The real neighbor

(Lk 10:25-37 - The Good Samaritan)

A man appears before St. Peter at the pearly gates. "Have you ever done anything of particular merit?" St. Peter asks.
"Well, I can think of one thing," the man offers. "Once, on a trip to the Black Hills, out in South Dakota, I came upon a gang of high-testosterone bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker.
I smacked him on the head, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring and threw it on the ground.
And I told him: "Leave her alone now or you'll answer to me!'"
St. Peter was impressed: "When did this happen?"

"Just a few minutes ago."
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There was this other unusual incident which happened on my tour of Barcelona. There I was happily strolling in the vicinity where stands one of Antonio Gaudi's famous architectures. I was by myself taking short clips with my videocam when three casually-dressed Spanish ladies approached me. What could these ladies want with me I wondered, as I quickly dispelled the crazy thought that they may have been attracted by my good looks.They started talking to me in rapid Catalan as one grabbed my arm and the other stretched her hand with palm upwards, while the third pointed a sharp-looking object at me. Oh my God I prayed, this is a stickup even as I protested: "No hay! no tengo dinero!". Suddenly a very tall Spaniard in a business suit interfered, warding off the three intrepid ladies: "que pasa! que pasa!!". The three would-be robbers scampered out of sight as they were intimidated by the over six-foot tall Spaniard in the business suit with matching briefcase. I uttered my profuse "gracias, gracias" to him even as I quickly walked away from the scene. After a few steps I glanced backwards to get a good look at my knight in shining suit, but he was nowhere to be seen anymore. He had vanished just as quickly as he appeared.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is a most popular parable with an enduring message. It is a parable that was Jesus' answer to the legalistic question: "Who is my neighbor?". On deeper reflection, it becomes apparent that Jesus has turned the question upside down. It was not anymore a question of "Who is my neighbor", but more a question of "How am I as a neighbor?". The question is about our own persons, and not about how we categorize people. Today's modern translations say "the Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight". Exegetes would assert that the original Hebrew texts portrayed a stronger emotion. Upon seeing the wounded man left half-dead, the Samaritan felt his heart wrenched open, with a Hebrew reference to a mother's womb and maternal care. The original texts actually convey that the Samaritan was viscerally moved by compassion and love. His heart was wrenched open. It did not matter who he was helping. It can be a stranger, a relative, a town mate, a countryman, a foreigner...and yes, it can even be a naive tourist strolling around taking pictures. For all its lessons, the parable of the Good Samaritan eventually points us to love rightly and to become more like Him - who loved us all first.

On (not) accepting donations from PAGCOR

Bishop Soc to Aquino: Oppose casino gambling

MANILA, June 14, 2010— Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Monday has made his first public appeal for President-elect Benigno Aquino III: stop the opening of more casinos.

In a pastoral letter dated June 14 but was released to the media today, Villegas, known to be closed with the Aquino family, said that gaming is not in the country’s best interests.

Archbishop Cruz asks Aquino to abolish Pagcor

Cruz seeks FOI passage to know bishops getting Pagcor money

MANILA, July 6, 2010— Archbishop Oscar Cruz is seeking for the passage of Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill to trace the bishops receiving donations from a state-run gambling firm.

Cruz said that once the measure is approved, it would be easy to get necessary information from the controversial Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

One thing that he would like know, he said, is the name of bishops allegedly receiving donation from the agency which is prohibited by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

CBCP may discuss gambling in plenary

MANILA, July 7, 2010—The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines might include in their agenda the issue of alleged prelates receiving donations from gambling in their meeting this week.

Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, CBCP President, said there is a possibility that the controversial issue will be discussed if it will be raised during their plenary assembly as a matter of concern.

The bishops’ meeting will be held on July 10 to 11. The Catholic hierarchy meets twice a year, I January and July, where they discuss internal concerns and issues with national import.
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Odchimar, though, expressed confidence that majority of their members are adhering to the CBCP’s “consistent” stand on gambling.

“Most of the bishops (believe) that it would be better for us not to receive donations and much more not to ask donations from Pagcor since we know what the source of donation is,” he said.

“As often been stated, the end does not justify the means… that is the prevailing sentiment of the bishops because of the evil effects of gambling,” Odchimar added.

Those last two statements of CBCP President Odchimar indicates where his inclinations are and where the wind is blowing. It is interesting though when Bishop Odchimar says "most of the bishops believe...", which leads us to conclude that there are variances among the bishops on the matter of receiving donations from so-called "tainted" sources. As an example, it is of common knowledge that the late Jaime Cardinal Sin and Bishop Francisco Claver (who recently passed away, may he rest in peace) are in favor of accepting donations irrespective of their sources. Mother Teresa perhaps epitomized the position on this aspect when she was reported to have stated : "I know where the money has been and I know where it's going".

