May 19, 2024*Pentecost Sunday – Mass during the Day*Freedom from Fear

Dss . Norma P. Dollaga,  KASIMBAYAN

Source: https://www.drawn-to-the-word.com/shop/jesus-appears-to-the-disciples-behind-locked-doors/

Acts 2:1-11

Ps 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13

Jn 20:19-23

It is courageous to recognize that we are afraid. Great people – heroes, and martyrs alike,  and those who are willing to give their lives for the sake of others are people who acknowledge their own fears and anxieties.

Upon the death of Jesus, his disciples were together collectively feeling the chilling effect of the state/empire terror. Their leader was slapped with trumped-up charges, arrested, humiliated before the public and meted with capital punishment (death penalty) by hanging on the cross. The once leader who healed the sick, and preached radically about God’s Kingdom, who saved the woman from stoning to death, who exalted the humble and meek, who was in the company of the dirty, marginalized and outcasts is now dead. He, the champion of the poor who critically engaged the ruling system and never shown any favorable, patronizing attachment with the hypocrites and powerful is now gone. His disciples must be weary and anxious. They could be the next victim of injustice. If the intention of the empire is to eliminate its perceived enemy, it would want to “get them all.”

The disciples were afraid. They could not deny their close association with him. It was dangerous then to be identified with Jesus. The security officers must have done a dossier of them and their whereabouts. Besides, the state must have suspected them that they were hiding the body of Jesus.

They were hiding, as a way to handle their own fear. The fear is borne out of reality that they could be apprehended and attacked by state agents at any time. They rather not expose their vulnerability. They still have a mission to carry on. In the meantime taking a side step was a wise decision.

However, fear did not immobilize them. The Spirit – the Life-giving power, the resurrection had given them hope to overcome their fear. The fear was replaced by PEACE. They received the SPIRT (BREATH) – the power that will transcends their worries and anxieties, which came upon them. They were not forever locked down by fear and side-stepped. The “retreat” was just temporary, and they went ahead with the work and the mission. Perhaps they were still afraid. The enemy must have constantly watched their moves. The church was founded by faithful disciples who were given the power of the Spirit and the message of resurrection to carry on what was entrusted to them.

Today we still have prophets and missionaries who, in the midst of fear and terror of the empire, are steadfast in their calling. The church, the movement of prophets and believers of God’s Kingdom is a testimony that the teaching of the righteous, the love of humanity and genuine interest to serve the people will never die. It is like the message of the hymn by Frederick William Faber,1849:

“Faith of our fathers (ancestors)! living still

In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword.

O how our hearts beat high with joy

Whene’er we hear that glorious word!

Faith of our fathers (ancestors), holy faith!

We will be true to thee till death.”

Like the disciples of Jesus, we feel how dangerous it is to transform our grief and anger into prophetic action through the power of the Spirit. There will be an assurance of PEACE in our hearts . In the name of those who suffer from bigotry, discrimination and exploitation, the Spirit will empower us to pursue the cause of overcoming evil within the systems of our society. The inspiration of the life, work, ministry and mission of Jesus will be the LIGHT that will guide us. Those who went ahead of us who dared and risked their lives for the sake of others will be our inspiration to carry on. They shall live in our hearts and in our daily prophetic and pastoral work.

I am in awe of those who were persecuted, abducted, tortured, imprisoned, and threatened but can still work for what they believe in as they face dangers, toils and snares.  There were political prisoners who, after their release continued their work – back to the communities, to the advocacies, to serving the poor, to defending human rights and in pursuing justice and peace, knowing well that the agents of the state are still watching them, and anytime laws can be weaponized against them.  

Neri Colmenares, was once arrested, jailed and tortured during Martial Law of Marocs, Sr. He was 18 years old then. He was very active in religious organizations like the Student Christian Movement (SCM) and the Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP). He had just been elected as National Council member of the SCAP when he was arrested. He strongly believed that the church’s teaching on loving our neighbors is compatible with working for social justice. During his detention, his favorite day would be Sunday. Sundays were the visiting days of church people where they brought food, greeting cards from all over the country and even people from other countries. He was so amazed by the spiritual connection of those imprisoned and those outside detention who prayed and worked for their release. Upon his freedom, he promised himself that he would dedicate his life serving others. He had never been unafraid. But his spirit of courage, the spirit of solidarity, and the solid vision to serve the people make him and many human rights defenders carry on the work.

Breathe on me, Breath of God

As we are mourning and grieving

The deaths of many people–

Young, old, and vulnerable ones.

Breathe on me, Breath of God

When we are anxious and scared

Breathe on me, Breath of God

When we are angry and enraged

With a hostile policy that is anti-poor,

Leading the lowly into greater vulnerability.

Breathe on me, Breath of God

As we repent for our insensitivity

And privilege of having more

That led us to blend thoughts and perceptions

In a discourse of resilience and obedience to laws,

Now weaponized against our own people.

Awaken us to our connivance

with anti-poor policies.

Help us to see that

We benefit because we have means,

We are secure and privileged

Raise our awareness that

The attacks against the  poor in the  communities

Means suffering, hunger, and tears,

Even as we preach sacrifice for the benefit of all.

Breathe on me, Breath of God

As we pray for those who care for the sick and dying

Release us from ignorance and myths

that may proclaim what is factual and true.

