THAT’S what the readings of the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, reminds us of. From the Book of Job, we are already warned that our life here on earth is some kind of a warfare. (cfr. 7,1) And St. Paul in the Second Reading also tells us that we have to learn to be “all things to all men to save all.” (1 Cor 9,22) That’s definitely a tall order, given the way we are.

And Christ himself showed us how our life—with all its challenges, difficulties and dangers—can and should be. In spite of the many good things he already was doing, many more people with great needs came to him asking for help. (cfr. Mk 1,29-39) That he had a very complicated life is indeed an understatement.

All of us, but especially priests and others in similar position, should be tough and strong. We need to be tough because aside from bearing our own personal burdens, from contending with our own personal demons, we also have to bear the burdens of the others. It is no joke to serve like the receptacle of the problems of the others and to find ways to help them.

Since we priests, for example, usually hear confessions and give counseling and spiritual direction to others, we cannot help but be affected somehow by what we hear. And the problems of some people can be so heavy and heart-wrenching that we end up exhausted, practically emptied of any strength and energy.

The worst part is what to say as advice and how to say it. It indeed is a big challenge to be able to present the mercy and love of God when the people’s problems seem to have no human solution or when their miseries and weaknesses seem to be persistent and insurmountable despite their efforts.

In these cases, the challenge is how to present God’s love in such a way that his love and mercy is seen as soothing, acceptable and meaningful. The challenge is how to present God’s love such that even if pain and suffering are unavoidable, people can see that God’s love takes care of everything. They would realize that what they cannot solve, God will always solve it for them in his own mysterious ways.

There is no doubt that a lot of spiritual and supernatural means are needed here. We have to pray that the people’s faith gets stirred and enlivened, that their hope gets reaffirmed and strengthened, that their love for God gets enkindled.

Aside from prayer, a lot of sacrifices are also needed. Prayer and sacrifices vitally unite and identify us with Christ who is the one to give us all the strength and light we need. Let’s remember what St. Paul said in this regard: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4,13)

Yes, it’s only with Christ and in him that we priests can truly be tough and strong as we should be as we carry out our ministry of helping people in their spiritual and moral life that can be filled with all sorts of problems and challenges.

Our toughness should be the toughness of Christ who was and continues to be willing to bear all the problems of men, and goes all the way to offer his life for the salvation of men.

Slogans like the one above can easily inspire the impoverished, but the wealthy and powerful are more likely to understand better. Groceries can be purchased with money, and happiness can also be obtained with it.

For the complicated and tangled political landscape, it aptly shows that money weigh heavier than principles than righteousness.

The realities that we collectively have this time is somewhat bleak and the future seems darker.

In the olden times there were oracles that tells the future and this time we can analyze the you tube videos and Facebook videos too. The predictions and forecasts are seemingly bleak, no good times ahead only price increase and political turmoil that would surely divert the attention of our leaders, away from the hard facts and low economic numbers. These are all clear nowadays.

So beyond the metrics, go for the things that matters, do not be dependent on money.
That’s a great question, and one that many people are interested in. Living beyond money means finding happiness and fulfillment in things that are not related to material wealth, such as relationships, hobbies, spirituality, or personal growth. Living well with little money means being able to meet your basic needs and enjoy some of the pleasures of life without spending a lot of money.

There are many ways to live beyond money and live well with little money, but they all require some planning, creativity, and discipline. Here are some general tips that might help you:

• Create a budget and stick to it. A budget is a plan for how you will spend and save your money each month. It helps you track your income and expenses, and avoid overspending or debt. You can use tools like Mint.com or other budgeting software to help you create and manage your budget. You can also use cash only to make purchases, as this can help you avoid the charges that come with credit cards, and ensure you know how much you are spending1.

• Save and invest your money. Saving and investing your money can help you build your wealth and prepare for the future, while also reducing your reliance on money for happiness. You can save money by setting aside a portion of your income for savings and investments before you spend it on anything else. This is called paying yourself first21. You can also save money by finding cheaper alternatives to your favorite products and services, such as shopping around for discounts, coupons, or sales, buying second-hand or refurbished items, or making your own products at home13. You can invest your money in various ways, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate, depending on your risk tolerance and goals. You can use tools like [Acorns] or other investing apps to help you invest your money automatically and easily.

• Seek experiences, not possessions. Studies have shown that experiences, such as traveling, learning, or volunteering, can bring more happiness and fulfillment than material possessions, which tend to lose their value over time21. Experiences can also enrich your life, broaden your perspective, and create lasting memories. You can seek experiences that are low-cost or free, such as visiting a local park, museum, or library, taking an online course, or joining a community group. You can also sell unused items online or at a garage sale, and use the money to fund your experiences13.

• Cultivate gratitude and contentment. One of the best ways to live beyond money and live well with little money is to appreciate what you already have and be happy with it. You can practice gratitude by writing down or saying out loud the things you are thankful for every day, or by expressing your appreciation to others. You can also practice contentment by avoiding comparison, envy, or greed, and by focusing on your values, purpose, and passions21.

• Surround yourself with like-minded people. It can be hard to live beyond money and live well with little money if you are constantly influenced by people who are obsessed with it. Try to find and connect with people who share your values and goals, and who support your efforts to live a simpler and more meaningful life. You can also join online or offline communities that promote frugality, minimalism, or financial independence21.

• Seek professional help if needed. Sometimes, the fixated gaze on money can be a symptom of a deeper psychological issue, such as anxiety, depression, or addiction. If you feel that your relationship with money is unhealthy or affecting your well-being, you may want to seek professional help from a therapist, counselor, or coach. They can help you identify and address the root causes of your money problems, and provide you with tools and strategies to overcome them21.
Sources : Smartlifesimple, wikihow.com

People are witnessing the breakups and breakdowns of politicians and their political coalitions that had been labeled as unity team. The selfish interests of politicians had caused friction among its members who are out with their personal ambitions for the upcoming presidential election.

Mudslinging is getting intense each day as politicians are up against each other with the aim of obtaining an advantage in the public consciousness. Those in the limelight are uncaring about the repercussions of bringing dirt out of the closet.

The public are just too eager to know the well-kept details of the dirt behind the well-groomed images. The tirades seem to open more cans of worm that will destroy each other’s political career. By far, there seems to be no end in sight to the word war emanating from various corners.

Whoever is able to sustain the black propaganda bring until the peak of the campaign period of the upcoming presidential and local elections would have a better position in the public mind. Those who would succumb to this early political breakup among family members.

The maneuvers employed by the warring faction is creating a deep cut that could result into an irreparable and unbridgable gap.
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