#MINDANAO
John Tria
The funeral of the esteemed Pope Emeritus Benedict 16th was a rare event in Catholic Church history, and its significance to me was deeper than I expected. Being the first to resign in 600 years, Benedict’s resignation fueled many ideas and feelings back in 2013, the same year that saw the rise of social media tensions (many of which challenged Catholic teaching) stemming from the Obergefell vs Hodges decision concerning same sex marriage in the US.
His demise had also put the spotlight on the Church (which is the entire body of believers), its hierarchy and the role that both play in the current world, and the future we all face.
I will miss Pope Benedict XVI because he was a bulwark of faith and reason amid all the emotion we see online. He courageously held on to enduring truths about the Catholic faith and moral teaching. In a world where emotions tend to rule, he was fearless in pushing ideas, which are essential to help us address the challenges we face.
This is significant because ideas enlighten and enliven at the same time. We often remember and document the idea and the agreements based on them and forget the feeling that went along with it. Christian faith affords us the strength and maturity to exchange thoughts and ideas beyond emotions and organize collective action, which is often necessary.
This maturity to engage ideas comes from a deep faith that integrated Pope Benedict’s convictions and his intellect, while in communication with other thinkers of the age. He clearly was not confused. His stand against abortion, for instance, is well known, challenging efforts to have many of us accept it. He is thus rightly considered a force for proper understanding of catechism, that bedrock of knowledge needed by many Christians who seem confused by today’s world.
Pope Benedict XVI courageously taught us to think beyond the surface, appreciate history, philosophy, virtue and the development of thought, which is a challenge in the post-modern, emotionally-charged social media age where there seems to be many mental surfaces to tread, many thoughts to process, and contradictions to please. His enduring perspective will guide many who seek truth beyond much of what we see in social media.
Thus I am not surprised why in the last three years I have seen many social media pages and online channels devoted to teaching and discussing catechesis, serving to enlighten many minds to form convictions about the Catholic faith. I believe Pope Benedict’s example undoubtedly served to guide many of us. This will need to continue to embolden more Catholics to be the strong beacon to many in a world facing many uncertainties.
More road signs
Here is a suggestion to our Land Transportation Office. It may be a good idea to make drivers education a continuing program. Perhaps the agency can post some traffic rules and an explanation about them in social media to remind the driving and riding public about the rules they need to follow. This will bolster knowledge on driving and compliance to traffic rules and regulations which will make our roads safer.
The DPWH should also install more directional road signs especially in critical intersections of major highways in remote areas. This will guide drivers who are unfamiliar with the terrain. If there are existing bypass roads, the signs would also guide them to avoid the city and town centers.
www.facebook.com/johntriapage
John Tria
The funeral of the esteemed Pope Emeritus Benedict 16th was a rare event in Catholic Church history, and its significance to me was deeper than I expected. Being the first to resign in 600 years, Benedict’s resignation fueled many ideas and feelings back in 2013, the same year that saw the rise of social media tensions (many of which challenged Catholic teaching) stemming from the Obergefell vs Hodges decision concerning same sex marriage in the US.
His demise had also put the spotlight on the Church (which is the entire body of believers), its hierarchy and the role that both play in the current world, and the future we all face.
I will miss Pope Benedict XVI because he was a bulwark of faith and reason amid all the emotion we see online. He courageously held on to enduring truths about the Catholic faith and moral teaching. In a world where emotions tend to rule, he was fearless in pushing ideas, which are essential to help us address the challenges we face.
This is significant because ideas enlighten and enliven at the same time. We often remember and document the idea and the agreements based on them and forget the feeling that went along with it. Christian faith affords us the strength and maturity to exchange thoughts and ideas beyond emotions and organize collective action, which is often necessary.
This maturity to engage ideas comes from a deep faith that integrated Pope Benedict’s convictions and his intellect, while in communication with other thinkers of the age. He clearly was not confused. His stand against abortion, for instance, is well known, challenging efforts to have many of us accept it. He is thus rightly considered a force for proper understanding of catechism, that bedrock of knowledge needed by many Christians who seem confused by today’s world.
Pope Benedict XVI courageously taught us to think beyond the surface, appreciate history, philosophy, virtue and the development of thought, which is a challenge in the post-modern, emotionally-charged social media age where there seems to be many mental surfaces to tread, many thoughts to process, and contradictions to please. His enduring perspective will guide many who seek truth beyond much of what we see in social media.
Thus I am not surprised why in the last three years I have seen many social media pages and online channels devoted to teaching and discussing catechesis, serving to enlighten many minds to form convictions about the Catholic faith. I believe Pope Benedict’s example undoubtedly served to guide many of us. This will need to continue to embolden more Catholics to be the strong beacon to many in a world facing many uncertainties.
More road signs
Here is a suggestion to our Land Transportation Office. It may be a good idea to make drivers education a continuing program. Perhaps the agency can post some traffic rules and an explanation about them in social media to remind the driving and riding public about the rules they need to follow. This will bolster knowledge on driving and compliance to traffic rules and regulations which will make our roads safer.
The DPWH should also install more directional road signs especially in critical intersections of major highways in remote areas. This will guide drivers who are unfamiliar with the terrain. If there are existing bypass roads, the signs would also guide them to avoid the city and town centers.
www.facebook.com/johntriapage