Quarantined Wayfarer

Tag: solidarity

Vox Populi, Vox Dei
Typical scenario in a rally for the presidential race. Photo library of TalinMan, 2022
The last three months have simply been a dizzying campaign period for the presidency. Interestingly, we’ve seen a plethora of political styles ranging from the traditional to the more contemporary with particular emphasis on social media. Moreover, it’s been quite interesting to observe the contrasting rhetorics by which the contenders have tried to woo their electorate. Be that as it may, at the end of the day only the numbers will determine the fate of the would-be presidential elect. Hence, the principle – vox populi, vox Dei – will hold sway.
Based on unofficial results provided by the COMELEC, it appears that Mr. Bongbong Marcos, son of Ferdinand Marcos, a former dictator deposed in 1986, may be the apparent winner, leading with a landslide vote of 31 million. Whilst I may be a bit disappointed that my choice is lagging behind, I nevertheless have to respect the results of the national election. Vox populi, Vox Dei!
Inalienable Right
I submit that the right to suffrage is an inalienable right. As to what the final outcome will be, there is no other choice but to accept the voice of the people. After all, vox populi, vox Dei takes primacy in any democracy. Hence, to the would-be winner of the presidential elections, I hereby reserve my congratulatory note.
Unsolicited Advice
To the would-be President, I wish you well in your public service endeavor. If I may, I sincerely wish to share for your success St. Josemaria Escriva’s commentary in point no. 48 of The Way, which reads:
48
“You lack character. What a mania for interfering in everything ! You are bent on being the salt of every dish. And — you won’t mind if I speak clearly — you haven’t the qualities of salt: you can’t be dissolved and pass unnoticed, as salt does.
You lack a spirit of sacrifice. And you abound in a spirit of curiosity and ostentation.”
St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #48
A Servant Leader
Viewed in a constructive way, the message of St. Josemaria provides a clear picture of how a leader ought not to be. Clearly, he wants to point out the importance of having a spirit of sacrifice for the motherland, coupled with a disdain for the spirit of curiosity and ostentation. In a word, it points to harnessing the virtues of a servant leader.
Quo Vadis? To Take the High Road or the Low Road?
Given that this recent election has driven a wedge of disunity amongst the Filipino people, it behooves all of us to ask the existential question: Quo Vadis? Where do we go from here?
Without a doubt, the answer is to take the high road. Indeed,there is no other choice lest one falls into despair. Obviously, the right thing to do is to work for solidarity and the common good.
At this juncture, I wish to highlight some points in my blog entitled “To Take the High Road or the Low Road”, dated October 11, 2020, which I find apropos to the present situation. In a nutshell, these are the highlights:
The High Road: A Call for Heroism
The havoc that has been wrought by the Pandemic as well as the divisiveness engendered by the recent elections have only made it more urgent that we rethink our style of life, our relationships, the hierarchal structure of our society, and, above all, the meaning of our existence.
For the sake of the common good, we need to rise above our human frailties and shine forth as heroes by dint of self-sacrifice. We need to feel the grief and suffering of those in the fringes of society. This should move us to be sensitive to the needs of our bretheren who have less in life.
Be a Good Samaritan or a Bystander
In rallying everyone to take the high road, Pope Francis points out that the social milieu of today may be likened to the characters in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He said: “Each day we have to decide whether to be Good Samaritans or indifferent bystanders. And if we extend our gaze to the history of our own lives and that of the entire world, all of us are or have been, as each of the characters in the parable. All of us have in ourselves something of the wounded man, something of the robber, something of the passers-by, and something of the Good Samaritan.”¹Hence, the Pope asks: “Which of these characters do you resemble? We need to acknowledge that we are constantly tempted to ignore others, especially the weak. Let us admit that…we have become accustomed to looking the other way, passing by, ignoring situations until they affect us directly.”²
Furthermore, the Pope continues: “the parable eloquently presents the basic decision we need to make in order to rebuild our wounded world. In the face of so much pain and suffering, our only course is to imitate the Good Samaritan. Any other decision would make us either one of the robbers or one of those who walked by without showing compassion for the sufferings of the man on the roadside. The parable shows us how a community can be rebuilt by men and women who identify with the vulnerability of others, who reject the creation of a society of exclusion and act instead as neighbors, lifting up and rehabilitating the fallen for the sake of the common good. At the same time, it warns us about the attitude of those who think only of themselves and fail to shoulder the inevitable responsibilities of life as it is.”³
To Be a Protagonist
In essence, each one of us is a protagonist in this COVID-19 pandemic and this post-election scenario. We cannot shirk from responsibility. One’s choice of action, on a daily basis, would have implications as to the final outcome of this crisis. As the Pontiff emphatically said: ”The pandemic is changing the world and putting us in crisis. It is impossible to emerge from a crisis the same as before. Either we come out better or we come out worse. And how we emerge depends on the decisions we make during the crisis.”⁴
To Take the High Road
Indeed, we need to come out of this crisis better. Otherwise, we fail and come out worse. Therefore, it behooves us to take the high road of greater sacrifice. After all, as each of us commits to exert one’s best efforts each day, then, we can only rest assured that it will ultimately foster solidarity and contribute to the common good.
Fall in Love and It Will Decide Everything
Finally, I would like to share with you a quotation, which hopefully will inspire you to take the high road, to wit:
“What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything”.⁵ This love for God, that can approach everything in life with passion, is possible thanks to the Spirit, for “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5).
