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Reality or Illusion
Whenever someone talks about some weird
supernatural experience, we are often amused but unbelieving. After listening
politely for a few minutes, we discreetly advise the person to "get
real" and then we immediately shift the conversation back to our favorite
subjects — the current fad, dodging traffic, the increasing costs of living,
losing our spouse or boyfriend, trouble at the office, at home, or at school,
our fear of being kidnapped or our vehicle carnapped, being robbed or mugged,
etc., etc., etc.
Still, everywhere we look nowadays, the phenomena
persist. In books, write-ups, films and in personal accounts of people we regard
as having both feet firmly planted on the ground, we are regaled by tales of
ghost visitations, spirit hauntings, angelic interventions and near-death
experiences. Few question the pronouncements and "words of wisdom"
coming from unseen divine sources relayed to us by evangelists. Still many live
in constant dread of the evil that the Devil can do.
We are incredulous when street psychics and
uneducated mediums testify of clairvoyant visions and communications received
via channeling, trance mediumship or telepathy. And we withhold final judgment
in regard to the Marian and other apparitions pending the outcome of the
investigations conducted by the Church. Yet, we marvel at the efficacy of the
healings attributed to the amazing grace of the Lord, even if many more are not
healed.
But still and all, in the midst of all the smoke,
all the commotion and the controversies, the message is unmistakably clear and
undeniable — There must be another and greater world than our world.
Christ himself attests to this. And because spirit survives, then life after
death is certain.
If this is true, what is it to us? So what? Well,
it has been repeatedly pointed out to us that while we will be staying here on
Earth for some 70 years or even a 100, give or take, our entire lifespan is
still just a twinkling of an eye compared to eternal time. And yet nevertheless,
our actions here will determine our fate and future situation in the Greater
World for the rest of our eternal life.
What then are more desirable — instant thrills
and fleeting pleasures quickly over or peace, happiness and contentment for all
eternity? And which is wiser — to concentrate on the purely mundane which for
sure will all pass away soon or while we are still in the world, to study and
prepare for our return home, which is inevitable? Which is the dreamworld and
which is the real? Are you in the Reality or are you in the Illusion?
Contributed to and published by the Manila
Standard
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