Daily Reflections - October 25,2012

CAUSE OF DIVISION?

 

There is always something that people disagree on and argue about. People would always feel strongly about something and be passionately engaged about an issue that makes others feel alienated or causes a group to be polarized. In seminaries of old, seminarians in Europe would consider cheese as a valuable, much coveted commodity. Such was the case that at some point, the quip “quesus boli, casus belli” became popular. Queso de bola sort of became the “cause of war” among various classes or groupings where young men were gathered for meals.

But I am being flippant by referring to “quesus boli” as “casus belli.” But on hindsight, it was true — at least for me. An older brother used to like queso de bola more than the rest of us in the family. He would know exactly where my mother hid it or kept it. It was a veritable “casus belli” between him and the rest of us, a battle of wits between him and my mother.

Our recent history brought to the fore an issue that polarized the whole Filipino nation. Both sides were passionate about defending their positions. Both sides vehemently and capably argued in favor of or against the raging issue at hand last year. And the point of contention boiled down to standing up for one’s convictions based on one’s faith and adherence to the timeless teachings of holy Mother Church.

One is hardly surprised at this. The Gospel passage today minces no words in reminding us that the Lord has come “to set the earth on fire” and that He has come, “not to establish peace, but division.” And it all has to do with more than just queso de bola and similar items of little consequence.

We, Christian followers of Jesus who has come to set the earth on fire, stand for something that we believe has enormous consequences. We take up common cause with Him and with His mystical Body, the Church. We consider certain issues as “casus conscientiae,” as a matter of conscience, and we wage a righteous battle in defense of His teachings. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: What righteous battle do you wage for the Lord?

 

Lord, give us the courage and strength to fight for You and the truth. May we always defend the Church and its teachings.