It is a complicated area in ethics that gives rise to many questions on the principles of material cooperation, yet the tipping point of the matter lies on the element of scandal (see Catechism #2284-87). Scandal in this particular situation can swing both ways, and it is normally within the judgment of the local ordinary (the diocesan bishop) to decide in accordance with the particulars within his diocese. It remains complicated however, because bishops still have to evaluate the larger repercussions of their local decisions on a national scale. That explains why the bishops are elevating the matter to its national conference.

There are complicated pros and cons to be sure, and I am not about to second-guess the bishops and the CBCP on this one. It would be interesting to see what happens next. It would be helpful if the CBCP comes up with a pastoral document that illuminates the issue. Certainly as CBCP President Odchimar says: "the end does not justify the means". There can be no question about the end - which should inarguably be about material works of charity to the needy. The real difficulty lies in evaluating the morality of the means (accepting donations from gambling proceeds). It is also important to note that any decision that is arrived at would be subject to reference with similar circumstances, meaning that the decision would have its repercussions on the church's acceptance of donations in general - not only those directly associated with gambling. Tough, tough. Let's pray that our bishops be guided.
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Odds and Ends 7/7/10

Antagonizing the press
by Armando Doronilla

"...This behavior does not come as a surprise, because of Luistro’s background as a street campaigner. He is a cleric and was chancellor and president of De La Salle University. His appointment as head of the Department of Education immediately raises the issue of whether clerics should ever be elected or appointed to public office, given the explicit constitutional mandate separating Church and State."

Poor Armando Doronilla. What a pity he is not aware that Luistro is NOT a cleric. Either that, or he does not know the simple fact that a cleric means a member of the clergy, in other words a person ordained to the Sacrament of Holy Orders. DepEd Chief Luistro is not a member of the clergy, but a member of the De La Salle Brothers - a religious LAY organization whose apostolate is education. So Doronilla is taking off from an erroneous premise when he raises the issue of "clerics..appointed to office, given the explicit constitutional mandate separating Church and State". It never ceases to amaze me that the even the remotest issue concerning the Church and State likely brings up the issue of "separation of Church and State", without an understanding of what it really means. It then remains a mystery what "explicit constitutional mandate" (really?!? explain please) Mr. Doronilla is referring to.
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DOH chief to promote reproductive health

"MANILA, Philippines - New Health Secretary Enrique Ona vowed to promote reproductive health and to expand the membership and benefit packages of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in the next three years.

According to Ona, he received five orders from President Aquino, foremost of which is the expansion of PhilHealth coverage.

Ona said the Department of Health, under the Aquino administration, would also promote reproductive health as a means to ensure the health and welfare of the family.

To do this, the department would conduct an information campaign on responsible parenthood by giving all possible options to achieve family size based on one’s desire and capacity."

The term "Reproductive Health" seems open to many definitions as well, much like "separation of church and state". At least the UN is much more specific in its definition, emphasizing "safe and satisfying sex life" (huh?).
For DOH Chief Ona, it all boils down to conducting an "information campaign on responsible parenthood by giving all possible options to achieve family size based on one’s desire and capacity". Pretty much sounds like teaching family planning methods. I doubt if responsible parenthood can actually be promoted by DOH if all they do is teach parents to be informed about "all possible options" of family planning methods. I believe the use and purpose of contraceptives are common knowledge enough (although NFP is not) , and family planning should not be so much an issue of cost either. Condoms cost P4 a piece. There are birth control pills that cost about P40 for one cycle/month. Sending text messages average 10 to 20 pesos per day. A bottle of gin - a daily favorite among the menfolk in the iskinitas - costs P120. NFP does not cost anything. It appears more an issue of promoting the right attitude and discipline. I sure hope DOH can teach and promote that. Good luck.
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Mission not impossible

Last Wednesday our Parish Pastoral Council officers were formally inducted in the church during the evening Mass celebration. My wife and I were reinstalled as couple coordinators of the Parish Family and Life Ministry, together with the rest of the PPC Executive Committee. We hadn't planned on being inducted as Family and Life Ministry coordinators this time, after all my wife and I have already served the council for the past three years. It was challenging work not without its share of hardship and frustrations, and I really felt there were other more capable couple parishioners who could do the work much better than we can. It just so happened that our colleagues elected us again (more like forced us) and the parish priest encouraged us to stay on. It was strictly voluntary work but alright, alright...maybe just one more year.

