Tempted

I feel tempted again to talk about "temptation". The past few days I was posting comments and reactions regarding a post I read about "befriending temptation" on another blog of a friend of mine. I did not agree with almost everything written on that particular topic with regard to "befriending temptation" in order to know oneself more because it almost sounded heretical to me. Everyone of course is entitled to his or her opinions, but Im posting a comment I made here and I stand by it. The picture above by the way depicts the temptation of St. Thomas Aquinas. In that temptation against his chastity, he was not able to flee like Joseph of the Old Testament but he fought fire with fire - literally and he succeeded. As a reward for his faithfulness to God, the Angels girded him with a chastity cord - sort of like a promise that he will never ever be subjected again to temptations against purity. (Wow, I want that chasitity cord as well. I badly need one now.)

"I like the article posted by AG. It's quite lengthy and very substantial. I agree with you that there is a difference between courting temptations and knowing that things that tempt you. My answer to that is I presume I am capable of committing and falling into any kind of sin and that by myself I am weak. Whether I can prove that assumption to be true or not will depend on me being in a particular situation, but knowing also that I am weak, it's prudent and wise to avoid even getting near temptations.I also want to point out something about being immune from temptations. I believe you can never ever be immunte from temptations and to claim that it will make you "stronger" after immersing yourself from it is senseless. In the physical realm, a vaccine can indeed prevent one from being sick from a particular type of disease, but in the spiritual realm there is no such thing as being immune from temptations or sins, that is why Christ exhorts us ALWAYS to pray and be vigilant lest we enter into temptations. It's an ongoing battle. Even Christ Himself was not "immune" from being tempted. Besides prayer and vigilance, I think mortification or denying oneself is a great aid too.Personally, I can say that for the past years of my life, I have realized somehow where I am most vulnerable. I can honestly say that I probably will never be addicted to smoking, alcohol, drugs, and gambling coz I hate them all personally. But never tempt me when it comes certain things like maybe food, sex, porn, or nude men because those things are my areas of weakness, and I need not indulge in them over and over again for me to know that I am weak in those areas. Those are the things that tempt me the most.I think that's all I can share. I rest my case here and hopefully I will not feel tempted to rebut the next time."

Lastly, I am also posting an article on temptation by the Fathers of the Church. I hope we can all learn from it:

Temptation is like a winter torrent, difficult to cross. Some, being most skilful swimmers, pass over, not being whelmed beneath temptations nor swept down by them at all, while others, who are not such, entering into them, sink in them. As, for example, Judas, entering into temptation of covetousness, swam not through it but, sinking beneath it, was choked both in body and spirit. Peter entered into the temptation of the denial but, having entered it, he was not overwhelmed by it but, manfully swimming through it, he was delivered.

Every temptation is a trial, and the issue of every trial has its fruit; for whereas a man is generally but little known even to himself, he knows not what he can bear and what he cannot bear and sometimes despairs of being able to bear what he can. Temptation comes as a kind of question, and the man is discovered of himself for to himself he was a secret but he was not a secret to his Maker.

"Watch and pray," said the Lord, "lest ye enter into temptation." What is it to "enter into temptation" but to depart from faith? For so temptation advances as faith gives way and so far temptation gives way as faith advances.

Many who have laid up much spiritual wealth from their youth and have arrived at middle age, when temptations arise against them by the machination of the evil one, have not succeeded in resisting the weight of the tempest but have lost all. Some concerning faith have made shipwreck; others have cast away the chastity treasured from youth under some sudden hurricane of sinful pleasure which has rushed upon them. A most piteous spectacle that a man, after self-denial, after fasting, after long prayer, after plentiful tears, after twenty or thirty years' devotedness, a man should, through an unwatchful spirit and carelessness, be made a show o, and stripped of all.

By merciful dispensation of the Creator, the soul that places confidence in itself is struck down by a providential temptation that, being brought low, it may find out what its failing is; for as soon as the mind feels the blow, the presumption and swelling of self begins to abate.

Saints Gregory the Great, Cyril, Augustine and Basil

The Moral Question

The Morality of Homosexual Activity

Although much more can be learned and said about the psychological aspects of SSA, we now know enough to say that same-sex attraction develops in youth and is usually not a matter of free choice. Just as among heterosexuals some can control their sexual desires more easily than others, so also there is variety among those who deal with SSA. Homosexual inclinations, like heterosexual inclinations, can be moderated and do not have to dominate anyone's thoughts or behavior. Moreover, the pursuit of growth toward heterosexuality, though difficult and not always successful, remains a probability.

