Beware of pharisaism

“ YOU nullify the word of God in favor of your tradition that you have handed on. And you do many such things. ” (Mk 7,13)

Mario Rosete – Cabanatuan

Inna Viktoria Balaba – San Pablo, Laguna

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This is a serious accusation Christ made against the Pharisees who always found fault in Christ and in his disciples for not following scrupulously certain human protocols that were considered of absolute value. These words are found in the gospel reading of Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time that for this year falls on February 7.

That is why Christ warned his disciples to be wary of what he termed as the “leaven of the Pharisees and the Saducees.” (cfr. Mt 16,12) It refers to teachings that pervert the truth with subtle lies, a phenomenon that is also common these days.

These are teachings that arise from a certain kind of spiritual pride and selfrighteousness, and are often expressed in rigid rules and protocols, in a too literal an interpretation of certain laws that contradict the spirit behind those laws, and that often give rise to hypocrisy.

At one point, Christ accused these religious leaders then of being blind guides who “strain out a gnat and yet swallow a camel.” (Mt

I have learned in my days at XU that it stands for the transformation of people who are kind to the planet while working for prosperity and peace. It has been inculcated in me that commercialism has never been XU’s priority.

In underscoring the importance and noble undertaking of Xavier University, may I share a poem of Thomas Gray entitled, “An Elegy Written in a County Churchyard.” I learned this poem from Fr. Francis Calputura, S.J., my High School teacher.

The poem’s 12th stanza says: “ Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid, Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire; Hands, that See SALE , page 11

23,24) They got punctiliously focused on little details while ignoring the over-all picture of things.

Thus, Christ likened them to white-washed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but are full of bones and unclean things inside. He accused them for being hypocrites that meticulously clean the cup and dish and yet are full of greed and self-indulgence. (cfr. Mt 23, 25-27)

It was because of this reality about the Pharisees that Christ told his disciples: “Practice and obey whatever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they do not practice what they teach.” (Mt 23,3)

Pharisaism, as the dictionary puts it, refers to the doctrines and practices of many of the Pharisees during the time of Christ. They were almost invincibly convinced they were always right, basing that conviction simply on their traditions and their own interpretations of God’s laws.

When Christ finally came, they could not believe he was the Messiah since Christ did not jibe with their expectations as based on their own estimation of things. In fact, they were suspicious of him, always finding fault in him and finally managed to crucify him.

To be sure, not all Pharisees were like that. We can cite the example of Nicodemus who went to see Christ by night to ask for some clarifications and who helped bury Christ’s body. There must have been others like Nicodemus.

And so, we have to refrain from making blanket accusations against all Pharisees. By pharisaism, we simply refer to certain portions of the Pharisees who had the wrong attitude toward Christ and the things of God.

Their error was in their too literal interpretation of the religious and moral laws without due regard to the spirit of the laws. Such interpretation led them unavoidably to fall into hypocrisy, since the reality even of their own lives cannot cope with the very restrictive view of what they considered as right and wrong, good and evil.

It’s unfortunate that the Pharisees of old have their modern version these days.

See PHARISAISM , page 11

NOTICE OF FILING OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE MEDIUM COST HOUSING AND ECONOMIC HOUSING PROJECT

N O T I C E

Notice is hereby given that Wee Comm Magnum Properties, Inc. represented by Engr. Jerico G. Lorenzo has filed with this Office a sworn registration statement for the sale of house and lot packages in Intalio Estates Subdivision Phase 1 located at Brgy. Canito-an, Cagayan de Oro City and more particularly described as part of Lots 4447-B-7, Psd-10-057622; Lots 35648-A to 35648-D, Psd-10-023988; Lots 35647-A and 35647-B, Csd-104305-007203-D; Lots 4384, Csd-237; Lot 4447-A, Psd-219856; and Lot 4448-A, Csd-10-000640 – Open Market Housing (OM) containing an area of 122,875.75sq.m..

The foregoing project is utilizing the BALAI Program Compliance thru utilization of the area or cost of Manambulan Project in Barrio Manambulan, Davao City in the amount of P HP 29,757,974.85 as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by RA 10884.

All papers relative thereto shall, upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication.

Cagayan de Oro City this 31st day of January 2023.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development

Kagawaran ng Pananahanang Pantao at Pagpapaunlad ng Kalunsuran Regional Office 10

PILIPINO VERSION OF NOTICE OF FILING OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE MEDIUM COST HOUSING AND ECONOMIC HOUSING PROJECT

PAUNAWA

Ipinagbibigay-alam na ang Wee Comm Magnum Properties Inc na inipresentahan ni Engr. Jerico G. Lorenzo ay naghain sa tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon sa pagbebenta ng mga lote at bahay sa Intalio Estates Subdivision Phase 1 na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Canito-an, Cagayan de Oro City at sinakop ng – Lots 4447-B7, Psd-10-057622; Lots 35648-A to 35648 D, Psd-10-023988; Lots 35647-A and 35647-B, Csd-10-000640Open Market Housing (OM) na naglalaman ng isang lugar na 122,875.75 sq.m.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang BALAI Program Compliance sa pamamagitan ng pagamit sa Manambulan Project in Barrio Manambulan, Davao City na may halagang Php 29,757,974.85 bilang pagsunod nito alisunod sa Seksyon 18 ng Republic Act No 7279 na sinususugan ng RA 108841.

Lahat ng mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinuman na nagtataglay ng legal na interes ditto matapos humiling ng pagsusuri at magbayad ng kaukulang halaga sa tanggapang ito.

Kapag walang sagabal na legal, ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado at maari ng bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito, pagkalipas ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling paglalahtaia.

Cagayan de Oro City, ika-31 ng Enero 2023.