A JUDAS AND A LITTLE BIT HOPE

Exploring the story of Judas reminds us that human weakness is common. While he is known for his ultimate betrayal, his story teaches us about forgiveness. Both Judas and Peter made huge mistakes, but the difference was that Peter accepted grace, while Judas let shame and doubt take over.

It’s easy to dismiss Judas as a villain or a victim, but I’m struck by the fact that, in many ways, he was just like me.

Judas was a follower of Jesus and a preacher of the gospel, but there was a double mindedness about him. In the end, he abandoned the faith he once professed.

The apostle Judas, probably also called Thaddeus or Jude, being a brother of James and Jesus, started as a fervent follower of Christ. Then, suddenly he changed. He felt that Christ didn't  satisfy his worldly expectations. The church, like Christ, is always loved by its true followers and is always hated by its apostates.  Till today - no matter what belief you are in... .

Judas didn't leave the apostolic community to become a Pharisee or a critic  of Christ. He  leaves to become a traitor! Such a traitor will always find fault or a misinterpretation of human teaching. Judas gathered reasons that he, himself, had heard  and witnessed  to justify  his betrayal. Yes, we all also know such people who betray us and sometimes a whole country.

A Jewish mob tried to throw Christ down a cliff, but nothing happened. Soldiers tried to arrest Him, but nothing happened. The Pharisees tried to entrap Him to no effect. It needed a friend to betray Him. He escaped from all, but not from the treason of a friend. "It would have been better for that man if he had not been born!" No such sentence was hurled, for example, to Pilate or Herod.

The lesson for all of us is very clear. A bad politician or one of our neighbors can be the foulest thing on earth. A bad pagan cannot be 1/10 corrupt.

"Do not betray another man's confidence!" the bible teaches us. But Judases can be found everywhere. Just as fire is not born from snow, so is the seeker after worldly honors not seeking heavenly ones. or have you ever seen the snow catch fire?

The maladroit politician named Judas betrays his voter and elector through beautiful soft promises while corrupting a whole nation. The peace conference member or peacemaker named Judas just gives double standards while allowing at the same time his jackals and accomplices to kill and injure his own countrymen. The neighbor, who declares how much he loves his family while going on unhindered destroying the environment is also named Judas... .

Judas' sins are really not rare. We commit it every day. Someone who has changed his ideals away from the ideals of the church and declares it to the world, anyone who leaves the church or the religious order and proclaims it to the world, "night had fallen on his soul"!

When Julius Caesar was being assassinated what hurt him was not the stabs of Caius but the presence of his friend Brutus. We might never know it, but we could be carrying on our lips the kiss of Judas!

Many times I do voice out people's longing for advice and actions through the institution's church. There are many. Please allow me to quote former Rev. Mariano C. Apilado, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, who had done a first important step already many years ago by saying:

"Christian hope does never shield people, much less  Christians  from disappointments, hardships and betrayals, nor does it provide neat and ready answers to the world's problems. Christian hope empowers Christians to take responsibility in the establishment of a government that respects the law and protection of the people and their rights in the struggle for justice and development. ... Christian hope is not peanuts for it assures us: there is always a future looking forward to it. Without hope, Christian faithfulness is suspect and without foundation. with this hope, we sing, celebrate and work faithfully and courageously, believing, 'that we shall overcome'!"

Warum leiden so viele Menschen an Depressionen?

 Die Depression ist kein Defekt. Sie ist ein Bote.

Das klingt zunächst hart, fast unfair gegenüber jedem, der dieses schwere Last kennt.

Wir sind es gewohnt, die Depression als Krankheit zu behandeln, als etwas, das von außen über uns kommt wie eine Erkältung, das man wegmachen muss, damit das Leben wieder funktioniert. Aber was, wenn sie etwas anderes ist? Was, wenn sie kein Feind ist, sondern ein Signal? Eine Stimme, die etwas mitteilen will, und zwar so lange lauter wird, bis man hinhört.

Schau dir an, wann die Schwere kommt. Sie kommt selten, wenn ein Mensch tut, wofür er gemacht ist. Sie kommt, wenn etwas im Leben übergangen wird. Wenn eine Wahrheit jahrelang zurückgehalten wird. Wenn ein Mensch ein Leben führt, das nicht seines ist. Wenn eine Aufgabe ruft und überhört wird. Viktor Frankl, der das Konzentrationslager überlebte, nannte es das existenzielle Vakuum: das Gefühl der Leere, das entsteht, wenn das Leben seinen Sinn verloren hat. Und er beobachtete, dass dieses Vakuum krank macht. Der Mensch ist ein sinnsuchendes Wesen. Nimm ihm den Sinn, und etwas in ihm beginnt zu verkümmern.

