Cairo

Humus

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Luke 14: 1, 7-14)

In Today’s Gospel Jesus used a single word, ‘humility’, to emphasize the manner by which we should act in any public gathering. Jesus is talking beyond the concept of ‘etiquette’ and focusing more on ‘finding one’s place’. Humility is the right attitude in life, towards a harmonious relationship with oneself and others, because humility per se tells us of who we are and what we should be.

Humus is the Latin word for earth and is the root word for humility. It is but appropriate to look at the account of creation in the book of Genesis (2:7) to remind us of our origin: “God shaped man from the soil of the ground and blew the breath of life into his nostrils, and man became a living being”. In the words of Didier Croonenberghs, OP ‘finding one’s place is first and foremost to know who we are, otherwise no true relation would be possible.’

Still many of us construed the concept of humility into two understanding:

1. Humility belongs to ‘losers’ or ‘weaklings’ thus creating a superior personality to the point of having an ‘I am the center of everything’ attitude, excluding God in the picture.

2. Humility is placing oneself to the lower level, to the point of denying one’s gift and attribute, and thus contenting oneself to just being an average person.

True humility is having the ability to know oneself; to appreciate and affirm one’s gift and capabilities, and at the same time accepting one’s frailties and limitations, always confident yet unassuming.

By ‘sending His only begotten Son’ (Jn 3:16), Who ‘became flesh and dwelt among us’ (Jn 1:14), so that ‘we may have life and have it to the full’ (Jn 10:10), God showed us what true humility is. Through Jesus’ obedience until death we have seen a better glimpse of how important to find our place in God, that ‘without God we can do nothing good.” As the lyrics of the song ‘Who am I?’ echoed,

“…not because of who I am, but because of what you’ve done;

not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are” (Casting Crown)

A better future is always possible. There is a place waiting for us. Therefore, let us wake up and seek our place in God. In doing so, we will discover that he is the guest who wants to find a place in us. (Didier Croonenberghs, OP)

Shape of my Heart

 
Shape of My Heart (Sting)

He deals the cards as a meditation
And those he plays never suspect
He doesn't play for the money he wins
He doesn't play for respect

He deals the cards to find the answer
The sacred geometry of chance
The hidden laws of a probable outcome
The numbers lead a dance

(Refrain)
I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

He may play the jack of diamonds
He may lay the queen of spades
He may conceal a king in his hand
While the memory of it fades

(Refrain)
I know that the spades are the swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart
That’s not shape, the shape of my heart (Instrumental)

And if I told you that I loved you
You'd maybe think there's something wrong
I'm not a man of too many faces
The mask I wear is one

For those who speak know nothing
And find out to their cost
Like those who curse their luck in too many places
And those who fear are lost

(Refrain)
I know that the spades are swords of a soldier
I know that the clubs are weapons of war
I know that diamonds mean money for this art
But that's not the shape of my heart

That’s not the shape of my heart
That’s not shape, the shape of my heart

Common Sense-less

Criticism allows change. Seemingly, change is the message everyone desires to hear. And why not, since change brings progress and progress creates hope. But if we want change to happen in our lives and if we want to become a better nation maybe we should start asking ourselves what kind of ‘person’ we are? Ask oneself whether “I am contributing something good or am I only good at criticizing other people’s mistake?”

1. The hostage taking incident last Monday which killed eight Hong Kong nationals and a Filipino was obviously undervalued and poorly dealt with. The Philippine government somehow deserved the outraged amongst the bereaved family of the victims, Hong Kong nationals, Filipinos stationed abroad and the international media. However, as I watch the video footage I overheard some spectators cracking jokes and laughing out loud as if nothing serious is happening nearby. Such immature and insensitive gestures only add more grievances to the situation in general and to the victims and the victims’ loved ones in particular. Whatever happened to our common sense?

2. It was indeed a rejoicing Tuesday for Filipinos worldwide as Ms Maria Venus Raj, the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Universe Pageant made it to the finals and eventually bagged the 5th place. I was thinking that such good news to most ‘pageant- loving’ Filipinos will somehow overshadow the unfortunate event that took place the previous day, and that it will somehow help gain our confidence back - that people can still say something good about the Filipino people. However, poor Venus’ effort is seemingly being undervalued by many Filipinos as part of her answer in the program was sensationalized and was made a laughingstock. Whatever happened to our sense of gratitude?

Being insensitive and condemnatory halts our capacity for sound judgment. Laughter and smile when done imprudently only prove illiteracy. We don’t take that as compliment since it does no good to better ourselves, both as Filipinos and as a nation. The world had already seen our disabilities, don’t you think it’s time now to show them the other side of the coin, and bring them the message that we deserve a second chance?

(pictures c/o google.com.tw)