Breathe on me, Breath of God—

Spirit, Ruah, She Who Hovers Over,

The MOVEMENT THAT NEVERS EXPIRES,

Movement like the Wind

That cannot be locked down.

Peace. ##

May 12, 2024 *Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord* Radical Waiting and Radical Witnessing

         Weena Mieley, Association of Women in Theology (AWIT)

https://stmatthew-lutheran.org/ascension-open-house/ascension-of-jesus-rectangle/

Acts 1:1-11 

Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9            

Eph 1:17-23

 Mk 16:15-20    

As I write this, I am now on the seventh sojourn of my life as a solitary pilgrim. I began this life after retirement when homelessness was imminent and that’s when I decided to embrace uncertainty. Embrace what is yet to come.  Embrace what you don’t know. Embrace life as it comes. And that’s when I thought of volunteering for food and a place to lay my head.  And it has been a most meaningful life of retirement one could ever live. A life in solidarity with the poor and marginalized is a life that is so much worth living for. A life of freedom and a life that gives the best lessons on humility. (As you age, you need more help from people, right?)

Every day is a challenge to learn a lesson on the gospel of love. What should keep me going? What fuel drives this life, but love? And to love even the difficult and unlovable ones. While I try to keep a contemplative/monastic life of prayer, I feel the need to balance this with the life of work. At this juncture in my senior life, when you feel like anytime you may be hurled six feet under the ground (!), you think of really making each day special and hopefully well-lived. Making little random acts of kindnesses, smiling and greeting people I meet (because I’d always say, I may not be seeing them again), doing the tasks given to me to the best of my elderly energies! But never have I been deeper into my reflections than these senior –aged times. Take for instance the acts of waiting and witnessing. I have come to that point where slowing down is a must and is such a gift. Then when I used to be so impatient and want to be fast and hurrying up things, I’ve finally reached that age when waiting is such a beautiful thing. 

In our First Reading I was struck by Luke’s writing, “‘wait’ for the promise of the Father”. I imagined the disciples must have been so anxious, when will this be? Are we waiting a long time? A short while?  WAIT.  Waiting is coming to grips with patience, perseverance, sad realities, and length of time. There are many things that might happen while we wait. There are many things we do not know. There are many uncertainties, unknowns. And yet a helper, an advocate, the Holy Spirit will be sent to strengthen our hold on this Christian life and become witnesses to this life of following.  And witness here being not an eyewitness account, but one that bears the marks of being followers of Jesus. And as the Gospel itself has implied…

“Confirm(ing) the word” and “accompanying signs”, mean becoming living witnesses to the Word of God, a total following as in following Jesus to the end bearing the marks of compassion, mercy and love; a following what was an imperative, to tell everyone of this “good news”; that there is an end to people’s suffering, as communities are formed, created, according to love, according to the Sermon On the Mount  the Christian Manifesto, as Dorothy Day (founder of the Catholic Worker Movement) has said.

But in living the life of following Jesus, there are warnings for when you are a peacemaker, merciful, gentle, journey with the grieving, struggle for the good to prevail, and pure in your intentions, your principles pose a challenge to those in the edgy kind of life.   Your bias for doing good, for those marginalized, your heart for organizing people and opening up their sense of awareness that their human dignity is trampled upon and should be reclaimed is feared. The invitation for rejoicing and being glad about this persecution is a blessed assurance that it is what following Jesus is all about. 

Many crucifixion experiences are repeated nowadays. Not in the literal sense of course, but in a more terrifying sense, a powerful control of a nation’s leadership gone mad. The people suffer. Day-to-day living has perennially been a problem.  Finding work (a decent, well-paying job that fits what one has been trained for), keeping that work, struggling to put food on the table; the factory worker, farm worker, occasional worker, that daily wage earner are not experiencing real improvements in their lives as this government has been reporting. According to studies by IBON Foundation, Inc.:

the number of employed persons increased by 572,000 to 49.2 million in March 2024 from 48.6 million in March 2023. There were declines in the number of unemployed by 416,000 to 2 million from 2.4 million, and the underemployed by 51,000 to 5.39 million from 5.44 million.

However, IBON pointed out that these seemingly “encouraging” figures are alarmingly not being felt as real improvements on the lives of millions of Filipinos.

The poor jobs situation of precarious work and low incomes (Precarious workers are those who fill permanent job needs but are denied permanent employee rights; read more here: https://laborrights.org/issues/precarious-work ) is resulting in worsening hunger and widespread poverty. According to the Social Weather Stations (SWS), Filipino families that experienced involuntary hunger (being hungry and not having anything to eat) at least once in the past three months increased to 14.2% in March 2024 from 12.6% in December 2023. SWS also reported that 46% of Filipino families rated themselves as poor and 33% as borderline poor in March 2024.

Across all regions, the average minimum wage is only Php441 or around one-third (36.5%) of the Php1,208 average family living wage (FLW) for a family of five, as of April 2024. In the NCR, the Php610 nominal minimum wage – the highest nationwide – is just 51.2% of the Php1,192 FLW. Meanwhile, BARMM has the lowest minimum wage nationwide at Php361 which is only 17% of the region’s Php2,069 FLW.

