Reflection #1 - PHPC 107: Metaphysics

        Last session, we continued tackling about the history of the concept of Metaphysics. One of the points discussed was the notion of Heidegger on being. Being, for him, is being-in-the-world and being-with-others. Furthermore, this entails that this being is a shepherd of reality, as he knows that he is not in control. This brought me to some points of reflection. First, it was mentioned that being-in-the-world suggests that we cannot live without the world. The world could still go on even if there are no human beings. This reminds me of the Holy Father’s call today, especially in this time of the Season of Creation. There is an urgent call for ecological conversion. The cry of the Earth is getting louder and more painful as we do our daily activities that harm the environment. When our home gets destroyed by our excessive and destructive behaviors, I believe that humanity will cease to exist.

Another point of reflection is still on Heidegger’s being, being-with-others. I exist in this world, for I am a being-in-the-world. In this world, I am not the only being. There are others as well. Hence, I am also a being-with-others. This encourages me to be more sensitive, as I am not alone in this world. This also encourages me not to become indifferent to others. From my own interpretation, the ‘others’ here refer to two things: the people around me and the nature. For example, when I am around someone who is misbehaving, I must not think of how this behavior upsets me. Instead, I must think of the possible factors that triggered this demeanor. Being a being-with-others challenges me to look after my brothers and sisters, specially the poor and vulnerable. It also calls me to become a better steward of God’s creation.

We also talked about William Desmond, specifically his metaphysics. For him, the ‘meta’ in metaphysics is DOUBLE, i.e. how to mediate on both the ‘beyond’ and the ‘midst’. This is new for me because in our previous sessions, we defined metaphysics as the study of what is beyond (or sometimes even beneath) the physical reality. In Desmond’s metaphysics he speaks of something in the midst/middle. In this middle, the metaphysician is encountering and struggling with the excess of being. This excess is not merely because of its indeterminacy but with its plurality and over determinacy.

This reminds me of that Cebuano antiphon during the Bible Service in our GKK back in Malapatan. The antiphon is:

        “Kay hain gani ang duha kon tulo nga magakatigum sa akong ngalan, ako anaa sa ilang taliwala.”

        This antiphon is taken from Matthew 18:20. The word that is related with the topic is taliwala, which in English is ‘among’ or ‘between’. I find this antiphon (and particularly that word) really inviting. Whenever I hear this during the Bible Service, I could somehow feel that Jesus is indeed in our midst. Jesus being in the midst is just like this this being we were talking about. One cannot make/force being to give with this excessive gratuitous surplus of given being. It is just like Jesus ‘being in the midst’. He explicitly said that he is with those who gather in his name. Jesus’ presence does not need to be summoned by means of witchcraft and wizardry. No spells or enchantments are used just so Jesus could be with us. God is generous for He has given Jesus to us, and His love is overflowing. This overflowing is not to be understood as an excess because we are limited, but in the sense that being abundant and excessive is just its nature.

Aside from that we talked as well of metaphysical thinking is an act of gratitude for such gratuity. All we must do is be mindful. This takes me back to my previous reflection on Jesus. He is given to us and for us. He is as well here for us and with us. He is in our midst. All we need is to be mindful and be aware. Being here in the seminary for two years now made me realize that I can only be truly aware of His presence in silence. Words cannot fully express my desire and longing for this Being, and it is only through silence and being conscious of His presence here that I could get to know Him.

Lastly, we discussed as well that metaphysical thinking entails awareness of inevitable failure. It is an uncertain venture; a wager and a promise. It calls for humility for one cannot fully grasp or fathom Being. This takes me to my last point of reflection. I am studying Philosophy right now and, if God permits, will study Theology in the near future. I believe that doing these academic enterprises could still not help me fully understand this God I am responding to. If I even become an ordained priest, if God would allow it, it still would not mean that I totally know Him. This only signifies that I must always keep both feet on the ground and rely only on the Grace of God.