Farewell, Pope John Paul II

THE MANILA TIMES
Business Times p.B1
Thursday, April 07, 2005
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/apr/07/yehey/business/20050407bus5.html

LEARNING & INNOVATION
By Moje Ramos-Aquino, FPM
Farewell, Pope John Paul II

With Pope John Paul II’s passing, I am filled with questions.

• If I know I would die in a few days, what regrets would I have? On hindsight, could I have avoided those same regrets?
• How do I judge others? Higher, lower or same standards as I judge myself?
• What truth do I want to know about myself, my life, my future?
• If a female friend tells me she is going to have an abortion or a male friend tells me his wife is going to have an abortion, how would I react?
• If I know that a friend is walking out of Catholicism and embracing another religion in order to enter into another marriage legally, what would I do or say?
• If I find that my brother is gay and wants to marry, what would I say to him?
• If I were to give up all material things I possess and allowed to keep only one item, what would it be?
• If I would remarry, should I choose a very rich man with unknown character or a kind man with modest means?
• If I were to raise my sons again, will I do it the same way or differently?
• If I were to choose a career or profession again, what would it be?
• Given an opportunity, what ten questions would I have asked the late Pope?
• Who is the most important person in my life? What should I do to improve our relationship? Am I willing to do it?
• If I know that a client can afford and will be willing to pay any price I will charge, how much should I charge?
• What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?
• Should I tell my best friend that she has, figuratively, bad breath?
• What would I do if I find out that a friend sells illegal drugs?
• What would I do if I discover that my maid has stashed my expensive-but-seldom-used necklace in her bag?
• Of all the people I love, whose death will be most distressing?
• What huge sacrifice am I willing to take to go to the Vatican right now?
• What has been the biggest disappointment in my life? Major mistake?
• If I suddenly find a bagful of money, what would I do?
• What sorts of things will I do if I win millions in lottery?
• If my bank miraculously lends me money for my business, what would I do?
• If a guy I know offers to give me my dream Volvo for a night of sex, what would I do?
• Who among my friends will I keep in the next ten years?
• To whom should I leave my estate when I go: to my children or to my favorite charity?
• A few years from now, when my children are settled with their own family, should I actively pursue charitable work or a religious life?
• If I were to write a book, should it be about business or about life?
• If I were no longer be in business, what should I write about instead?

These questions and a thousand more might not be as grave or serious as the ones that weighed down the papacy, but these are questions that face us, ordinary mortals, as we walk through life. I have no answers now, but when a question begs an answer I shall be guided by my Catholic beliefs and values and inspired by the life and wisdom of Pope John Paul II.

Farewell, Holy Father. I am positive you are happily united with God the Father.

(Feedback to moje@mydestiny.net)