The administration of Mr. Marcos Jr. is hyping some “encouraging trends” and is saying that there is an “improvement” in the labor market despite rising hunger and extensive poverty.  IBON has said that by ignoring the cruel reality of millions and millions of poor Filipinos,  the government is avoiding and not really interested in implementing meaningful measures that could actually improve the people’s welfare. 

IBON Foundation, Inc. is an independent development institution established in 1978 that provides research, education, publications, information work and advocacy support on socioeconomic issues. Read more at www.ibon.org . 

And the suffering does not stop there. There are suffering women and children whose families have been lost, victims of extra-judicial killings due to the senseless war on drugs that still continue up to this writing; the continued disappearances of human rights workers, and church workers who have been red-tagged; landless farmworkers; the forests as victims of land-use conversion; continuous rise of prices of basic commodities; the need for socialized health services, an exemplary educational system, and housing for the homeless… 

As a people who have gone through a long history of colonization, suffering, and resilience, still we cling to a hope for the crimson-blood-covered-sunset of our story will soon transform into the sunrise of life-giving love. We cling from the resurrection and hope into ascending and living beyond the powers of terror and filth…  

When demons have been driven out, and all good and peace prevail…

When new languages are being spoken where understanding, and acceptance of the differences of one another have prevailed…

When serpents can now be touched and held, where the absence of anxiety and fear prevails

When we can drink of any poison because hope and freedom has prevailed

When we can heal the sick because love, compassion, mercy, and healing means we are living an abundant life.

The ascension had to happen so that Jesus may return.  The return of Jesus being the radical witnessing of Jesus’ followers when communities are built up from the ground of poverty, healing suffering thru radical compassion and an unconditional love that Jesus has taught and lived.

When we have learned from the suffering of the poor and those pushed to the fringes of society,

When we have recognized the Christ in the poor and the marginalized, 

When the poor and the marginalized can celebrate their freedom from oppressive practices…

Then Jesus has indeed ascended and returned! 

May 5, 2024*Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts* Abiding in God’s Love

Rev. Felipe Bautista, United Methodist Church

 

artwork by Eleanor Llanes , ICM

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48

Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4         

1 Jn 4:7-10     

Jn 15:9-17      

            Today’s Gospel reading is taken from an extended narrative, a farewell discourse by Jesus before His arrest (John 13-17).  And thanks to the Gospel writer (s) for including this poignant and comprehensive account of the last hours of our Lord before leaving the then-frightened disciples of His. 

            By this time, the disciples had already heard from the Lord about His imminent death in the hands of the Empire, the betrayal from one of them, and even the denial by one of His trusted disciples – Peter.  And amid the disheartening atmosphere at the Upper room that night and the horror of what was to take place in the ensuing few hours, Jesus affectionately consoled His disciples, prepared them for what was going to happen, and encouraged them to abide in His love, the same love that the Father has on the Son (Jesus) and the Son to His disciples. It was as if the Lord was saying that this is the only way the disciples can successfully face their fears and the worst of times.

Abiding in His Love

            If the Lord is about to be persecuted and eventually die, how is abiding or staying in His love possible? The Lord explicitly stated that if the disciples keep and obey His command – that is to love one another – the love of the Lord will surely be upon them.  The Lord may never be physically present with them just like before, but when they love one another, His love will surely dwell on them and them in the Lord.  Consequently, there are at least two possible advantages that can be drawn from this:

1. The Power to Overcome Life’s Adversities

            Life’s adversities can be overwhelming if handled alone.  That is why the Lord wanted his disciples to look for one another and to stick together. And if there is one loftier expression of solidarity with one another, it is love. To love one another as the Lord has loved them (John 13: 34). And when that bond of love was established among the disciples, overcoming the worst of times can be much easier than confronting it alone. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone,

two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

• So that the Disciples’ Joy Maybe Complete

“I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be full.”

John 15: 11

Joy is one of those qualities that are hard to get hold of.  We see and experience it when it’s there but cannot hold on to it.  Most, if not all the time, it depends on pleasant happenings and can easily disappear when the situation changes. It is a fleeting experience for some, but nevertheless, it has the power to lift one’s spirit.  What, then, is the difference between this kind of joy and the joy that the Lord is offering to us? 

            The fact that we are limited beings suggests that joy can be short-lived when we try to create it on our own.  But when our source of joy is God and we stay connected to Him, we are like a “tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17: 7-8). We may experience unpleasant situations and frustrating conditions along the way. Still, when we remain connected to God, our joy will never run short, for God is the only source of unlimited joy.

Conclusion

            Many centuries have passed since then, but the threats and challenges among the people of God remain the same, especially when we are dead serious in proclaiming good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, to help the blind see and to liberate those who are under the bondage to oppression (Luke 4: 18).  In a world where money, power, and fame are idolized, and reign supreme, living our calling to be God’s instrument of transformation in the world is like taking the road less traveled. It is sometimes lonely, discomforting, and dangerous.

            Many have sacrificed, misunderstood, suffered emotional and physical hurts, imprisoned, threatened, persecuted, tortured, red-tagged, and some even died. However, those who abide in God’s love remain steadfast amid all these.  Not that they do not experience fear, frustration, and anxiety, but because they know perfectly well that they are not alone. Someone is journeying with them and that they can draw strength from God’s love to overcome difficult situations thus, enjoying the fullness of joy.        

