Bringing Things on the Table

 October 30, 2016, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 24th Sunday after Pentecost

 Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14

Wisdom 11:23-12:1

2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2

Luke 19:1-10

 

When I was young, I always hear the story of Zacchaeus from my Sunday School teacher and even from the sermons of my Pastor. Despite its familiarity, I am still amazed by the story. And as I continually read the passage I cannot help but ask: What did Jesus do to Zacchaeus for that man to undergo such a radical change of heart promising to give half of his possessions to the poor and to return the money to those he cheated and are indebted to him?

Reflecting on the passage we can find the following answers. First, Jesus took the initiative to recognize Zacchaeus’ presence and his “longing” to see him (vv. 3-5). If Jesus did not take the initiative, no conversation would have happened between them. For this man who was considered an outcast of society because he is working for the Roman Empire and for collecting extra taxes from the people, Jesus’ recognition must have struck him. Who is he to receive Jesus’ attention? He is corrupt. He is a thief for he cheated his own people. As a result, they hated and despised him. But Zacchaeus must be on “cloud 9” when Jesus told him, “Zacchaeus come down immediately. I must stay at your house today” (v.5).

Second, Jesus dined with him (Zacchaeus). Part of Mediterranean culture is to offer food to their guest as a sign of warm welcome and hospitality. Verse 6 tells us that Zacchaeus “came down at once and welcomed him (Jesus) warmly.” Meals in Jewish society where not only governed by strictly guidance (e.g who to eat with or how to eat) but also served as microcosms of society. Meals were also filled with symbolic meanings. Through a meal you will be able to discern the status of the person in the society. Through meals you will have the opportunity to converse with people and know them personally. Thus for Jesus to eat with Zacchaeus does not only signal a rebuke to the social and religious status quo but also to listen to Zaccchaues, to know him better, to let him feel that he is loved by him, and to make him realize the great compassion that God has for him.  Zaccheus responded positively! He had a radical change of heart! He promised to give half of his possession to the poor and to return the money to those he cheated four times (v.8).  Had Jesus forced Zacchaeus to do so, I guessed Zacchaeus would heve been angry and would have protested! But Jesus’ “strategy” is different yet effective. He bring things on the table, conversed and listened with a heart.

What Jesus did and have shown to Zacchaeus is the subject of the Psalmist’s reason to praise the Lord in Psalm 145:1-2,8-11, 13-14. The Psalmist’s praised the Lord for the Lord is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and rich in love to all he has made.  And Wisdom 11:23-12:1 broaden this idea: the Lord’s mercy is extended to all creation including the sinners of whom the Lord show much love when they repent. Jesus’ modeled this looking on how he dealt and treated Zacchaeus which resulted to Zacchaeus change of heart.

I personally witnessed the Kidapawan incident from March 28, 2016 up to its culmination on April 1 in a very violent dispersal. I live steps away from the Kidapawan National Highway where the barricade took place. I heard all the concerns both from the farmers and from the government through their spokespersons (e.g City Mayor and the Police chief). I was appalled and angry at the government’s refusal to give the demands of the farmers: 15,000 sacks of rice to be exact. Since I was brought up by farmers, I know what it means to run out of food. I know how it feels to suffer from hunger.

But I think it should be in despairing times that compassion and mercy must be exercised. It should be in times of desperation that our desire for goodness must take place as in Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians community (2 Thess. 1:11-2:1).  I still have to understand why pastors have to take side. I still have to ponder why at certain point a pastor would take the side of the oppressed and not the oppressor. I still have to reflect, whether  neutrality is not the best option as I see Jesus who had never been neutral. When he visited Zacchaeus, Jesus took the side of  the man who wanted to change his life and not his status as a  cheater and pro-Roman Empire. He showed that  there is always grace and space for change.

Of course, the government has its mistakes but I think like the story of Zaccheus we can’t take things by force. There must be someone who will take an initiative to recognize the situation, come to the table and have a dialogue. I was wondering, if these things were done.  And had the government responded positively would there be a violent dispersal ? Or  had the government provided the basic need of the farmers, would there be a violent dispersal ? One life is too precious. The truth is, if there is social justice, there will be no hunger or there would be no one who will be killed as he or she seeks for a piece of  bread.

I think Jesus’ strategy if properly imitated would bring out best results in resolving any conflict. He took initiative, dined and conversed with the people involved, listened wholeheartedly and loved immeasurably resulting into a radical change of heart of the “sinner and outcast.”  (The condition has been riped  for the meeting point of intention  Zaccheus could be a man who  repented , and needed an affirmation and forgiveness. Jesus, an epitome of grace and love.

