Christianity and a complex society
Our life as Christians is faced with big challenges. For example, we are expected to be followers of Jesus Christ, and as such, we are called to live in a very pluralist world.
Today’s liturgy (Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A) focuses on bearing God’s image, civic responsibility, and giving back to God what truly belongs to Him.
Our life as Christians is faced with big challenges. For example, we are expected to be followers of Jesus Christ, and as such, we are called to live in a very pluralist world. Only the grace of God and the depth of our convictions will enable our faith to survive and to thrive in a society filled with challenges.
But then, throughout history, the life of faith has often thrived in spite of unpromising circumstances, whether it was the Jews under the Persian king Cyrus or the early Christians under the harsh rule of imperial Rome.
For the first few centuries of its existence, Christianity was fiercely persecuted by the Roman Empire, leaving in its wake a bloody trail of martyrs. But with the conversion of the emperor Constantine, everything changed. Soon Christianity became the state religion.
All throughout the Middle Ages, the church extended its sphere of influence into the secular domain. With the breakup of Christianity in the sixteenth century, the process began to reverse.
The French Revolution marked a decisive turning point in favor of the state. Napoleon made the point dramatically when he took the imperial crown from the Pope and placed it on his own head.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church points out three circumstances where citizens are obliged in conscience to refuse obedience to the civil authorities. They are when the laws are “contrary to the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons, and to the teachings of the Gospel.” The principle is clear. However, its application may not be so simple when there is an apparent clash of rights.
The complexity of these issues may render them unsuitable topics for the pulpit.
Meanwhile, the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel Shikishima will leave the country today after an official three-day visit. The port call was aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations and maritime security cooperation between the Philippine Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard.
Personnel of both agencies engaged in bilateral activities like joint maritime training designed to improve interoperability, search and rescue capabilities, and maritime law enforcement procedures.
Officers and personnel of both sides participated in onboard knowledge-sharing sessions, comparing best practices for maritime security and safety operations. Tours of the vessel and local maritime facilities showcased technological assets and operational setups.
Tomorrow, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan retires. The next commandant will hopefully continue his legacy. Greetings, too, to Commodore Noemi Cayabyab and the other PCG officers and enlisted personnel.
Today is also memorable for me as I will receive the Minor Orders from Tonsurate to Sub-diaconate, officiated by an Anglican bishop.