In this Sunday's Gospel (Luke 10:1-12;17-20), Jesus sent out 72 of His disciples as laborers to seek out and work for the "abundant harvest". The directive came out with a lot of explicit instructions: "Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals,...eat and drink what is offered...do not move about from one house to another...give your peace..shake the dust..". Jesus also made it clear up front that the mission was fraught with danger: "Go on your way and behold, I am sending you like lamb among wolves". This makes one wonder how on earth those 72 disciples could have developed eagerness for a daunting mission that gave them uncertain prospects, great danger, and zero provisions. In our office I am bound to complain that top management is expecting more and more from my department and yet my budget gets reduced more and more each year. But just imagine if you had no budget and resources at all, and yet you were tasked to deliver the most significant results for the entire company. In essence, that was what the 72 disciples were tasked to do - at first glance. We only see through it all towards the end of the narrative, when Jesus revealed: "Behold, I have given you the power to 'tread upon serpents' and scorpions and upon the full force of the enemy and nothing will harm you."

It appears that the disciples had enough resources after all - Jesus' empowerment by itself was much more than enough. They had reason enough to be eager, and they had reason enough to rejoice that they were empowered. Our Lord made them realize however, that the real reason to rejoice was because "your names are written in heaven".

In this day and age, maybe we are all placed in a position similar to what the 72 disciples experienced a long time ago.The contemporary circumstances may be different, but in essence each of us are involved in the same mission one way or the other. The mission may be easy, it may be hard, it may produce the results we want, it may not, it may involve frustrations, and it may even involve danger. All of these should be secondary, for there is more than enough reason to rejoice when our names are written in heaven.
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Odds and Ends 7/1/10

Federer adds injury to insult Berdych

Roger Federer is as great a champion as tennis and indeed modern-day sport has ever seen -- his achievements will still litter the record books in 100 years' time -- but yesterday at Wimbledon he suddenly 'cracked', just as other great multiple winners have cracked. More often than not it happens in the blink of an eye in front of an unsuspecting and disbelieving throng unprepared for such an outcome.

Federer was also unprepared, if his untypical testy press conference is any guide, when he unveiled a hitherto unsuspected back problem and occasional pain in his right leg. Switzerland's finest is normally a fairly gracious loser, not that he's had much practice to be honest, but Tomas Berdych deserved a tad more credit than he got from the departing champion.

"It is disappointing to go out in the quarter-finals but he played solid and I could have gone out in the first round as well," said Federer afterwards. "It's been tough for me accepting I didn't play the way I thought I could. Last week my leg started hurting. I had a good rest over the weekend and felt good playing on Monday but then in the second week my back started hurting. Today I couldn't play the way I wanted."

Well, the awesome, super-duper Federer is human after all. A gracious loser, he ain't.
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Charice sings perfect anthem

MANILA, Philippines - For once, there was no controversy regarding the singing of the national anthem.

The National Historical Institute (NHI) gave international singing sensation Charice Pempengco a “perfect” score for her rendition of “Lupang Hinirang” at the inauguration of President Aquino at the Quirino Grandstand yesterday.

And finally, the National Anthem was sung live without any controversial aftermath.

I am aware that we have a law to the effect that the anthem must be sung to the prescribed tune and cadence, but it seems strange. What if you get just one note or timing off? Could that land you into jail?

The US national anthem has been sung to so many creatively soulful renditions, and we have yet to see if any of those caused any deleterious effects on patriotism or the sacred patrimony of the nation. I think the best thing to do under the circumstances is just to playback a pre-recorded, 100% faithful soundtrack of the National Anthem, just to be safe.

Btw, it seems while Charice Pempengco got an "A" for the song, she got an "F" for the gown.
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Aquino told: Reconciliation, don’t pick on scabs

MANILA, Philippines—As praises were heaped on President Benigno Aquino III for his inaugural address, a senior lawmaker criticized the newly-inaugurated leader for continuously “picking on the scabs” instead of working towards reconciliation.

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman said the speech was full of motherhood statements and did not mention the needed specific actions.

“President Benigno Aquino III delivered a campaign speech, not an inaugural address,” Lagman said over the phone.

“He forgot that he had already won. He should heal the wounds of the recent electoral contest, instead of deliberately picking at the scabs,” he added.

Aw, shut up.
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A speech that resonates

I have excerpted a few portions of President Benigno Aquino III's speech that resonated with me, and I suppose with my countrymen as well. If the 20-minute 2,043-word speech were cut down to chaste, I believe it would have boiled down to the following phrases. I hope and pray to the Almighty that these words would come to fruition within the next few years, for it has heretofore remained a dream. Only then can the Filipino hope to rise.

So help us God.

Source: original text here, translated version here. [English translation in brackets]
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...Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam na magkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam na mapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasan nating maging ating tagapagtanggol. [We all know what it is like to have a government that plays deaf and dumb. We know what it is like to be denied justice, to be ignored by those in whom we placed our trust and tasked to become our advocates.]

