NO, I don’t mean that love is about double-dealing, hypocrisy or chameleonic deception. Much less is it a form of madness, a kind of bipolar psychological disorder involving multiple personalities.
Sadly, some people have mistaken love to be those, aside from accusing it of being blind. Thus, it is important that lovers be mature persons to be able to distinguish love from its dangerous look-alikes.
There’s one consistent and unchanging core in love. It is to give oneself unstintingly to another. But it is in its nature to be highly versatile, inventive, flexible, creative. Love cannot be caught stuck in only one rigid form of expression. It sings and dances with any tune.
Thus, you have St. Paul saying, “To the Jews, I became a Jew that I might gain the Jews…To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I became all things to all men, that I might save all.” (1 Cor 9) Amazing, don’t you agree?
This is because love always feels the need to adapt itself always to its beloved. It’s never selfish. It’s joy is in the beloved’s joy. And it’s not blind at all. It is fiercely perceptive and choosy. And it picks what is best for the beloved.
If anyone says he is in love and does not feel this dynamics of love, he better see a doctor or psychiatrist or a spiritual director. He most likely is sick. A lover by nature enjoys some fullness of life. His condition transcends earthly factors.
A lover does not know boredom. He ignores tiredness and buries complacency and passivity. A certain ardor burns in his heart. For discretion, he may not show these externally. But inside him, he is all in flames.
Of course, it helps in loving for one to be gifted with an open, warm and sunshiny disposition. But a lot more is needed. Love requires all the virtues, and true love actually spawns and develops them. Yes, love is synonymous with fertility.
This is because love itself is the mother virtue. The other virtues cover only so much. Love covers the whole spectrum of all possible human conditions. It’s what gives meaning, order and direction to all the other virtues.
And neither is love an on-and-off affair. It needs to work and function all the time. In fact, it should go with the very beating of the heart, since it actually is the language proper to the heart.
Still a lot more is needed for us to love properly. We need God, for God is love. He is the source, pattern and end of love. We can only love properly when we are with God. Otherwise, we will just be playing games.
Again, we hear St. Paul saying, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4,13) God is the power proper to love. Without God, love is doomed to failure.
This is the kind of love that can fuse and blend contrasting qualities, unavoidable in loving, one soft the other hard, one lenient and tolerant the other strict and impatient, one sweet the other bitter.
If we look at Christ, God’s full revelation to us, that’s what we see. Extremely nice to us, he allows us to use our freedom and even to sin. At the same time, he is extremely hard as to ask us to carry the cross with him and enter by the narrow gate.
In him, the tension between freedom and obedience, mercy and justice, joy and suffering, patience and prompt action, compassion and correction, truth and discretion, etc., is overcome.
This skill to resolve contrasting values, only possible in Christ and with Christ, is what we have to attain. For this we need to study his doctrine and example, we need to develop virtues, we need nothing less than grace.
With all the profusion of things these days, driven by ever developing technologies, and the corresponding profusion of mentalities, styles, situations, etc., we need to rev up our capacity to love by learning to be as versatile as Christ himself.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Church and media
THE head of Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Social Communication recently proposed that Church officials and workers make a thorough examination of conscience as to how they have been using the media.
Archbishop John Foley was quite direct and blunt in his assessment. “We have all sinned in the field of communications, especially through sins of omission and also through sins of commission,” he said.
In his view, not only have Church officials failed to communicate in the best possible way God’s love and goodness to the world, but also are guilty of resorting more often to condemnation than to commendation in the use of the media.”
“Pope Benedict,” he said, “has just counseled us not to be seen as always saying ‘no’, but to reflect, and to be seen to reflect, in our use of the media, the love, mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ.”
I cannot agree more with this standpoint. It pains me to consider that given he stature of the Church as an institution in our society, it is still largely regarded as being naïve, bumbling, simplistic, amateurish and self-righteous in handling the media.
The “mirifica”—the marvelous things—of the Gospel are not given proper airing in the media. What often come out are pitiable caricatures of Gospel truths and hollow imitations of what are popularly considered as “sound bites.”
The distinctive spiritual and supernatural quality of the Gospel message is often lost in the translation. And there appears to be no earnest effort to correct this situation. Everyone seems happy with just dropping his two cents worth.
While it is most welcome to note an increase of religious writing in the media recently, there is still a lot more to be done. There has to be more depth and insight, more spiritual spunk.
At the moment, there is a clutter of bland spiritual messages and pietistic clichés that really turn off people. Many think that some churchmen seem not attuned with the times. They are still stuck with an outdated mentality, more accusing than compassionate in tone.
We appeal to those involved to be more creative and forceful. The possibilities to be such are actually endless. We just have to study more, and of course, to pray more, so things come out more credible.
There’s also that hideous theory that to succeed in attracting the audience, one just has to put in a lot of jokes and stories, never mind if they do not have much relevance to Gospel truths, if they don’t make much religious sense. Really, a cheap shot!
