The Gospel of Judas: Is it really faith-shaking?

The Gospel of Judas was hyped by the media (those with the hidden agenda of undermining the truths of our Catholic Faith) as something that would shake the faith of its readers specifically on the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The showing of the documentary on the said gospel over the National Geographic Channel was obviously deliberately timed to coincide with the Catholic Church's Palm Sunday celebration to add more sense of relativity. A brother priest sent me a copy of the said Gospel of Judas. It has seven pages on PDF format. I read it and found nothing faith-shaking.

The said gospel is believed to have been written by the Gnostics which is described by the Catholic Encyclopedia as those who believe in the "doctrine of salvation by knowledge. This definition, based on the etymology of the word (gnosis "knowledge", gnostikos, "good at knowing"), is correct as far as it goes, but it gives only one, though perhaps the predominant, characteristic of Gnostic systems of thought. Whereas Judaism and Christianity, and almost all pagan systems, hold that the soul attains its proper end by obedience of mind and will to the Supreme Power, i.e. by faith and works, it is markedly peculiar to Gnosticism that it places the salvation of the soul merely in the possession of a quasi-intuitive knowledge of the mysteries of the universe and of magic formulae indicative of that knowledge. Gnostics regard themselves as "people who knew", and their knowledge at once constituted them a superior class of beings, whose present and future status was essentially different from that of those who, for whatever reason, did not know."

Gnosticism is a heresy. Projecting the Gospel of Judas as historically true is tantamount to reviving a doctrine of the Gnostic heresy. Those who brought it up have an agenda. They point out that the Gnostic Gospels were not included in the Canonical Books that would comprise the Bible because mainstream Crhistianity wanted to silence Gnosticism. My sacred scriptures professor in UST, Fr. Angel Aparicio, OP contends in an interview that "the Gospel of Judas and other Gnostic writings such as the supposed Gospel of Mary Magdalene were excluded from the final canon of the New Testament not because the Catholic Church was trying to silence other Christian groups, but because their authenticity and fidelity to the teachings of Christ were suspect right from the start." (cf. http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=72478 ).

The peddlers of the Gospel of Judas try to project that Christ has mandated his own betrayal and that Judas facilitated the salvation of the world by his act of betrayal. One passage quotes Jesus telling Judas, "For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me." I only have one argument against such claim that Judas merely obeyed our Lord Jesus Christ in betraying Him: If that was the case, why did he feel the guilt and committed suicide???

The Gospel of Judas failed its peddlers for it did not snowball faith-shaking doubt from believers. The text itself is incomplete, there were missing lines as the manuscript has deteriorated.

I conclude by quoting James Martin in his article "Betrayal or devotion?: No revelations in Gospel of Judas": "The Gospel of Judas will continue to be fodder for television shows, magazine covers and lunchtime conversations. But the answer to the question raised every Good Friday remains the same. Why did Judas do it? Because Judas, like many of us, wanted to make God in his own image- rather than the other way round." (cf. The international Herald Tribune, April 12, 2006, p. 8 )

G. C. UANAN
23 April 2006

ON THE DA VINCI CODE

Dear Friends,

The Da Vince Code movie will be shown next month. Some people tend to take it as a true story rather than a mere fiction. I can give you some files that I have compiled which may be of help in enlightening them on the TRUTH. If you would like to be furnished with those files, feel free to email me on this email address: grevy_05@yahoo.com. You can also access some writings that would prove that the Da Vinci Code is a HOAX on these websites:

http://www.catholic.com/library/cracking_da_vinci_code.asp

www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2006/dvh_excerpts1_jan06.asp

Please send them to your friends. Let us help those being deceived realize that a HALF truth is a WHOLE LIE!

