RELIGIOUSNESS - GODLINESS - DEVOUTNESS

One of the most important parts of my life is the belief in a supernatural power that governs the universe. It doesn't matter which religion we belong to or believe in: the recognition of God as an object of worship. The form of worship should be our primary need.

During my stay in several Western countries, I experienced icy and conceited comments such as "religiousness isn't popular anymore". Religiousness makes people unwilling and morose because of exaggeration and sometimes even hypocrisy.

I found out that in times of Covid-19 more and more people started praying again. Since then the coronavirus no longer allows us to go to church, worshipping and its broadcasts happened online. Of course, it's not the same as before. As I said before: nothing will be the same as before... But it doesn't mean that I cut my relationship with God and stop talking to him.

Increasing negative headlines about the "institutional church" nowadays and also in the past, and embarrassing comparisons lead only to discord. People have asked if there is still a chance of religiousness.

How come? We want to see the religiosity of our fellow creatures. We want to understand their ideology. But we are also poking our nose into other people's business too much. Let's look behind the scenes and let's find out what religious behavior promotes: humility in actual life. Maybe. It's hard for us to do without affecting others. We even forget the real meaning of religiousness.

St. John Crysostom subscribed to the topic "Pagans and Christians" very well: "There would be no pagans if we were good Christians. But the pagans see us manifesting the same desires, pursuing the same objects - power and honor - as themselves, how can they admire Christianity?

They see our lives open to reproach and our souls worldly. We admire wealth equally with them and even more. How, then, can they believe? From miracles? But these are no longer wrought. From our conversion? It has become corrupt. From charity? Not a trace of it is anywhere seen. (Quotation "Winnowing Fan", Vol. XX, June 2003, S of G Foundation, Makati).

If I talk about myself I am proud to have people in my surroundings who taught me how to be on the right track - unconcerned and unnoticed. Natural and uninhibited, they showed me how to put real religiousness into action besides praying and going regularly to the church in the past. I call such people religious. I mean it as praise because they don't like to blow their trumpets while acting like Christians in our daily life. Having such people around us makes it easier to practice forgiveness...

And, as always, my dear readers: stay safe and healthy!

Once upon a time in the Philippines (I)

Exploring Mindanao 1989: Mawab, Monkayo, Diwalwal etc.

Going the extra mile!

The employees of the provincial government of Davao de Oro as the trained enumerators and geo taggers braved the mountains and remote areas, walked long miles, crossed rivers using bamboo raft just to help establish a concrete, accurate and reliable baseline data as point of reference that serves as basis for the decision makers and development planners to come up with an evidence-based quality, doable and implementable plans, policies programs and projects to be prioritized.

Through the Provincial Household Profiling and Needs Assessment (PHPNA), the government will get new, accurate and correct data in terms of health, demographics characteristics, building/house structural characteristics, climate change and disaster information, and accessibility and communication.

This activity is set to be completed until November this year and shall be conducted in all municipalities of the province as part of steeping up data collection, and improving DDO through Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. There's no greater challenge and there is no greater honor than to be in public service. (Rey Antibo, ID DDO)

(Photo credits taken from various enumerators, geo-taggers)