April 28, 20204*Fifth Sunday of Easter *Remain Faithful in Jesus

Fr. Joey Ganio Evangelista, MJ , Antigua, Guatemala

Guatemala, Photo of Fr.Joey Evangelista, MJ

Acts 9:26-31  

Ps 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32    

1 Jn 3:18-24     

Jn 15:1-8            

I have been away from everything familiar to me for the last seven weeks living in Antigua, Guatemala. I am learning Spanish at a language school and living with a Guatemalan family. Like a child, I am trying to learn the basics of this language. It is humbling to be told so many times that I am not getting it right and that I  have to exert more effort. Walking the streets of this old Guatemalan city was a joy in the beginning but after some time reality sinks in that I am far from home. Familiar it may be after so many weeks, there is that lonely thought that I am alone and away from home.

The Sunday celebrations of the Eucharist have been my solace these past few weeks. It is different and at the same time familiar. Listening to the Word and receiving the body of Christ, I knew that I was home.

Each Sunday at mass in Antigua, Guatemala has been a consistent reminder for me that I cannot bear fruit without Jesus. The humbling experience of learning a new language and being alone in a foreign country only makes sense because it is part of being a disciple of Jesus. And I am certain that I will bear much fruit as long as I remain true to why I am here: to learn the Spanish language to better participate in the mission of God (missio Dei).

This has opened my eyes to another reality hiding behind the beautiful city of Antigua. It is very easy to be dazzled by the colorful houses, magnificent churches, delicious food and friendly people. For a tourist, these things would have been enough. But I am not a tourist.

Behind this magnificent facade that is Antigua is the sad reality of the local community being left on the wayside in the name of money. Most of the businesses that thrive in Antigua are owned by foreigners; they are either not from Antigua or not from Guatemala. The locals are left to sell their wares on the streets or in the market. Not only that, the people’s culture, both Mayan and latino, has become a commodity to be consumed by tourists for the benefit of the wealthy foreigners. If this situation sounds familiar it’s because it is the reality that exists in the world today. It is in this context that we are reminded to remain in Jesus in order that we bear much fruit.

If we forget that we are mere branches in need of Jesus, we will fail to see the call of Jesus. Let us be adamant like Saul who was not dissuaded by the distrust of the disciples nor the threat on his life by the Hellenists. He never forgot his call and remained firmly in Jesus.

There is much to celebrate as a global community but the reality of climate change, tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the wars in the Middle East and Europe, the abyss between the rich and the poor are reminders that there is still much to be done. There are various ways to find solutions to this volatile situation in which we find ourselves. As Christians, we are called to do so following the way of Jesus. Let us remain in him and we will bear much fruit.

April 21 , 2024*Fourth Sunday of Easter *In Memory of Cassandra Martyrs

                                      Sr. Abel Balingao, RGS

Cassandra Martyrs who offered their lives to save women and children when the boat mv Cassandra sank off the coast of northeastern Mindanao. November 21, 1983.)

 

Acts 4:8-12

Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29

1 Jn 3:1-2

 Jn 10:11-18

The first thing that came to mind reflecting on the readings of today, the Good Shepherd Sunday, is the image of the four Good Shepherd Sisters and their companions who perished in 1983 on board the M/V Doña Cassandra when it sank in Surigao amid a typhoon. The survivors told stories that the sisters were seen helping people get into lifeboats, distributing life jackets, and assisting the children until the jackets ran out and it was too late for them to save themselves. One writer said, “These brave women died as they lived”.

To say a bit more about them in gratitude, let me cite an excerpt from the inscription on the Walls of Remembrance by the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani Foundation and I quote, “for contributing to the protest movement against the Marcos dictatorship and human rights abuses, as street parliamentarians, educators, health workers advocating justice through programs for the poor, rural missionaries among poor farmers, and active witnesses to the Church’s mission to serve the poor, the deprived, and the oppressed, and for putting their individual talents at the service of country and people, thus this salutation.”

Ms. Bern Jagunos, former Asia Coordinator of United Church of Canada said, “Aside from the 4 Religious of the Good Shepherd, there were 3 other nuns and one priest ( all from Mindanao) and 3 lay workers who perished in the Cassandra shipwreck: Sr. Josefa Medrano of the Daughters of Mary of tge Assumption, Sr. Amparo Gilbuena of the Missionary Sisters of Mary, Sr. Nanette Berentsen of the Columban Sisters from Ireland, Fr. Jan Westendorp of the Order of the Carmelite, Boy Ipong, Evelyn Hong and Sena Canabria. Sr. Medrano.

 One may ask, why did they do what they did? Quickly, I may say, perhaps it could be because they are Good Shepherd Sisters living up to what Jesus, the Good Shepherd, did. But perhaps,  it was because of their personal encounter with Jesus in their missionary lives as coordinators and members of the Rural missionaries of Southern Mindanao, leaders of the Community-based Health Program, organizers of the Youth Christian Workers and coordinators of the Task Force Detainees standing up for those harassed by the military. Their experience of God, who is among the marginalized, oppressed, neglected, and abused, must have been the source of their courage and strength in their struggle for justice. Reflecting deeply, our heroes’ example is being re-lived today in the person of those who risk their lives to defend the same group of people.