May God enable us to do the same.  Jesus dined   with him, and on the table of grace and acceptance, the repentance is possible.

 

Maricel Oseas

United Methodist Church

Davao Episcopal Area

 

photo grab from:https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=zacchaeus&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNwt-NjITQAhWFE5QKHQ_hAa4Q_AUICCgB&biw=1280&bih=709#imgrc=8Us8RXnvG2KugM%3A

 

Makasalanan o Anak ni Abraham?

Awit 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14

Karunungan 11:23-12:1

2 Mga Tesolonica 1:11-2:2

Lukas 19:1-10

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 30, 2016, Ika 31 Lingo ng in Ordinaryong Panahon, Ika-24 na Linggo matapos ang Pentecostes

 

Punong maniningil ng buwis, mayaman, maliit at makasalanan. ‘Yan ang mga paglalarawang binanggit sa kwento tungkol kay Zaqueo.

Hindi mahirap unawain kung bakit ang isang maniningil ng buwis ay hindi gusto ng marami. Bagamat hindi sila ang gumagawa ng mga patakaran sa pagbubuwis, sila naman ang kinatawan ng estado (o emperyo) upang isagawa ang paniningil at paghahabol sa mga hindi nagbabayad. Hindi kasalanan ang maningil ng buwis kung batas ang batayan pero karaniwang masama ang loob ng mga tao sa naniningil lalo na kung masipag o masigasig silang sinisingil. May prejudice ang mga tao laban sa mga tax collectors. Kahit marahil sa mga maniningil ng buwis na hindi korap ay korap pa rin ang pananaw lalo na kung mayaman tulad ni Zaqueo.

Sa panahon ni Hesus, karagdagang pinanggagalingan ng pagkayamot ng marami sa mga maniningil ng buwis ay ang kanilang relasyon sa emperyo. Hindi malinaw kung ano ang lahi ni Zaqueo pero marahil kasabwat ng emperyo ng Roma ang turing sa kanya ng mga tao – taksil sa sariling niyang bayan.

Narito si Zaqueo na bagamat hindi gusto ng marami sa kanyang mga kababayan ay mataas ang kalagayan sa lipunan; at si Hesus na isang guro na bukod sa hindi kinikilala ng mga authorities ng kanilang pananampalataya (templo) ay galing pa sa mahirap na pamilya. Mahirap maunawaan mula sa kwento kung bakit nagkaroon ng mataas na interes si  Zaqueo sa taong tulad ni Hesus. Siguro may narinig siya tungkol kay Hesus. Marahil nabalitaan niya kung paanong ang isang guro na galing sa hanay ng karaniwang manggagawa ay nakakapagbigay ng panibagong liwanag sa kanilang pananampalataya. Nabalitaan din niya siguro kung paanong ang mga marginalized (ang mga ni r-reject o hindi halos pinapansin ng lipunan) ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataong makatanggap ng kagalingan, affirmation at pagmamahal. Marahil, nakaramdam siya ng pag-asa na sa unang pagkakataon ay may isang taong tinitingala ng marami ang makakakita at makakaunawa sa kanyang kalagayan.

Gaano kaya ka-excited ang mga “marginalized” tuwing dumadating ang “simbahan” (ang katawan/kinatawan ni Hesus) sa kanilang mga pamayanan?

Ngunit may isang problema si Zequeo. Hindi niya makita si Hesus dahil sa dami ng tao kaya kailangan niyang gumawa ng paraan upang siguruhin na matatanaw niya si Hesus sa kanyang pagdaan sa Jerico. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit umakyat siya sa isang punong matinik – ang puno ng sikamoro.

 

Sa paanong paraan kaya ang mga tagasunod ni Hesus sa ating panahon ay nagiging sobrang abala sa pagsalubong kay Hesus kayat hindi na nila napapansin ang pangangailangan ng mga taong “maliit”? Bitbit ang ating mga turo at paniniwala, hindi kaya tayo mismong mga mananampalataya ang humaharang sa iba upang makilala ng lubusan si Hesus? Sa ating sariling lipunan, sa kabila ng pagkakaroon ng magagara at matatayog na simbahan, anong “matinik na puno” kaya ang pinupuntahan at inaakyat ng mga taong nais makita si Hesus?