Further dimming the picture is when some public issues need intervention of Church officials. Very often, one observes lack of competence and preparation on the part of Church spokespersons. What is obvious is a lot of improvisation.
The pronouncements often give the impression of being incomplete and one-sided, of failing to appreciate concrete realities, of being rigid. Worse, they sometimes sound like playing into the hands of some interest groups.
Many people have complained that some spokespersons are arrogant in their statements, dripping with a repulsive superiority complex, condescension and
a know-it-all attitude. They seem closed to suggestions and corrections.
Their actuations often lead people to question whether they have prudence, good sense of timing, command of appropriate language, basic good manners.
There is also that ticklish matter of when, in what and how Church officials can make their proper interventions with respect to public social and political issues. In this area, I’m afraid we are still much at sea.
Often, one gets the impression Church people are simply meddling without giving appropriate solutions or guidelines, or are second-guessing and engaged in idle attacks, when they comment on these issues.
Many people are not convinced of the arguments and are becoming suspicious of the motives of these ecclesiastics. They think abuse of authority is involved.
Yes, definitely we all need to have a deep examination of conscience, and come up with effective resolutions. Certainly, competence in this area is very much desired. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten all of us!
Archbishop John Foley was quite direct and blunt in his assessment. “We have all sinned in the field of communications, especially through sins of omission and also through sins of commission,” he said.
In his view, not only have Church officials failed to communicate in the best possible way God’s love and goodness to the world, but also are guilty of resorting more often to condemnation than to commendation in the use of the media.”
“Pope Benedict,” he said, “has just counseled us not to be seen as always saying ‘no’, but to reflect, and to be seen to reflect, in our use of the media, the love, mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ.”
I cannot agree more with this standpoint. It pains me to consider that given he stature of the Church as an institution in our society, it is still largely regarded as being naïve, bumbling, simplistic, amateurish and self-righteous in handling the media.
The “mirifica”—the marvelous things—of the Gospel are not given proper airing in the media. What often come out are pitiable caricatures of Gospel truths and hollow imitations of what are popularly considered as “sound bites.”
The distinctive spiritual and supernatural quality of the Gospel message is often lost in the translation. And there appears to be no earnest effort to correct this situation. Everyone seems happy with just dropping his two cents worth.
While it is most welcome to note an increase of religious writing in the media recently, there is still a lot more to be done. There has to be more depth and insight, more spiritual spunk.
At the moment, there is a clutter of bland spiritual messages and pietistic clichés that really turn off people. Many think that some churchmen seem not attuned with the times. They are still stuck with an outdated mentality, more accusing than compassionate in tone.
We appeal to those involved to be more creative and forceful. The possibilities to be such are actually endless. We just have to study more, and of course, to pray more, so things come out more credible.
There’s also that hideous theory that to succeed in attracting the audience, one just has to put in a lot of jokes and stories, never mind if they do not have much relevance to Gospel truths, if they don’t make much religious sense. Really, a cheap shot!
Further dimming the picture is when some public issues need intervention of Church officials. Very often, one observes lack of competence and preparation on the part of Church spokespersons. What is obvious is a lot of improvisation.
The pronouncements often give the impression of being incomplete and one-sided, of failing to appreciate concrete realities, of being rigid. Worse, they sometimes sound like playing into the hands of some interest groups.
Many people have complained that some spokespersons are arrogant in their statements, dripping with a repulsive superiority complex, condescension and
a know-it-all attitude. They seem closed to suggestions and corrections.
Their actuations often lead people to question whether they have prudence, good sense of timing, command of appropriate language, basic good manners.
There is also that ticklish matter of when, in what and how Church officials can make their proper interventions with respect to public social and political issues. In this area, I’m afraid we are still much at sea.
Often, one gets the impression Church people are simply meddling without giving appropriate solutions or guidelines, or are second-guessing and engaged in idle attacks, when they comment on these issues.
Many people are not convinced of the arguments and are becoming suspicious of the motives of these ecclesiastics. They think abuse of authority is involved.
Yes, definitely we all need to have a deep examination of conscience, and come up with effective resolutions. Certainly, competence in this area is very much desired. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten all of us!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Population issue revisited
WITH the election of new members of Congress, concern is now high as to whether the population bills will finally be passed into law. People behind them are campaigning hard to get the numbers to pass them.
These bills are highly contentious. They have provoked a truly sharp clash of positions not showing signs of easing up. Philippine society has been painfully divided as a consequence.
The focus of contention has long shifted from the text and content of the bills, obviously written to sound harmless and benevolent, to the kind of people, institutions and ideologies behind them.
We have to understand that the whole shebang is only a thumbnail of a much larger picture, a mere shadow of a much graver conflict, just one more front in a frontierless war between faith and ideology, between good and evil.
Just the same, the battle in Congress is crucial, for its outcome can significantly transform the complexion of our society. It can open a Pandora’s box. It can be a wedge through which many others more corrupting elements can ruin marriages and break up families.