Pope Francis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Christus Vivit, 132
TalinMan
1. Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti, 69
2. Ibid, 64
3. Ibid, 67
4. Interview of Pope Francis, Carmen Magallon, Il Mio Papa
5. Pedro Arrupe SJ, Enamórate
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May 19, 2022
Who is My Neighbor?
A view of Ukraine’s national flag waves above the capital with the Motherland Monument on the right, in Kyiv. Photo from Mint.com
February 24, 2022, will be remembered as the day that undermined the geo-political order in Europe. It was the day that Mr. Putin ordered the massive attack on its neighbor, Ukraine, over land, sea, and air. The world was caught with a surprise. It begs everyone to ask the existential question: who is my neighbor?
As the world views the unfolding drama of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it is quite evident that this war is a battle between Democracy and Authoritarianism. In reality, however, it brings to the stage the fundamental question of human rights – can a government of one country unilaterally barge into another country using military force in order to subjugate the citizens of the latter? Therefore, it becomes imperative to know who my neighbor is.
Rhetoric on the Invasion
In his speech prior to the attack, President Putin explained to his citizenry that he issued directives for the Russian Armed Forces to launch a “special military operation” against Ukraine for the following reasons:
1. To rescue the Russian-speaking Ukrainians in the Donbas region from the clutches of the government of Ukraine, which he described as “Neo-Nazis”; and,
2. To de-militarize the whole country for the purpose of bolstering the border security of Russia.
On the contrary, however, the so-called “special military operation” as announced by President Putin was mere propaganda to justify his war against Ukraine. In reality, it was a barbaric act of war launched by Russia against its neighbor, Ukraine. Undoubtedly, the Russian aggression was unjustified since it was unprovoked and pre-meditated.
At the core of it, such unilateral action by Russia only manifested the total disrespect of Putin for international laws on the sovereignty of nations.
Consequences of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Clearly, judging from the intensity and frequency of the aerial bombings, missile attacks, artillery fires, and ground attacks being unleashed by Russia on the civilians and other non-military targets, the people of Ukraine are suffering terribly. In a letter to the Pope, the Ukrainian bishops said that they were writing ”in these hours of immeasurable pain and terrible ordeal for our people”. The following are the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, namely:
1. Mass exodus of refugees. As of day 12 of the invasion, approximately 2 million Ukrainians have fled to the neighboring countries on the western border. Notably, the majority of the refugees are comprised of mothers and children without the fathers, who have decided to remain in Ukraine to fight the Russian invaders.
2. Humanitarian Crisis. The Russian aggression deliberately targeted the civilians as well as non-military establishments – hospitals, schools, residential buildings, etc.. Moreover, missiles were used to destroy and control nuclear power plants and water distribution facilities. As a consequence, people are left without food, water and electricity.
3. Chilling Effect of Nuclear Threat. Surprisingly, the attack on Ukraine comes with the veiled threat of Mr. Putin to use nuclear arms, if the EU or NATO interferes. Indeed, the situation calls for extreme caution as any misstep could trigger WW3.
Who is thy Neighbor?
To my mind, the Ukraine tragedy may be likened to the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It is a story about a man who fell victim to robbers and brigands. As he lay on the road helpless, several persons came along the same road but did not help the injured man. This is how the story unfolds, as follows:
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
“But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise’.”
Luke 10:29-37, NABRE, Parable of the Good Samaritan
In the case of Ukraine, however, the big difference is that the passersby are all looking at the opposite side of the road. We still have yet to see the good samaritan’s arrival. Thus far, the Russians have continuously bombarded several major cities in Ukraine, mercilessly targeting the civilians and civilian infrastructure i.e. hospitals, schools, residential buildings, and even nuclear power plants. Despite President Zelensky’s repeated request for a “no fly zone” over Ukraine’s air space, which is desperately needed, neither the US nor the EU have acceded to it.
The Sad Plight of Ukraine
In his encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis presented the sad plight of the injured man, as follows:
“76. Let us turn at last to the injured man. There are times when we feel like him, badly hurt and left on side of the road. We can also feel helpless because our institutions are neglected and lack resources, or simply serve the interests of a few, without and within. Indeed, “globalized society often has an elegant way of shifting its gaze. Under the guise of being politically correct or ideologically fashionable, we look at those who suffer without touching them. We televise live pictures of them, even speaking about them with euphemisms and with apparent tolerance.”
Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, #76
Indeed, the same situation is happening to Ukraine. Whilst it is currently being bombarded by the massive forces of the Russian military, the World powers simply turn their gaze away from it on the guise that it may escalate into WW3.
Failure of Diplomacy
Sadly, President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine implies the failure of diplomacy. Somehow, there seems to have been a lack of honest to goodness dialogue between Putin and the Western leaders. Could this war have been avoided if genuine inter-personal relationships had been developed amongst the world leaders?
As the whole word watches the on-going saga of the Russia-Ukraine war, we need to remind ourselves of the importance of honest to goodness dialogue. As St. Josemaria Escriva aptly put in point 47 (shown below) of The Way, we need to get rid of the tendencies towards posturing and pretentiousness. Otherwise, there will always be barriers that would hinder peace and harmony, particularly in politics.
47
“That pose and those important airs don’t fit you well. It’s obvious that they’re false. At least, try not to use them either with God, or with your director, or with your brothers: and then there will be between them and you one barrier less.”
