Losing In Life by Default

I was running so fast and ‘IT’ was chasing me. I know it’s only a dream for how could I be able to run that fast away from ‘IT’? Nevertheless, I continued running and thrice I was able to outrun ‘IT’. ‘IT’ is referred to physical death and this scenario is nothing more than a vividly frightening dream. Still, that dream may not be as nearly as frightening as living in a society which promotes culture of death.

Now in retrospect, that dream is not much different from what most of us are doing right now which is frighteningly running away from reality; that we are finite beings, bounded by time unaware of our own expiree dates. The more we run from reality, conscious only of our individual existence, the more we let ourselves die. But I digress, who would not get scared with how we personify ‘IT’ as a hooded skeleton carrying a scythe strangely looking so much like your terror professor, right? But try to imagine ‘IT’ as your favourite soap opera actor/actress? Did it go down a few notches in the scary-o-metre?

Point being is that IT could have just been a victim of societal misrepresentations. But sadly the reality of IT makes us anxious and self-absorbed. The more we run from the reality of It, the more we fail to live, the closer we are from another kind of death—not the physical but the spiritual one.

I’ll refer to this process of spiritual death as apathy. The concept is actually biblical. What does the bible say about apathy?

Revelation 3:15-16

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

The dictionary definition of apathy is not quite far from that of the bible’s description. Dictionary defines apathy as the lack of feeling or emotion; impassiveness.

 Apathy simply is the absence of love. When you get fixated with your survival alone, you become oblivious of others, you embrace apathy.

It’s not actually hate which is the opposite of love but apathy. It’s not also money which is the root of all evil but apathy.

I can never agree more with Hellen Keller when she said that “Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all - the apathy of human beings.

In sociology we have the term “bystander effect”. It is when there’s dissolution of responsibility felt by a group of people. According to Psychologists most of the time people won’t be helping somebody in need of assistance or those who are in danger if they are in a group.  Bystander effect is also known as bystander apathy.

One popular example was the Kitty Genovese case.  Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death in the presence of allegedly 38 witnesses over a period of thirty minutes without having anyone to help the victim. This happened on 1984.

Apathy is dangerous. It kills you and the people around you. How? By simply not doing what you were supposed to do. ( James 4:17 ) In life you lose to apathy by default.  We don’t even have to go as far as to search for bizarre cases abroad to understand apathy. In Philippines apathy is slowly becoming a way of life. Makes you wonder if it’s really more fun in the Philippines.

Apathy in Philippines has led to corrupt government that continually burdens Filipinos by pocketing the taxpayer’s money, leaders who focus more not on the Filipino’s welfare but their personal vendettas, legislators sleeping on their work, non-thinking voting populace, mediocre and lacklustre educational institutions, highly commercialized and politicized media which provide sensationalized news and cheap entertainment shows leading to a more misinformed public, non-thinking non-reflecting mob who readily disregard the rule of law, storms outside and demand for changes they are not ready for, commerce without conscience  with business in the hand of the Oligarchs who provide less quality service and products at a higher cost, not competitive workforce and there’s YOU and Me on the list which goes on.  

To sum it up: Apathy leads to a dysfunctional society promoting a culture of death.  With apathy everybody loses. However, we can change this scenario by not running away and facing our reality. Our country may be in a terrible state yet it is a work in progress; our gratitude to those who truly care and are still LIVING. We all are a work in progress. Let’s help in that work of rebuilding by staying alive and strive never to lose to apathy by default.

I believe in the end we will all be measured against this universal standard which is love. How much love did you put on your work? How dedicated are you in your field? How committed and passionate are you in your goals? How much effort do you give on everything you do?  How much do you care?

