“Be rich in the things of God”

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

ONCE again, we are reminded in that gospel episode where a man asked Christ to arbitrate in his matter of inheritance with his brother (cfr. Lk 12,13-21) that we should be focused more on the things of God rather than on our earthly affairs.

Not that our earthly affairs are not important. They are, but only as a means or an occasion to lead us to God. Our usual problem is that we get trapped in the drama of our temporal affairs without referring them to what has eternal value, and that is, to be with God, to be like God. That is how we can be rich in the things of God.

We need to see to it that in our temporal affairs, even as we take care of their technical and other human and natural aspects and requirements, we should build up things like the virtues of honesty, integrity, patience, compassion, etc., because these are what would make us rich in what matters to God.

We have to have the good sense of living the basic social principles of the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity that would constitute the proper sense of responsibility for us. And we have to understand that by the common good, we mean God first before we think of any good for man.

To be rich in what matters to God is not so much a matter of how much wealth and possessions we have as it is of how much love we have for God which is always translated in our love for the others, expressed in deeds and not just in intentions.

We may be rich or poor in our worldly standards, but what should be pursued with extreme care and seriousness is that our heart gets filled with love for God and love for the others.

Yes, one can be rich materially—he can be a millionaire or a billionaire—but he should see to it that he fits the category of what one of the beatitudes regarded as “poor in spirit” because in spite of or even because of his great wealth, his heart is fully for God and for the others.

This, of course, will require tremendous struggle and constant purification and rectification of our intentions and ways, given the fact that we are always prone to get attached to the things of this world and to the ways of greed, envy and the like.

We have to continually check ourselves especially these days when we are bombarded with many tantalizing and intoxicating things that can capture our heart and remove God from it. It always pays to lead a very simple and austere life in spite of the great wealth that we may have.

And to be clear about this also: that the more wealth we have, the greater also would be our responsibility to show our love for God and others with deeds. The scope and range of that love should grow exponentially, so to speak.

We should be wary of our tendency to get complacent in this duty of living true Christian poverty and detachment. We really have to fight tooth and nail against this tendency because the likelihood for us to fall for this sweet poison of the new things today is high.

At the end of the day, we should be able to say that with our struggles and rectitude of intention, we are truly getting rich in what matters to God!

Envoys raise concern over China’s latest maneuvers off Ayungin Shoal

BY RAYMUND ANTONIO

Oct 22, 2023 08:05 PM

  

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Ambassadors from several countries expressed their concern and alarm over the collision incident between a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel and Philippine vessels in the disputed West Philippine Sea as they backed the Philippines’ position of upholding maritime order based on a United Nations (UN) convention.

BRP Cabra's (right) port side is bumped by Chinese maritime militia vessel (CMMV) 00003 during a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal on Oct. 22, 2023. (Courtesy of National Task Force for West Philippine Sea)

The ambassadors of Japan, Australia, European Union, Germany, and the Netherlands took to X (formerly Twitter) to sound the alarm on China’s maneuvers in the region.

The United States and Canada have earlier condemned China for its conduct. 

“Seriously concerned about and alarmed by the collision between Chinese and Philippines vessels. (Japan) strongly opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. We stand with/by PH’s position; upholding maritime order based on UNCLOS & 2016 Arbitral Award,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko wrote.

German Ambassador to Manila Andreas Pfaffernosche reiterated the international community’s call for China to uphold maritime laws in accordance to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the landmark convention that was the basis of the Philippines’ arbitral win over China’s nine-dash line claim.

“(Germany) is very concerned about recent confrontations in the South Cina Sea involving Chinese coast guard ships and maritime militia vessels in the exclusive economic zone of the (Philippines),” he said.

“(Germany) calls on all parties to act in accordance with UNCLOS-rules and to respect the 2016 arbitral award,” he added. 

Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu also called out China’s “dangerous manoeuvres” in the disputed waters.

“Australia is concerned by China’s dangerous manoeuvres that damaged (Philippine) vessels and disrupted a (Philippine) resupply mission in the (Philippines’) EEZ,” she said.

“The South China Sea is a vital international waterway for us all. We again call for peace, stability & respect for UNCLOS,” the envoy added.

EU Ambassador to Manila Luc Veron blasted the “very disturbing” incidents, referring to recent and successive tensions between the Philippines and China.

“These incidents, their repetition and intensification are dangerous and very disturbing. We join the Philippines in its call for the full observance of International Law in the South China Sea,” he wrote.

Netherlands Ambassador to Manila Marielle Geraedts echoed her colleagues’ concerns as she retweeted the post of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTFWPS).

“Another worrying incident. Glad nobody got hurt. The Netherlands stands with the Philippines in its call for the full observance of International Law in the South China Sea,” she wrote.

The Netherlands is home to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which handed to the Philippines its landmark 2016 arbitral tribunal win against China’s sweeping claims that overlaps on the territories of the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Vietnam.

The ambassadors’ statements came after the NTFWPS reported that a CCG vessel collided with a Philippine Army-contracted resupply civilian boat and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel while on a resupply mission to a grounded Philippine vessel in the Ayungin Shoal.

What are some lesser-known culinary gems from Southeast Asia that offer a diverse range of flavors?

Datu Ulap

In the Philippines, the southern region of Mindanao is a culinary gem even many Filipinos outside of the southern region do not know about.

• The region of Bangsamoro in particular, is known for its use of chilis, palapa, turmeric, burnt coconut, malagkit, and curry dishes such as rendang and kulma.

• Zamboanga is known for local specialties such as spanner crab and satti, a local version of satay.

• The Tausug are known for their unique dishes such as tiyula itum and piyanggang.

• Dulang are traditional feasts of the Maranao people, prepared for guests during celebrations.

• In recent years, vloggers have highlighted the local cuisines of Bangsamoro and even visited Quiapo Muslim Town in Manila where many Maranao, Maguindanao, and Tausug residents live. 

Indonesia has some regional cuisines not well known by the rest of the world outside of Maritime Southeast Asia. Padang cuisine comes from the Minangkabau people in West Sumatra.

• Padang cuisine, or Masakan Padang, is well-known around Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and is known for its use of coconut milk and chilis, and its halal-friendly nature reflects the Islamic heritage of the Minangkabau people.

• Nasi Kapau is one example of the variety Padang cuisine offers and is a common item in Minangkabau restaurants. Steamed rice comes with various choices of dishes.

• Nasi Padang is similar to Nasi Kapau, though Nasi Padang originates from Padang while Nasi Kapau originates from Nagari Kapau, Bukittinggi. Nasi Padang is served with a variety of small plates.

Is it still useful to learn German?

 

Epiphanie Bloom

Yes. You will be able to communicate with people in Germany, Austria and half of Switzerland, as well as immigrants from those places. I understand that Germany has a thriving publishing industry, so you will be able to gain access to that market. And if you have an interest in technology and/or philosophy, Germany is strong in this area. As one of the most successful economies in the EU, knowing the language will open doors to employment. Also, Germans are openminded people for the most part!