XEROX
“Universe is just a big Xerox machine. It simply produces copies of your thoughts.” -Neale Donald Walsch
Each of us has his or her own personal identity and is capable of entering into dialogue with others and with God himself. Our capacity to reason, to develop arguments, to be inventive, to interpret reality and to create art, along with other not yet discovered capacities, are signs of a uniqueness which transcends the spheres of physics and biology. (Pope Francis, LS #81)
“It was you who formed my inmost part and knit me together in my mother’s womb. I thank you for the wonders you have done, and my heart praises you for your marvelous deeds.” (Psalm 139:13-14, Christian Community Bible)
REFLECTION: The earth was created unique like any other planets in the universe. Even the smallest creature has its own distinction. Our present world has been transformed by a huge Xerox machine producing lots of photocopies. We can hardly name all of the wrongdoings of human beings in relation to copying. We are all made with different assets, with different forms, and we must be all satisfied with that. We must all be happy for what we have. Accept ourselves for who we are. Let us appreciate our uniqueness. Let us not wait for the time that we can no longer identify who we really are. By doing so, we will eventually appreciate and accept others’ uniqueness too. As long as we live, we cannot deny the fact that we are unique.
Key Statement: Our present world has been transformed by a huge Xerox machine producing lots of photocopies.
Personal Challenge: I must recognize the uniqueness of every individual.
PRAYER
God of truth, we thank You for being the source of everything that is good. We humbly ask for forgiveness when we are dissatisfied with ourselves. May we recognize the beauty inside us. As part of Your creation, we ask for Your grace for us to acknowledge our uniqueness and accept ourselves for who we really are. This we ask through Your Almighty name. Amen
ROMANO M. BULATAO is a Professor at Saint Louis University (SLU), Baguio City. He completed his AB Philosophy in 1990 at the Saint Anthony Mary Claret College (SAMCC), Quezon City; MA Religious Studies in 2003, and MA Philosophy in 2014, both in SLU; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology, Major in Missiology, at the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia (ICLA) – SAMCC in 2021. Mr. Bulatao served as the Department Head of Religion at SLU (2006-2009); and President of the Kapatirang Claretiano Inc. – Pangasinan Chapter (KCI-PC), since 2011. He is the author of the book entitled Touching Thoughts A-Z published in 2009; translator of the Novena to Saint Anthony Mary Claret (from Pangasinan language to English) published in 2015; and the Novena kay San Antonio Maria Claret (from Pangasinan language to Filipino) published in 2020 by the Claretian Publications. ((romanobulatao@yahoo.com)