St. Josemaria Escriva, The way, 47
TalinMan
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March 8, 2022
A New Year: A New Beginning
A new dawn arising on new year’s day: a time for a new beginning.
Photo Library of TalinMan, 2022
Whilst starting off on an upbeat note, the year 2021 unexpectedly turned out to be quite disastrous. It seemed that the pandemic had waned during the first few months of the year. However, towards mid-year, the country was hit by the resurgence of the more virulent Delta variant. Within months, as the situation improved, people were starting to look forward to the joyous season of Christmas. Life was back to normal, so it seemed. Finally, as we were about to cross the finish line, on the 16th of December, Typhoon Rai, a category 5 typhoon, inflicted damage in the Visayas and Northern Mindanao, rendering thousands of families homeless and without food and water. To top it all, the highly transmissible Omicron variant started spreading its swath in Metro Manila. Thankfully, however, we are now in 2022, a new year: a time for a new beginning.
We are still at war: A New Battle Plan
As the new year slowly unfolds, many are beginning to panic for fear of being infected by Omicron. Partly to blame, of course, is the excessive media hype of the Omicron infections. Let’s face it, the war we are fighting is essentially the same COVID pandemic albeit of a different variety. Hence, the protocols for health security still remain the same. The problem is that many have lowered their guards to the point of thinking recklessly that the war has been won. For example, during the advent season, many flocked to the shopping malls and restaurants. The majority of the families organized family reunions for Christmas and the New Year.
Now that we are in the new year, it’s a good time to remind ourselves that we are still at war. Hence, we need to stick to a battle plan, which should enable us to come out as winners after all. Simply put, whilst we are at the start of a new year, we need to consider a new beginning: a new life with dreams of a better post-COVID environment. Leaving behind the dark past, one begins to look at a brighter tomorrow. Indeed, with a spirit filled with hope, a new year is always the time for a new beginning.
Tribute to the Unsung Heroes
As one reflects on the 655 days that have transpired since the imposition of the first COVID lockdown, it is not an exaggeration to say that our world has seen the rise of negativity. In the world of social media, bitterness & hate have overwhelmed the good. There has been an unprecedented proliferation of ideologies advocating racism, violence; extremism, polarism, individualism, feminism, misogyny, homophobia, elitism, & populist movements. Indeed, it makes one worry about the future.
If there is one key takeaway that the COVID pandemic has brought to bear, it is this: despite all the negativity and the destruction, life goes on with many heroes passing by unnoticed. We see doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners doing their very best to save lives at the risk of losing their very own. Moreover, we witness the untiring efforts of essential workers – delivery boys, shop assistants, school teachers, priests, and nuns – giving their very best to sustain the needs of their fellow brethren. For these, we give thanks.
The Gift of Life
Amidst all the negativity we see around us, it is good to take a pause and look back at the origin of life: we have been gifted with life by the love of God. Consequently, the realization of this sublime truth alone should move one’s heart to gratefulness to almighty God. Hence, it should awaken the goodness in one’s heart to see the sufferings of one’s neighbors.
No man is an island. We are all interconnected.
As exemplified by the heroic deeds of the front-liners as mentioned above, we come to realize that no man is an island and that we are all interrelated. Consequently, this should move us to reflect on how we treat our neighbors. Do we take time out to communicate with our neighbors? Or, given our indifference due to self-centeredness, have we failed to hear the cries of our neighbors?
Holy Shamelessness
As we move into the tumultuous days of 2022, let us be inspired by the maxim of St. Josemaria Escriva on holy shamelessness. In simple terms, the modern-day saint wanted to exhort his interlocutors during the Spanish civil war from 1936 to 39 to remain steadfast in fighting for their dreams notwithstanding the difficulties and uncertainties of the times. At the core of it, we need to examine whether we are driven by love in our hearts.
44
“Use the polite excuse that christian charity and good manners require. But then . . . keep on going with holy shamelessness, without stopping until you have reached the summit in the fulfillment of your duty.”
St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, 44
TalinMan
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January 2, 2022
Election Fever Arising
COMELEC POSTER 2021
With the national elections being some nine months away, the noise level of political chatter is slowly but surely percolating once again. Indeed, election fever is arising. For the Filipinos, the year 2022 portends a breath of fresh air for a nation that has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the election fever arising quite earlier than expected, social media is nonetheless abuzz with speculations on who would be the possible contenders for the presidential race. Unsurprisingly, the ruling party is already sending out feelers in social media on its prospective presidential and senatorial endorsees. Obviously, the mandate is pointing to a nominee successor, who is the direct kin of the incumbent President.
A Left Field Contender
Interestingly, amidst such media murmurings, a left-field contender openly declares his intention to run as a presidential candidate. Whilst considered as a political newbie, the man possesses an extraordinarily high EQ, which could turn into a groundswell. Could this be the tipping point that would rise to the challenge of lifting the Filipino people out of its dire straits?
For some political pundits, a regime change would be a welcome development. For the longest time, Philippine politics has been marked by popular votes and dynastic rule. Sadly, the political parties leave much to be desired in espousing ideological agendas. Partisan politics continues to dominate the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Presently, the political milieu still favors political patronage rather than politics based on ethical principles.
Aspirants for the Elections
In his classic book, The Way, St. Josemaria Escriva has this to say, as a reminder, to those politicians aspiring for the next elections:
37
You have, as they say,”the gift of gab”. But in spite of all your talk, you can’t get me to justify – by calling it “providential” – what has no justification.
