God help us

I just read an article about a girl sueing a hospital because they failed to kill...I think "abort" is the politically correct term...one of the twins she was carrying. I wonder if she even feels a tiny bit of "mother's love" toward her daughter.

To quote: "I have got a child now that I wasn't planning to have and I believe the hospital should take some responsibility for that," she said.

Why didn't she take responsibility herself? Is she totally washing her hands of any wrongdoing? Isn't she the root of the problem?

How twisted can our world get?

Oh it just got worse. At the end of the article they mentioned a similar case wherein the mother won compensation from a doctor because one of her twin babies lived. Imagine the law allowing this to happen. Like what I said before...is legal the opposite of moral?

The Good Shepherd

I'm glad I went to mass at 10am today instead of 6pm. Father Steve was the celebrant and I was amazed at how he simply put in perspective what my family has been discussing for a month now.

He opened his homily by mentioning the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI today. He said that we ought to reflect on how this affects us as Catholics and ultimately the world. Since the death of John Paul II and the speculations started on who the next pope will be, issues such as same sex marriages, women priests, and abortion have again taken center stage. The same time that these were being discussed, the name of Cardinal Ratzinger has come up as the frontrunner in the list of could-be pope. The cardinal has been known to be a hardliner when it came to doctrines, and rightly so since he was the "keeper" of the doctrines. He made sure that there was only one interpretation of these and that this was followed. But in the past month, the word "conservative" and the cardinal's name have come up in the same sentence more than a hundred times on TV and newspapers. According to Father Steve as a bishop it is his duty to conserve the faith. Father Steve quoted a line from a letter of Paul to the Corinthians: "I am passing on to you what has been passed on to me.." We can never select what doctrine or teaching we want to follow. We cannot take one part and then alter another to serve our own purpose, our own ego. There can never be a half truth when it comes to our faith. The truth is never based on what is popular or on statistics.

We live in a world where the ego or "I" is more important. How can one justify abortion? Is it right because "I" am not ready for a baby? Why should society legalize ways to "correct" these mistakes when in the first place "I" should have been able to understand the consequences of what "I" am doing with my life? There are alternatives such as adoption. Maybe this isn't acceptble because "I" again do not want to be burdened for 9 months. "I" don't want to face other people because "I" am embarrassed. Always the easy way out. The world has been accustomed to instant gratification and we are now seeing and feeling the evils of it.

Interesting and very clear views:

Why Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is the new pope
Dictatorship of relativism

Habemus Papam!

The bell that carried the message of Pope John Paul II's passing signalled the election of a new pope yesterday. Cardinal Ratzinger was chosen to lead the billion-strong Catholic church. At 1230am today my brother woke me up to excitedly say the news. I rushed to my parents' bedroom still sleepy-eyed but determined to watch. I thought I missed everything that happened but at that time the only fact was that a new pope has been elected as symbolized by the smoke. When they announced Cardinal Ratzinger's name and he came out from behind the red curtains, I got teary-eyed again.

I stayed up until around 230am to watch CNN. While I was watching I was also texting friends. One friend observed that I was really "into" this event and how strongly I felt about it. I said yes. As part of the church I should be affected by what is happening and that as a member I should do my part to defend it. I feel bad and disappointed whenever I hear interviews about Pope Benedict and his being ultra conservative. I especially feel strongly against one sister who is a member of the "We are church" movement. Coming from a sister, a nun...someone who has made it her life to defend and spread the teachings of Christ, it is disheartening and scary to hear her say how "her heart sank" when she heard Cardinal Ratzinger's name announced. How she felt pessimistic. I think girl, you're in the wrong place. How can she fulfill her duties if she does not believe in the highest member of her church?!

I have therefore vowed to defend my faith. I am now more actively questioning, reading, and listening to the religious and to my mom who is a member of Opus Dei. For the past month this has been the topic in the dinner table. I cannot standby anymore and just nod my head, avoiding debates with my friends about religion.

Whatda?!