The Church teaches that people with SSA can be freed from slavery to homosexual desires by cooperating with the grace of God. Usually, this involves some form of community or support group. In the pastoral care of the person with SSA, one must recognize a sense of powerlessness with respect to same-sex inclinations as the first step toward the exercise of chastity. This means that the person needs the help of "a power greater than self" (to use the language of Twelve Step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous). Such a power may be understood as giving support to the person with SSA in two ways: (1) through the small community of trustworthy persons who can help one live chastely, and (2) through the supernatural grace of God working in one's mind and heart. More will be said on this point in the pastoral section of this booklet; for now, we want to review the reasons for the Church's teaching that all homosexual acts are objectively a serious violation of the natural moral order and the divinely revealed law.

We should note first that SSA is a tendency or condition: it is not a sin. (Only free human actions are the proper subject of moral analysis.) Holy Scripture does not concern itself with the condition of homosexuality but only with the immorality of homosexual actions. This can be seen from the fact that Holy Scripture in both the Old and the New Testaments teaches (1) that the proper place for the expression of sexual intimacy is within the context of marriage and (2) that there are at least five clear condemnations of male homosexual actions and one of female. Thus, the Church passes no moral judgment on the complexities of the homosexual condition.

Before enlarging on these two points, an excellent book regarding the analysis of homosexuality in Scripture is Robert A. J. Gagnon's The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2001). It is the most thoroughly researched text of the biblical texts in question. Anyone wishing to explore this topic should read Gagnon's book.

(1) The biblical account of sexuality is concerned with the man-woman relationship. In the Genesis accounts (1:27-28; 2:23-24) one finds both the ideal and the norm of sexual behavior, and the sexual behavior is between a man and a woman who are two in one flesh. In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus replies in the language of Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 when he gives his position on divorce: "Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female, thus He said: That is why a man must leave father and mother and cling to his wife, and the two become one body? They are no longer two therefore, but one body. So that what God has united, man must not divide" (Matthew 19:5-6, The Jerusalem Bible). A more detailed explanation of the role of the Creation of man and woman as part of the Divine Plan can be found in Pope John Paul II's book, The Theology of the Body (Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 2006).

Already the Genesis accounts had said something about the complementarity relationship of man and woman, and this truth is stressed repeatedly in both Testaments, in the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel down to the Song of Songs, and to the many exhortations of Paul concerning husbands and wives, most particularly Ephesians 5. The Second Vatican Council emphatically reaffirmed this understanding of marriage as the norm of sexual expression. Indeed, as Protestant theologian Roger Shinn observes, "the Christian tradition over the centuries has affirmed the heterosexual, monogamous, faithful marital union as normative for the divinely given meaning of the intimate sexual relationship" (Homosexuality, Christian Conviction and Enquiry," in The Same Sex, edited by Ralph Weltge, Philadelphia: Pilgrim Press, 1969, p. 26).

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S.)

Go Natural

What is this brouhaha about contraceptives all about? Do these pro-artificial contraceptive advocates really know what they are talking about? I have no family yet but I can see that this is a critical issue being debated upon for quite some time now and Church's stand is still the same as far as the encyclical Humanae Vitae by Pope Paul VI first came out 40 years ago. To begin with, I sincerely believe that the politicians advocating contraception as a method of curbing population growth are really not concerned with the poor at all. It's all about publicity and money. Once the reproductive health bill is signed into law they'll definitely get something from the companies who manufacture contraceptives. Easy money for 2010 eh? Well, what can you expect from morally corrupt politicians? But of course the Catholic Church will never ever consent to their schemes. Not in a thousand years. It's like asking the great physicist Isaac Newton to repeal the law of gravity. Good luck!

Now here is where my confusion comes from. Why insist on artificial birth control when there is a safer and acceptable alternative which is the Natural Family Planning method? Isn't natural more acceptable than artificial? Hey ladies do you want your boyfriends to give you artificial red roses on your first date? For example, when a man and a woman or a man and another man perform anal sex, that is unnatural. It does not serve any legitimate purpose. It does not accomplish anything. In the case of a man and woman doing that, I bet you the sperm cells won't be able to reach the ovaries via the rectum even if it can swim like an Olympic swimmer, because the rectum is a passageway for feces and waste materials and you won't ever get pregnant by doing that. In the case of a man and another man engaging in anal sex, you're just merely pushing whatever feces there is inside further up the intestine which might cause a fecal impaction later. I'm sorry for being gross but Im trying to drive home a point here.

