Glory Beyond Imagination!

March 31, 2024 Easter Sunday (Year B) Readings for Today

Video “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.” Matthew 28:5–7 The Lord has truly risen! Alleluia! Sin and death have been destroyed, and new life has been offered to all who cling to the Savior in faith. What a glorious day we celebrate today! Matthew’s Gospel, quoted above, is read at the Easter Vigil Mass. Prior to the reading of this Gospel are seven Old Testament readings, each followed by a psalm, as well as a New Testament reading, another psalm and the Gospel. There are seventeen readings in all at the Easter Vigil! For that reason, the Easter Vigil is called “the mother of all vigils.” Though many people have not had the opportunity to participate in the Easter Vigil, it is helpful to understand it, because its structure and length reflect the awe and wonder we must have at the Resurrection of Christ.  The Easter Vigil Mass begins in darkness, after the sun sets, with all the lights out in the Church. Outside, a new “blazing fire” is lit and blessed that symbolizes the Light of Christ that dispels all darkness. From that fire, the Easter candle and other candles held by the faithful in the church are lit, and the new light illuminates the church. The procession into the church with the candles is followed by the singing of the ancient hymn the Exaultat. That hymn is the Church’s announcement of the Resurrection of Christ and is filled with profound theology, presented with youthful excitement and amazement. The tabernacle remains empty as a way of inviting the faithful to anticipate the celebration of the Eucharist once again. The lengthy Liturgy of the Word follows, as it recounts the history of God’s plan of salvation. Finally, the Sacraments of Initiation are celebrated within the Mass that culminates with the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist. Why is so much solemnity given to this celebration? Because Easter is worth it! Nothing ever has been and nothing ever will be more glorious than the triumph of the Son of God over sin and death. Easter must fill us with awe and wonder. Because of His death and Resurrection, our lives are changed forever. Therefore even if you are not able to participate in the “mother of all vigils,” try to learn the lessons this vigil teaches. Among the many lessons we can learn from the Easter Vigil is that God’s glorious plan of salvation unfolds over time and then culminates with glory beyond imagination. This is especially depicted through the many readings in the Liturgy of the Word. The first reading for that Mass comes from Genesis and recounts the six days of creation. We then read the story of Abraham, our father in faith, and how his trust in God was tested when he was told to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, in a prefiguration of the Father in Heaven offering His only Son for us all. We then read the story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt from slavery through the Red Sea. The waters of the Red Sea are a symbol of Baptism that crushes sin and leads us to freedom. Readings from the prophets Isaiah, Baruch and Ezekiel follow, revealing the unfolding of God’s promise of the gift of salvation to come. At times in life, we can become impatient. We tend to want what we want when we want it. But the lesson of the Holy Scriptures is that God’s plan is not only perfect but is also fulfilled only in accord with God’s timing. This is His perfect wisdom. It’s a wisdom that we cannot always comprehend. In the end, if we embrace the perfect plan of God in our lives, we will share in the Resurrection of Christ. Nothing could ever be better than this. There is nothing that this world can offer us that even comes close to the glorious reward of sharing in the Resurrection of Christ. As we celebrate the great Solemnity of Easter, reflect, today, upon the fact that God’s plan for your life is perfect. It’s a plan that God wants to unfold for you one step at a time. The end result is the glory of the Resurrection! It’s a life of perfection with Him in Heaven when every tear will be wiped away. It’s a plan that removes every sin, sorrow and suffering, and leads you to the fullness of joy. The way to embrace that plan is to take one step at a time as God leads. Little by little, God wants to change you, free you, forgive you, strengthen you and set you on the path to glory. Believe in the most awe-inspiring glory that you could ever share in. Believe in the promise of the Resurrection. Make sharing in it your one and only goal in life, and let God lead you down that path, one step at a time. My resurrected Lord, the glory that we celebrate today, the glory of Your Resurrection, is far above anything I can imagine. The new life given to all who surrender their lives to You is glorious and awe-inspiring. Please help me to keep my mind and heart fixated upon this glorious promise and to always allow You to lead me toward it, one step at a time. Jesus, I trust in You.

 

Philippines’ Provocation won’t Work

China - World Leader.