Genau das beschreibt auch die hermetische Tradition. Das Fehlen eines Sinnes im Leben führt zu dem Gefühl, das eigene Dasein zu verschwenden, und aus diesem Gefühl entstehen Lebenskrisen, die sich bis in psychische und körperliche Erkrankung vertiefen können. Die Depression wäre dann das, was geschieht, wenn die Seele zu lange gegen ihre eigene Richtung gelebt hat.

Hier kommt ein Gesetz ins Spiel, das einfach klingt und tief wirkt. Wohin du deine Aufmerksamkeit richtest, dorthin fließt deine Energie. Und was Energie bekommt, das wächst. Das ist der Grund, warum die Depression sich selbst verstärkt. Sie zieht die Aufmerksamkeit auf das Dunkle, auf den Mangel, auf die Sinnlosigkeit. Und je mehr die Aufmerksamkeit dort verweilt, desto mächtiger wird genau das, was den Menschen leiden lässt. Es entsteht ein Sog nach unten, eine Spirale, in der der Schmerz sich selbst nährt.

Doch in genau diesem Gesetz liegt auch der Ausweg.

Wenn die Aufmerksamkeit das ist, was die Wirklichkeit vermehrt, dann ist die Aufmerksamkeit auch der Hebel der Befreiung. Die Frage ist nicht mehr, wie werde ich das Leiden los, sondern wohin will dieses Leiden meine Aufmerksamkeit lenken. Was ruft hier nach mir? Welcher Teil meines Lebens wurde zu lange übergangen? Welche Aufgabe wartet, die ich aus Angst, aus Bequemlichkeit, aus alter Prägung immer wieder verschoben habe?

Denn meistens steht hinter der Schwere kein Nichts, sondern ein Zuviel an Ungelebtem. Ein Mensch fragt sich, warum er sich leer fühlt, und unter der Frage liegt eine andere, die er sich lange nicht gestellt hat. Wofür bin ich eigentlich hier? Was würde ich tun, wenn die Angst mich nicht aufhielte? Und ganz unten, bei fast jedem, sitzt dieselbe alte Wurzel: die Existenzangst. Die Angst, nicht genug zu sein, nicht genug zu haben, nicht zu bestehen. Sie treibt den Menschen in ein Leben, das auf Sicherheit ausgerichtet ist statt auf Sinn, und genau dort, im sicheren, aber sinnleeren Leben, wird die Depression geboren.

Die Botschaft der Schwere lautet dann nicht du bist kaputt, sondern du lebst noch nicht das, wofür du gekommen bist.

Das macht das Leiden nicht klein. Es macht es bedeutsam. Ein Schmerz, der eine Richtung hat, ist etwas vollkommen anderes als ein Schmerz, der sinnlos erscheint. Der erste lässt sich gehen. Der zweite frisst. Und der Wechsel zwischen beiden geschieht in dem Moment, in dem ein Mensch aufhört zu fragen warum geschieht mir das, und anfängt zu fragen wozu, wohin, was will sich durch mich melden.

Vielleicht ist die Depression deshalb für manche der Anfang gewesen, nicht das Ende. Der Punkt, an dem das alte Leben zu eng wurde und die Seele die Notbremse zog. Nicht um den Menschen zu zerstören, sondern um ihn zu zwingen, endlich hinzuschauen.

Die Schwere sagt: hier stimmt etwas nicht mit der Richtung deines Lebens.

Und das ist, wenn man es ganz zu Ende denkt, eine zutiefst hoffnungsvolle Nachricht. Denn eine Richtung kann man ändern.

Resting with the Lord

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Jul 5, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jul 4, 2026 04:51 pm

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Gospel • Matthew 11:25-30

In this reflection, we focus on the theme of rest (Greek, anapausis) or being refreshed (Greek, anapauein).

This is what Jesus promises in the Gospel to those who are laboring or toiling. But Jesus is not only inviting people to take a rest; he invites them to himself because he has a special kind of rest for them.

What could this rest be, this special rest that he has in store for his followers? Every day, people work day in and day out.

Others even work more than they rest or sleep. No wonder they get so tired and even get sick. Indeed, daily life presents us with much to take care of, not just in the workplace but also in our homes.

