The lecture we had in class today was about what true charity is all about. This topic is very relevant to us, given the recent typhoon that struck the Philippines. The effect of the typhoon was devastating. So many people have lost their homes, belongings, and their loved ones. The people of affected areas are in dire need of help and this is the perfect time that calls for an act of charity.
But then I began to wonder, I know it is natural that people are volunteering themselves in various relief operations and are donating money, food, and clothing, but why don’t they continue it during the times without typhoon or other calamities? It seems that the acts of charity are born out of necessity only. If we are to follow the spirit of true charity, shouldn’t our actions continue even after the calamities have passed?
What I am trying to point out is that there are people out there who need a helping hand even when there are no calamities. There are people who live in poverty and every single day for them is a struggle for survival. I am not saying that we should volunteer ourselves for 365days, but we can dedicate ourselves to help these people other than the times of calamities. Instead of going abroad during our vacation, we can volunteer ourselves to help these people. I think sacrificing our vacation and helping the poor shows what true charity means.
I am not saying that the charity works being done during calamities are hypocritical charity. I am pretty sure people are extending their hands because they truly care for their fellow countrymen. But then if we are capable of helping in times of calamities, then we are also capable of helping in times of peace also. Don’t stop your charity works just because the situation has been calmed down, continue your works and push it even further. I think this is the perfect time to show themagisquality of Ateneans and also what true charity means.
Yes. What you've said is correlated with what Dr. Garcia has once said in the class, that it's quite ironic --- how it's always during times of calamities and disasters that people sense love and charity around them. Maybe it can be related to awareness: being aware of the bigger environment that we are part of. The fact is that in peaceful times we usually do not realize those people suffering from disasters elsewhere, if they aren't out on the news and being emphasized. Maybe we can donate some money (even just a little) regularly so that we can do something for our neighbor. I think it's a way of showing our care and concerns for them.
ReplyDeleteSo, Wai Yiu
PH102 - A
I definitely agree with you, as I have also thought about this matter. And I think this is where "being a neighbor" comes in. Yes, by making ourselves available for relief operations in times of calamities, we become neighbors to our fellow countrymen. However, we can also do more than that, all it takes is a sincere and willful heart. During peaceful times, we can start by donating cash or goods regularly, or maybe, taking it further in a slightly different way, sponsoring and sending a child to school. I think this is also a good way of helping poverty-stricken families.
ReplyDeleteAs we have said in class, when we do good, we do not immediately see the result and sometimes, we even forget that we did good. But, the more important thing is that we made a move to do something good and never asking for something in return.
Marika King
PH102 - A
I agree with the points Se Yoon has made on his blog post. While I do not intend to take anything away from the amazing efforts done (and still being done) by many of our countrymen to help those devastated by Yolanda, we must acknowledge the fact that we do not always have the intention to help those in need all of the time. This is understandable, considering that we all have our individual lives to live. Sooner or later, our bills and our deadlines would force us to drive our attention away from others and back to ourselves. After all, we need to turn in that paper or we'll fail the class! When we begin to become lost in our own worlds, we start to forget about the rest of the beings who surround us day to day. It's a reality we have to face.
ReplyDeleteI guess the challenge for us is to constantly have that sense of not just charity but of caritas in our everyday lives. Like Se Yoon, I don't think volunteering at an NGO on a regular basis is a feat everyone should be doing in the pursuit of caritas. For me, the best way for us to be able to uphold to the call of caritas is to do good in what we are meant to do. Regularly attending your NSTP class is a good example. Another can be the simple act of just giving that photocopy lady a smile.
When we do good in everything that we do, even in the tiny things that we do, we follow the path to caritas. The wonderful thing here though is that most of the time, we won't normally see the extent of the ripples of our actions. And that should compel us enough to seek to do the good that we know.
Mara Cepeda
Section C
First of all, I agree with you when you say that we should also help people in times of "peace." Being a neighbor, is a 24/7 job, whether we like it or not. I know a few people who keep this in their hearts and who are constantly helping through good times and bad.
ReplyDeleteHonestly however I think we should still appreciate the people who come out of no where that help in times of tragedy. I think some people really need that extra push in order to pour their hearts out for their neighbors in need. Sometimes I feel like we are too critical when we talk about people "disappearing" during times of peace. I think the mind-set that has developed in the middle and upper classes in the Philippines is that our country is tough. It's hard to earn a living in our country and everyone knows it. I believe it isn't right for us at times to judge people who "disappear." People need to earn and fight for their own lives as well. It's all about ones priorities and perspective. This is why i don't think people should show angst towards people who just help out during times of tragedy or who post pictures, videos, or posts of themselves doing acts of charity. I believe the important part is that people who need help get it. As long as a person is giving out help and not corrupting the act of charity/helping out, I believe it's okay to post posts and be around. I think if we truly want to be neighbors we should always look at ourselves before looking at others.
I agree with what your saying about helping out even in times of peace. I believe that we must strive to be a neighbor to other people all the time and I also believe that there are really people like this. I look up to these kind of people especially when they help anonymously. Lastly, I also believe that true charity doesn't concern what other people think about you, just help and do what you can sincerely, I think this is the essence of being neighbor, not thinking of getting something in return for what you gave.
ReplyDelete-Diane Cheng (A)