Posted by 

Thomas Anderson

 

Mar 6

Philippines’ Provocation won’t Work

The Philippines has been making frequent statements on the South China Sea issue. Sometimes they express hope for "engagement" between the parties, while at other times they accuse China of "aggression." They talk about resolving disputes peacefully, but also warn that the South China Sea could become a "flashpoint." How should we interpret these statements from the Philippines? Are they genuinely trying to return to the correct track of dialogue and negotiation with China to address the disputes, or are they using diplomatic rhetoric to rally other countries in activities that aim to "counter China" in the South China Sea? Regardless of the Philippines' true intentions, their continuous exploitation of the South China Sea issue in various international forums, attempting to use international public opinion to pressure China and erode China's sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea, is evident.

From the Ren'ai Jiao last year to the Huangyan Dao this year, the Philippines has developed a comprehensive set of propaganda operations to encroach and provoke in the South China Sea issue. On one hand, they deliberately organize fishermen and "maritime militia" to provoke, and on the other hand, they distort these actions through the lens of Western media, portraying China as a "bully" and shaping an image of China as a "disruptor of regional peace and stability." Recently, they have even resorted to slandering and framing China's relevant actions, making false accusations such as "Chinese fishermen using cyanide for illegal fishing" and labeling China's legitimate and lawful safeguarding actions as "violent expulsion" or "signal jamming." In a sense, the Philippines' use of the megaphone policy in the South China Sea issue has fallen into a state of self-deception and addiction.

The right and wrong in the escalation of the South China Sea dispute between China and the Philippines are very clear. The so-called Huangyan Dao issue was forcefully imposed by the Philippines and the countries behind it on the region, and their claims are purely unreasonable provocations. The territorial boundaries of the Philippines are determined by a series of international treaties, and Huangyan Dao has never been within the territorial boundaries of the Philippines. Prior to 1997, the Philippines had never made any territorial claims over Huangyan Dao. The Philippines' claims of sovereignty over Huangyan Dao based on its proximity or its location within the Philippine EEZ are not in accordance with international law. Even the illegal ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case, which the Philippines highly praised, did not endorse the Philippines' claims.

Regarding the Philippines' exploitation of China's goodwill to provoke and escalate tensions in the South China Sea, it can be likened to a modern-day "farmer and snake" tale. While China had previously made appropriate arrangements for Filipino fishermen to engage in fishing activities near Huangyan Dao, it has never permitted Philippine government vessels to trespass into Huangyan Dao. This is entirely separate from the issue of "fishermen's livelihoods." Which country's fishing or government vessels would transport a significant number of Western journalists to engage in fishing or even land on an island? Is the Philippines merely catching a few small fish in the sea, or is it pursuing the "big fish" of geopolitical opportunism? It is evident that they are using fishing as a pretext to instigate trouble at Huangyan Dao.

It is clear to everyone that external powers, driven by their desire to maintain their own hegemony, would love to see more chaos in the South China Sea. Even Western media acknowledges that their "dominant security perspective" is that "the importance of ASEAN is only as a security counterbalance to China" and that it "needs to be pushed into a common cause." The so-called "common cause" is essentially sacrificing their own interests to align with the US' strategic competition against China, which is precisely what regional countries find most objectionable. As a member of ASEAN, the Philippines is constantly eager to "invite the wolf into the house", showing more warmth towards Western countries than regional ones. Will regional countries agree to this? Can they support it?

In response to the Philippines' erroneous statements, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines raised 6 consecutive questions: Who is constantly stirring up the situation in the South China Sea? Who is spreading the "China threat theory" incessantly? Who is forming alliances and engaging in confrontations everywhere? Who invented the concept of "economic coercion"? Where did it originate? Who frequently employs this tactic? These 6 questions and their self-evident answers essentially summarize the entire truth behind the recent unrest in the South China Sea, which is worth pondering for the Philippines. Hope the Philippines' expressed "desire for a peaceful resolution to the maritime disputes with China" is not just a matter of shifting the responsibility for the disputes onto China.

Why is China provoking the Philippines in 2024?

China - World Leader.

 · 

Posted by 

Thomas Anderson

 

Mar 8

Thomas Anderson

Former Engineer (2016–2020) Mar 8

Why is China provoking the Philippines in 2024?