G. C. UANAN
22 April 2006

ON BISHOP TOBIAS' APOLOGY TO ERAP

I was shocked, having watched over the GMA-7's "24 ORAS" Bishop Tobias' apology to ERAP in his Homily on the Eucharistic celebration for ERAP'S birthday. I first read the writing about it and when the news clip was not yet available online I ardently hoped it was just another misquotation by the seemingly sensationalist Philippine media. But when I watched the clip, I was dismayed to hear these words from the Bishop of Novaliches to Erap: "I hope you can forgive the Catholic Church for what happened to you." He reaffirmed such stance by saying on an interview by a reporter of GMA-7 saying, "Nag apologize ako kay former President dahil isang sama ng kanyang loob ay nag-umpisa siya sa politika sa pagsusundot ng simbahan at in the end, ang simbahan din at ito ay ang mga katoliko lalong lalo na ang mga Obispo ang nakapaalis sa kanya." The Bishop should not have apologized on behalf of the entire Catholic Church for I am sure his thoughts are not shared by majority of the Catholic Church. Much more, he could not apologize on behalf of the other Bishops, most of whom issued their own pastoral statements calling for ERAP'S resignation in 2000. The most that he could have said is to ask ERAP'S forgiveness for his "personal participation" in EDSA 2. The Catholic Church Hierarchy (or should i say overwhelming majority of it) went against ERAP after feeling the pulse of the masses. But here is a Bishop apologizing on behalf of the multitudes of Catholics who joined EDSA 2. That is a travesty!!!! I was at EDSA 2 and I do not feel the need to apologize to ERAP. Bishop Tobias cannot apologize for me! Neither can he apologize for the multitudes of Catholics- religious and laity alike who called for ERAP'S resignation.

G. C. UANAN
21 April 2006

THE DEATH OF POPE JOHN PAUL II AND ELECTION OF POPE BENEDICT XVI: REVISITING MY DIARY ENTRIES

It has been a year since the death of Pope John Paul the Great and the Election of Pope Benedict the XVI. I would like to share my diary entries on those historical events to my readers especially to my relatives and friends :


THE DEATH OF JOHN PAUL THE GREAT

April 1, 2005
> 8:00 PM- I joined the Rosary vigil for the dying Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Square

April 2, 2005
> 9:00 PM- I, together with Fr. Rey Adalid, OP, Fr. Arlou Buslon and Fr. Edison Escario, joined the rosary vigil for Pope John Paul II at St. Peter's Square . At around 10:03 PM, it was announced that Pope John Paul II died at 9:37 PM (at that moment, we were singing the litany of the saints). Apparently the last words uttered by the late pope were: "I have looked for you. Now you have come to me. And I thank you."

April 4, 2005
>11:00 AM- The day allotted for the religious to view the remains of Pope John Paul II. Together with Fr. Robbie Gaa and Fr. Jimel Valera, I paid homage to the remains of Pope John Paul II at the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. It took us three hours before seeing him.
>5:00 PM- I was at the St. Peter's square and witnessed the transfer of the remains of Pope John Paul II to the Basilica

April 6, 2005
>10-Hour Line to see the remains of Pope John Paul II: I decided to see once more the remains of Pope John Paul II. This time, I have to experience waiting in line for 10- hours even though we priests could have entered through the back door by showing our Vicariate of Rome Celebret to the Swiss Guards. With me were Fr. Raul Dael, Fr. Jess Layug, Fr. Edison Escario, Fr. Dodong Billones, Sr. Eliza, Sr. Daisy and Sr. Lerma. We joined the line along Borgo Pio at 4:40 AM and we were able to enter the Basilica at 2:30 PM. I must admit that i wanted to quit when we seem to be moving only a few meters per hour. I was, however, inspired at the sight of a Polish Bishop who decided to join the Polish Pilgrims with him, although he could easily get inside the Basilica because bishop's and priests were allowed to enter through the back door. I don't have any regrets though. When we were about to enter St. Peter's Square about 8 and a half hours later, Bombo Radyo Philippines called me through my cellular phone and i became an instant reporter for them- describing the sea of humanity who came to say thanks to a great man who inspired the whole world. I learned from tv news in the evening that there were 1.5 million people on that day.