St. Josemaria escriva, The Way, 37
Harsh as it may be, the words of St. Josemaria are meant to drive home a point, that is, the importance of practicing the virtue of sincerity. This takes on a special significance especially when the politicians embark on the campaign trail. Normally, those aspiring for government election spend much time promising voters the “sun, moon, and the stars”. This is tantamount to “starting on the wrong foot”. On the contrary, it makes good sense to “say what you mean and mean what you say”.
An Agenda for an Integral Ecology
Speaking about political agendas, one of the most paramount reforms needed in government policy is that of the environment. According to Germanwatch.org, the Philippines was ranked second in the Global Climate Risk Index 2020. Historically, the country has been regularly ravaged by extreme weather conditions in addition to natural catastrophes.
In crafting the political agenda on the environment, it may be good to take time out to consider the Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si’ written by the Holy Father, Pope Francis. In essence, it voices out the urgent appeal of the Pope to men and women of goodwill, including politicians as well, to get involved in the development of an integral ecology.
“A technological and economic development which does not leave in its wake a better world and an integrally higher quality of life cannot be considered progress. Frequently, in fact, people’s quality of life actually diminishes – by the deterioration of the environment, the low quality of food or the depletion of resources – in the midst of economic growth.”
Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si’, 194
To the aspiring politicians, the Holy Father exhorts you to set aside short-term legislations geared toward quick short-term gains. Rather, the Pope says further that “What is needed is a politics which is far-sighted and capable of a new, integral and inter-disciplinary approach to handling the different aspects of the crisis. Often, politics itself is responsible for the disrepute in which it is held, on account of corruption and the failure to enact sound public policies.” (LS, 197)
The Principle of the Common Good
The main driver for the development of an integral ecology hinges on the principle of the common good. By definition, the common good is “the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment”.[GS,26) Its primary object is directed towards the overall welfare of society and the development of a variety of intermediate groups, applying the principle of subsidiarity.
Furthermore, the common good calls for social peace. This refers to the stability and security provided by a certain order that promotes distributive justice. Whenever this is violated, violence always ensues. Society as a whole, and the state, in particular, are obliged to defend and promote the common good. (LS, no.157)
Finally, an extension of the common good is the notion that future generations are entitled to share in God’s gift to humankind. Hence, in pursuing a vision of integral ecology, the Holy Father emphatically states that “we can no longer view reality in a purely utilitarian way, in which efficiency and productivity are entirely geared to our individual benefit. Intergenerational solidarity is not optional, but rather a basic question of justice, since the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.”(LS, no.159)
Moving Ahead
In closing, it is my fervent hope that the contenders will launch their election campaign based on their respective visions of a better tomorrow underpinned by the principles of the common good, solidarity, and respect for the human dignity of the Filipino people.
TalinMan
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August 2, 2021
On Fraternity and Social Friendship
A day in the life of the Maginhawa Community Pantry, a fraternity and a social friendship movement. Photo from DailyTribune.net
Back on October 3, 2020, Pope Francis wrote his encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti, on fraternity and social friendship. In essence, he exhorted humankind – “by acknowledging the dignity of each human person, we can contribute to the rebirth of a universal aspiration to fraternity. Fraternity between all men and women. No one can face life in isolation. . . . We need a community that supports and helps us, in which we can help one another to keep looking ahead. How important it is to dream together . . . Let us dream, then, as a single human family, . . .as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all.”
The Rise of the Filipino Brand of Fraternity
Interestingly, some 6 months thereafter, amidst the darkness induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, a curious thing happened in a small village in Quezon City. On April 14, a young lady, Ana Patricia Non, pitched a small bamboo cart filled with some basic groceries by the curbside along Maginhawa Street. With the intention of sharing the goods with the poor, she simply placed a signboard, which read: Maginhawa Community Pantry – “Magbigay ayon sa kakayahan, kumuha batay sa pangangailangan.” (Give what you can afford, take what you need.) Little did she know that her simple act of generosity would touch the hearts of many. In her own little way, she was acknowledging the call of Pope Francis on fraternity and social friendship.
Surprisingly, within one week, this seemingly “unimpressive” act of kindness caught on like wildfire, igniting the proliferation of some 300 community pantries across the nation. Without a doubt, the Maginhawa Community Pantry has proven its mettle as an exercise of fraternity and social friendship. Indeed, it has truly inspired thousands of well-meaning citizens to organize themselves, to contribute food/necessities from their own pantries, and to share it with their respective communities. Such was the amazing albeit unintended consequence instigated by the Maginhawa Community Pantry. Could this social phenomenon, in fact, be the start of a grassroots-led movement on fraternity and social friendship?
DIY Model of Fraternity
Given the natural spontaneity of its groundswell, the Maginhawa Community Pantry has captured the dreams of the Filipino people. Perhaps, it gives us reason to hope, seeing persons exemplified by Ana Patricia (Patreng) emerge from the ranks of ordinary citizens. Indeed, the Maginhawa Community Pantry is showing us the way. Its simple design i.e. a do-it-yourself (DIY) model has broken down walls of indifference between the haves and the have-nots. Clearly, Patreng’s genuine concern for the poor and the hungry have awakened the social conscience of the middle-class, who now realize that, with only a little, one can do a lot.