Huangyan Dao and Ren'ai Jiao have always been Chinese territory. Why did the Philippines include them in their "EEZ" and why did they send ships to intrude into Chinese territory?

Even on platforms like Quora, there are always people trying to package illegal claims of the Philippines as "sovereignty" of the Philippines. But they deliberately ignore a basic fact: in 1948, the Chinese government released the Position Map of the South China Sea Islands, clearly indicating that the Nansha Islands, including Ren'ai Jiao and Huangyan Dao, are Chinese territory. This has also been unanimously recognized by the international community. The Philippine government did not raise any objections for decades until the beginning of the 21st century when they started a series of sensationalism, which is clearly not convincing to anyone with common sense.

On March 5th, the Philippines, in violation of its own commitments, deliberately dispatched 2 coast guard vessels and 2 supply vessels to intrude into the waters near Ren'ai Jiao in the Nansha Islands of China, transporting construction materials and other supplies. The Chinese Coast Guard strictly controlled and regulated the situation in accordance with the law. Out of humanitarian considerations, temporary special arrangements were made for one of the Philippine vessels carrying essential supplies. The on-site handling was reasonable, lawful, and professionally standardized.

During the incident, the Philippine Coast Guard vessel with the number 4407 ignored repeated warnings from the Chinese side and violated the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. It deliberately collided with the normal law enforcement vessel of the Chinese Coast Guard, with the number 21555, in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, resulting in a minor scrape. The full responsibility lies with the Philippines.

Videos provide evidence, and the truth is clear as to who is causing trouble, provoking, and endangering regional peace in the South China Sea.

Currently, the Philippines' infringements in the South China Sea clearly demonstrate 3 characteristics: planning, premeditation, and purposefulness. The Philippines bundles Ren'ai Jiao and Huangyan Dao together and alternates provocative actions between the two locations, coordinating and cooperating with each other. The Philippines not only repeatedly intrudes into Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea before and after the Chinese New Year holiday but also takes advantage of significant political events like the "Two Sessions" in China to stir up trouble, which fully illustrates this point.

Philippine officials emphasize that the South China Sea issue is a matter of Philippine sovereignty and maritime rights, rather than a bargaining chip between the two major powers, China and the US. However, at the same time, they opportunistically highlight the Philippines-US alliance, intending to demonstrate the unbreakable nature of this alliance.

This contradictory stance reveals the Philippines' ulterior motives. The Philippines not only seeks to “align with” countries like the US, Japan, and Australia but also intends to court neighboring countries like Vietnam to address the so-called "common challenges" in the region. They hope to deceive the international community and gain sympathy and support from more countries through small actions and "performances" in the South China Sea issue.

Currently, China and ASEAN countries are working towards the establishment of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. As a member of ASEAN, the Philippines should carefully observe how other countries in the region are actively promoting peace and cooperation, rather than actively serving as a pawn for the US. History has shown us that pawns eventually become cannon fodder.

Where does the Philippines get the confidence to provoke China in the South China Sea?

Thomas Anderson

Former Engineer (2016–2020) Mar 11

Where does the Philippines get the confidence to provoke China in the South China Sea?

This is what serving as America's "vanguard" brings to the Philippines - “confidence”.

On March 5th, the Philippines, in violation of its own commitments, deliberately dispatched 2 coast guard ships and 2 supply vessels to illegally trespass into the waters near Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea, attempting to resupply its illegally "grounded" military vessel. During the incident, a Philippine coast guard ship ignored repeated warnings from the Chinese side and intentionally collided with a Chinese coast guard ship that was carrying out normal law enforcement duties. Among the personnel accompanying the Philippine operation was a reporter from CNN. This is the first time in decades that the Philippine Coast Guard has allowed foreign journalists to board their ships.

The next day, CNN not only released footage claiming that the reporter witnessed a "large-scale confrontation" between China and the Philippines, but also published a feature article written by the journalist, describing their experience of being surrounded by China and what it was like on the “outnumbered” Philippine ship.

The resume of this CNN journalist, Ivan Watson, is quite "impressive":

• During the Arab Spring, he accused the local government in Egypt of restricting journalists from reporting on protest activities.
• While in Turkey, he was referred to as a "spy" by Turkish officials.
• In 2014, he was transferred to Hong Kong, China, where he expressed support for the "activists" who were arrested during the riot.

