Dos and Don’ts
UGOY NG DUYAN
July 16, 2020
LAWYERS, NOT LIARS
July 17, 2020PITIK-BULAG: Dos and Don’ts
Conflicts of ideas, opinions, and beliefs will always be part of our life. We are in constant clash with someone with regard to ways of proceeding or determining what we are supposed to do. Even in practicing our faith, we are sometimes divided regarding the issues of divorce, mercy killing, receiving of the Eucharist for an unmarried couple, same-sex marriage, and others. Even in our communities, families, and ourselves, we are always in a dilemma of what’s the right thing to do. And because of our different opinions and views, we found ourselves in constant clash with one another.
We need to accept that conflicts or tensions in our midst will always be part of our life. They are part of our journey, of growing up, and of search of truth and order. We should handle them with gentleness, openness, and great love. If we failed to manage our conflicts, it is capable of planting resentment, pain, and wounds in our hearts and capable of dividing us. When in conflict with someone regarding decisions and opinions, pray to the Lord for the gift of openness, listening, and discernment.
In our gospel today, we found Jesus in constant conflict with the Pharisees and scribes. Yet, He gives us an example of how to handle our daily conflict and clash of ideas, opinions, and values. He showed great patience and gentleness to his rivals. He did not lose his temper nor his skills in handling difficult people.
How do you handle conflicting decisions, ideas, and beliefs? How would you know the truth? What is the best attitude in handling conflicts? Consider the following points for your prayer.
1. Pray for the GIFT OF DISCERNMENT. There are many gray areas in our life. It is easier to choose between evil and good. But most of the time, our dilemma is finding which one is better? Which one is the lesser evil? Thus, it is necessary to have the gift of discernment to be able to know the will of God.
2. Always look at the BIGGER PICTURE. Don’t be trapped in details, in the traditions, in strictly implementing every detail of the law. Aim for the bigger picture of things. Will it benefit everyone? Is it for the common good? Be more objective and not subjective.
3. Aim to Uphold Love, Not the Law, SAVE PEOPLE. The Lord says, “It is mercy that I desire, not sacrifice.” This should be the ultimate basis of our decision making or discernment. Yes, laws, policies, protocols, and guidelines are meant to bring order in our society. But the laws are not helping to save people, it becomes self-serving. The spirit of love should be there. We focus on saving people, giving mercy, and protecting them. Not us, doing our best to uphold every letter of the law.
The ultimate basis of finding the right decision or action is COMPASSION. We are disciples of Jesus. He came to save people, not to condemn them. The divine law of love is superior to human law. We should learn to swim in gray areas to help people. Practice compassion, not fault-finding and condemning. Learn to love people, not traditions. Exemption to the rule or breaking the rule is possible when done in love, in serving people and saving a soul.
The society has lots of dos and don’ts. Sometimes it confuses us. Thus, the Lord said, “Come to me, all of you who are tired of thinking of many dos and don’ts, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy … just learn to love. Learn from me .. for I am meek and humble of heart.
“If our heart is closed, if our heart is made of stone, then the stones will end up in our hands and, then, we will be ready to throw them at someone.” – Pope Francis
– Pitik-Bulag
——-
July 17, 2020 – Friday