The Fruits of the true Church (Romans 6:22-23)

San Pedro Church, Davao Controversy

Sagdi lang:
To better understand what really transpired last Good Friday (the San Pedro Church Davao Controversy as posted and shared in 100% Katolikong Pinoys facebook page), first  we have to consider  the Catholic  Church' teachings and discipline as will us the practices of  its members. Actually, there are common practices of Catholic members which are not in consonance with the church' teachings (doctrine). Those were traditional practices that Filipinos follow even before Philippines became a Catholic country. Case in point will be the practice of most of the Filipinos (Catholics) with regards not taking a bath until their dead relatives' funeral service.  Imagine if the Marcoses are practicing this belief and so they would have to avoid bathing for several years cause it took ages for the former president Marco's body to be buried.  Another example will be the practice of Filipinos (mostly Catholics) of placing  different round fruits in the table during new year's eve as well as wearing polka dotted clothes on new year as a symbol of good will and wealth for the whole year to come. These are some of Filipinos'  traditional  practices which I believe we inherited from our ancestors. Because of these practices we (Catholics) are said to be following the pagan practice, which is true. But the church kept on prompting  us (Catholics) not to continue this pagan practices  and instead have faith in  Lord Jesus Christ.

Church rules and discipline:
Obviously, all churches have their own laws, rules and discipline which are being used as  guide in performing or exercising religious practices  and worship.

(1) Law:  (e.g. Exodus 20: 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ) This law was given to Moses for the Israelites only. This law then is exclusive to Israelites at that point of time and is not applicable to other races and other generation even to Pharaoh (King of Egypt) and his people ( please refer Exo.31 : 12-14, 17 / Psalm 147 : 19- 20 / Ephesians 2 : 12,15 ). That while the Jews had their sabbath as symbol of their liberty and independence from slavery of  Egypt, the King of Egypt is in mourn .  Here, the law had clearly stated that remembering Sabbath day is not enough, but the observance of holiness on sabbath day is what the law is emphasizing.

Obstruction of law and its punishment : If there are laws, there are punishments.The rule says to
keep it holy. If you abide by the rules and keep it holy then you will not be punished but if you will not then of course you will be punished. The question shall be how to keep it holy and what the punishments are.

How to keep it holy: Please refer to Exo. 31:12-15 /Exo. 35: 1-3 . The Lord had clearly instructed the Israelite how to observe Sabbath.

Punishment: The punishment was being stoned to death. ( Exo. 31:15 / Exo.35: 3 ).Let's read Num. 15:32-36,  " 32.  And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a  man  that gathered  sticks upon the sabbath day. 33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.34 And they put him in ward,because it was not declared what should be done to him.35 And the Lord said unto Moses,The man shall be surely put to death:all congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.36 And all the congregation 
brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses. Logic tells you that if there is law then it has an equivalent punishment for the absence of punishment makes the law ineffective. You cannot have laws without sanctions. Meaning if you observe their sabbath, then you are to kill. I am referring to God's laws and the human established laws. Of course natural laws are exempted here.

Other laws and corresponding punishment: (e.g. Deut. 25: 11-12 ) . When there will be two men fighting with  one  another and the wife of the other man will come near to rescue  her husband from the one who is beating him and using her hands seizes his private parts, then it was commanded that "you (read: law enforcers/people of God) shall cut off her ( referring to the wife who is trying to rescue her husband) hand; your eye shall have no pity". So to the wives out there, do not help your husband if he has a  fight with another man through squeezing the balls of his opponent for your hand shall be cut off  he...he...he....

Church disciplinary action :  Matt 18: 15-17 ,   If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church,let him be to you as a Gentile and as a tax collector.

