The other day, I could not help but overhear some people talking about the Bible and religion in general and in terms of personal interpretations. Working in Caritas Manila, we deal with “Church people” every time. Close to 100 percent of what makes Caritas Manila work are these Church people or parish volunteers. And, interacting with them, one cannot help but oftentimes be placed in a position to listen or overhear conversations, even convictions about the Bible, God, Jesus, the Saints and the Church.

Being a priest, and the priest that I am, I am surprised, at times amazed, as to how some people actually interpret or even suggest how things should be, based on this and that. These interpretations come from people of all walks of life. From the well-off, the poor, the influential, the emotional, the intelligent and the not-so-intelligent. After all, Church volunteers come from all walks of life, in different shapes, sizes and color. Hey, priests also come in different forms. They give different opinions and interpretations.

But, and this I am quite proud to say, the Catholic Church does have an extremely rich source of guidance, source of knowledge to give us the right interpretation about these holy teachings and the Holy Book, and its appropriate application to the real world in the light of the times, in terms of situations, language and examples that we could actually relate to, even directly implement or be guided with. They are called encyclicals.  

An encyclical is actually a papal letter (a letter from the Pope) addressed to either a particular place giving guidance about a particular matter, let’s say the US Bishops and its religious people, or the Universal Church in communion with the Apostolic See, which is basically everyone. Encyclicals addressed to the bishops of the world are concerned with matters that affect the welfare of the Church, globally or at large.

These encyclicals actually teach us and guide us about the Bible and life. And they are truly enlightening, enriching and truly intelligent. It also gives us a better understanding about a particular Pope and his inclinations in terms of guidance. What cause or causes this particular Pope is actually championing. What is magical about these encyclicals is that they could be understood easily by anyone who would care to read.

And, in this Cyber Age, accessing these encyclicals are just clicks away. The people in Rome are actually tech-savvy. One of the best sites on the Internet or in cyberspace is the site of the Vatican at www.vatican.va. Don’t just take my word for it, check it out for yourself. And while there, check out the encyclicals.

Our present Pope, Benedict XVI, has actually written two very beautiful and exceptionally intelligent and inspiring encyclicals. The first one is Deus Caritas est (God is Love) and the recent one, which I broke down into articles in this column to share with you, is Spe Salvi facti sumus (In hope we are saved), or just plain Spe Salvi. If you want to know how quite learned and wise our Pope is, please read these two.

Of course, there is Pope John Paul II, who has written a number of encyclicals. Scholars, priests and theologians have their own favorites when it comes to John Paul II’s writings. There is Evangelium vitae, which tells us directly about the value and inviolability of human life that we can refer to when interpreting family-planning issues, contraceptive issues, medical care, research issues, etc. There is Ecclesia Eucharistia, which is a comprehensive teaching about the relationship of the Eucharist and the Church.

These teachings are so rich and so enlightening that one can learn how one can guide one’s business, one’s family, one’s relationships, one’s life toward success, real success and significance through the encyclicals. We don’t have to really subject the Bible to our own interpretation and pass it on as “what should be” or “what is right, right?” because we have the encyclicals—the legacies of titans of moral and universal wisdom. Again, don’t take my word for it, try it, browse it. 

For comments/feedback: e-mail: caritas_manila@yahoo.com; for donations to Caritas Manila: 563-9311; and for inquiries: 563-9308 and 563-9298;  Fax:  563-9306.

Editorial: Put windfall VAT to productive use

Typhoon Frank hit the Philippines—to borrow a pugilistic phrase—in the breadbasket. In the case of the destructive howler, which the rest of the word called Fengshen, the blow was literal.

Sway: Passage to death

Dońa Paz, with more than 4,000 dead, Princess of the Orient, with more than 200 dead, and Princess of the Stars, with close to 800 feared dead: With that record, Sulpicio Lines is tops, it is simply unbeatable. Until MV Princess of the Stars went down, despite its remarkable record of casualties starting with Dońa Paz, Sulpicio was still out there in the open seas—maybe just waiting for the next accident to happen.

Omerta: Bleak rice outlook

I really hope and pray I’m wrong. But there are signs popping up everywhere that don’t look good as far as the country’s rice situation is concerned.

William Pesek: Japan’s Generation D, Sri Lankan prices, Korea’s beef

Japanese growth is slowing, inflation is accelerating and record food and energy costs threaten to do increasing damage to Asia’s biggest economy. What should investors do? Buy Japanese stocks.

Servant Leader: Encyclicals

The other day, I could not help but overhear some people talking about the Bible and religion in general and in terms of personal interpretations. Working in Caritas Manila, we deal with “Church people” every time. Close to 100 percent of what makes Caritas Manila work are these Church people or parish volunteers.