 They are very much alive among those who care for the environment and Mother Earth. We all know the story of environmental destruction: the pollution of rivers and oceans through reclamation projects, the destruction of forests and ecosystems, the greenhouse effects created by the burning of fossil fuels, global warming, and the like. We now see the impact and effects of corporate plunder and the massive destruction of natural resources during the centuries of colonization. But what is being done by the government and world leaders? This is one of the urgent calls for SHEPHERDING in the present time.

Thank God we have brave environmental activists who raise our consciousness and mobilize people to save the earth, the seas, and creation. But like Jesus and other prophets, they were not accepted and instead were red-tagged, tortured, abducted, and even put to death. Such actions are obviously lacking in compassion and empathy, which can be in contrast with the sentiments of the Good Shepherd. As I end this reflection, and praying for our modern-day martyrs and environmental activists risking their lives for all of us, Psalm 23:1,4 rings in my heart, “when we are faced with hard battles, we don’t have to run away in fear because the Lord is my Shepherd and I will fear no evil.” 

April 14, 20204 *Third Sunday of Easter*Witnesses of the Resurrected Christ in Today’s Context

Klein Fausto Emperado, Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
Ps 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9
1 Jn 2:1-5a
Lk 24:35-48

Witnesses of the Resurrected Christ in Today’s Context
Klein Fausto Emperado, Youth of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente

The atmosphere of fear and doubt prevailed among the disciples. Some of the disciples at the moment have not seen Jesus after rising from the dead. They continued to be in hiding after Jesus’ brutal death on the cross in fear of being caught and put on trial as one of those who followed Jesus, whom the authorities have called a blasphemer.

Witnessing Jesus, who proclaimed himself as God’s only begotten son, was an act of blasphemy during those days. All the more, when someone proclaims Jesus’ resurrection, one can be put to trial and suffer the same persecution Jesus underwent from the power systems and structures of the time.

But have we asked ourselves What are the challenges of witnessing Christ’s resurrection today? What are the risks we have to face when we bear witness to a crucified and resurrected Jesus in these times? What is the most profound act of witness we are to pursue, in our context?

As we look deeper into the realities at present, our people are facing the same crucifixions every single day: poverty, injustice, inequality, oppression, corruption, and greed. The underprivileged masses experience daily and unending scenarios of death and misery at the hands of powerful and oppressive systems.

The common people carry their cross toward the world-made Calvary, a Golgotha, place of the dead. They experience death and suffering every single day of their lives. And yet, we as churches and followers of the resurrected Christ have turned our eyes away from the wounds of suffering felt in the people’s miserable lives due to fear and apathy.

Like the disciples, fears and doubts win over us. We also feel and act the same fear today. We fear persecution if we choose to prioritise serving the poor and marginalised. We choose to stay in our comfort zones and avoid persecutions while standing for human dignity and the truth. The truth is hidden today in the rubbles of deception through fake news, historical revisionism, and misinformation.

We refuse to touch and feel the wounds of our people’s suffering. We avoid circumstances that would place us in a bad light. We chose not to speak truth to power. We fear ridicule by those in power.

The families and victims of the drug war killings by the previous and present administrations are still grieving and seeking justice for the lives taken by violent and brutal means. We chose to be silent. We refuse to express solidarity with the aggrieved. We fear losing our comfortable lives. We fear standing with the oppressed.

We proclaim Christ, the resurrected Jesus, but we adhere to the culture of death and violence imposed by the powers and structures that rule over us today. We proclaim Christ, the resurrected Jesus, but we chose to hide in the comfort zones of our parishes because we fear persecution if we commit to working for just and lasting peace in our country. We proclaim Christ, the resurrected Jesus, but refuse to journey with the poor and suffering towards attaining abundant life. A life that is free from injustice and oppression, where everyone has food for every table, and where everyone is afforded dignity.

As witnesses of Christ in today’s context, we are peacebuilders, not just peacekeepers and peacemakers. Christ came amid turmoil, fear, and violence to share with the disciples the gift of peace. We are witnesses of the resurrected Christ if we courageously work for peace, justice, and human dignity, no matter the cost. We are witnesses of the resurrected Christ as we stand for the marginalised and be in solidarity with their struggles and sufferings felt every moment of their lives. We are witnesses to the resurrected Christ if we work and stand with the aggrieved and mourning victims of extrajudicial killings.

May our faith in the resurrected Jesus edify our whole beings to pursue the ministry of witness today. A witness to Christ fearlessly proclaims the truth, sides with the oppressed, struggles with the masses, and pursues actions for all to attain just and lasting peace.

Christ’s peace be with you. Siya Nawa

April 7, 2024*Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy*From Wounds of Despair to Sparks of Hope: Resurrection Stories Today

Luke Gealogo,   Redemptorist Seminarian

God Bless Our Way, Wing Garibay .https://leon-gallery.com/auctions/lot/The-Kingly-Treasures-Auction-2019/32/40

Acts 4:32-35

Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

1 Jn 5:1-6

Jn 20:19-31

“When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers” – Henri Nouwen, Dutch priest and writer.

Recently, I was able to read the testimonial shared by Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro – two youth advocates defending Manila Bay and the residents near its shores against reclamation and development projects – during a celebration of the Holy Mass at Baclaran Church. They recounted the horrific acts of abduction and “surrendering” that were forced on them by men in uniform. But in spite of those attempts at “scaring” their very lives and resolve for their advocacies, they dared to courageously speak truth that they are not terrorists and that what they fight for is justified. And now, their very experience and firmness, which they shared to the public in a controversial press conference and eventually to the multitudes of devotees in Baclaran became their resurrection stories – that the woundedness and passion they experienced because of their commitment to justice and truth further strengthened the fire of hope and perseverance to keep on fighting for creation and with the people!

