Cruising in these tricky times

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          IN the Gospel, there is a part where Christ laments about

people seemingly knowing a lot of things and yet failing to read the

signs of the times and, thus, failing to make proper judgments and

unprepared to meet our Creator. (cfr. Lk 12,54-59) “You know how to

interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know

how to interpret the present time?” he asked.

          With this lamentation, Christ is actually asking us to learn

how to properly read the signs of the times or how things are going in

general, so that we can become men and women of good judgment and

direct ourselves to our proper end, which is none other than to be

with God in heaven for all eternity, as he wants us to be.

          Obviously, to be able to properly read the signs of the

times is no easy task, especially these days. Given the multiplying

forces and influences that go into our current culture, reading the

signs of the times has become a formidable task that approaches the

level of a nightmare.

          And precisely because of our complex, intricate and puzzling

world, this task has become more necessary. We need to stay away from

the grip of ignorance, confusion, error, the ingredients of perdition.

          Still, not everything is lost and beyond hope. The amount of

information, given our ever-developing technologies, is not only

massive and profound but is also much easier to access now.

          Besides, we are never lacking of people with great

potentials to effectively undertake this delicate task. We just need

to discover them and seek their help.

          What we need at present is the discipline to have an abiding

concern to read the signs of the times. This is no simple thing, since

it’s not just a matter of attitude, habits and skills, though they

figure prominently in this task.

          Yes, we need to learn how to collect data, compare notes,

dialogue with different parties, consult experts, study, reflect, make

conclusions and plan, etc., but all these are not enough.

          Rather, this discipline in the end depends on our living

contact and relationship with what we consider as our God, what we

regard as our ultimate source of light and understanding.

          Only then can we truly become men and women of sound

judgment. There is obviously a theoretical and practical side to this

affair. For one, we need to study the moral principles and the

doctrine of our faith as thoroughly as possible. We should aim at

nothing less than becoming masters and experts in this field, since

these principles and doctrine are indispensable. We should not have

second thoughts on this.

          We have to realize that this study should be an ongoing and

continuing concern, ever deepening and refining our understanding of

these principles and doctrine, such that we can distinguish the

nuances and fine points, and that they become part of our mentality.

          Together with study and meditation, we need to grow in the

virtues and to avail of the sacraments that keep us in the state of

grace. We should not be theoretical and intentional only. We have to

incarnate and express outwardly the things that we have learned in our

ongoing formation.

          Let’s realize that we can only see, judge and know persons,

events and things properly when we have a vibrant interior or

spiritual life, a vital link not only with theories and principles,

but with God himself.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com