Catholic Church' loophole : I am a Catholic, but as I said , for me what is wrong is wrong. Justifying things  which  are wrong doesn't make it anymore right nor correct any mistake.The church had already stated that the work of Jesus as a sacrificial lamb is already finished. That his ( read: Jesus ) sacrifice and death in the cross could never be duplicated. But there are Catholic who use to made vows that in every Good Friday, they will do penitence and others let themselves hung also in the cross believing that they take part in Jesus' sacrifices which for me is wrong.
It seems that they were showing that they can do also what Jesus did. Imagine, they also placed 'thorn crowns' in their head and yet they removed the thorns that may come in contact with their flesh, leaving only those long and sharp thorns to be seen outside. It's silly. Why not let their self die also in the cross to complete the imitation of Jesus' death? The problem is the church do nothing to stop this practice. To the point that there were places in the Philippines which has become famous and a tourist attraction every Good Friday because of these practices. As I said it is wrong. The Church should not tolerate this .The church in this case may have lapses in exercising proper discipline and restriction but not in the giving of the doctrine as well as the infallibility of the Pope.

San Pedro Church,Davao City Controversy : Probably what happened here is that the man (who entered the Church half naked) had a vow to make (e.g. penitence, promise) such as walking barefoot from his place to the church and then end the penitence with a prayer inside the Church.

Things to be considered:

1. The church (i.e. authorities) reminds us always to be in decent attire whenever entering the church.
2. He (read: the half naked man in the controversy) could have had his clothes on before praying inside the church as to fullfil his promise or penitence.
3. The priest (who should have been the one responsible)was not present during the time this occurred.
4. Security Guard's wrong approach.
5. The Security Guard's discretion on matters concerning the church goers safety since it is within his responsibility.

All I can say is that everyone including the man, the church, and the security guard on duty all had lapses.
We all are human and one thing that makes us perfect are our mistakes, lapses and imperfections.

Taken from 100% KATOLIKONG PINOY!

Sagdi lang:
I was flabbergasted upon reading more than thousands of comments of none Catholics and Catholics' response with regards this picture and its comment posted in 100% KATOLIKONG PINOY facebook page as seen above.Actually  Francis Gonzales the admin of 100% KATOLIKONG PINOY is the Vice President of  CFD  ( Catholic Faith Defenders ) Dipolog City Chapter while I am the President. This picture inflamed those who were none believers ( e.g.  Protestant, Atheist) in there siege against the norm and prestige value of Catholic teachings and practices. Well, it is not because I am a Catholic that I will be arguing in favor of the Catholic Church  just to cover up something which is wrong. If we are wrong then we are wrong, what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. For me you cannot justify your mistake by giving reasons and excuses.  As I said our perfection is different compared  to God's perfection, (please refer to my first post "test message" ). Our perfection includes human error.

Remember that Judas is with Jesus,  abiding in his teachings for three years, but still he committed mistake in betraying him ( Jesus ). Peter denied Jesus three times. And also  Paul apprehended Peter that what he did is wrong , that as  a preacher he must stand as a good example ( Gal. 2 :11-14 ). I am going to discuss few matters regarding Catholic Church'  practice and discipline as well as Catholic religious practices which will be posted soonest.

anecdote "tagalog"

story:1 Kakainin pa rin

Dalawang matandang lalaki ang magkatabi ng  higaan ng isang pangpasaherong barko papuntang Manila mula Cebu. Ang isa nagbabasa ng bibliya at ang isa ay kinakausap ang isang makulit na apo.

Lolo 1:
 Tandaan mo lagi ang sasabilin ko sa iyo  na oras na makatulog ako ay wag kang maglalapit sa tabi ng  barko at baka ka mahulog,dahil pag-nahulog ka kahit marunong kapang lumangoy tiyak pagpipistahan ka parin ng mga pating, ( ang ,ika nito sa apo.)

Lolo 2:
 Iyan ang hirap sa mga katoliko, pati pating pagpipistahin pa niyo,ako brod,kahit malunod pa itong barko buo ang paniniwala ko na hindi ako kakainin ng pating dahil lagi kong kasama ang Panginoong Hesus
,iyan ang nasasabi dito sa bibliya.

Lolo 1: Mawalang galang na po, ano po bang relihiyon niyo?

Lolo 2: Ah...Akoy Saksi ni Jehova at...( magsasalita pa sana ito pero sumingit ang batang makulit ).