It is this same story of journeying from woundedness to liberative healing, from death to new life, from despair to defiant hope, which greatly characterizes the resurrection of Jesus and the eventual birth of the first Christian community. The beginning of this Sunday’s Gospel saw the disciples behind locked doors because of extreme fear that they might suffer the same fate as their Teacher and Lord – an accused, wounded rebel shamefully hanged on a cross. But upon encountering the Risen Christ who appeared to them still bearing the wounds of his passion and death, they were never the same. From being a bunch of seeming cowards behind doors, they eventually went out to the streets and dared to live lives akin to Jesus himself: preaching the Good News of love and liberation to the poor, healing the sick, reconciling with sinners, and expanding a koinonia (community) “of one heart and mind,” wherein “there was no needy person among them.”

The resurrection story being very much alive and concrete from the pages of the New Testament, to the “good news” of my life and of the lives of countless others who are witnessing to hope despite internal contradictions and societal oppressions they’ve endured, made me exclaim like Thomas: My Lord and my God!

I cannot help but remember and be moved by the memory of Lumad bakwit students whom we journeyed with during my first year as a seminarian. Despite the closure of their schools, the constant threats and attacks they faced, and the death of one of their most staunch leaders – Bai Bibyaon Bigkay – they dared to continue the struggle for their land and their people. I, too, cannot help but reminisce in my reflection, the narratives of urban poor communities such as those in Sitio San Roque (Quezon City), Maisan (Sampaloc), and many more whose sense of solidarity continue to make them firm in the fight for their place and dignity in the cities. And also, despite the nearing deadline, once again, of the consolidation of jeepneys this April 30 to pave way for the anti-masa “PUV Modernization Program,” groups like PISTON, Manibela, and a wide number of tsupers alongside other sectors of society do not lose hope and unite in the struggle against such problematic policy and program by the current government.

These are only some of the many, often unheard or overlooked resurrection stories of our time and society. Especially in this age wherein the threats of continuous attacks and abuses by those in power worsen, the possibilities of re-entry of imperialist forces, and the poor socio-economic conditions of ordinary Filipinos continue to deteriorate – wounds become more prevalent. And yet, such wounds cry all the more for healing and redemption. Such moments of passion and death for our people challenge us all to rise up and continue the prayer and struggle for our resurrection.

As Easter people, this is our hope. So may it be. Amen, Alleluia!

March 31, 2024* Easter Sunday The Resurrection of the Lord The Mass of Easter Day* Transformation, Repentance, and Renewal

Jonah Ballesteros,  United Methodist Home Missioner

Palestine artwork art Palestine keffiyeh Arab middle Easter art painting acrylic on canvas ; Palestinian woman Palestine map

Acts 10:34a, 37-43

Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23.

Col 3:1-4

Jn 20:1-9

As we immerse ourselves in the narratives of resistance and hope found within Peter’s courage, the symbolism of unleavened bread, and Mary Magdalene’s unwavering witness, we are invited into a reflective journey of transformation, repentance, and renewal—a journey illuminated by the liberating love of Jesus’ resurrection and the spirit of kapwa of early Christian community’s response to the entrenched systems of oppression that have plagued societies throughout history and their profound insights into the struggle against imperial power and journey toward hope and liberation.

Let us pause and enter into a sacred space of reflection, acknowledging the weight of history and the ongoing struggles for justice that permeate our world, especially in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Congo, and the Philippines. Ponder the intersections of capitalism, colonialism, and patriarchy, recognizing their deep roots in the exploitation of marginalized communities and the earth itself.

In the echoes of Peter’s bold proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection, let us find inspiration to continue to speak out against human rights injustices amidst imperial intimidation and repression. Reflect on the implications of silence and fear for our own lives and communities as we strive to dismantle oppressive systems and work towards justice and peace rooted in love and liberation. What is holding us back from calling out the genocide of Palestinian people? Why are we silent in the killings of innocent people in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Congo, and the Philippines? 

Contemplate the metaphor of yeast and unleavened bread, inviting us to examine the presence of malice and wickedness in our own lives. What old ways of thinking and being, and how might we clear out the old yeast of oppressive colonial ideologies, embracing the sincerity, truth instead, and love of our kapwa-tao that lead to freedom and unconditional love of neighbor?

I invite you to meditate on the image of the empty tomb and the encounters with the risen Christ. Reflecting on Mary Magdalene’s courageous witness, standing firm in the face of the unknown, and her unwavering faith, let us discern the agency and power within marginalized communities to challenge and transform systems of oppression. How can we be in solidarity and have faith with the oppressed, who know what liberation looks like in their own context?

Repentance begins with a willingness to confront the realities of our complicity in systems of supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism. Take time to examine how we participate in and perpetuate these systems, whether through collaboration, apathy, or ignorance.

Just as Jesus’s resurrection symbolizes awakening from our old selves to a new creation, let us embrace the transformative power of love, justice, and liberation infused with the spirit of Kapwa. May we, too, be reborn in the spirit of collective interconnectedness, shedding the chains of oppression and embracing the call to build a world where all can flourish together.

