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IN
THIS ISSUE:
Cover
Page
by Bro.
Pete Lapid
The
Father Speaks
by Fr.
Siegfrid Binzler
SPECIAL:
Place
of Refuge
By
Philip Yuson
Sharing
By
Tintin Magbitang
Our
Faith
By Fr.
KJ Veeger, MSC
Surabaya
Corner
By
Ramon Martillano
Sharing
By
Carolle Bautista
Here's
the Latest
By
Tintin Magbitang
Reflection
Homily
by
Fr.
Martinus
God
Answers Prayers
By
Beth Manibog
Saint
for the Month
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 - PROFILE
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- GENESIS
CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
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OUR FAITH
 
It is said in Britain “better safe
than sorry”. Usually the phrase applies to situations, in which
people have to make up their mind on what to do. It might be better
not to eat too much, than suffer from an upset stomach. Better to be
contented with the salary we earn honestly, than to be accused of
corruption with all its terrifying consequences.
Yet many persons like to take risks
and prefer “vivere pericolosamente” (living dangerously). Not because
they don’t want safety, but because they believe that the forbidden
fruit tastes better and attracts them more than the fruit in the
marketplace. It’s good to spend some thought on it.
Righteousness and doing what is
commonly approved of, do not receive the same headlines and attention
as evil and the uncommon. What deviates from the normal pattern, and
is sensational is rather tempting if there lies a hidden secret behind
it. Just mentioned corruption might contain the promise of an end to
poverty or hardship, and of sudden wealth and happiness. The common
and the generally expected and respected, like for example honesty and
doing one’s duties faithfully, do not promise anything than what is
known and familiar already, and is often dissatisfying.
Although in the Gospel it is said by
Jesus, that it is better to go to heaven with one eye or one hand,
than to hell with both, these words might be not that convincing for
many, because they do not believe that their corporality in life
hereafter depends on eyes and hands. So the desire of a better life
will motivate them to try the unusual, the risky and often sinful.
Another reason of living dangerously
is man’s sense of adventure. On the one hand it may make his conduct
unlawful, unsafe and unapproved of, but in exchange the person
concerned get a kick out of it, excitement and a feeling of being in
control. For example, take a motorcyclist, who at abnormal high speed
rides zigzag through the traffic. He acts dangerously! However, on
the other hand it makes him feel being the winner. We may say that it
is irrational, but to him it is emotionally attractive. He will say,
that – rationally speaking – speeding zigzag is dangerous for himself
and other, but he feels good by it, so that very often he
underestimates the extent of danger.
We can easily apply these thoughts
to immoral and sinful conduct. Theoretically the sinner knows, that
what he does is morally wrong. Nonetheless he sins, because it is
promising. What the righteous person suppresses in his mind, is given
consideration by the evil-doer. He believes that what he is in lack
of and needs, is provided by sin. The adulterer believes that
faithfulness victimizes him, but sin liberates. The corrupt person
believes, that honesty keeps him poor and powerless, but stealing,
cheating, marking-up and deceiving others, open up new possibilities.
The gossiper who talks scandal of his fellowmen, believes, that he
serves himself and the country the best by unmasking others, even if
they are innocent. The one obsessed by revenge believes that by his
retaliation, sadism, and murder justice is done. So we can go on and
on! It always boils down to falsification of the truth for the sake
of an assumed or imagined better self or world.
Further analyzing the phenomenon of
evil, we must say, that it is not inspired by reason, but emotion.
Graft, greed, anger, pride, lust, gluttony, hatred and others, are
most often uncontrolled passions that keep the person in their grip.
In the language of the Gospel, they “enslave” him without his
knowledge, or make him the captive of his own lower instincts. The
struggle against evil, and for man’s liberation are most effectively
supported by sound reasoning and listening to God’s Word in faith.
St. Paul wrote to the Romans: “God punishes the sinners,
because……..they KNOW GOD, but they do not give Him the honor that
belongs to Him……… Instead, their thoughts have become complete
nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness. They say,
that they are wise, but they are fools…. And so God has given those
people over to the filthy things their hearts desire, and they do
shameful things with each other. They exchange the truth about God
for a lie…(Rom. 1:18-28).
The false
promises that evil makes and its dictatorial emotionality must be
broken through by the person who wants to live by the light of God;
His own good conscience, enlightened by faith, must be given priority
over feelings. Still too often we see how emotions determine the
person.
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