April 7, 2005
>9:00 AM- Requiem Mass for Pope John Paul II at the Basilica. Among the PCF priests with me were Fr. Jimel Valera, Fr. Freddie Billanes, Fr. Jojo Buenafe and Fr. Edison Escario. Once more, we were able to pay homage to the remains of Pope John Paul II.
>7:30 PM- Mass of Filipinos for Pope John Paul II at the Basilica of Mary Major. The main celebrant was Archbishop Capalla. He was joined by Archbishop Paciano Aniceto and Auxiliary Bishop Cortez of Manila. Cardinal Bernard Law welcomed President GMA and other delegates.

April 8, 2005
>10:00 AM- Funeral of Pope John Paul II. We left PCF at 4:00 AM. We were able to enter St. Peter's Square at 7:30 AM. We wore black cassock with surplice and red stole. The main celebrant and homilist was the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. His homily was applauded for more than 30 times. He ended his homily with these words: "None of us can ever forget how in that last Easter Sunday of his life, the Holy Father, marked by suffering, came once more to the window of the Apostolic Palace and one last time gave his blessing urbi et orbi. We can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window of the Father's house, that he sees us and blesses us. Yes, bless us, Holy Father. We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." After the Mass, when the coffin of John Paul the Great was raised facing the crowd, two giant streamers were unfurled bearing the inscription "SANTO SUBITO" (Saint Immediately). We were all in tears as the Sedieri Petri carrying the coffin entered the Basilica.

April 12, 2005
>Sede Vacante 2005 Stamps were made available

April 13, 2005
>I was able to buy the three sets (10 each) of the Sede Vacante 2005 Stamps and have them marked at the Vatican Post Office.


CONCLAVE 2005

April 16, 2005
>The PCF community had a picture taking session with His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, the lone Filipino cardinal to participate in the 2005 conclave

April 18, 2005
> First Day of Conclave 2005- I went to St. Peter's Square together with Fr. Edison, Fr. Giovanni, Sr. Eliza and Sr. Estella at around 4:00 PM. We watched the solemn entrance and beginning of the Conclave at the video walls of the square. There was only one balloting- black smoke came out of the chimney over the Sistine Chapel at 8:03 PM

April 19, 2005
>Second Day of Conclave 2005- We went to the St. Peter's Square at 9:30 AM. We brought Philippine flags and Vatican flags. The flags attracted the media- they asked us from which country we came from and they interviewed us about our views on the conclave and the papacy. The result of the first balloting (2nd overall) was a black smoke at 11:51 AM. Then shortly at 12:01, the result of the second balloting (3rd overall) was also black smoke.
>Habemus Papam- A group of Filipinos joined us because they saw us waving two big Philippine Flags in the afternoon. Then at around 5:49 PM, white smoke came out of the chimney over the Sistine chapel. And shortly at 6:05 PM the bells of St. Peter's Basilica began ringing, thereby confirming that a new pope has been elected. Everybody became ecstatic, it was a very festive atmosphere. At 6:43 PM Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estevez, the senior cardinal-deacon (Proto-deacon) came out to the center balcony of the basilica announcing these words: "Annuntio Vobis Gaudium Magnum, Habemus Papam! Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Iosephum Sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae Cardinalem Ratzinger qui sibi nomen imposuit Benedictum XVI." Then, the people shouted Ratzinger! Ratzinger! then Benedetto! Benedetto! With that I became all the more ecstatic and jubilant for I somehow predicted that the new Pope would be Ratzinger and his name will be Benedict! I thought that if there is somebody who could assure continuity of Pope John Paul II's legacy, it would be Ratzinger. At 6:48 PM, Pope benedict XVI, preceded by the Cross appeared at the center balcony waving at the crowds, making the joined-hands clasped thanks gesture as well as the open hands gesture and then delivered his first ever Urbi et Orbi (to the city and to the world) address as follows:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
"After the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord. The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with inadequate instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers.
Let us move forward in the joy of the Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help. The Lord will help us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you."

I brought out the 12 rosaries I just bought and waved them to be blessed when the new pope gave us his blessing. We were also interviewed by Vicky Morales of GMA-7 when the crowd began to disperse.

April 24, 2005
>Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Pope Benedict XVI, 10:00 AM at St. Peter's Basilica. I was fortunate to be one of those who distributed Holy Communion.