Interestingly, it did not take a genius to inspire something as noble as the Maginhawa Community Pantry. In my mind, the only qualification of Ana Patricia was her keen sensitivity to the social needs of her neighbors as well as her desire to help out in her own small way. Despite all odds, the Maginhawa Community Pantry initiative has inspired the Filipino people to do good for those in need.
Travesty of Justice
Sadly, in spite of the good espoused by the Maginhawa Community Pantry, it did not sit well with some government executives. Barely a week after its inception, the police initiated an investigation on the Maginhawa Community Pantry. Fearing violence, Patreng had no other option but to temporarily close. Apparently, one of the generals in the military alleged that the operations of the Maginhawa Community Pantry were a Communist ploy. In short, the act of fraternity was being mislabeled by the military as a “communist” – a way of recruiting cadres to the communist party. In truth, however, as seen from the eyes of the beneficiaries, such an accusation was baseless. Clearly, such pronouncements were none other but a travesty of justice.
Operative Truth
As may be observed from the above-cited developments, today’s cultural milieu is prone to the exaggeration/polarization of ideas, concepts & language. An act of goodness can be labelled as evil, depending on the protagonist/antagonist in a given situation.
Similarly, during the late 1930s, the young priest, Josemaria Escriva, pointed out his apparent dislike for people who would use euphemism to serve their vested interests. One example is point number 35 of The Way, as shown herein.
35
“There are many pretty terms I don’t like: you call cowardice ‘prudence’. Your ‘prudence’ gives an opportunity to those enemies of God, without any ideas in their heads, to pass themselves off as scholars, and so reach positions that they never should attain.”
St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, 35
In essence, Josemaria wanted to drive home the importance of practicing Christian fortitude to point out the ‘operative’ truth. If an action by its operation results in something evil, one should have the courage to call a spade, a spade. There is no need to use euphemism to be politically correct in the choice of words. In fact, Escriva would often refer to the age-old quotation from St. John Chrysostom::
“You know to cover vice with nice words and you call riches, freedom; ambition to glory, magnanimity; arrogance, frankness, what is licence, love; iniquity, valour.”
St John Chrysostom, Against the challengers, Discourse III, 7
“Wake Up, Lord!”
Finally, as we continue our journey during these tumultuous times of the pandemic, we need to remind ourselves of the message of Pope Francis. Recall when Pope Francis delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” message before an empty St. Peter’s Square last 27th of March 2020. It was on that fateful night when he proclaimed:
“In this world, we have gone ahead at breakneck speed, feeling powerful and able to do anything. Greedy for profit, we let ourselves get caught up in things, and lured away by haste. We did not stop at your reproach to us, we were not shaken awake by wars or injustice across the world, nor did we listen to the cry of the poor or of our ailing planet. We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick. Now that we are in a stormy sea, we implore you: ‘Wake up, Lord!’.”
Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi Blessing, 27 March 2020
TalinMan
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April 28, 2021
Regression from Integration to Isolation
Place de la République, Paris, France, Photo library of TalinMan
A look back in the history of the past three (3) decades seems to indicate an alarming regression from integration to isolation. Recall that, in the early 1990s, the world saw rapid advancements in the field of information and communication technology. As the internet gained wide spread dominance, new ways of doing business, particularly, in media & communications started to emerge i.e. email, internet telephony, online music, digital newspapers, video streaming, social media, etc.. Indeed, this rapid pace of development in technology paved the way towards socio-economic integration, thereby ushering in the era of globalization.
As globalization expanded, cross border trade flourished. Hence, economic prosperity spread across the globe. With the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008, however, the world suffered major financial setbacks, which had rippling effects from east to west. Economic difficulties fanned the tailwinds of socio-political unrest, which gave rise to populist movements such as #Occupy Wall Street. Whilst such a movement was organized to thwart the ill-effects of the cultural milieu espousing: ‘GREED IS GOOD”, it had its unintended consequences of creating the divide between the haves and the have-nots, the capitalist and the man on the street. In essence, the GFC marked the beginning of regression from integration to isolation.
Selfishness: a Bane to Progress
Interestingly, back in 1938, the young Escriva wrote down in his diary Point no. 31, which somehow presaged the regression of world order from integration to isolation. Shown below is the excerpt from the classic book, The Way:
31
Selfish! You. . . always looking out for yourself. You seem unable to feel the brotherhood of Christ. In others you don’t see brothers; you see stepping stones.
I can foresee your complete failure. And when you are down, you’ll expect others to treat you with the charity you’re unwilling to show them.
St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, 31
Sadly, the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of present-day society. One cannot fail to notice the institutionalized corruption within the bureaucracy of Government, more particularly, in the provision of medical & health care services. Moreover, self-interest and xenophobia have taken center stage, thereby, causing the breakdown of cooperation & solidarity. Consequently, this has led to the sad plight of migrant refugees in Europe. Self-righteousness and injustice have fostered the rise in human & drug trafficking as well as ethnic cleansing in Asia. In short, greed and selfishness have exacerbated the breakdown in world peace & harmony.