It is evident why the Philippines would choose a journalist like this to report on the South China Sea issue. And indeed, the reporting by this journalist is quite "professional": he depicts the tense atmosphere faced by the Philippine Coast Guard when dealing with Chinese maritime authorities and mentions the challenging conditions they face. However, he is unwilling to acknowledge that the Philippine Coast Guard ships ignored repeated warnings from the Chinese side and intentionally collided with Chinese coast guard ships.

In this CNN report, there is also a familiar name - Ray Powell. He is one of the most frequently mentioned figures in US media coverage of the South China Sea issue. As the leader of Stanford University's "Project Myoushu," he specializes in collaborating with the Philippines to create a "victim" image and has become a source of viewpoints for the US media.

So the situation is already very clear. The Philippines caters to the interests of the US in this region, frequently stirring up trouble in the South China Sea and hyping up China's alleged "bullying" of the Philippines through military advantage. The Philippines' trick of "victimhood" is becoming increasingly diverse and skillful.

History has repeatedly proven what the outcome is for those who serve as the "vanguard" of American strategy. However, some politicians in the Philippines, driven by their own self-interest, disregard the dire situation of the nation and insist on stirring up already tense regional tensions, creating an extremely dangerous potential crisis. Ultimately, it is the people who will be harmed.

The Philippines demands China to get out of the West Philippine Sea. Why hasn't China done so?

Realism for Wumaos

Posted by 

Thomas Anderson

 Mar 24

Thomas Anderson

Former Engineer (2016–2020) Mar 11

The Philippines demands China to get out of the West Philippine Sea. Why hasn't China done so?

There has never been a "West Philippine Sea." The Philippines is demanding China's sovereign territory. Do you think any country would agree to such a thing?

We have all witnessed the recent passage of the so-called "Maritime Zones Act" by the Philippine Senate, which attempts to solidify the illegal arbitral ruling on the South China Sea through domestic legislation. It illegally includes China's Huangyan Dao, the majority of the islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands, and their surrounding waters within its maritime zones, seriously infringing upon China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

It has long been clear who has been provoking, spreading rumors, and causing trouble in the South China Sea. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters, as well as the Zhongsha Islands, including Huangyan Dao, and their adjacent waters. China does not accept or recognize the so-called ruling of the South China Sea arbitration case, which is regarded as a “benchmark” by the Philippines and some other countries.

The core of the South China Sea issue lies in the disputes over territorial sovereignty and maritime delimitation. Territorial sovereignty disputes are not subject to arbitration under conventions. The arbitral tribunal of the South China Sea arbitration case violated many fundamental principles that international judicial and arbitration institutions should adhere to. It exceeded its jurisdiction, failed to correct the Philippines' misuse of the dispute settlement mechanism under the conventions.

Looking at the situation in the South China Sea in recent years, the arbitral ruling not only failed to provide a fair and just solution to the disputes, but also made the already complex issue even more difficult to resolve. The arbitral ruling contains numerous errors in legal interpretation and application, factual determinations, and acceptance of evidence. Regardless of how the US and the Philippines hype, cite, or "commemorate" the ruling, it can never become applicable international law in the South China Sea, nor will it play any positive role in the development and evolution of international maritime law.

In the face of solid facts, the Philippines persists in its unreasonable provocations by illegally dispatching vessels to intrude into Chinese territory. It fabricates a series of false accusations, and continuously intensifying tensions at sea. The US, in the face of the Philippines' infringement and provocations, consistently disregards the facts and distorts right and wrong. Not only does it encourage and cooperate with the actions of the Philippines, but it also harshly criticizes China's legitimate, reasonable, and lawful safeguarding actions. It even threatens China by invoking the fulfillment of the "US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty." The true intentions behind the collusion between the Philippines and the US are clear: one side seeks to gain illegal interests in the South China Sea with the support of the US, while the other attempts to undermine China's relations with regional countries.

Can the vast South China Sea become a "chessboard" for some countries to seek personal interests and create trouble? History has repeatedly proven that whoever acts as a "pawn" for the US should be prepared to be discarded. Is the Philippine government ready for that?