When a woman deliberately terminates her pregnancy, that is unnatural (that's the nicest thing I can substitute for saying that abortion is a very grievous sin). Mammals don't do such a horrible thing. It is something so unnatural for a mother - whether she is a human being or an alligator to harm her offspring purposely and so you see anything that is unnatural, like artifical contraception for this matter, merits a severe consequence. In that regard, I hope you can read a commentary on Humanae Vitae , the prophetic encyclical of Pope Paul VI on the issue of contraception.

The natural family planning method is the only moral acceptable alternative the Christian couple has at their disposal. You married couples out there should be responsible enough for yourselves to know how this thing works. The problem with artificial contraceptives is that it does not promote self-control and respect towards your spouse. It makes you think that your partner is just an instrument for your sexual enjoyment and that taking responsibility is completely out of the picture. It's the easier alternative and people in general like quick fixes. The problem with us Catholics is that we impose our own relativistic and personalistic view of morality and make it fit our situations. We don't want to subject ourselves to the Catholic Church's teaching, who alone can direct us with authority regarding everything moral and upright, with a view that the teachings are somewhat outdated, passe, and out of touch with reality. We don't see the bigger picture do we? Sometimes, I even wonder why the matter of contraception is such an issue in a predominantly Catholic nation such as ours. Neither do I subscribe to the opinion that overpopulation aggravates poverty. More likely the culprits are social injustice, corruption, and bad governance.

I also want to share this Commentary on Family Planning for a deeper spiritual insight on this highly controversial topic.

Go NATURAL. There is just really no other better option.

Pinoy Signs

(Forwarded e-mail) Eto sobrang Pinoy! Go ahead and scroll down:

Di ko mabasa.

Ehi lang ha...Ehi.

Ano ba? Stop o Go?

Pagtutuwid: Dapat "too far"

Tama naman si bossing eh, kayo talaga ginagalit ninyo lagi!

Perfect na sana ang grammar, pakidagdag lang ng "are" or "'re" after ng you.

Sinong bruha? sino?

Eh asan ang pulutan?

Miss, gawa sa pastillas yung "sweet shirt" ninyo?

Salamat sa paalala.

Salingwika: Kung gusto mo raw manginig ang iyong "eggs", sige umihi ka dito.

So dapat may "food pyramid" ako habang kumakain ganon?

Katakot naman ito!

Manong driver baka naman sa bubong ng sasakyan pwede.

Hala, lokohan na ito!

Factors Contributing to the Formation of the Person with SSA

I believe that there are four principal factors which individually or collectively contribute to SSA. The first factor is the "inability of the child to identify with the gender of the same-sex parent." This comes about when the child (and later, the adolescent) has difficulty connecting with the same-sex parent, whom he or she regards as distant or hostile. In her foundational study, Psychogenesis and the Very Early Development of Gender Identity, Elizabeth Moberly explains the child's need to connect, indeed, to identify with the same-sex parent. To achieve masculinity, a little boy needs to communicate (and identify) with a father; a little girl, growing in femininity, likewise needs a mother.

The second factor Moberly identifies is "an over-weaning relationship with the opposite-sex parent." I knew the mother of a large family whose husband was working several jobs to support the family, and the mother meanwhile formed an excessively close relationship with the youngest boy. He was not near in age to his older male siblings, and the result was that the mother confided in her youngest son more than she confided in her husband. Unfortunately, she tended to speak ill of her husband to her son; in a sense, she was making her son into a substitute for her husband. The young boy began to alienate himself from his father as a result. Of course there were other factors: he related poorly to his older brothers, for instance. As an adolescent, this young man found himself having sexual fantasies about other young men, and even about older men. Although the boy did not understand the significance of these attractions, it is clear that he was looking for a closer relationship with his father.

A third major factor in the development of SSA is an "inability to identify with peers of the same sex during childhood and adolescence." This discomfort with other males (or other females, in the case of women with SSA) may or may not last past adolescence. A common example here would be the young boy who, lacking confidence in himself because of his poor links to his father (or older brothers), avoids teams and team sports, prefers young girls as his companions, and feels threatened by competition with other boys. This leads him in adolescence to fantasize close relationships with this or that particular male. Another example is a young lady who regarded her mother as weak because she always gave in to her domineering father. The young lady told herself that she was going to be strong like her father, and she began to think in a masculine way. She admired his aggressiveness; it is not surprising that as an adolescent she had fantasies of other women.