Tinanggap ni Zaqueo si Hesus sa kanyang tahanan at sa kalagitnaan ng kanilang pag-uusap ay nagpahayag si Zaqueo ng, “Narito, Panginoon, ang kalahati ng aking tinatangkilik ay ibibigay ko sa mga dukha. Anuman ang aking nakuha sa pamamagitan ng maling paraan sa sinuman ay ibabalik ko nang makaapat na ulit.” Ginawa ba ni Zaqueo ang pahayag na ito bilang tugon niya sa pinag-usapan nila ni Hesus? Baka naman matagal na niyang gustong gawin ito at naghahanap lang siya ng wastong pagkakataon kung paano niyang maisasagawa ang pagbitiw sa malaking bahagi ng kanyang kayamanan?

Interesting din ang binitawang commitment ni Zaqueo sa mga taong nagawan niya ng mali (kung mayroon). Ibabalik daw niya ang kanyang “nakuha” nang makaapat na ulit. Dahil itinuturing siyang “makasalanan” ng marami, maaari nating ituring ang bahagi ng pahayag na ito bilang hamon sa mga taong naniniwala na siya ay may dinaya o ninakawan.

Kaya bang patunayan ng mga mananampalataya ang kanilang bintang sa ilang sektor ng lipunan na itinuturing nilang “makasalanan”?

“Sinabi ni Jesus sa kaniya: Sa araw na ito, dumating sa bahay na ito ang kaligtasan sapagkat siya ay anak rin ni Abraham.” Anong eksaktong oras kaya dumating ang kaligtasan sa tahanan ni Zaqueo – noong tinanggap ni Zaqueo si Hesus sa kanyang bahay o pagkatapos ng kanayang pahayag na ipapamahagi ang kanyang kayamanan sa mga mahihirap? Bakit anak ni Abraham at hindi anak ni Jacob ang turing sa kanya ni Hesus – dahil ba hindi Israelita si Zaqueo? Mas inclusive kasi ang ituring siyang anak ni Abraham: kung lahi ang pinag-uusapan, parehas na kasama rito ang angkan ni Jacob at Ismael; kung pananampalataya naman ang titignan, kasama rito ang lahat ng mga taong tumutugon sa kanilang pananampalataya base sa kaloob ng Diyos. Anak ni Abraham – ‘yan ang paglalarawan na ibinigay ni Hesus para kay Zaqueo. Isang paglalarawan na hindi nakikita ng karamihan mula sa kanya.

Paano natin dapat ilarawan ang mga taong hindi natin ka-uri?##

 

Floyd Castro

United Methodist Church

Manila

 

Image Source: https://quijotediscipulo.wordpress.com/category/historia-y-vida-de-jesus-en-el-arte/13-jesus-va-a-jerusalen-camino-de-su-fiinal/

 

 

The Pharisee In Us

October 23, 2016

Luke 18:9-14

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

 

Nowadays, social acceptance has been a meter stick on how we gauge righteousness. Socially-constructed norms are instruments to judge whether someone is worthy of exaltation, or deserves public criticism. For us Christians, being righteous would please God, and for those who are not, need forgiveness.

Today’s lesson is about the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. At a first reading, it may look like just an ordinary story of prayer, thanksgiving to God, and seeking for forgiveness. But, this story becomes powerful and daring, too, as we try to read it a few more times. In the story, it was mentioned that two men, the Pharisee and the tax collector, were praying at the same time  at a common location – the  temple. Several contrasts had been narrated in the next verses. In many stories in the bible, Pharisees are illustrated as religious leaders– powerful, influential and wealthy. On the other hand, a tax collector is hated  by people and  belongs to what their society called  the “sinners”.

In the parable, these two men were standing at a distance from each other. Both uttered a prayer coming from their own truth.  The Pharisee was uttering words of praise—being proud of himself that he is ‘not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like the tax collector. He even mentioned that he is giving tithes, as he was told to do so. He said the prayer with his face lifted up to God. On a far off behind, the tax collector was asking forgiveness for he is a sinner, beating his breast as a sign of confession, and his eyes looking down.

The parable ended with the tax collector being justified, rather than the Pharisee.

In the story, we see a God that does not see and judge people according to how the society sees and judges us. It is easy for us to regard people according to our own biases and judgments, in line with what has been taught to us and what is “popular” or “normal” in the society. But the story dared taught us otherwise- that not all who appear to be righteous are worthy to be highly regarded. Our favorite adage matters:    I believe, God listens to the content of one’s heart. The Pharisee prayed with all exaltation to what he has been doing to please God, and even went on ridiculing “others”. God must be aware of   contexts and circumstances. Is it hard to imagine that the reason why the Pharisee could easily comply and please the society because he has the means to do so? He has money to tithe, and to donate. The tax collector could do the same with much of his resources coming from his profession.

