The story is told about a man who ordered soup in a fancy restaurant . The waiter asked : “ What soup do you want , sir ? Clear soup ? Onion soup ? Asparagus soup ?” Feeling trapped , and not knowing what to order , he said : “ Ah , never mind soup , soft drinks na lang !” In today ’ s Gospel ( Mt . 22 , 15- 21 ), the Pharisees plotted to entrap Jesus in His speech by seeking His opinion regarding taxation . Jesus was neither a lawyer nor a philosopher , but he was not trapped and simply said the truth : “ Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God .” Truth is simple and clear , and need not be complicated .
“ Speak your truth quietly and clearly ” ( Desiderata ). Truth need not be shouted , or accompanied with invectives and threats . We don ’ t need demagogues , crowd-rousers , or eloquent preachers to move or
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incite us . Truth , if it is truth , need not be managed or packaged . Truth , if it is truth , needs only to be told .
“ Balanced news and fearless views .” This is the battle cry of this newspaper , the Philippine Daily Inquirer . Its former editor in chief , the late Letty Jimenez Magsanoc , and her contemporaries fought hard to make it so . May we continue to emulate their courage and commitment to truth .
Today is World Mission Sunday . We have a mandate to preach and share the Gospel truth with all creation . We all are missionaries wherever we are , wherever we go , whatever we do . What have you done , what are you doing the rest of your life , to live and share your faith ?
Let us pray for all missionaries “ out there ” who have left home , country and family , braving poverty , pain , and even persecution for the sake of the Gospel . May
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the Lord bless their mission endeavors . And we who are “ in here ,” let us support them , and let us also do our part and carry out our mission .
Mary Ann and Edwin Cua waited for 10 years to have a child , and in 2000 , Jahred Theodore was born . But he had cerebral palsy . They established Quality Life Discoveries to give him the therapies that he needed for his rehabilitation . Jahred died at the age of 14 , but their mission did not end with the death of their son . In Mary Ann ’ s words , “ Jahred was sent to us so that we will continue to help other people , especially the indigents who are in the same situation .” For inquiries , call 9127433 or e-mail www . qualitylifediscoveries . com .
In a recent pilgrimage to Medjugorje , we boarded a small ship going to different islands along the Adriatic Sea , and visiting different churches and monasteries . We started our journey by saying to one
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another : “ No to hilo , yes to halo ” ( or “ no to dizziness , yes to saintliness ”). Some people have become so crazy and dizzy with power , money , popularity , and pleasures that they have lost their innocence , sanctity and holiness .
Many seminaries in Europe and America that used to produce hundreds of missionaries who were then sent all over the world are now empty or shuttered . We gratefully acknowledge their precious contribution to the world mission . Now it is the turn of the Philippines and other Asian countries to “ export ” missionaries . Let us do our part to pray for and support our Filipino missionaries . You may contact Fr . Roderick Salazar , SVD , mission director , at telephone number 7217457 .
Walking behind a septuagenarian couple , Tong and Daisy Payumo , I said I was edified that they are still sweet to each other after 46 years of
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marriage . Whereupon Tong quipped with his signature wit and humor : “ Out of necessity , Father !” May we not forget that joy is a very important aspect of our Christian vision and mission . Spreading joy , hope , and sunshine is something that all of us can and should do . Pope Francis reminds us to be agents of Gospel joy ( Evangelii Gaudium ).
Think about this : If we can make even one person happy or give hope to people that come our way , then we are doing our mission . Let us do whatever we can , in any way we can , whenever and wherever we can , to carry out our mission for God , and our fellow men and women . One day at a time is all that God asks of us .
A moment with the
Lord : Lord , help us to live lives that are free from truth decay . Amen . ( Inquirer )
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