Apo ni lolo 1: Bakit lo,sino ba iyong Hesus na sabi niyang kasama niya, eh...nagiisa lang naman siya?

lolo 1: Hindi iyong nakikita espiritu lang iyon.

apo : bakit  iyon bang pating lo, kumakain ba ng espiritu?

lolo 1: Syempre hindi, eh hindi nga nakikita iyon papaano kainin?.

apo ; Pero iyong pating lo, kumakain parin ng tao?

lolo 1: Syempre..

Apo : Eh di kainin parin siya ng pating lo?,..

Lolo 1; Tumingin muna sa katabing matanda na medyo nakangiti bago sumagot,"ah..sigurado".

GOD'S ROUND SQUARE

Sagdi lang:

One of the questions in my  previous post within the "question and answer" portion was based on the angel's affirmation to Mary  ( Luke 1:37 ). that in God nothing is impossible.

Question: If  God  is Almighty, and nothing is impossible for Him, then does your ( catholic/christian) God makes round square?

The first time I heard this question in Freedom Park ( Freedom Park is in Cebu city) I watched closely how   Catholic  answered  such a stupid question. They have very witty answers. Someone answered: Do not relate man's stupidity to God. in God everything is in order  and  He  shall not entertain illogical questions  etc... But  as  I  observe  it  seems  that  all  answers  will  sum  up  to  not entertaining illogical questions  like this. But for  me, giving those kind of reasons are just a roundabout way of escaping the question. And if I were to be asked, I'd answer yes God can make the round square. If he ask me to show how God's  it looks like, I'll ask  him also , that if he let me do the task of God in making round square as an example, then I'll show  him ( just an example on how God make  it) Otherwise if  he will not let me, he  will  never see how round square  look  like. The moment he let me, then I'll start sketching any sort of  form in the  paper give it to him, and tell him that, that is how round square  look   like.  If  he summon stupidity things I did, I'll tell him not, perhaps the stupidity is in his question, cause if you  do not believe God why keep asking God's authority in making all  things possible. Why? Is he expecting something square or round, while he  ask round square form?  Perhaps  what will appear in any sort of form is God's prerogative, and it is no longer in the form of  square neither round but to the combination of the square and round and remember we (catholic /christian) do not question God's manifestation.

example:

a) orange and yellow = yellow orange
b) black and white = gray
c) square and round = round square " it is no longer square neither it is round "

Others:

When the Catholic says that there is God, that we ( catholic /protestant/ christian ) believe every  manifestation of God, that in God lies a mystery , and His ( God ) work of art and fashion is so deep that common human intellect would hardly understand, does it mean that catholic teaching does not assert the truth,  cause it teaches something in-comprehensive even to their belief?

When John ask his friend Sam if he knows Peter, Sam answered "Oh ! Peter ? I could hardly understand him, his moody, one time he's okay, the next time you'll find him not."

Does Sam answer expresses that he knew Peter  less ?  Of course not. Instead, his answer proves that he knows well of Peter.

When we (Catholic) affirm that understanding God is beyond human knowledge, it is a catholic self-proclamation  that we know Him ( God ) well. That we adhere and rely God's transcendence and authority. That we know our limitation in dealing God's supremacy .

purgatory

sagdi lang:

One of the most controversial teaching of the Catholic Church is the existence of purgatory.The Protestants denied  this  teaching saying it's not biblical.Granting that they are right but is this teaching a grave offence  against God? Does God get provoked  and condemn us (Catholics) in hell just because we believe and teach that He (God) cleanse us in purgatory before admitting us to heaven? Do devils welcome Catholics with arms wide open in hell just because of our belief that God cleanses us first? But is this teaching really not biblical?

