A Palestinian boy was pulled from the rubble with one shoe still on, while an Israeli mother wept over her son’s empty bed—his life ended by a rocket he never saw coming. These images burn through screens and into our conscience, reminding us that the ancient quarrel between the children of Abraham has never ended, only evolved. And though it is their fight, its shockwaves unsettle the whole world, making peace not just their duty, but everyone’s urgent need.

The story of Isaac and Ishmael wasn’t meant to be a curse. It was never written to justify missiles or checkpoints, but to explain how nations could spring from brothers. And yet, what was once a matter of lineage has become a matter of pride, politics, and pain. The descendants of these two sons, Israel and selected Arab nations, now speak not in parables but in retaliation. And while they may argue about borders and histories, what lies at the core is something far older than modern statehood—a fractured family bond left untreated for millennia. It is as if the wound of Abraham’s house was never allowed to scab over.

Even the story of Jacob and Esau carries in it the blueprint of reconciliation. Two brothers, betrayed and wounded, but reunited after years of silence, each weeping on the other’s shoulder. That narrative exists for a reason. It whispers, perhaps stubbornly, that peace is possible. That one day, former rivals might see the futility of inherited rage. But history, in this region, seems to repeat not as tragedy or farce, but as a stubborn refusal to grow up. Leaders on both sides play the same games year after year, as if the old scripts will someday write a different ending.

There is, of course, no shortage of blame to go around. Israel, often buoyed by American support, acts with the confidence of someone who knows no real punishment is coming. Arab nations, some of which remain hostile and others cautiously neutral, leverage Palestinian suffering as political capital while failing to offer viable peace frameworks themselves. And those truly caught in the middle—innocent civilians, children, workers, dreamers—get ground down like wheat between two ancient millstones. It’s exhausting. It’s infuriating. And it’s deeply human in the most tragic sense.

What’s lost in the gunfire is not just life but imagination—the capacity to see a world beyond revenge. Generations of Israelis and Palestinians have now been born into hatred, raised on stories that valorize vengeance and mistrust. It’s not just the land that’s occupied; it’s the collective future. When the idea of peace becomes laughable, a myth, a naive fantasy told only by outsiders, then you know that something profound has been broken—not just treaties, but trust itself. And without trust, no border wall or ceasefire can hold.

One cannot help but ask, what if the courage needed now isn’t the kind found on a battlefield? What if it’s the courage to forgive, to admit wrongdoing, to compromise? That, I believe, is the most radical idea in the region right now. Not dominance. Not retaliation. But humility. The kind of humility Abraham himself might’ve asked for had he seen how far his children would fall. It’s tragic that those who once wandered the desert in search of promise now anchor themselves in stubbornness, as if soil were more sacred than soul.

Let us not romanticize war or the so-called righteousness of either side. Human dignity, not territorial maps, should be the sacred ground. The olive tree doesn’t care who claims the land beneath it. It just grows—roots deep, branches wide, always reaching for peace it will never taste. And perhaps that is the greatest insult to this conflict: that nature, in all its simplicity, fosters coexistence better than the humans who claim to have a divine right to the soil.

Peace will not come from treaties signed in haste nor from military victories paraded like trophies. It will come, if it comes at all, from the children of Isaac and Ishmael finally realizing that inheritance should not mean enmity. It will come when they stop waiting for the other to blink first and start acting as though the world, the very air, the very earth, is tired of their feud. For it is. And so are we.

GIVEN the way we are in this world, marked as it is with frequent inconsistencies and infidelities, we need to see to it that this business of making daily renewals of our commitments to God and to everybody else should be taken up seriously.

For this, we have to be clear about what the real purpose of our life is, how we can relate everything in our day to this ultimate purpose of ours. But first of all, we should know what making these daily renewals is all about.

In the gospel, we can hear Christ saying: “My sheep hear my voice; and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them life everlasting; and they shall not perish forever, and no man shall pluck them out of my hand.” (Jn 10,27-28)

That, in a nutshell, is the ideal condition for us to be in. It’s when we can abidingly hear Christ’s voice and follow him. We should be wary of our strong tendency to hear and be guided only by ourselves and by some worldly standards. We really need to humble ourselves so that we can let Christ’s voice to be heard and followed by us.

Right at the beginning of the day, we should already direct and set our mind and heart on Christ, promising to offer everything to him, to do things with and for him, and to know him more and more by going through certain practices of prayer, spiritual reading and theological study, and other acts of piety.

Besides those, we should make it an organic part of our lifestyle to always begin and begin again in our struggle to hear Christ’s voice. That’s because we cannot deny that we often fail to be consistent and faithful to our original intention to always listen to him and to follow his ways.

We just have to begin and begin again, never getting tired, since Christ never tires of us. This seems to be the law of our earthly life. We should not remain down all the time. We can and should always get up.

That we always sin is already quite known. St. John in his first letter said so. “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (God) a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1,10) So, let’s just acknowledge our sinfulness and ask for forgiveness. Let’s avoid playing the hypocrite.

Besides, St. Paul vividly describes the constant inner struggle we all have between good and evil. From his Letter to the Romans, we read: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate…I delight in the law of God, in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin which dwells in my members.” (7,15ff.)

And again, we are told that we are actually ranged against powerful enemies. Not only do we have to contend with our wounded flesh, and the sinful allurements of the world. We also have to do battle with powerful spiritual enemies.