Even in our supposed resting hours we can still be working, our minds continue to think of how to accomplish our tasks, meet deadlines, etc. Ideally, there is a rest day or even days given to us each week.

Presumably, to allow us to recover our energies or be refreshed for the next week’s schedules and tasks. Unfortunately, even our rest days, our days of the Lord, are taken up by unfinished tasks.

After a while, this becomes the pattern; rest is no longer part of our routine, and we simply are consumed with our work. But what kind of life is this? What sort of life are we living when we cannot even give time for ourselves and for God?

In the Gospel, Jesus invites his listeners to come to him, offering them rest. But actually, the next line/s seem to contradict what he just said. Because, instead of simply saying that if they come to him they will find rest, period, he adds an invitation or command, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…” (v 29). So, we are to still work after all? The yoke which Jesus offers still symbolizes labor, burden; why not take away this yoke altogether?

The following lines, however, give us a hint about the meaning of Jesus’ invitation: first of all, he as the giver of the yoke, and their teacher is meek and humble of heart.

He is not an imposing, strict “employer,” but a “meek and humble of heart” (Greek, praus… kai tapeinos te kardia).

Secondly, his yoke (Greek, zygos) is easy (Greek, chrestos) and his burden (Greek, phortion) is light (Greek, elaphron). In other words, when Jesus invites his followers to come to him, he does not promise them a life without burdens or responsibilities, a life as a mere “walk in the park,” we would say.

The key is in the person of Jesus, the “master” or the “employer”: he is not like others who are demanding, arrogant, unreasonable, cruel, but meek and humble of heart, giving tasks and mission that are not impossible, nor destructive and too heavy, but easy and light. But is it really the case that our mission and tasks as followers of Jesus easy and light? Why did he himself warn of persecutions and difficulties in following him?

Indeed, on the outside, being a disciple of Jesus seems very challenging and not an easy one. But probably, what he means is that being “yoked” with him offers us an “easier” and more “comfortable” way.

And this seems confirmed by those who had walked closely behind Jesus: the saints and martyrs who gave their lives for the faith.

Despite the heavy burdens that they carried, as they were really “yoked” with Jesus, they could bear all those and even glory and rejoice in them. They found Jesus’ yoke indeed easy and light.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

5 artificial dams formed by 7.8-quake in Davao Occidental

 

By Keith Bacongco

Published Jul 5, 202

DAVAO CITY – The Davao Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has reported that five artificial dams have been formed by landslides from the magnitude-7.8 earthquake last month that blocked rivers and streams in the remote areas of Jose Abad Santos town.

However, these have not been drained due to risk of landslides and rains from the easterlies, Jayson Hontimara, chief of the planning and research division of PDRRMO Davao Occidental, said.

The PDRRMO reported seven artificial dams but only five have been documented. Two have yet to be reached for further evaluation. Hontimara said that it is still too risky to clear the artificial dams due to the threat of landslides.

“We do not have yet a timeline as to when we can drain these artificial dams because it will depend on the weather conditions,” he explained during the Regional Resilience Caravan here on Friday, July 3, organized by the Office of Civil Defense-11 and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-11.

Two are located in Barangay Butuan while the rest are in Barangays Bukid, Camalian and Sugal. They are located in the southern part of JAS, the most affected town in the Davao region.

Last week, the PDRRMO and several volunteers from different agencies drained the biggest dam that formed an artificial lake in the mountainous village of Barangay San Isidro.

Due to its size, the local government has imposed a preemptive evacuation in the downstream Barangay Nuing as it may breach anytime amid heavy rains.

According to the PDRRMO, the artificial lake had a depth of about 20 feet and an area of about 12 hectares.

Hontimara said that they cannot yet determine the size of these artificial dams as well as the number of residents affected pending ongoing validations.

Eight persons were killed, 40 injured, and 13 are still missing from the earthquake in JAS. Fatalities were due to landslides, according to the local government.

A total of 6,700 houses were damaged, 2,648 of which were totally destroyed, it added. The tremor has affected 22, 576 families and at least 4,000 of them are still in evacuation centers.

NEW CAREER-HIGH FOR ALEX

After barging into the Wimbledon Round of 16, Alex Eala resets her career-best ranking to No. 28 in the world as per the WTA live rankings on Sunday. Her previous high was No. 29.

Eala sports a chance to crack the Top 25 with a win against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini on Monday. | via John Bryan Ulanday

All reactions:

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BINI tapped as PH tourism ambassadors

By Carissa Alcantara

Published Jul 5, 2026 01:36 pm

BINI with The Department of Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita “Dita” Angara-Mathay (Facebook)

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has picked popular girl group BINI as their newest ambassadors.

