Danilo Arao | Jan 30, 2024
POSTS FOR "Commentary"
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Balik-Tanaw | Hear then, the pitch of God’s kingdom
Balik-Tanaw | Hear then, the pitch of God’s kingdom
Some are surprised to hear Jesus begin his ministry with an announcement of a new kingdom. His first public words sound almost like a political announcement: “The kingdom of God has come near!” Is Jesus launching a new political movement, beginning a new social system?
Call to tax the very richest arises from their own ranks
Call to tax the very richest arises from their own ranks
The combined wealth of the world’s very richest dipped by $500 billion in 2023, to $12.2 trillion from $12.7 trillion in March 2022, according to Forbes, whose list of 2,668 billionaires in 2022 also dipped to 2,640.
Lab Notes | Rosario’s black sand: That which we call home
Lab Notes | Rosario’s black sand: That which we call home
Juan is just one out of many fisherfolk unable to make a living from the sight that greets them in the morning and lulls them at night. When reclamation started in Manila Bay and in Bulacan Aerotropolis, it meant finding source material for dumping, and there is no need to look farther than Cavite whose coasts are rich in black sand. High in iron content, the black sand can be used for concrete and asphalt production—a vital ingredient for built infrastructure.
Balik-Tanaw | Calling, listening, seeing, following
Balik-Tanaw | Calling, listening, seeing, following
In our readings today, we hear stories of callers, seekers, and followers. In the first reading, a rather confused Samuel heard a calling but does not immediately recognize who it was “because the LORD had not revealed anything to him yet.” Discerning the will of God entails li.
Grado
Grado
Tinaguriang “hell week” ngayon sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman (UPD), pati na sa iba pang unibersidad na may halos kaparehong kalendaryong pang-akademiko. Sa unang dalawang linggo ng Enero 2024, abala ang maraming estudyante sa pagkuha ng pinal na eksaminasyon at pagpasa ng mga kahingian sa kurso (course requirements). Lahat ng pinaghirapan, pinagpuyatan at iniyakan, siyempre’y may katapat na grado.
South Africa slams Israel at ICJ for genocidal acts
South Africa slams Israel at ICJ for genocidal acts
“Genocides are never declared in advance but this court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows, incontrovertibly, a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible claim of genocidal acts.
Balik-Tanaw | Journeying with the Magi
Balik-Tanaw | Journeying with the Magi
Sometimes it is called The Three Kings or the Visit of the Magi. This feast is familiar to us. It conjures up colorful pictures of a journey, a search, with only a star as a guide. It is placed in the liturgical cycle to deepen and broaden an understanding of incarnation. The chosen Scripture texts are inspirational as they open us up to the needs of the world, and the wisdom of nature.
South Africa takes Israel to ICJ on ‘genocide intent’
South Africa takes Israel to ICJ on ‘genocide intent’
Israel’s unrelenting, devastating attacks on the Gaza Strip in its war against Hamas has spurred South Africa to formally raise the issue of potential genocide before the International Court of Justice.
Baliksaysay | GOMBURZA, Hanggang hangganan
Baliksaysay | GOMBURZA, Hanggang hangganan
Ipinahayag ng 1872 na ilusyon ang reporma at liberalismo sa kapuluan. Ang pagkagarote sa tatlong pari ang simbolikong paalala ng lupit at dahas ng kolonyal na kaayusang hindi kayang tapatan ng ilusyon ng ideyalismong liberal na isinulong ng mga naglalayon na maging kapantay lamang sila ng mga mananakop.
Balik-Tanaw | The revealing of God through Christ and through us
Balik-Tanaw | The revealing of God through Christ and through us
In a moment, anytime today we will be hearing loud bangs and celebrations coming across the world as we close this year’s chapter. A few days ago, we were also delighted at how we joyously celebrated Christmas Day and how we also stood in solidarity with those who were unable to do so because of the many struggles they were facing.
In 2024, current wars are seen to intensify
In 2024, current wars are seen to intensify
By all indications, the coming year will see the continuation and even intensification of devastating wars in the world.
Balik-Tanaw | Still God’s love is everlasting
Balik-Tanaw | Still God’s love is everlasting
The readings for this last Sunday of Advent are full of “messianic expectation”. They exude a hope and trust which has endured through occupation and exile and grown stronger in persecution. It is a hope centred on the key promise of God given to David, that David’s house and his kingdom would be established forever (2 Sam.7:16). After the Exile, the people longed for another David, the shepherd boy anointed by God who became a great warrior, defeated enemies in battle and united the 12 tribes around Jerusalem. With the defeat of the Davidic dynasty the people asked where was God’s promise? We see the struggle of the community with this dilemma in the Royal Psalms. Psalm 89 begins praising God’s steadfast love and faithfulness to all generations but this trust in God is being tested as the psalmist laments “where is thy steadfast love of old, which by thy faithfulness thou did swear to David” (v49).
In Christ’s birthplace existential war rages
In Christ’s birthplace existential war rages
What a sad Christmas season this is for the peace-loving peoples of the world. Devastating wars are being waged, most notably, today, in Palestine and Ukraine. Soldiers are dying, civilians are suffering and dying too, and there seems to be no power on earth that will stop the gunfire.
Balik-Tanaw | For the Anawim
Balik-Tanaw | For the Anawim
We live in difficult times. There are ongoing crisis in Israel-Palestine, and Ukraine-Russia, and emerging conflict in the South China Sea. Then there is the climate and economic crises that threaten food security. We are also faced with enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings as well as violation of rights of activists, human rights defenders, environmentalists, workers and farmers, which happen with impunity.
Is peace adviser spoiling the resumption of talks?
Is peace adviser spoiling the resumption of talks?
This is the third piece in a row I’ve written about perceivable hindrances to the smooth resumption of formal peace negotiations between the government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. It had been announced in early December that they had agreed to do so in Oslo, Norway, on Nov. 23.
Relentless resistance against APEC
Relentless resistance against APEC
The "shutdown APEC" protests in San Francisco, California gathered more than a thousand people who shared testimonies about how APEC impoverished a generation, displaced Indigenous peoples, and undermined the rights of workers.
Balik-Tanaw | Reign of God where talents are not tools of profit but of love and service
Balik-Tanaw | Reign of God where talents are not tools of profit but of love and service
Our Gospel Reading for this Sunday pertains to the different scenarios of parables leading up to the scenario of Parousia in Matt 25:31-46, in the coming celebration of Christ the King Sunday.
At Ground Level | Repeal Anti-Terror Law, abolish the NTF-ELCAC
At Ground Level | Repeal Anti-Terror Law, abolish the NTF-ELCAC
This was the top-of-mind step that Ian Fry, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, urged the Philippine government to take as he wound up a 10-day official visit in the country last Wednesday.
First Person | Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians
First Person | Israel’s ongoing genocide of Palestinians
No matter what history timeline you believe in, you cannot deny the fact that the State of Israel was only established 75 years ago. If you read up on the diaries of the founders of Zionism, you will find out that the land where Israeli Zionists are settling in right now was already inhabited by the Palestinian people. No, it was not a desert.
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