel bad but I felt so dismayed and just wished that I should have not joined them in that spree. The dismay subsided when we had a dinner over the fine carte du jour and I had a good conversation with my idol whom, I realized, is indeed a brilliant and a simple person. From time to time, other guests in the restaurant are coming close to the Bishop to greet him. But, there was this certain group of not-so-aged people who came to the Bishop for a picture taking. Thinking then that I might get embarrassed if they will not ask me to join them in their picture taking, I excused myself and intended to cope as if going to the wash room. But to my surprise, one of those among the group asked me to stay foot for a while. I said “ok” and I posed with the group ready for the picture taking. I gave my best smile that the camera could capture. Meanwhile, the person whom I thought was the one to take the picture placed the camera on the table and said “You” pointing her fingers to me, “come and take a picture for us!” I did not know how I would react. My joy and smile was changed with cursing face. Well, I still tried to enjoy that humiliating night because of the rare chance to meet my idol. However, that experience made me realize that too much assumptions and pretentions would not always bring out the best upshot.
3. ASSERTION:
Indeed, we should remain meek and unassuming at all times.
We should be meek and unassuming at all times.
2. STORY-TELLING:
I was not yet a diocesan seminarian of Imus when I had my first chance to meet the prestigious and well-known bishop of Imus, Msgr. Luis Antonio Tagle, D.D. Not so long ago, I was just hearing his name on the account of his brilliant homilies and peerless teaching skill. Likewise, I see him most often on his television shows. I could hardly forget my longing back then to see Bishop Tagle in person for the simple reason that I never admire anybody the way I admired him.
My desire was realized when I had my exposure program in a parish in Cavite while I was still applying in the diocese. My parish priest was invited by Bishop Tagle for a dinner in a good restaurant to settle some things over the table. Very timely, the priest asked me to accompany him in going out with the bishop. At first, I acted as if I was not willing to join them by saying so many reasons which in fact are all lies. The truth was, even if they don’t invite me, I planned to insist myself in going out with them. That is how I describe my frustration back then to meet my idol. I succeeded, anyway.
The awaited night came. I wore the best clothes in my closet, best pair of shoes in the rack, and sprayed the most expensive perfume that I ever got in my life. I could not draw and well imagine the excitement beaming in me on that moment. My parish priest and I left right away to fetch the bishop in Imus. Upon the Bishop’s boarding, I was on a star-struck that I could no longer speak. When he talked to me, I tried to answer politely anything that he said. I felt so fulfilled and happy until when we arrived in our destination.
At the restaurant, the porters recognized the Bishop right away that they opened the door of the car to warmly welcome him. Thinking that porter will do the same for me, I waited for a moment for them to open the door beside me. But they never did, so I opened the door and got out of the car in my own risk. Jokingly, I told the Bishop of what I thought of but he just laughed. The bishop then was warmly greeted by the people who recognized him. I also smiled and nod my head before the people but they did not mind me. Upon entering the restaurant, Bishop Tagle and my parish priest entered right away without passing over the guard’s safety check. Thinking again that the guard will also let me pass, I followed the Bishop outright. But to my dismay, I was stopped by the guard and was asked to go back to the main door for checking. With disappointment, I said: “I am with Bishop Tagle, why do I have to pass this checkpoint?” and the guard replied with a degrading smile.
I tried hard not to feel bad but I felt so dismayed and just wished that I should have not joined them in that spree. The dismay subsided when we had a dinner over the fine carte du jour and I had a good conversation with my idol whom, I realized, is indeed a brilliant and a simple person. From time to time, other guests in the restaurant are coming close to the Bishop to greet him. But, there was this certain group of not-so-aged people who came to the Bishop for a picture taking. Thinking then that I might get embarrassed if they will not ask me to join them in their picture taking, I excused myself and intended to cope as if going to the wash room. But to my surprise, one of those among the group asked me to stay foot for a while. I said “ok” and I posed with the group ready for the picture taking. I gave my best smile that the camera could capture. Meanwhile, the person whom I thought was the one to take the picture placed the camera on the table and said “You” pointing her fingers to me, “come and take a picture for us!” I did not know how I would react. My joy and smile was changed with cursing face. Well, I still tried to enjoy that humiliating night because of the rare chance to meet my idol. However, that experience made me realize that too much assumptions and pretentions would not always bring out the best upshot.
3. ASSERTION:
Indeed, we should remain meek and unassuming at all times.
Suffering
There are so many people dying of hunger, sickness, poverty, oppression, etc. For sure, God is never happy seeing his people suffering. However, I still want to know why God – all merciful and loving – allows many people get drowned to different kinds of suffering. This question always comes to my mind every time I see my countrymen suffering from poverty.
The world tends to define poverty and riches simply in terms of economics. That is the easiest way to look at it. However, we need to broaden that definition. For us Filipinos, poverty is a state characterized by lack of means. The poor person then is one who either temporarily or permanently finds herself or himself in a situation of weakness, dependence, and humiliation. The poor then does not have the means to accomplish the end that they desire. The scriptures promise that God will take care of such people, because they have to rely on him for they have no one else to rely on.
With the situation of poverty, who then is at fault? Poor person may themselves be to blame for their poverty to some degree. An author, Dorothy Day wisely said, “What the Gospels forever takes away from Christians is the right to judge between the worthy and the unworthy poor.” When we sit in judgment, we stand aloof and apart. If we critique who is unworthy or worthy, our criteria will always e cultural and too often self-interested.
A person might be at fault to some extent. But we should also realize that poverty is an oppression with which one surrenders after repeatedly being put down. People who have never been in this downtrodden situation can be very unsympathetic. Those who are in the higher economic status could easily characterize the poor people unmotivated and lazy. The poor then have nobody to turn to. This state is often called “victim behavior.” Those who do not experience such poverty could never understand this behavior of the oppressed for such does not fit their criteria. Hence, they misinterpret and misjudge everything the disadvantaged do.
SUFFERING caused by poverty then is undesirable and the behavior of the oppressed is deadly. But one thing is for sure, God will never abandon the poor as He had promised in the scriptures.
The world tends to define poverty and riches simply in terms of economics. That is the easiest way to look at it. However, we need to broaden that definition. For us Filipinos, poverty is a state characterized by lack of means. The poor person then is one who either temporarily or permanently finds herself or himself in a situation of weakness, dependence, and humiliation. The poor then does not have the means to accomplish the end that they desire. The scriptures promise that God will take care of such people, because they have to rely on him for they have no one else to rely on.
With the situation of poverty, who then is at fault? Poor person may themselves be to blame for their poverty to some degree. An author, Dorothy Day wisely said, “What the Gospels forever takes away from Christians is the right to judge between the worthy and the unworthy poor.” When we sit in judgment, we stand aloof and apart. If we critique who is unworthy or worthy, our criteria will always e cultural and too often self-interested.
A person might be at fault to some extent. But we should also realize that poverty is an oppression with which one surrenders after repeatedly being put down. People who have never been in this downtrodden situation can be very unsympathetic. Those who are in the higher economic status could easily characterize the poor people unmotivated and lazy. The poor then have nobody to turn to. This state is often called “victim behavior.” Those who do not experience such poverty could never understand this behavior of the oppressed for such does not fit their criteria. Hence, they misinterpret and misjudge everything the disadvantaged do.
SUFFERING caused by poverty then is undesirable and the behavior of the oppressed is deadly. But one thing is for sure, God will never abandon the poor as He had promised in the scriptures.
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