Whatever relief or help the bills can give seem to be only temporary and shallow. But relief can also be provided by other more acceptable sources. What is clear is that these bills can inflict a deeper and more serious and lasting damage to our culture and ethos.
This is no exaggeration. In fact, I hope I am exaggerating. I know that those promoting these population control and family planning bills will cry that this way of looking at the situation is uncalled for. I understand them perfectly.
But while it is good to be trusting, it is better to be prudent. And in this case, prudence is a result of extensive experience and consistent data gathered worldwide indicating a systematic plan to subvert the very Christian sense of morality.
The issue is not really poverty and overpopulation. If it were just poverty and other social problems, then by all means, we have to go all out in finding the most effective, most practical and cheapest means.
But the issue is not that. The issue is morality. It is our understanding of freedom, responsibility, truth, etc. that is at stake here. There is a most treacherous attempt to undermine morals, using the most seductive arguments.
We are told that we should just be practical, and leave aside the luxury of considering the moral aspects. Why, is it not very moral to be able to eliminate poverty and curb overpopulation? It’s a tired yarn, but many still fall for it.
That is why it is important that everyone is vigilant and generous in helping to clarify the issue. For what is before us is a big challenge, requiring tremendous effort and resources.
We cannot exaggerate the problems and difficulties involved. In defending the truth, what is basically used is also the truth, the truth about us as persons, as children of God, and as responsible social beings and citizens of a certain country.
But it is also truth that can only be given in charity. This is the teaching of the Church, the example of Christ. It cannot be any other way. The goal is not to find out who is right and wrong, who is more clever or practical or popular.
The goal is to convert all to Christ. And this can only be reached through grace, through prayers, through faithful adherence to the doctrine of our faith, through the sacraments and virtues.
This cannot be done by use of force or tricks. No matter how stubborn and dense, no matter how wrong we are, we need to be respected in our freedom.
This approach, of course, is not easy at all. But neither is it an impossible one. As long as one is really with God, he will be with the truth, and he will manage to live, affirm and defend it in charity, no doubt about that.
Bottom line: use more the supernatural and spiritual means without neglecting any human means available to us.
These bills are highly contentious. They have provoked a truly sharp clash of positions not showing signs of easing up. Philippine society has been painfully divided as a consequence.
The focus of contention has long shifted from the text and content of the bills, obviously written to sound harmless and benevolent, to the kind of people, institutions and ideologies behind them.
We have to understand that the whole shebang is only a thumbnail of a much larger picture, a mere shadow of a much graver conflict, just one more front in a frontierless war between faith and ideology, between good and evil.
Just the same, the battle in Congress is crucial, for its outcome can significantly transform the complexion of our society. It can open a Pandora’s box. It can be a wedge through which many others more corrupting elements can ruin marriages and break up families.
Whatever relief or help the bills can give seem to be only temporary and shallow. But relief can also be provided by other more acceptable sources. What is clear is that these bills can inflict a deeper and more serious and lasting damage to our culture and ethos.
This is no exaggeration. In fact, I hope I am exaggerating. I know that those promoting these population control and family planning bills will cry that this way of looking at the situation is uncalled for. I understand them perfectly.
But while it is good to be trusting, it is better to be prudent. And in this case, prudence is a result of extensive experience and consistent data gathered worldwide indicating a systematic plan to subvert the very Christian sense of morality.
The issue is not really poverty and overpopulation. If it were just poverty and other social problems, then by all means, we have to go all out in finding the most effective, most practical and cheapest means.
But the issue is not that. The issue is morality. It is our understanding of freedom, responsibility, truth, etc. that is at stake here. There is a most treacherous attempt to undermine morals, using the most seductive arguments.
We are told that we should just be practical, and leave aside the luxury of considering the moral aspects. Why, is it not very moral to be able to eliminate poverty and curb overpopulation? It’s a tired yarn, but many still fall for it.
That is why it is important that everyone is vigilant and generous in helping to clarify the issue. For what is before us is a big challenge, requiring tremendous effort and resources.
We cannot exaggerate the problems and difficulties involved. In defending the truth, what is basically used is also the truth, the truth about us as persons, as children of God, and as responsible social beings and citizens of a certain country.
But it is also truth that can only be given in charity. This is the teaching of the Church, the example of Christ. It cannot be any other way. The goal is not to find out who is right and wrong, who is more clever or practical or popular.
The goal is to convert all to Christ. And this can only be reached through grace, through prayers, through faithful adherence to the doctrine of our faith, through the sacraments and virtues.
This cannot be done by use of force or tricks. No matter how stubborn and dense, no matter how wrong we are, we need to be respected in our freedom.
This approach, of course, is not easy at all. But neither is it an impossible one. As long as one is really with God, he will be with the truth, and he will manage to live, affirm and defend it in charity, no doubt about that.
Bottom line: use more the supernatural and spiritual means without neglecting any human means available to us.
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