Scandals and the duty to give good example

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

          IN the gospel, Christ told us clearly that scandals cannot

be avoided in this world. “Things that cause sin will inevitably

occur, but woe to the one through whom they occur,” he said. “It would

be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be

thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to

sin.” (Lk 17,1-2)

          We need to be prepared to properly handle this unavoidable

condition in our life. We should try our best not to scandalize

others. Instead, we should do all we can to give good example and

edify others. And since we cannot avoid scandals, we should learn how

to toughen ourselves so as not to be scandalized by them. Instead, we

should see how we can correct and help those who cause scandals.

          We have to be most careful about the danger of scandal, both

in its active and passive aspects, since this danger is now rampant.

In fact, we can say that the danger has become part of the world

culture, promoted not only by individuals, but also by big and

powerful institutions like the media, and in the fields of politics,

business, entertainment, sports, etc.

          For this, we truly need to have the very love that God has

for all of us. It’s a love that is not scandalized by anything. It, of

course, continues to maintain that what is wrong is wrong, what is

sinful and evil is sinful and evil. It does not compromise the truth

of things.

          But that fact should not take away one’s love for the person

who happens to be wrong not only in some matters of opinion but also

in some very serious matters, like matters of faith, hope and charity.

          It’s a love that clearly shows one is with God and is

following the new commandment Christ gave us—that we love one another

as he himself has loved us. (cfr. Jn 13,34) It’s a love that was

clearly described by St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians:

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures

all things.” (13,7)

          To avoid scandalizing others, we should focus more on giving

good example. That way, we would be most sensitive to our duty not to

scandalize others. We would be aware that we are following Christ’s

command and will, and not just pursuing our own agenda in life.

          Let us hope that we can echo sincerely in our heart what St.

Paul once said: “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor 11,1)

This should be the motive and the attitude we have in desiring to give

good example to others. It is to imitate Christ, to have his mind, to

identify ourselves with his will and ways.

          Everyday, we have to come out with a concrete plan to

fulfill this duty of giving good example to others. It may just be as

little as smiling, or reacting calmly when some disappointment comes

our way, or saying something nice about somebody whose faults and

mistakes are obvious, or showing compassion to those in difficulty and

offering mercy to those who may have done us wrong, etc.

          Part of our sense of accountability at the end of the day

should be to present to God in our examination of conscience the

concrete things we have done to give good example to others.

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

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Our globe and its population bear innumerable strange facts. Following many people's opinion, this world shows mostly worried characteristics and symptoms nowadays. No wonder. Just try to consume and digest today's headlines and news from all around the globe.

The stranger whom we meet for the first time during a business meeting, for example, maybe an uncommon, odd and extraordinary guy. He may be someone from a foreign country, who speaks another language and whose skin is of another color. He may be a migrant, a restless hiker or the expatriate in our neighbourhood.

The foreigner beside you and me can become a provocation or a challenge. Strangeness can become exoticism. Maybe that's why my family and I decided to move to the Philippines. On the other hand - going abroad can open other and even better horizons. We must not feel as "a stranger in paradise". By the way, I never did since I have been touring around the globe many times. The pandemic with its ups and downs thwarted the bill.

However, a migrant bears a juxtaposition of optimism (even calculated optimism!), confused feelings, nostalgia, and homesickness. Yes guys, during the first two years of my expat's life in the Philippines, the round trip ticket was always in my mind, because no one among us can escape his native roots.

But, I am really a lucky guy. I experienced an amazing tolerance in the Philippines. A real practicing tolerance. Already, during my first business meetings, I met supportive, forbearing and  broad minded people. A wonderful mix of different cultures without giving up their own identity... .

Every new challenge in a strange country means a change. Changes in life are necessary and important. Let's alter or make a difference; let's put one thing for another; let's shift; let's quit one state for another; let's take fresh clothing. Let's burn the "lock fat" away. And remember: nothing comes from anything.

Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change. ... Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.

PH to observe, learn from Thailand's experience in reopening country to foreign tourists

Phra Nang Beach, Krabi, Thailand (Sumit Chinchane/ Unsplash)

by Ellson Quismorio, Manila Bulletin

The Philippine government will try to learn from its neighbor Thailand as the latter opens up to fully vaccinated foreign tourists for the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic last year.

“Tinitingnan din po natin ang magiging karanasan ng Thailand dahil isa siya sa pinakauna na nagbukas ng turismo (We will look at the experience of Thailand because it is among the first to reopen its tourism industry)?” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press conference Friday, Nov. 5.

Roque noted that the economy of Philippines, like Thailand, is dependent on its revenues from tourism, which took a big hit the world over due to the emergence of the deadly COVID-19 early last year.

“Kaya lang mas dependent talaga sila sa tourism ‘no kung ikukumpara sa atin (But compared to us, they’re really more dependent on their tourism),” he said.

Still, stakes are high for Philippine tourism to get back on its feet as soon as possible, especially with the local hosting of the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in March 2022.

Asked by a reporter if the Philippine government plans to reopen to international tourists in time for next year’s event, Roque replied: “Tama po kayo, pupuwedeng mangyari iyan ‘no. Pero kaya nga po, kinakailangan ma-achieve natin ang population protection by December (Yes you’re correct, that could happen. But that’s why we need to achieve population protection by December).”

The nationwide vaccination rate against COVID-19 stands at around 37 percent (full vaccination).

Over in the National Capital Region (NCR), nearly 89 percent of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated. This high rate of vaccination along with the plummeting daily new cases have allow the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to de-escalate the region’s status from alert level 3 to alert level 2.

“So in due time po. We will open tourism in due time ‘no. At ngayon nga po na alert level 2 (And now that we’re under alert level 2), that’s very encouraging,” Roque said.