Transforming minds and hearts requires an ongoing commitment to love God, love neighbor, and honor the spirit of Kapwa above all else. Cultivate a spirit of humility, compassion, and courage, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every human being and the earth as interconnected to one another.

In the journey towards liberation, may we be guided by the radical love of Christ, the wisdom of Kapwa, and the spirit of liberation. May we challenge the status quo and build a world where justice flows like a mighty river and all are free to flourish in harmony, dignity, and love.

Happy Easter! Jesus is free and alive! Now more than ever, free Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Congo, and the Philippines!

Amen.

March 24, 2024* Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion*The Dissident Love of Jesus

Sr. Len Casas, NDS

Is 50:4-7

22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24

Phil 2:6-11

Mk 14:1—15:47

“The motive of pure of love is the constant service to God our Lord should be valued above all.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola

The readings for Palm Sunday begin with narrating the triumphant entry of Jesus and His disciples to Jerusalem. According to the story, Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread is coming in two days’ time and a lot of Jews will go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. As observant Jews, Jesus and his disciples came to Jerusalem in observance of the feast that will take place (John 12: 12-16; Mark 14:1-15). When they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus instructed his two disciples to go to a village where they will find an ass and to bring it to him.  Jesus rode on the ass when he entered Jerusalem.  The people accompanied him and they held palm branches while crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our Father David that is to come! Hosanna in the highest!’ (Mark 11:1-10).

In Palestine, palm trees are found throughout the land and according to Easton Bible Dictionary it is called the land of Palms (see Biblestudytools.com for more information).  Palm branches symbolize victory, triumph, peace, and eternal life (Wikipedia).

Today we continue to see people greeting with palm branches the priest celebrant when he enters the church during the celebration of the Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion.

After the triumphant entry to Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples had a meal together to celebrate the Passover. However, the celebration turned gloomy when Jesus told the disciples that one of them will betray him and he will be handed over to be crucified.  After the meal they went to Mount of Olives and while they were walking, Jesus told them that their faith will be shaken.

Upon reaching Gethsemane, he instructed his disciples to sit and pray, taking with him Peter, John and James.  Jesus told them that he is full of sorrow, and that ‘his soul is crushed with grief to the point of death’. He instructed them to stay awake and pray with him. As Jesus took on a long time to pray, the three disciples felt asleep. When Jesus noticed that his friends were already half asleep, he came closer and woke them up. He reminded them, ‘keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak’. The narrative continues with the arrest of Jesus and ended with the denial of Peter (Mark 14:1-15;47).

The readings on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion invite and remind us to consider and meditate on the following three points as we enter the Holy Week. First is to pause, keep watch and to stay awake so that we will not fall into temptation. Taking a pause from a hurried face of life invites us to contemplate on the suffering of Jesus, entering into our own pain and suffering, and that of the people around us. Meditating and contemplating on the sorrow and anguish of Jesus invites us to find joy and hope amid violence in our world. Second is to pray unceasingly for the triumph of life over death, peace over war, and fullness of life for all people. Through our unceasing prayers, we may become bearers of hope in a world that is torn with injustices and violence. Third is to contemplate on the passion and death of Jesus as God’s revelation of his radical love for all.  It is indeed a dissident love embracing all people even the those who despised Jesus. His death on the cross is a revelation of love that is radical, universal, and self-sacrifice, a radical love that embraces the challenges of loving universally. In the words of our founder, Theodore Ratisbonne, it means having a heart as big as the world where everybody has a space.

Looking at our global reality, the prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane before his passion and death invites us to bend our knees in prayer and accompany Jesus as well as our brothers and sisters around the world who are feeling helpless, tormented, frustrated, and groaning. With our palms open, let us unite ourselves with them in prayer for healing, transformation, and the restoration of peace in places where people are suffering from war, violence and death. Finally, as we begin the Holy Week – the commemoration of the passion and death of Jesus, let us savor each moment so that together with Jesus experience the resurrection.  

March 17, 2024*5th Sunday of Lent* Unless A Grain of Wheat…

Jimarie Snap Talingdan Mabanta , National Council of Churches in the Philippines

Jeremiah 31:31-34

Hebrews 5:5-10

Psalam 51:1-12

 John 12:20-33

By this time, we, Christians are in meditation as we enter the last week before the Palm Sunday. It is the fifth Sunday of Lent and we begin to anticipate Jesus’ passion and death, before finally, getting to the promise of resurrection. In some traditions, it is called ‘Passion Sunday’ as it marks the final two weeks which ends on Holy Saturday. 8

My younger self would remind me how, as a small kid, would imagine Jesus enduring his long arduous walk under the heat in broad day light, his body being whipped many times over until blood drops to the ground. While enduring this, a huge heavy cross is on his shoulders. I would cry. Why not, my savior would die soon, as the Passion story narrates. And his death is not just death, it was a painful death, making a climax at the Mount Calvary. To ease myself, I would turn my attention to what would happen after that Saturday, the resurrection on the morning of Sunday. And I would start feeling better, knowing that there is the promise of Jesus coming back to life after that painful Friday.

What happened in between the passion story and the resurrection is something that I had to continue to understand until now.