My respect goes to Protestants for some of their teachings and their strict observance of the bible. We, Catholics, don't say that Protestants will never be saved. It is written in the bible that God will judge man according to what he did (2Cor.5:10) not because  you are a Catholic or because you are a Protestant. But  we should know that  Christ built one church (Matt.16:18-19 /acts 20:28) for the purpose of uniting all believers under Christ's supervision being the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23 / Jonh10:15-16). That in His (Christ) Church alone we'll find the fullness of the truth  (1Tim.3:15). In understanding the bible we have to observe Jesus' several ways of revealing the truth.There are truths that he expressed in explicit manner and others are  implied  (implicit). In the bible (John 3:16 )  it was stated that for God so love the world, he gave his only son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Then what is our understanding of this passage? Simple and that is that God loves his people. That He sent Jesus to us so that through believing in him we will be having eternal life. It seems we just re-stated what God has said.  In this verses  the truth was clearly  emphasized (explicit). But in John 2:19 Jesus said "Destroy this temple,and in three days I will raise it up". Jesus did not explain what kind of temple it is that will be destroyed, that's why the Jews and even his disciples  were confused. But much later they learned what Jesus meant and that is when he  resurrected.  John properly explained it in John 2:21-22. Also try to read John 2:20. While it is true that he (Jesus) will resurrect three days after his death, the crowd were confused what he really meant at that time, but the truth of His resurrection  is already implied (implicit). To understand better let's take on Jesus' other teachings.  In one of his sermons, He said that if your right eye causes you to sin,cut it off and threw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members, than that your whole body be thrown into hell...(Matt.5:29-30a) . Do Christians,specially Protestants literally follow this considering that this teaching is biblical? I don't think so.

A case in point;

Victor work as a  utility man in one of the beach cottages in Aligway, a beautiful island with white  sand   in Mindanao. It  is  approximately an hour ride via  pump  boat from Dipolog city. Tourists from Dakak  Beach Resort (Dakak is in Dapitan City and is 30 minutes bus ride away from Dipolog) also visit this place. After several years Victor got ill ,and after a  few weeks his Doctor told his parents that he will not survive his illness. So his father decided  to summon a priest for Victor's confession. Actually this is the problem of a non-indoctrinated Catholic, they do not  know the real  teaching and doctrine of the Church,they just go to confession when they think they are dying.  When the priest came,  he started conversing with Victor. Asking him how his Christian life is.
Priest: Do you read the bible?
Victor : Yes father,  my cousin is an Adventist and  he encouraged me to read  the bible and join their church.
 Priest : You join them?
 Victor: No father there are so many  things  they  try to avoid. (he..he..he...  so  it's better to be a protestant  than  to be  a catholic joke...joke...joke...)
Priest: Hmm.. What are your sins?
Victor : That's my problem father, cause I had read in the bible that if your eye has sinned you have to take it  out before entering heaven.
 Priest ; Why ? what did you do?
 Victor : I used to watch beautiful tourists in swimsuit in distance and when they take shower, I rush to the bathroom cause I already prepared a peep hole in every bathroom using my knife. It is my only chance to view their beauty closely when they remove their swimsuits and take shower. It's so much fun father. But I used to watch them using my right eye only. So it's only my right eye which has sinned and must be taken out.
Priest: No son, your hands had sinned also because you use  it  in drilling a peep  hole.
Victor:You  mean I have  to cut  my hands  also?
Priest : Not necessarily because the desire is in your heart and your brain had told you to do act on it.
Victor : (In a very low voice with tears dropping slowly from his eyes) So it includes my heart and brain?Priest : Tell me more, what did you do when you saw naked ladies in bathrooms?
Victor : That's another problem father because I used to pull out my dedication and using again my hand I dedicate something to their beauty.
 Priest : So meaning, you have to cut also your dedication.
Victor : So what is left from me for heaven are my stomach, feet and the left eye.
Priest : Not unless your feet is also responsible of taking you there.
Victor : Oh My God! So there are only my stomach and left eye left of me to heaven. And if  my cousin is right that eating pork is a sin then what's left of me is only my left eye. Please Father cover my left eye before it will sin so I could have something left in heaven.
 Priest : Don't you worry son, God is so merciful, his work and plan are so wonderful. I know what's in your mind. You know what, one of Jesus' apostle asked before,"Then in that case who will go to heaven? Jesus replied that God has done it for you.What is impossible to man is made possible by God (Mark 10:24-27).  God will restore your body pure and clean. That is after He  (God)  cleanse it in the purgatory.
Victor : Is it true father?
 Priest:  Yes my son. Jesus  did sacrifice and died for our sin. This is God's  plan of salvation. What is left  is  man's  participation in the process of salvation. Because salvation is not as easy as getting directly into heaven everything should  be in order according to his plan. We must suffer also the consequences of our sins. Jesus' sacrifice is a great manifestation of God's love. But it does not mean that we are  already  free to do  anything thinking that God will just forgive us. (dawat limpyo).
Victor: Thank God and thank you father. It's good that I did not become an Adventist because they don't have purgatory there otherwise I could  have  only my stomach in heaven. he...he...he...joke...joke....joke..(To the Adventists , my salute and admiration of your practice and discipline.)