The group, composed of Jhoanna, Maloi, Stacey, Sheena, Gwen, Aiah, Colet, and Mikha, together with Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi, paid a courtesy call to Tourism Secretary Maria Bernardita “Dita” Angara-Mathay in Makati, recently.

In a report by ABS-CBN News, Mathay praised the girl group.

She said, “I am so happy. They have so many ideas. Sometimes the young people can direct a whole generation, a whole bureaucracy to go a certain direction, which will connect with the larger population. They are delightful and talented people."

Meanwhile, BINI leader Jhoanna Robles related how excited they are to share ideas with DOT.

"Sobrang dami namin gusto i-suggest. Mag-meeting muna kami. 'Yan ang special sa BINI. We are from eight different provinces. Nasimulan na namin before, and now we are grateful we have the support of the government. Mas malaki na,” Jhoanna said.

The DOT noted that BINI has long been championing Philippine tourism through their work.

"They are ambassadors already with what they are doing, what they are wearing, with the traditional outfits. It would be amiss for the government if we do not recognize the pride,” Assistant Secretary Ren Sapitan said.  

Aside from BINI, the DOT also hopes to work with SB19, Alex Eala, and other Filipinos who have proudly represented the country globally.

 

CONFLICTS IN LIFE

By

 Mindanao Daily News

 -

July 4, 2026

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We are in conflict with ourselves many times during life. Our future gives cause for concern; the past is captured, therefore we miss the future.

Conflicts are natural clashes of opposing ideas, needs, or values. You can experience conflict internally (your own beliefs fighting your actions) or externally (disagreeing with someone else). Handled properly, conflict is a great tool to learn, grow, and improve your daily relationships. 

The grief and sorrow asked the hope, “How are you?” The hope answered, ” I am a little bit low and sad today!” The sorrow replied sarcastically, “I hope so!”

When conflict is mismanaged, it can cause great harm to a relationship, but when handled in a respectful, positive way, conflict provides an opportunity to strengthen the bond between two people. Whether you’re experiencing conflict at home, work, or school, learning these skills can help you resolve differences in a healthy way and build stronger, more rewarding relationships.

When people get angry with each other, they often say or do things without realizing the cause of their feelings. Understanding the dynamics behind a conflict can make it easier to resolve issues. This insight also can help you mediate a conflict between friends and relatives. Many experts break personal and professional conflicts down into basic types, based on the underlying causes of disagreements and the dynamics.

Nobody really knows what might happen after reaching the retirement age. Sure, if we can observe our neighbors and all other people in our surroundings, we really don’t like to know it. If we treat ourselves with care, our real age will not be shown. I won’t make any secret about celebrating my 70th birthday sometime next year. I enjoy it. I am proud to reach this age with God’s help.

The Two Main Types of ConflictInternal (Intrapersonal): This happens in your own head. It is a struggle between what you want to do and what you think is right. For example, you want to spend money on a new gadget, but you also want to save for a trip.External (Interpersonal): This happens between two or more people. It can be a fight with a friend, a disagreement with a co-worker at your office in the Poblacion District, or a debate over politics.

It seems that the respectable treatment of our beloved seniors around us are disappearing into the past and are forgotten by the younger generation. Praising the elderly nowadays means to attest to their impudent and imperishable youthfulness.  I am sure, with His help many seniors are still strong, still indefatigable, still a phenomenon, still intellectual and still spiritual on top!

Let’s not forget our respect, when sometimes just being artificial or  affected by stammering, that “our old lady” or “our old gentleman” hasn’t become senile yet.

On our way to an honorable and respectful age we should try to fulfill some of our greatest longings in life.

During the last decades, I met many people around the whole globe. Unbelievable, I found out, no matter where in this world, the conflicting attitude is everywhere. “It’s an absolute certainty, those doubts are the main certainty!” stressed already the German author, philosopher and dramatist Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956).

Please allow me, once in a while, to be able to say NO. Please allow me to delete inferior and defeatist feelings. Please allow me to admit that I can’t do everything during a single day. Please allow me to no longer be afraid about other people and their spiteful comments about me.  

Please allow me to accept my silence. Please accept me being terribly tired from time to time. Please allow me to be excused even without having an intelligent reply. Please allow me to be carried by salvation and bliss.

Hopefully, we may have enough understanding people with us to accompany us during the voyage of our sometimes very conflicting life.