What's the difference between strategy and objectives, key drivers and features? :p I'm at home working on my presentation. It's good that we have a template but I'm still having trouble filling up all these sections. My brain is refusing to work! Go brain, go!

I saw a full episode of American Idol. Anwar is still my favorite but Constantine was amazing tonight! I'm not exactly a fan of the Bohemian Rhapsody (actually, I usually make fun of the lyrics) but the energy of I dunno, Constantine or the song really pulled me into the performance. Simon said "Astonishing!" Well, that's high praise indeed!

I really believe that Simon is the only credible judge in the competition. Although he is most of the time abrasive, at least when he feels that a contestant has done a fabulous job, he says so. Unlike Paula, who I think was just included in the panel to balance things out, who doesn't like hurting anyone's feelings. To her all contestants gave fabulous performances. Her usual line: "I think you're the best in this competition!" I applaud Simon for saying to her earlier tonight "So you changed your mind?" Paula said that same line twice! Sheesh!

Anyways, Anwar has my vote. His looks and voice are so versatile. My impression of him is that he can easily shift from Peabo Bryson to Usher to Bob Marley. Crossing my fingers for him...

:(

It seems that in the past few days I have nothing happy to write about. At 530am this morning I was awakened by a call from Vince. As soon as I saw who was calling, I had a feeling that this was it...the pope has left us. Vince called because he knew that I was really following the updates, even downloading the CNN application on my mobile that updates the headlines every 4mins. I actually set my alarm the night before to 430am so I can check the state of the pope's health. I had the feeling that he won't pass away during the night, Philippine time. I woke up at 430 but no update. I slept again. And then the call came. I rushed to my parents' room to turn on the TV. At first the breaking news was still about the health of the pope. But then it changed to the pope has died at 937pm, Rome time.

I couldn't help but cry again. It was like losing a really close friend. I felt bad that I wasn't "there" when it happened. They said in the news that the bell began to toll in St. Peter's Square which signalled the sad event. People were crying and knowing myself, I also began to cry.
It's still surreal. It's as if life is normal but isn't. A big change happened and I felt that change inside me too. I'll let you in on this once I understand it myself.

MSN
CNN

On this rock I willl build my church...

I never fail to get teary-eyed whenever I see Pope John Paul II. Even on the TV, he has this strong effect not only on me, but on millions of people too. Today I awoke to a text message saying to pray for the pope since his condition has turned for the worse and he was already given the last rites. The lastest news on his health: his condition is very serious but he is lucid, fully conscious, and very serene.

I can't help but be amazed and humbled by his strength. Although crippled by a debilitating disease which saps his energy and gives him pain, he still has unbelievable strength to go and bless the people, and frustrating as it is to him, the "Great Communicator", not to be able to speak he still tried to during the Holy Week celebrations. He has continued with his mission. His illness is simply another cross for him to bear. A cross that does not hinder him but drives him in his work and that enables him to connect with the people. I for one have trouble getting out of bed because of a bad case of sore throat. I turn into this grouchy, self-pitying person because I cannot eat, speak, or drink. Let this be a lesson to me.

It makes me think of the Terri Schiavo whose death just comes a day before the news on the pope's condition. I don't think that her life though "unproductive" as it may seem in the years following her collapse, was useless. We identify and describe productivity by listing all the physical activities we can do. As we see in the pope's case now, it is not entirely true. Just seeing him makes the people in his surroundings admire him and in turn reflect on their own lives. Here is a sick person who continues to inspire us. I believe Terri also had that effect on her family. It is not only how one bears the illness that inspires us but the life that was lived before that.

As I watched CNN tonight I couldn't help but cry whenever I see his image or even think about the last time I saw him. I really am thankful that I was able to be in his presence during the canonization of St. Escriva in Rome last 2002. Again during that moment when he spoke and the time he went around to bless the congregation, there were tears in my eyes. Here is a person who has devoted his life to God. Here is a person who deserves to live forever to continue his work. He has lived a full life. Viva il Papa!

CNN
Catholics united in prayer