VALUES
“Technology and industry have distanced people from nature and magic and human values.” – Laura Esquivel
If we acknowledge the value and the fragility of nature and, at the same time, our God-given abilities, we can finally leave behind the modern myth of unlimited material progress. (Pope Francis, LS, #78)
This situation has led to a constant schizophrenia, wherein a technocracy which sees no intrinsic value in lesser beings coexists with the other extreme, which sees no special value in human beings. (Pope Francis, LS #118)
“Store up treasure for yourself with God, where no moth or rust can destroy it or thief steal it. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:20-21, Christian Community Bible)
REFLECTION: Values are the basic standards of the behavior of a person. The values for hard work and determination are very important. It is everyone’s desire to improve the standard of living and to achieve the essentials of a decent life intended for each family. When it comes to religiosity, people of different faiths are able to understand and accept God’s will and plan. Despite the difficulties in life which include widespread poverty, tragedies, and other negative effects of natural calamities, most believers are faced with a degree of optimism. This religious character of a person is certainly integrated in one’s values and beliefs in God. In line with this, it is proper to include the value of the environment. In other words, it has to be understood that to value the environment is of great importance. Let us not abuse the environment because it has a great value in everyone’s life which the Creator has made for us.
Key Statement: It has to be understood that to value the environment is of great importance.
Personal Challenge: The meaning of existence depends on how I value everything in the universe.
PRAYER
Lord God, thank You for allowing us to participate in re-creating earth. May we be guided to value the work that You called us to do for the common good. May we value the sacredness of human life by means of eradicating all forms of environmental violence and degradation. Amen.
ROMANO M. BULATAO is a Professor at Saint Louis University (SLU), Baguio City. He completed his AB Philosophy in 1990 at the Saint Anthony Mary Claret College (SAMCC), Quezon City; MA Religious Studies in 2003, and MA Philosophy in 2014, both in SLU; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology, Major in Missiology, at the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA) – SAMCC in 2021. Mr. Bulatao served as the Department Head of Religion at SLU (2006-2009); and President of the Kapatirang Claretiano Inc. – Pangasinan Chapter (KCI-PC), since 2011. He is the author of the book entitled Touching Thoughts A-Z published in 2009; translator of the Novena to Saint Anthony Mary Claret (from Pangasinan language to English) published in 2015; and the Novena kay San Antonio Maria Claret (from Pangasinan language to Filipino) published in 2020 by the Claretian Publications. ((romanobulatao@yahoo.com)