Purgatory is from the latin word"purgatorium" in spanish "porgatorio" . It is a place (for) or state of cleansing. Is it biblical? Yes. First, there is the word wash and the concept of washing of sins : "When the Lord shall have washed the filth of  the  daughters of sion.....and by the spirit of  burning.( Isa.4:4 a,b  ) . Second, the word fire : And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them  as  silver is refined, and will  try them as gold  is tried : They  shall call on  my  name , and I  will hear them: I will say , it is my people : and they shall say  the  Lord is  my God.  (.Zechariah 13:9 ) Mark 9:49 For every one shall be  salted  with fire ,and  every sacrifice  shall be salted  with salt .In Paul's letters to the Corinthians (1 cor.3: 13-15 ) he said, " Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire ; and the  fire shall try every man,s  work of what sort it is .If any man,s work abide which he hath built thereupon, shall recieve reward. If any man,s work shall be burend, he shall be saved ; yet  so as by fire .In Rev. 21:27 God said no one who has sinned and lied can enter heaven and yet everyone has sinned and lied with a few exceptions for those whom he has specially chosen. Then who will go to  heaven? Protestants will  answers that God has forgiven us ( Protestants ) and wiped away our sins.Yes it's true, but God's  forgiveness has a condition and  the verses  I quoted showed that man will also  suffer the consequences of their sins before the absolution. Do Protestants believe that the love that he (God the Father) has for men is more intense than that of his love for his only son, Jesus Christ? That He allowed his son to suffer while man is to do nothing  but merely  ask forgiveness and he shall be in heaven afterwards? Does it sound right ? Remember God is just (Psalms 7:11).If you sin less ,then you'll have less punishment,but if you have a lot of sins then your punishment is heavier. In Luke 12:47-48, Jesus stated that if you sin and have been given proper judgement then you will be placed to prison and serve your sentence till it is over.In Matt.5:26 it was shown that when it's over, then you'll be free again.Purgatory is like that and it is biblical. Protestants should not encourage their followers to just merely ask the Lord's  forgiveness for their  sin thinking that it ends there and they will have heaven as their reward. It's wrong for the more you sin, the more you'll be punished. In  Luke.12:48, it was shown that  parents should always forgive their children but in forgiveness there is always a condition. Sometimes it include reasonable punishment, reminding how they love them.For punishment is love (Heb.12:5-6)

My challenge to Protestants is to explain Jesus Christ's teaching in Matt 5:29-30 and if your counter argument is biblical then you were right in accusing Catholics of none biblical teaching about purgatory.But if your explanation is based only on how your personal interpretation and is not found in the bible ,then why do you keep on accusing us of none biblical teachings? You always give assurance (your teachings) to your followers that they are  already saved. We, Catholics,  teach them to struggle with the grace of God and also with faith. Read :1 Peter 5:8 /Ephesian 6:11-18/ Matt.24:13.