The fourth principal factor contributing to SSA is "emotional abuse (including neglect) or sexual trauma" - suffering that often go unacknowledged or unrecognized. Unintended emotional damage may be done, for instance, by a father who, while demonstratively proud of an older, athletic son, neglects a younger son who is uninterested in sports: the younger boy easily feels inferior and unsure of his masculinity. Likewise, a girl whose parents wanted a baby boy (for example), may perceive their disappointment or even be treated as if she were a little boy - which naturally undermines her sense of who she is. Witnessing domestic or sexual violence, or being sexually abused oneself, may also have very grave effects on a child's sense of sexual identity.

A note must be made here on the question of possible biological or genetic factors in the development of same-sex attraction. Many researchers have proposed that the origins of SSA lie in brain structures (Simon LeVay, Laura Allen and Robert Gorski); genetics (Dean Hamer, J.M. Bailey and R Pillard), or hormones (H. Meyer-Bahlburg). These studies are always oversimplified by the media and have not been replicated in the scientific community. To date, there are absolutely no conclusive studies that link same-sex attraction to genetics. Despite this reality, people still tend to put their hopes in such studies rather than explore the complicated world of psychosexuality.

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS)

Porn is a Depressant

Great article here about the effects of pornography on our mood. I never really thought much about this before. It's interesting to note that in my case it's either boredom or some form of stress that makes me vulnerable to view online porn, which later on is followed by masturbation, and then some regret and a sense of a loss of self-control.

Experience in Eternity

Experience in Eternity is a book I highly recommend to anyone who seeks to deepen their understanding of end times theology (eschatology). It is not the usual book detailing the topics in highly theological manner, but is a narration of events to come based on the accounts of a visionary (Fanny Moisseieva) who was granted by God the privilege to see and witness the events that are to take place in the future and also the realities of universal judgment, purgatory, hell, and heaven. I know these are not pleasant topics to discuss, but nevertheless inescapable realities taught to us by our faith. We often read in the Scriptures the teachings about heaven and hell, but do we have a visual idea of what heaven and hell really look like? The book has some of the answers.

If you don't have a copy of the book yet you can read the contents online though it's quite lengthy. On a personal level the book has deepened my understanding about the faith and it is my desire that others may experience the same. You can buy the book at your nearest St. Paul's store for P100 or so. If you wish to obtain a soft copy of this book in word format please do e-mail me. The book is not meant to frighten us as one might think, but on the other hand aims to deepen our faith and hope in Him. God granted this special grace to Fanny M. so that eternal existence might be known and appreciated by all. Below is an outline of the contents of the book:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FROM HELL TO ETERNITY
I. About the Authoress
II. Preface from the Authoress
III. My Brief Experience in Eternity and What I Saw

Part I: Life of the Soul after the Death of the Body
1. Satan rebelled against God
2. Sinners always fear death
3. A true scientist is never an atheist
4. Sufferings allowed by God

Part II: My Visions of the Coming Universal Judgment
1. Signs of approaching universal judgment
2. The world immediately before the judgment
3. Resurrection of the dead
4. Christ announced the judgment
5. Intercession by the Virgin Mary and the Saints

Part III: Among The Stars

Part IV: Hell
1. How demons torment sinners in Hell
2. Annual celebration of demons in commemoration of Satan’s revolt against God
3. Satan announced special torments for some great sinners
4. Satan described how he would send the Anti-Christ
5. What does Purgatory look like?

Part V: The Resplendent Paradise
1. Planets of the souls of other religions
2. Planets of the souls of the Just (Christians who died with Sanctifying Grace)
3. The place where the mother of the Authoress dwells
4. Planets of the Saints
5. The Authoress entered Heaven
6. Intercession of the Blessed Virgin for the Living

VI: Conclusion

Declaration: “In compliance with the Decrees of the Holy See, particularly of the Congregation of Worship, we declare that what is expressed in the present publication needs no other assent than that which deserves a reliable human witness and that, by no means, do we intend to preclude the judgment of the Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church.”

Nihil Obstat: 10-04-2002 Imprimatur: 10-05-2002
Rev. Msgr. J.C. Abriol Rev. Fr. Francis Gustilo, SDB
Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila Provincial

Geography of a Woman

Forwarded e-mail:

Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa, half-discovered, half-wild, naturally beautiful with fertile soil.

Between 23 and 30, a woman is like America, well-developed and open to trade, especially for someone with cash.

Between 31 and 35, a woman is like India, very hot, relaxed and convinced of her own beauty.

Between 36 and 40, a woman is like France, gently aging, but still warm and a desirable place to visit.

Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain, with a glorious and all conquering past.

Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Yugoslavia, lost some wars, won some great battles but haunted by past mistakes, still very strong and proud.

Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Russia , very wide and borders are now largely unpatrolled.

After 70, she becomes Tibet. Off the beaten path, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages...still desirable but only those with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge and true love, dare visit there.

The Gay Agenda

Incidence of Homosexuality

The complexity of the homosexual condition, and the desire to keep it hidden (in spite of pro-gay organizations), make it impossible to obtain reliable statistics on the percentage of male and female person with SSA in the total US population. It is usually conceded that there are twice as many men with the SSA as women, and that the incidence of male SSA ranges from 2 to 3 percent of the total male population. No doubt, in the permissive spirit of our times more individuals admit their homosexual lifestyle: but in itself this admission does not furnish a reliable count, since a significant number of persons presumably prefer to keep their condition hidden. In some urban areas, however, like San Francisco and Denver, there are unusually high percentages of people with homosexual tendencies. From a pastoral point of view it is sufficient to know that there are millions of people with SSA in the country who are searching for more creative help than they have received in the past. But this aid will not be forthcoming unless society and people with this condition acquire a deeper understanding of homosexuality. This, in turn, depends upon the attitudes that exist in people with SSA and in society. It will help to reflect briefly upon the interlocking dispositions and emotions found in the person with SSA and in society.

Attitudes

The gay agenda has promoted the idea that "gay is good" and that the homosexual way of life is simply an "alternative lifestyle." This agenda also asserts that the homosexual condition is just as psychologically neutral as being left-handed or blonde, and that "gay marriages" should be equivalent in legal and societal status to a marriage between a man and a woman. Despite these claims, people with SSA continue to feel alienated from society in general and from family members and co-workers in particular. The gay agenda cites the source of this alienation "internalized homophobia" - that is, the non-gay sentiments and ideas one absorbs in normal society (and which naturally conflict with SSA).

More often, accusations of homophobia are hurled by gay activists at those taking exception to the gay agenda. Then, unfortunately, moral arguments are recast as political contests and serious moral discussions are avoided through the gay activists' claim of victim status - a well protected strategic position on our political landscape.

In its sad and easily verifiable reality, the often-embraced "gay" lifestyle is one of gay bars and bathhouses, a promiscuous subculture spread across the country. Various gay organizations and periodicals publish lists of such baths and bars in all the major cities, and while the propaganda speaks of integration into "straight" society, many active gay men seek only the companionship of other gay active men. Here they believe that they are free to put aside facades, revealing themselves as they understand themselves to be. At the same time, however, they drift further apart from the mainstream heterosexual society.

In general, heterosexual people do not understand those with persistent same-sex attraction. (It took me years to understand the nature of this condition.) Society clings to myths about the hyper-sexuality of persons with SSA and of their unreliability; moreover, the isolation of many with SSA tends to engender mutual distrust. Although our society has become less hostile to persons with SSA, the man who understands himself as "homosexual" continues to harbor self-hatred. He hates himself profoundly, often drowning himself in alcohol or contemplating suicide. (The reasons for this self-hatred will become clearer later in this chapter.) In turn, this mood of self-condemnation begets bitterness toward society and toward God, which is manifested in various ways: in isolation and loneliness, in flight to the subculture of th baths and bars, in joining militant gay groups who believe that visibility is the key to political clout.

Much gay activity is at cross-purposes. On one hand, there are strident demands that persons with homosexual tendencies be integrated thoroughly into the larger society; and on the other hand, gay clubs are developed as a refuge from "straight" society, impeding integration. Persons with SSA, however, readily regard themselves as a minority struggling for civil rights. The mainstream media, unfortunately, has become complicit in this political maneuvering, and commonly likens the situation of persons with SSA to that of blacks in the American South prior to the civil rights movement. The tendency to accept people in the homosexual lifestyle as a victimized minority has gradually led many to regard same-sex unions as a civil right.

While isolation from society and participation in the gay subculture are characteristic of many who struggle with SSA, there are untold others who integrate their lives into the pattern of ordinary society without revealing their sexual tendencies. This is not surprising when it is remembered that people with SSA differ as much among themselves as heterosexuals: "To say, for example, that a certain man or woman is homosexual is by no means to characterize his or her motivation. There are myriads forms of homosexual behavior: overt, covert, active, passive, compulsive, sublimated, diffuse, specific,...esthetic, intellectual..." (Gordon Allport, Pattern and Growth in Personality, New York, 1961, 371-2).

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John Harvey, O.S.F.S.)