“Return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12)
Quoting from the words of the Prophet Joel in sacred scriptures, Pope Francis, in his Ash Wednesday homily, exhorted all to reconsider “the path we are taking, to find the route that leads us home and to rediscover our profound relationship with God, on whom everything depends. This is the core of Lent: asking where our hearts are directed.” It was his way of admonishing all to rid the self “from the clutches of consumerism and the snares of selfishness, from always wanting more, from never being satisfied, and from a heart closed to the needs of the poor.”¹
To avert the seeming regression from integration to isolation, the Holy Pontiff invites everyone to reflect on the return journeys revealed in Holy Scriptures, as follows:
- Just like the prodigal son, we need to return to the Father. We do this by repentance of sins and seeking forgiveness through the sacrament of Confession. “It is the Father’s forgiveness that always sets us back on our feet.”²
- Following the leper, who was cured by Jesus, we too return to Jesus to present our wounds and give him thanks saying: “Jesus, I am in your presence, with my sin, with my sorrows. You are the physician. You can set me free. Heal my heart.”³
- Just as the Holy Spirit breathed upon dust the spirit of life, so too we return to the Holy Spirit, the “Giver of Life, to the Fire who teaches us how to love”.⁴
As may be gleaned from the three (3) suggestions, the beginning of the return journey to God is hinged upon the recognition of one’s sinfulness and the humble acceptance that God is in control and not the self.
Fraternity: a Boon to Integration from Isolation
With the hope of arresting the regression from integration to isolation, Pope Francis, in his encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti, extolled the need to foster fraternity between all men and women. He asserted: “No one can face life in isolation… We need a community that supports and helps us, in which we can help one another to keep looking ahead. How important it is to dream together… By ourselves, we risk seeing mirages, things that are not there. Dreams, on the other hand, are built together. Let us dream, then, as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each of us bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters all”.⁵
Moreover, the Holy Pontiff emphasized that: “Unless we recover the shared passion to create a community of belonging and solidarity worthy of our time, our energy and our resources, the global illusion that misled us will collapse and leave many in the grip of anguish and emptiness. Nor should we naively refuse to recognize that ‘obsession with a consumerist lifestyle, above all when few people are capable of maintaining it, can only lead to violence and mutual destruction. The notion of ‘every man for himself’ will rapidly degenerate into a free-for-all that would prove worse than any pandemic.”⁶
Learning from the Good Samaritan
Finally, it is worth pondering on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, wherein we see the genuine gesture of love and compassion displayed by this total stranger, a foreigner, in fact, hated by the Jews.
“Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’
Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”
Lk 10:25-37
For “love shatters the chains that keep us isolated and separate; in their place, it builds bridges. Love enables us to create one great family, where all of us can feel at home… Love exudes compassion and dignity”.⁷
TalinMan
¹Pope Francis, Ash Wednesday Homily 2019
² Pope Francis, Ash Wednesday Homily 2021
³Ibid
⁴ Ibid
⁵ Pope Francis, Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti, # 8
⁶ Ibid, #36
⁷Ibid, #62
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February 21, 2021
How Deep Is Your Love?
Street Art, Le Marais, Paris. Photo library of TalinMan
Advancing for more than seven (7)months to date, the COVID_19 pandemic rages on with its third wave of attack. We need to be vigilant. We cannot afford to be defeated by laxity and complacency. Indeed, it remains vital to focus on the things that really matter: How deep is your love?
In searching for the answer to such an existential question, St. Josemaria Escriva, in his classic book, The Way, tries to suggest an answer, worthwhile reflecting on, as follows:
24
“You are ambitious: for knowledge . . . for leadership. You want to be daring.
Good. That’s fine. But let it be for Christ, for Love.”
St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way
As may be gleaned from above, the point of St. Josemaria is that, in desiring to be ambitious, one ought to focus on the things that really matter most in life. Nowadays, with the ubiquity of the internet, it is so easy to be swayed by cultural norms which speak about worldly ambitions seeking the ephemeral. Clearly, the world of today defines success in terms of getting ahead of everyone else be it in knowledge, intellectual properties, material wealth, and influence in society. It’s a zero-sum game: it’s either you win or you lose. In such a case, can one honestly venture to ask: how deep is your love?
Pope Francis couldn’t have aptly described it when he said: The world tells us exactly the opposite: entertainment, pleasure, diversion and escape make for the good life. The worldly person ignores problems of sickness or sorrow in the family or all around him; he averts his gaze. The world has no desire to mourn; it would rather disregard painful situations, cover them up or hide them. Much energy is expended on fleeing from situations of suffering in the belief that reality can be concealed. But the cross can never be absent.(Gex 75)
The Call to Holiness
In his own small way, the young priest, Josemaria Escriva, pondered upon such an existential question: how deep is your love? On October 2, 1928, the young priest, Josemaria Escriva, received an illumination whereby he saw a new way by which ordinary laypeople could pursue holiness or love for God, that is, through the loving fulfillment of each one’s ordinary duties of each day.
In the same token, ninety years thereafter, in his Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate, Pope Francis enjoined the faithful to heed the call to holiness. He said: “The Gospel invites us to peer into the depths of our heart, to see where we find our security in life. Usually the rich feel secure in their wealth and think that, if that wealth is threatened, the whole meaning of their earthly life can collapse. Jesus himself tells us this in the parable of the rich fool: he speaks of a man who was sure of himself, yet foolish, for it did not dawn on him that he might die that very day (cf. Lk 12:16-21).”
To Be Human is To Love
At its core, the measure of one’s love ultimately reflects on the person’s depth of love for God. Interestingly, a Bohemia-Austrian poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, composed an inspiring poem that eloquently described his outlook on life. He said: “I live my life in widening circles that reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I will give myself to it.” In essence, he was referring to a mission, driven by his love for God, which motivated him to reach out to his ever-widening circle of friends and loved ones. Perhaps, we could emulate Rilke’s mission in life.