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin. [Have you ever been ignored by the very government you helped put in power? I have. Have you had to endure being rudely shoved aside by the siren-blaring escorts of those who love to display their position and power over you? I have, too. Have you experienced exasperation and anger at agovernment that instead of serving you, needs to be endured by you? So have I.]

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. [We are here to serve and not to lord over you.]

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala, sinisigurado mong mauulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. [When we allow crimes to go unpunished, we give consent to their occurring over and over again] Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloy ang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi. [Whoever violates the law will have to face justice. We will not allow a system of non-accountability and continued oppression of the weak.]

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa.
[No more influence-peddling, no more patronage politics, no more stealing. No more sirens, no more illegal short cuts, no more bribes. It is time for us to work together once more.]

Kayo ang boss ko...[You (the people) are the boss...]
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And if I were to cut it down even further to the bare essential:

"Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong."

-- that would be the perfect antidote to everything that is fundamentally wrong in this country.
Only when this nation starts to respect the fundamentals that we go through in our daily lives, only then can we say that the bigger and greater goals are reachable. We have to see the change in the little things we see everyday. Only then can we believe we are genuinely starting on the road to progress.

You are spot on, Mr. President.

And may God be with you.

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Zero sum

Aquino on sex ed: ‘Zero education might lead to wrong decisions’

MANILA, Philippines—While he withheld his position on sex education, President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III believes that "zero education” “might lead to wrong decisions."

Aquino made the statement on Tuesday amid strong opposition against the inclusion of sex education in public schools.

"I will have to talk to Bro. Armin (Luistro) to discuss with him my views on this," he told a press conference, referring to newly-appointed education secretary.

"Pero bottomline po n’yan, hindi ko maadopt ‘yong policy noong pinaka conservative elements na noong kampanya po iminumungkuhi sa atin ay huwag pag usapan, parang zero education," Aquino said.

"So zero education means ignorance and ignorance might lead to wrong decisions," he said.
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President Aquino is right. Zero sex education is wrong.

I wonder who are those "pinaka conservative elements" who propose zero education on sex. Certainly it could not be the official Catholic position that he refers to, as it has been ascertained that the church is not against sex education per se. I noted here that Catholic schools have actually been teaching sex education for a long time. In a recent column, Antonio Montalvan cites a Vatican Council declaration, Gravissimum Educationis, that recommended that “young people should begin as they grow older to receive a positive and prudent education in matters relating to sex.”.

The issue is all about the moral content in sex education.

Thus, incoming DepEd chief Luistro was on the right track when he said :“The first question here is not whether I favor or not (sex education). I think what we should be talking about here is what kind of education will we be giving. There should really be dialogue,”.

What kind of sex education should we be giving?

For example, should Catholic schools keep their students ignorant about contraceptives? I hold the position that they should not, in the course of teaching sex education. The scientific aspects pertaining to contraceptives should be taught likewise, at the proper age, with respect to its scientific facts, effectiveness, medical issues, together with its established and potentially dangerous effects. Even as NFP should be taught with all its facts and potential drawbacks, students should also be intellectually informed on the factual purpose and effects of various contraceptives. For instance, students must understand why most contraceptives have been justifiably categorized as abortifacients. Along the way, Catholic schools should have the full freedom to teach that sex is meant for the unitive and procreative aspects in a solemnized marriage, and that contraceptives are intrinsically evil. Why? Simply because that is the authentic teaching of the Catholic Magisterium, whether dissenters like it or not. No other ways about it.

Should non-Catholic schools teach otherwise? In like manner, I am of the position that other educational institutions, NGOs or other private entities should have the freedom under the law to conduct courses in sex education even if it does not square with the Catholic standpoint. While we are free to advocate our respective positions, we should respect the legitimate exercise of beliefs either way, and this seems to be lost on the proponents of liberal sex education. We are in a democratic country, with reasonable guarantees of freedom of expression. Therein lies a caveat, as our Constitution guarantees the "natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character". Secular sex education courses that are at variance with one's beliefs should be offered and taken on a strictly voluntary basis. There must be an opt-out provision wherein parents can decide. No coercions, either way.

That said, I wonder what the authors of the RH-bill were thinking when they insisted on its provision of mandatory sex education advocating the use of contraceptives in ALL schools - Catholic or otherwise. It also remains a puzzle why former DepEd chief Mona Valisno implemented sex education without first revealing its modules for proper consultation, even as the move brazenly bypassed a point of legal infirmity. She was apparently of the position that she can implement portions of the RH-bill disregarding the fact that it has not yet been enacted into law. The way these people look at it, it is not about zero education alright, but it is all about a zero sum game.
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