Mr. Fix It

Every appliance or gadget you have - TV, cellphone, PC - conks out once in a while. It's an inconvenience that comes along with modern day living. It's a nuisance that people a century or so ago did not have to deal with. My PC breaks down again this month - twice in a row - with just barely a week from the day it was repaired. Everytime this will happen I can almost foresee hardearned money fly from my wallet 99% of the time. It can also mean lost productivity on my part because I use my PC for work. As I unplug all the cables connected to the CPU, I dread the thought of bringing this bulky piece of equipment to the repairman five kilometers away from me - a 4-km jeepney ride and a gruelling 1-km walk (I don't ride tricycles because they charge me almost triple the amount of my jeepney fare). By the time I reach the repair shop I am already drenched in sweat and panting not to mention that my arms feel like I did a hundred reps of straight barbell curls in a gym.

For work-at-home people like me using the PC and internet there are four horsemen of Apocalypse to watch for. First is the unexpected power interruption that can happen anytime. Once the electricity is out there is virtually nothing I can do to start working again unless I have a generator at home. I have no choice but to wait. Power interruption here in our place usually happens with a bang - either a transformer explodes nearby or an insane driver rams his truck to the Meralco electric post. Thankfully, the Meralco guys can restore the power supply in no time.

The second is no internet connectivity. This can paralyze my work just as much as the first one. It all depends on the length of time the net connection is off and once it is back then my work resumes. I'm just grateful that even though my ISP is a little slow at times, these incidences are rare but nevertheless counterproductive if it strikes.

The third is more subtle and insiduous. This menace inflicts damage over time without you noticing it. I'm referring to computer viruses, worms, and spywares. My first line of defense against these malevolent creatures is of course an antivirus software that is updated regulary on my PC, but take note that it cannot hinder all potential viruses out there in cyberspace so utmost diligence and care must be put in place to make sure my computer programs are running smoothly. It is recommended you run an antivirus check at least once a week. If left unchecked, you might end up replacing your hard drives, reformatting your PC, or losing all your precious data altogether. The best defense is to have backups of your sensitive and important files.

The last is the most menacing which is a complete PC breakdown - This is when you feel like selling your computer to junk shop because nothing appears on screen at all and your PC is next to useless. When this happens, you know for sure that there is something wrong with your computer hardware parts. "PC repairman here I come." This is the worst that could happen to you. More often than not the PC technicians don't really "fix" the problem in your PC as I have observed. Yes, they check and diagnose your PC's problems but after some screwing here and there, wiring connections and all that, I bet it will all end up with you purchasing a brand new part from them - a video card, memory card, hard drive, or motherboard. Trust me I already bought these things from them. So, now you know why this is the worst - because it's time to say goodbye to your hard-earned money at a blink of an eye - plus their service charge.

But today was different. Instead of bringing my massive CPU to the technician, I did some troubleshooting myself. I found out that I had a defective video card which I just purchased a week ago. I did not bother about availing the warranty because the videocard looked like a substandard one. To avoid a noise barrage, I just figured out how to install and uninstall a videocard all by myself. This morning I bought a new video card from a reputable store and installed it to my PC and now it is working fine again. This act saved me from traveling 5 kilometers to the repair shop, some money that I would pay the technician for his services, and all that sweat and trouble of having my PC overhauled again. Just for this day I became Mr. Fix It! Hurray!

Lesson: In every situation that confronts us, we can choose to be upset or we can choose to act. We can also choose not to act. I'm glad I did the right thing. Maybe I can have a career fixing computers in the future! (LOL) I'm actually contemplating of taking up a short course on PC troubleshooting. Well, why not?

Quotable Quotes

I just want to share these spiritual nuggets of wisdom from the Scriptures and writings of the Saints. This is something to ponder on. Read it here

It is really not so repulsive to see the poor asking for money as to see the rich asking for more money. And advertisement is the rich asking for more money. - G.K. Chesterton

Female Homosexuality

Typically, women experiencing SSA differ from their male counterparts by being more able to conceal the anomaly and more likely to seek a life-long, faithful, and reciprocating partner. Two women can often live together without arousing suspicions of homosexuality, and similarly may kiss or embrace in public without attracting attention. If discovered, moreover, the disorder is treated more indulgently by popular opinion.

