Reading the writing on the wall

WE have to learn to read the signs of the times. It’s an aspect of prudence done beyond our personal affairs and going to the social and global dimensions of our life.

            It enables us to anticipate things and prepare ourselves for them adequately. It alerts us to overcome our naivete and complacency, and to be very alive to the challenges of our times, anticipating things and shaping the course the events.

            Remember Christ reproaching some people for their lack of this skill. “When it is evening, you say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red. And in the morning: Today there will be a storm, for the sky is red and lowering. You know then how to discern the face of the sky, and can you not know the signs of the times?” (Mt 16,2-3)

            Our usual problem is that we get contented with appearances alone, the externals, the here and now and all that, and we miss the substance and the future of things. We very often blindly follow social and fashion trends and we hardly bother about their morality and ethical implications.

            This attitude is sadly present in practically all aspects of our life. In our politics, for example, the players seem to be not as much interested in pursuing the common good, which is what politics is all about, as in gaining, retaining and increasing their power and influence. Politics has become a game of power-seeking instead of selfless service to the people.

            The current screaming scandal of the pork barrel that has practically converted our Congress into a “House of Representathieves,” and our lawmakers into big-time “senatongs” and “tongressmen” is a clear consequence of this attitude.

            And to think that we are supposed to be a Christian country, and many of our officials are Catholics who like to parade their Catholicity in fiestas and other big events! This is because we fail to read the signs of the times, the writing on the wall.

            We are easily taken in by ostentatious displays of goodness by our public servants and turn a blind eye to their personal weaknesses, the temptations around and the deficiencies and loopholes of our systems that actually cry for proper attention.

            While it’s good always to be nice, trusting and believing, such attitude is not meant to displace our duty also to be careful and judicious in dealing with persons and assessing things.

            We can also say the same things about the world of business and economics, where very often we take things for granted until problems, which start small and tolerable, blow up into destructive crises.

            Same with the world of spirituality and piety. The need for ongoing formation, for continuing renewal and conversion is often neglected or done pro forma alone. And the supporting structure to facilitate this need is also often neglected. So what can you expect?

            We have to learn to be discerning of how things are running. Many good and bad things go together, like the gospel parable about the wheat and the weeds. There are elements that can be dangerous, and we have to learn how to avoid them or convert them into something useful.

            Obviously, for this skill we need to have the proper criteria. Yes, we can use all the sciences and arts with their corresponding technologies for this purpose. Let’s hope that we develop an interdisciplinary approach to things, since world trends are not anymore as simple as black and white.

            But we need to realize also that the ultimate standard would be the doctrine of our Christian faith and morals. That’s where we get a clear picture of what is good or bad, just or unjust, as given and defined by God himself, the Creator. That’s where we go beyond the realm of opinions and go to the absolute truths.

            That’s why a continuing catechesis and evangelization, starting with oneself, then the family and other higher entities, is always a necessity. We can never enough of it, since life will always present new challenges, questions and issues.

            And more than just studying the doctrine, what is necessary is for everyone to try his best to acquire and develop the virtues in an endless way. That’s the only way we can see and judge things properly.

            As St. Paul once said, only a spiritual man can discern spiritual realities and their corresponding morality. The carnal man would have no real interest in the spiritual and supernatural.

           

            Let’s see if we can develop a keen sense of reading the writing on the wall.