As St. Paul put it in his Letter to the Ephesians, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (6,12)

Let’s remember this fact of life, and not waste too much time lamenting and feeling bad because of our weakness and sinfulness. All we have to do is to be quick to say sorry, saying it from the heart no matter how repeatedly we have to do it. And from there, let’s continue the process of conversion and transformation, going to confession often, cultivating the virtues, sanctifying our work and ordinary duties, etc.

A few days on, the 2025 Midterm Elections will come like a thief in the night, the whole country unprepared and boom, the elections will be over. The voting starts at 5 in the morning and goes on until 7 in the evening .

From the looks of it the people will have its collective choice reflected on the ballot via a new voting platform from an Asian country. The new system purported to be more efficient and perhaps, my wish, less manipulable and thereby the results believable.

However, we, the law-abiding taxpayers pray and wish that the elected Senators will be more than a name on the roll call, more than a fumbling clowns on hearings and the laws made will be better than ever. Here is a list of issues and concerns that the voters of this country pray that the new set of Leaders will heed and work on.

• Employment and Economic Stability – Many voters prioritize candidates who advocate for increasing job opportunities and ensuring food security.

• Healthcare System Improvement – Strengthening healthcare services remains a major concern, with a significant portion of the electorate supporting candidates who push for better medical access.

• Inflation and Cost of Living – Rising prices of basic goods and services continue to be a top issue, influencing voter decisions.

• Energy Security and Power Stability – Power outages have become a growing concern, especially as they threaten election integrity and the safety of poll workers.

• Workers’ Rights and OFW Welfare – Many Filipinos want stronger protections for workers, including those employed overseas.

• Corruption and Governance – Voters are looking for leaders who will fight graft and corruption in government.

• National Security and Sovereignty – Defending the country’s territorial integrity, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, is another key issue.

In all these are simply, grown-up list of wishes that the Senators will legislate on and work on. The Congress with the representatives must tackle and hopefully, even with less hope, we hope that this chance will deliver just that, progress and not perdition. Please take time to look into this grown-up Election List. The next generation needs these fulfilled to thrive, to survive.

Every choice, big or small, carries the potential to shape your company’s trajectory, propelling it towards success or leading it down a path of stagnation or even failure. Understanding the profound impact of your decisions is crucial for any leader, entrepreneur, or manager who aspires to build a thriving enterprise.

The Ripple Effect of Decisions:

Decisions are not isolated events; they have a ripple effect that reverberates throughout your company, influencing everything from employee morale to customer satisfaction to financial performance. A single decision can:

– Shape your company culture: Decisions about hiring, compensation, benefits, and workplace policies directly influence the atmosphere and values of your organization. A decision to prioritize employee well-being over short-term profits can foster loyalty and engagement, while a decision to cut corners on quality can erode trust and damage your brand reputation.

– Define your strategic direction: Strategic decisions about product development, market expansion, or investment strategies determine the long-term course of your business. A decision to invest in research and development can lead to groundbreaking innovations, while a decision to focus solely on cost-cutting can stifle growth and innovation.

– Impact customer relationships: Decisions about pricing, customer service, and product quality directly impact customer satisfaction and loyalty. A decision to offer exceptional customer support can build strong relationships and increase customer retention, while a decision to prioritize profits over customer needs can lead to negative reviews and lost business.

– Influence financial performance: Decisions about budgeting, investments, and resource allocation have a direct impact on your company’s financial health. A decision to invest in marketing can drive sales growth, while a decision to overspend on unnecessary expenses can lead to financial instability.

The Art of Effective Decision-Making:

Making sound decisions is not a matter of luck; it’s a skill that can be developed through conscious effort and a structured approach. Here are some key principles to guide your decision-making process:

– Gather all the facts: Before making a decision, thoroughly research the situation, gather data, and consider all relevant perspectives. Avoid making decisions based on gut feelings or limited information.

– Define your goals and objectives: Clearly articulate what you hope to achieve with your decision. This will help you stay focused and evaluate potential outcomes.

– Consider the potential consequences: Anticipate the potential risks and benefits associated with each option. Think about how your decision might impact your employees, customers, and the overall business.

– Seek input from others: Don’t be afraid to solicit feedback from trusted colleagues, advisors, or mentors. Different perspectives can help you identify blind spots and make more informed decisions.

– Be willing to adapt: The business world is constantly changing, so be prepared to adjust your decisions as needed. Don’t be afraid to admit mistakes and course-correct when necessary.

The Power of Ownership:

Making decisions is not just about choosing the “right” answer; it’s about taking ownership of the consequences. When you make a decision, you are essentially committing to a course of action and accepting responsibility for the outcome. This sense of ownership fosters accountability, empowers you to learn from your mistakes, and ultimately leads to more informed and impactful decisions.

Conclusion:

The decisions you make as a leader, entrepreneur, or manager have a profound impact on your company’s success. Every choice, from hiring practices to marketing strategies to financial investments, shapes the trajectory of your business. By understanding the ripple effect of your decisions, embracing a structured decision-making process, and taking ownership of the consequences, you can navigate the complex world of business with confidence and build a thriving enterprise that stands the test of time. Remember, every decision you make is a building block in the foundation of your company’s future.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!