Among women there seems to be less stress on physical expression than among men. In some cases two women will remain romantic and deeply involved for many years with no more than hugging or kissing. Ordinarily, a woman with SSA is not identifiable by appearance or mannerisms; neither does she differ hormonally or anatomically from heterosexual women. No more do masculine traits make her - as society would consider her - a "lesbian" than do feminine traits make a man "gay." It is possible, however, that a woman may be less aware of her homosexual tendencies than a man, simply because women tend to express their emotions in a more diffused way and are not subject to genital arousal with the same localized intensity as men. One can overemphasize the role-playing of both homosexual men and women in their genital activity: generally both tend to be active and passive, interchanging roles.

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S.)

Funny Pics

Funny pics to brighten up your week!

How to handle a problem neighbor

This is a good reason to wear pajamas to bed.

Positive proof of global warming.

Privacy please.

This is what sad looks like.

This is what sorry looks like.

Tattoo of the year

I'd rather hold it.

"Hey, let me explain!"

Boy genius

How was your cereal this morning?

Alessandro Serenelli's Final Letter

On July 6, the Church is celebrating the feast of St. Maria Goretti, virgin and martyr of purity, a remarkable girl who chose death rather than to give in to the advances of her murderer, Alessandro Serenelli. She is a stark contrast in our time where promiscuity seems to be the norm and chastity is held with so much contempt and ridicule. Much has been written and known about this saint and model of chastity, but we must also remember that Alessandro, though a confessed murderer, led a life of repentance after his conversion through the intercession of St. Maria Goretti. I just want to share his final letter addressed to all of us who are struggling with chastity. We can all relate to this man in one way or another and I hope that this letter would make us realize the value of chastity in living out our Christian faith. Let us learn from his example and be inspired.

"I'm nearly 80 years old. I'm about to depart this life. Looking back at my past, I can see that in my early youth, I chose a bad path which led me to ruin myself.

My behavior was influenced by print, mass-media and bad examples which are followed by the majority of young people without even thinking. And I did the same. I was not worried.

There were a lot of generous and devoted people who surrounded me, but I paid no attention to them because a violent force blinded me and pushed me toward a wrong way of life.

When I was 20 years-old, I committed a crime of passion. Now, that memory represents something horrible for me. Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me.

I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and of pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer. Thirty years of prison followed. If I had been of age, I would have spent all my life in prison. I accepted to be condemned because it was my own fault.

Little Maria was really my light, my protectress; with her help, I behaved well during the 27 years of prison and tried to live honestly when I was again accepted among the members of society.

The Brothers of St. Francis, Capuchins from Marche, welcomed me with angelic charity into their monastery as a brother, not as a servant. I've been living with their community for 24 years, and now I am serenely waiting to witness the vision of God, to hug my loved ones again, and to be next to my Guardian Angel and her dear mother, Assunta.

I hope this letter that I wrote can teach others the happy lesson of avoiding evil and of always following the right path, like little children. I feel that religion with its precepts is not something we can live without, but rather it is the real comfort, the real strength in life and the only safe way in every circumstance, even the most painful ones of life."


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Alessandro Serenelli

Codename: Shaider

While youtubing the other night I found this very nice music video of Shaider, the Space Sheriff, who was played by Japanese actor Hiroshi Tsuburaya along with his female space sheriff sidekick Naomi Morinaga. In the Philippine version they are better known as Alexis and Annie (still remember this pretty lass with yellow/brown miniskirt?) Do you still remember Fuuma Lei-ar and his minions with their Fuuma dance? Babaylan Ida, I learned lately, was a transvestite. All the while I thought she was a woman! gosh! I think the final episode of Shaider is on youtube again. This was deleted months ago for copyright infringement so to those who did not watch the ending go check it out.

I'm sure people my age can relate to this stuff. When I was in grade school I imitated this space sheriff very much - kicking and punching some of my classmates during our recess and exchanging playcards. But instead of calling me 'Shaider', they labeled me as "SHYder." Too bad the lead actor of this metal hero series died in 2001 apparently of some liver disease and Annie had since appeared in some smutty magazine and softcore porn. Its local remake, Zaido, was a far far cry from the original. I didn't watch that thing because it was done in such poor taste! Can you imagine remaking a sci-fi action flick like this one into some sort of melodramatic telenovela complete with love teams and all that crap!? (Grrr!)

But for old time's sake, here is the music video of one of my favorite Japanese metal heroes - Shaider ang Pulis Pangkalawakan.

Adios, Amigo!

Last week a great friend arrived from HK. Bro. A, who I first met many months ago with the brothers and who I correspond through online chat, arrived in the country for a much needed break and of course to meet us! Days before he arrived I was already suggesting places to visit and see, but it was only last Saturday that I finally came to meet him in the flesh for the second time and he's still, well, stunning and handsome I must admit. We met in Robinson's Place in Malate and after the brief awkward moment of this meetup, I quickly became comfortable with him and invited him to lunch coz I could tell he's hungry, although quite excited at that moment to go on our "date." It was actually raining outside so we did not have much choice but to stay awhile inside the mall.