This Sunday’s gospel narrates about Jesus seemingly predicting his death. I wonder if he felt the threat in his life, for gaining followers and believers while he was preaching and talking to people (John 12:1-19). Many followed him, as illustrated by those who went out to meet him during the Passover feast. Jesus was clearly getting the ire of the powers that be, whose governance was threatened.

Hence, the passage for this Sunday marks the countdown of Jesus’ days on Earth…

Coincidentally, March 17 is also NCCP Migrant Sunday, an occasion annually observed by NCCP member churches after it was designated in 1995. I could not help myself then but to also think about the migrant workers who had to go through almost the same experience, of daily passion and walk to their own  mount calvary.

The death of Flor Contemplacion in March 17, 1995, awakened the hearts and consciousness of many Filipino people on the plight of overseas Filipino workers. This is not to discount the possible chance of occurrence of the same stories of other migrant workers before her death, but this incident obviously galvanized massive public sympathy, support, and action. For the NCCP,   a more intentional, sustained, and lasting program to respond to distressed migrants and their families had to be done. This Migrant Sunday is one concrete example of pastoral accompaniment that had to be done after Flor’s death. The NCCP designated the Sunday closest to the date of her death as NCCP Migrant Sunday. Other several concrete programs were drawn as an ecumenical response to the concerns of migrant workers. A change happened at the core of many individuals and organizations.

We, of course, cannot forget how Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipina migrant worker, fell into the deceptive promise of job abroad, trafficked, and jailed in Yogjakarta, Indonesia. We knew about her as the Filipina who was sentenced to be executed in Jakarta for bringing a significant amount of drugs in her suitcase. Later on, her story unfolded and we learned about how she was lured by her neighbor to work abroad but had become a trafficked victim. Her story came to our knowledge in the middle of the Holy Week.  Our first challenge then was how to mobilize churches and church people on a Holy Week for urgent advocacy activities to save her life, and convince people in the Philippines and Indonesia that she is a victim. Migrante International led prayer vigils, candle-lighting activities, an online and offline  signature campaign that gathered an enormous number of signatories all over the world,  and lobbying to reach out to the public. But even then, days later, the Indonesian government announced the date of execution which will be happening in seventy-two (72) hours.

Seventy-two hours.

Mary Jane was practically counting the days of her life. Back in the Philippines, public activities have become more frequent, and have grown bigger and bigger. Mary Jane’s family flew to Indonesia, while people continue to be drawn into a community of advocates who would convince the Indonesia government to spare Mary Jane, and that she is a victim.

That seventy two hours prior to execution was, to me , spirit-led and transformative. I felt like there was this kind of spirit that was drawing people to gather. In those final hours, as the date of execution was coming near,  people continue to converge infront of the Indonesia embassy in Makati, night and day. The call to save Mary Jane Veloso was becoming intense. It was the third day but people did not let up, and not giving up. We were all hoping for a last-minute reprieve. While in Indonesia, the execution of Mary Jane and other men sentence of drug trafficking was being prepared. On the dawn of the execution, caskets for each of them started to arrive in the execution island. Families of the detainees, including Mary Jane’s, made their last visit to their kin. As they travel away from the island, gunshots started to be heard. The execution by firing squad started. The gathered group back in Manila continue their cry, not giving up the hope. And as if the cries was heard, the Chairperson of Migrante International then came up the makeshift stage to make the announcement, Mary Jane Veloso was spared from the execution. And we know how the advocacy works to save her life happened next, until today.

Flor and Mary Jane, to me, have experienced the same passion story as Jesus Christ. They have also walked to the mount of calvary for going through painful experience, and facing imminent death. For Mary Jane, she was saved at the last minute,  but she also went through the turmoil of  anticipating for her death, as her days were also numbered.

In the text, when Jesus was approached by his disciples, he uttered as a response, “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit”.

When the seed falls on the ground, it does not die, it actually give life. It multiplies.

Jesus, when he died, many of the disciples and the people questioned the ruthless ruling empire. Many hearts were evoked after his death.  In the same way, when Flor died, it bore many lives – through actions so that others will live. Mary Jane, while courageously facing her case, brought out a lot of emotions and gathered thousands of people from around the world. Jesus, when he died, transformation happened. On the same breath, when Flor died, and when Mary Jane was about to be executed, transformation happened. All of them were able to draw people, be a gathered community in order for a transformation to happen.

The earlier reading gives a promise, a hope, as it speaks about a ‘new covenant’. Jeremiah was not only talking about an old being replaced by a new era, but one that is fundamentally different, established after a transformation happens. The text was intimately ended by a painted picture of a new city being  born, where the next generation  is drawn in a loving families, and everybody knows God.

The promise of resurrection, of transformation is possible.  A grain of wheat has to fall to the ground and breathe new life. As the Holy Week comes nearer, may we be reminded how Jesus’ death planted more seeds on each of his disciples to continue his ministry on earth- of healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and even confronting systems that perpetuate oppression of the people. A new life sprung from his death. However, in other previous stories (Mary Jane’s), a new and better community where love, care and compassion can prevail even without losing one more seed, if we take actions earnestly. But if it does, history also teaches us, that it will multiply, grow in life, and bears fruit – as it bears more individuals gathering so that life in its fullness is established.

The seed has to fall, touch the ground, in order to bear fruit, and not remain a lone seed.

Photo : https://twitter.com/WomenandGirlsN/status/1102173020569956352