Fix Your Gaze at the Face of Christ
Falling in love with Christ is not an overnight occurrence. Rather, it entails the daily choice of doing acts of love for one’s spouse or neighbor, which, though small, accumulate over time into a personal relationship with Christ. On one occasion, Pope Francis gave an advise: “Here then, is the secret of life, that brings us out of anonymity: to fix our gaze on Jesus’ face and become familiar with Him. Looking at Jesus,” he continued, “purifies our sight and prepares us to look at everything with new eyes. Meeting with Jesus, looking at the Son of Man, the poor, and the simple found themselves, they felt loved deeply by love without measure.”
Finally, love for Christ will blossom if one goes out of his way to get to know Christ through the Holy Scriptures. As Pope Francis said: “Nothing is more enlightening than turning to Jesus’ words and seeing his way of teaching the truth. Jesus explained with great simplicity what it means to be holy when he gave us the Beatitudes (cf. Mt 5:3-12; Lk 6:20-23). The Beatitudes are like a Christian’s identity card. So if anyone asks: “What must one do to be a good Christian?”, the answer is clear. We have to do, each in our own way, what Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount.[66] In the Beatitudes, we find a portrait of the Master, which we are called to reflect in our daily lives.”(Gex 63)
TalinMan
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October 21, 2020
Redefining Man in the New World Order
Street Art, Rouen, Photo library of TalinMan
The COVID-19 pandemic is perhaps one of the most defining moments in the history of humankind. Like a stealth war machine, the COVID-19 virus infiltrated communities undetected. To date, it has sickened more than 30 million people and destroyed millions of businesses across the globe. With governments confused, societies are cowering in fear. Indeed, it is now time to grapple with the existential issue: redefining man in the new world order.
Call for Solidarity
In his special address before an empty St. Peter’s Square, the Roman Pontiff exhorted all of humanity to unite in solidarity in the midst of adversity. With poignant grace, he described the current situation, saying:
“Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets and our cities; it has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a distressing void, that stops everything as it passes by; we feel it in the air, we notice in people’s gestures, their glances give them away. We find ourselves afraid and lost.
Like the disciples in the Gospel we were caught off guard by an unexpected, turbulent storm. We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat… are all of us. Just like those disciples, who spoke anxiously with one voice, saying “We are perishing” (v. 38), so we too have realized that we cannot go on thinking of ourselves, but only together can we do this.”
Pope Francis, “Urbi et Orbi” Address, 27 March 2020
Forgetfulness of Spiritual Nourishment
Undoubtedly, this pandemic has shattered the confidence of everyone. To allay the fears of society, the Holy Father emphasized the need to rediscover the “antibodies” that would protect society from the current malady.
“The storm exposes our vulnerability and uncovers those false and superfluous certainties around which we have constructed our daily schedules, our projects, our habits and priorities. It shows us how we have allowed to become dull and feeble the very things that nourish, sustain and strengthen our lives and our communities. The tempest lays bare all our prepackaged ideas and forgetfulness of what nourishes our people’s souls; all those attempts that anesthetize us with ways of thinking and acting that supposedly “save” us, but instead prove incapable of putting us in touch with our roots and keeping alive the memory of those who have gone before us. We deprive ourselves of the antibodies we need to confront adversity.”
Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi
A Wake Up Call
Moving further, the Pope lamented the fast-paced progress of the rich and the arrogant. In contrast, however, he cited the indifference of societies to the plight of the poor and the marginalized. In fact, he highlighted certain symptoms that remained unnoticed. Hence, the world is now suffering from the brutal consequences of such neglect, as may be seen below:
In this world, that you love more than we do, we have gone ahead at breakneck speed, feeling powerful and able to do anything. Greedy for profit, we let ourselves get caught up in things, and lured away by haste. We did not stop at your reproach to us, we were not shaken awake by wars or injustice across the world, nor did we listen to the cry of the poor or of our ailing planet. We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick. Now that we are in a stormy sea, we implore you: “Wake up, Lord!”.
Pope Francis, “Urbi et Orbi”, 27 March 2020
A New Twist: Sainthood
Indeed, it is time to wake up and come to realize that change is necessary. Hence, there is only one thing necessary, that is, to re-examine the existential meaning of man. Accordingly, St. Josemaria Escriva’s point no. 22 gives us a hint of man’s ultimate destiny. In effect, this should serve as the golden rule on how one should live life to the fullest.
22
“Be firm! Be virile! Be a man! And then… be a saint!”
St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way
To be a Saint, be a Man
Reflecting on the aphorism above, St. Josemaria suggests that the ultimate goal of man is to be a saint. However, to achieve it would require going back to basics. In other words, you begin by being a man. What would it take to be a man? For facility, I thought it best to share with you some excerpts from the seminal works of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, as follows:
“The true gentleman carefully avoids whatever may cause a jar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast — all clashing of opinion, or collision of feeling, all restraint, or suspicion, or gloom, or resentment; his great concern being to make everyone at his ease and at home. He has his eyes on all his company; he is tender towards the bashful, gentle towards the distant, and merciful towards the absurd; he can recollect to whom he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions or topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation, and never wearisome. He makes light of favors while he does them, and seems to be receiving when he is conferring.
Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, The Definition of a Gentleman
Virtues: Small Acts of Love
Interestingly, Cardinal Newman further expounds on his definition of a gentleman by describing ordinary day-to-day acts or behaviors that conform accordingly. In fact, he highlights some virtues worth emulating. as follows:
“He never speaks of himself except when compelled, never defends himself by a mere retort; he has no ears for slander or gossip, is scrupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him, and interprets everything for the best. He is never mean or little in his disputes never takes unfair advantage, never mistakes personalities or sharp saying for arguments, or insinuates evil which he dare not say out.
From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend. He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient, forbearing, and resigned, on philosophical principles; he submits to pain, because it is inevitable, to bereavement, because it is irreparable, and to death, because it is his destiny.
Ibid
Respect for Religion
Finally, the advice of Cardinal Newman especially to the unbeliever encapsulates the refined character of a person who can ultimately be qualified as a canonizable saint.
If he be an unbeliever, he will be too profound and large-minded to ridicule religion or to act against it; he is too wise to be a dogmatist or fanatic in his infidelity. He respects piety and devotion; he even supports institutions as venerable, beautiful, or useful, to which he does not assent; he honors the ministers of religion, and it contents him to decline its mysteries without assailing or denouncing them. He is a friend of religious toleration, and that, not only because his philosophy has taught him to look on all forms of faith with an impartial eye, but also from the gentleness and effeminacy of feeling, which is the attendant on civilization.
Ibid
In closing, it is my hope that the nuggets of wisdom cited herein would inspire you to examine your inner self. Ultimately, this should move you to aspire for the end goal of having a better life in the new world order to come. After all, conversion is a matter of a moment; and, sanctification is the work of a lifetime.¹
TalinMan
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¹St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way 285
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September 30, 2020
Salute to the Class of 2020 Graduates
Les Parapluies de La Rochelle, October 2019, Photo collection of TalinMan
Last Friday, Ms. Oprah Winfrey gave a salute to the class of 2020 in a commencement speech on Facebook. In her address, Ms. Winfrey exhorted the graduates to step up and be part of “a new and more evolved normal, a world more just, kind, beautiful, tender, luminous, creative & whole.” Effectively, her message was a clarion call to transcend oneself, as may be gleaned from the following excerpt from her speech:
“Every one of us is now being called to graduate, to step toward something, even though we don’t know what. Every one of us is likewise now being called to temper the parts of ourselves that must fall away, to refine who we are, how we define success and what is genuinely meaningful. And you, the real graduates on this day, you will lead us.”
Oprah Winfrey, Commencement Speech in Facebook, May 15, 2020
Learning to be at Peace amidst Adversity
In response to the challenge, Ms. Winfrey underscored the importance of mustering inner strength to enable oneself to decipher the real issues at the root of difficult situations. In her words, “It’s vital that you learn, and we all learn, to be at peace with the discomfort of stepping into the unknown. It’s really OK to not have all the answers. The answers will come for sure, if you can accept not knowing long enough to get still and stay still long enough for new thoughts to take root in your more quiet, deeper, truer self. The noise of the world drowns out the sound of you. You have to get still to listen.”
Deepest Self-care: for the Human Family
Drawing from the wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King, Ms. Winfrey further extolled that: “Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. If humanity is a global body, every soul is a cell in that body, and we are being challenged like never before to keep the global body healthy by keeping ourselves healthy in mind and body and spirit. As all the traditions affirm, the deepest self-care is at once caring for the human family. And we see this so clearly with essential workers.” In a word, she spoke of the importance of solidarity.
Heroism of Essential Workers
Citing the commendable service of essential workers i.e. teachers, health care workers, grocery clerks, truck drivers and food providers, she challenged graduates to contemplate how they would use their own passions to benefit those around them.
In concluding her remarks, Ms. Winfrey expressed her aspiration, saying “my hope is that you will harness your education, your creativity and your valor, your voice, your vote — reflecting on all that you’ve witnessed and hungered for, all that you know to be true — and use it to create more equity, more justice and more joy in the world.”
Setting the Tone for the New Normal
Having read such a powerful and inspiring speech by a great person, I too am moved to salute the Class of 2020 graduates. As a corollary to the advise of Ms. Winfrey, I invite the graduates to take a few minutes to read and reflect on Point No. 9 below:
Point No. 9
What you have just said, say it in another tone, without anger, and what you say will have more force . . . and above all, you won’t offend God.
St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way
For me, Point No. 9 above represents one of the simplest yet profound aphorisms of St. Josemaria Escriva. For the graduates, it will work wonders, specially, at this time of community quarantine when elevated levels of stress and anxiety are affecting the whole of humankind. The key is to give respect to the other person through the use of proper tone of voice in communicating with others.
Human Tone Speaks Louder than Words
Simple as it may seem, we know that the human tone speaks louder than words. Depending on the timbre of one’s voice, its effect on the interlocutor speaks volumes resulting in either enmity or affinity. Hence, it is important to always be careful in using the proper tone of voice when one is communicating with a spouse, a child, a boss or even a customer.
Finally, when one is able to acquire the habit of speaking to people with respect using the human tone, one will be surprised to find out that, the definition of true success is measured by the meaningful relationships one has acquired with family, friends and God.
Salute to the class of 2020, bravo et felicitations tout le monde!
TalinMan
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May 18, 2020