While dining amidst the noisy food court, we were able to share many things about ourselves. In fact, that was the only time I was able to talk to him at length with just about anything - darn! he's such a good conversationalist and my English vocabulary got drained so quickly since I could not speak a Tagalog word - not even an expression. Wanting to learn some Filipino language, he inquired about the Tagalog translation of "I love you." At last, a Tagalog phrase. I answered, "Mahal kita." I threw back the question to him. "How do you say I love you in Spanish?" "Oh, there are two ways of saying it. First is Te Quiero which is a phrase you use when you speak to a friend, a family member, or a relative. Te Amo is reserved for someone special in your life, a lover, a romantic partner." Oh, now I know. After an hour and a half long of pleasant conversation, we hurried straight ahead to our destination. Where? We went to Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center. (I will blog about this separately including the pics I took). In brief, we took the LRT, MRT, and one jeepney ride to get there - a cheap way to show him around the metropolis eh? We were actually hurrying because we have to catch our Courage meeting later in the afternoon and we were like two Amazing Race contestants hopping from one place to the other. It was so fun!

Fast forward to the next day which is the day of his departure. We met again but this time in the five-star hotel for a breakfast on the 20 something floor of the hotel. Wow, magnificent view! From the dining table I was sitting I could see the whole Malate area, the long stretch of Roxas Boulevard, the hotel where I formerly worked in, and the placid waters of Manila Bay. Of course, we had our brief conversation as usual. On that day, we're supposed to visit a "must-see" place not far from where we were which every visiting foreigner must not miss. In short, I was his unofficial tourist guide in the city. The place I'm referring to is the famous Manila Ocean Park right at the back of Quirino Grandstand. It was my first time here and so was Bro. A's. (I will blog about this separately with pictures I took and hopefully the videos as well)

After our brief but fun-filled stay in the Oceanarium we headed back again to Robinson's Place for lunch (chicken adobo) and then went back to his hotel. He showed me his hotel room which is a very cozy place and helped him packed up things. Every good thing must come to an end they say and so we bid goodbye to each other. He does not feel like leaving the country but he has to. I hate it when somebody leaves. I don't like the feeling but who does? I wish I had more time to talk and bond with him coz he's such a great guy - really. I like intimate no-holds barred conversations with people coz it's when I really get to know the real person. Hah! you can just imagine what we talked about during our brief chit chats together! hahaha!

Mi amigo, te doy gracias por el regalo. I hope you'll find time to read the book that I gave you. My only regret is that I was not able to join you from Wednesday until Saturday because of work, but it is great to know that you had such a great time here with the brothers too. I will be looking forward to welcoming you again - maybe this time with some of your friends over there. May Our Lady of Guadalupe watch over you...always.

Adios, Amigo!

Permanent Homosexuality

Besides temporary SSA, authors refer to permanent or "irreversible" or "constitutional" or "innate" homosexuality. Some authors have misinterpreted the Vatican Declaration on Sexual Ethics, paragraph 8, to mean that all SSA is simply innate and irreversible. A careful reading of the text, however, shows that the Vatican only uses the term "quasi-innatus" ("almost innate" or "resembling something innate") in reference to the opinion that SSA can be so strong in a given person that it is regarded "as if innate." The Holy See only mentions this psychological opinion, and does not pass judgment on it - the task of the authors was not to sit in judgment of professional psychological opinion, but to clarify the moral truth that, no matter how persistent the tendency to SSA may be (even if it is "quasi-innatus"), this tendency does not morally justify homosexual actions. But I shall develop this argument later. At this juncture the point to be made is that in some individuals the tendency to homosexual activity is so deeply entrenched that there is very little chance of reversing the tendency. In a given situation a good clinical psychologist or psychiatrist can make a reliable prognosis.

Not to be confused with homosexuality are the phenomena of transvestism and transsexuality. Transvestites are men who love to dress in female clothing. Very few of them are people with SSA. Most transvestites are married and have families. Transsexuals are either men or women who feel that they are trapped in the wrong sex and who desire to possess the sexual body of the other sex. Some go to great expense and years of treatment to be "transformed" into the other sex by surgery, but they can never truly be transformed into the other sex. Each of these groups constitutes a special psychological problem.

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John Harvey)