Sem. Jyby Iniego T. Macasusi Rev. Msgr. Erlito A.

Maraya
AB-II St. Maximilian Kolbe Metaphysics
Reflection for the Month of October

Do things change and still remain as it is? How can a tree, along with its existence, experience a
lot of changes through seasons or climates and still remain as a tree? Knowing the fact that every reality
changes, and there is something in them that remains as it is. What remains is their essences. A tree for
example through time experience change; it grows larger, develops its own branches, produces fruits,
grow leaves, etc. but still remains the same tree, only that it becomes distinct from all other trees.

For this month of October, I would focus my reflection on the fundamental idea in Metaphysics
which is Change. In every being we cannot deny that there is something physical; movement and
change. As what Parmenides first thought that every reality is one and whatever is, is and what is not
cannot be. Change is impossible, the very notion of change according to him is incoherent. And here
comes Zeno with his dichotomy paradox that denies the existence of physical change wherein he
thought of change as an illusion that physical movement cannot exist. Then Heraclitus came with his
idea of change as to be the only thing that was permanent. Reality for him is constantly changing. But
then Aristotle reconciles with these ideas and concluded that in every being there is something
permanent and there is something that change. Change is not just a mere appearance or illusion, it
actually exist. He added, that being can be changed substantially and accidentally through what we
know the act and potency.

The concepts of actuality (act) and potentiality (potency), which are present in all created things,
is accounted for change. Reality is the state of something that exist. Potentiality is the ability of
something to change or develop into something different from what it currently is. When a tree is
destroyed and made into something else like chair, table and etc., then there would be a significant
change. Or it might happen accidentally, such when a branch is removed. If the tree is cut down, the
change can be outward or inside, like when it sprouts a new branch. Every being can only be what it can
be and not what it wants to be, because of its real capacity. When a potency is already actualize it does
not disappear, it is only fulfilled. Therefore a tree could still remain a tree even after so many changes it
experience because of its own essence and only achieved perfection because of its potency to have
what it can have; such as growing larger, develops branches, produces fruits, grow leaves, and etc. it still
remain as it is though it change to what it can be.

All of us must undergo change whether we like it or not. Change is uncertain, but acceptance is
inevitable as what it is said. In metaphysics it is thought that the only accidents that can change a
substance is action. Substance in relation to matter is act, and in relation to accidents is potency. There
is a potentiality that a good person can be changed into a bad person depending on his actions. Man is
free, and freedom entails making decision every time that is why as rational beings we must not blame
the adversity, we must not blame others, but we must only blame ourselves from whatever change we
may attain because of our actions. We must not be afraid of change for these are the moments of new
beginnings, new opportunities, and new life. When we do decide to embrace the journey of new
beginnings, those moments of change are like moments of realizations, that as human beings we always
operate with decision making or making choices every single moment of our life. Whatever happens to
you is not because of them, but because of the decision you make.