I have a friend who would always ask me a philosophical question: Kailan tama ang tama, at kailan mali ang mali? The parable just made me understand this question more deeply. Oftentimes, we judge people according to what they do, and acting like as if we are righteous and blessed because we did nothing wrong- at least according to what the society teaches us. We create a dichotomy between ‘sinners’ vs. ‘the righteous’, the ‘clean’ vs. the ‘unclean’, us vs. them and others,  etcetera, etcetera. This becomes our measure of who to accept and who to disregard, of who to invite, and not to include. We immediately judge them according to their class, appearance, and even their contribution to society.  Now, let us remember how we have ‘othered’ those we think are sinners in our current time- the people living with HIV, the prostituted, the poor, those who commit anti-social activities, without us realizing their vulnerabilities that saddled them onto such situations.

One of the important characters of Christianity is its ability to concretize love in many forms and one way of expressing that love is being inclusive vs cultivating a culture of “othering“.  While it is true that it is more pleasing if we live in a society where anti-social activities exist no more, yet, in a world where poverty and poor majority exists with the presence of the rich and powerful, it is unnecessary to assume the role of the Pharisee. The more we think highly of ourselves, the more we distance ourselves from the people whose hope and assurance rest on God’s grace.

As Christians, our main task is to love, and to love means exercising compassion with the people, being inclusive and not ‘othering others’. Being inclusive will bring us into an understanding that the world is already broken, and must be healed with compassion, especially to those who are marginalized, and especially for those who were made victims and in the periphery of society.

Kailan tama ang tama? When  righteousness springs from truth , justice and humility, and when it is life-giving and liberating for the people.##

 

 

Jimarie Snap Talingdan Mabanta

Chairperson

Kalipunan ng Kristyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas(3KP)

 

 

A Pharisee and a Tax Collector

October 23, 2016, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

2Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Luke 18:9-14

   

“Increase our Humility”

In Jesus’ parable, both the Pharisee and the Tax Collector went into the Temple to pray, but they practiced prayer in two different ways.  The first one with pride and the other one is with humility.  In our Gospel lesson last October 2, the apostles said to Jesus, “Increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5).  Our lesson for today calls to increase our humility.  Humility means “the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people.”[i]  The Pharisee prayed with pride – boasted what he’s doing as his part of fulfilling the law, while despising the Tax Collector who is also praying at a distance.  On the other hand, the Tax Collector also prayed, but with humility – felt so sorry for what he has done, and asked for God’s mercy (v. 13 – NRSV).  Increase our humility!

Busy looking at other people’s limitations

What’s wrong with the Pharisees’ prayer?  To mention our accomplishments and be thankful about it is  fine, but to despise other people because they’re not like us is another thing.   Some people are busy looking at other people’s limitations while neglecting their real mission in life.  Some of them were even elected to the different levels of leadership both in the church and in the society to journey with and for the people for a brighter future. But in so many instances ,  instead of looking at the needs of the people who trusted them, there are  leaders  who spend much time  looking at their fellow leaders’ faults and limitations.  The Pharisee believed that he’s better than others.  Those who followed the Pharisee’s path are still boastful about their accomplishments, but try their best to hide their limitations.  They need to learn and  listen to the Tax Collector’s expression of repentant faith in prayer.  God knows our accomplishments, all we have to do is to thank God for those privileges, and let our lives be channels of inspiration to others.  Increase our humility!

Feeling so sorry for his limitations

To be humble is not easy, but this is the best way to be honest to ourselves and to God.  The Tax Collector knows his limitations, and he humbly prayed for God’s mercy.  The word mercy means “a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion.”[ii]  This person wants to be changed from his old self to a new one – the one that God wants him to be.  The Pharisee missed this quality of prayer – it seems like he’s already perfect that he boasted his way of life in prayer.  The Tax Collector’s humility opened up himself to God’s grace.  Whenever we express our limitations, we recognize God’s grace to empower us in order to overcome our weaknesses.  It also gives privileges to others to become channels of God’s renewing grace to humanity.  Increase our humility!

Challenge

Increase our humility!  It’s timely to remind one another that we are all called to a specific task and ministry in this life.  We cannot expect other people to duplicate us.  The Pharisee has his own task to do, and so with the  Tax collector.

Let’s  us be diligent with   our task, instead of looking at other people’s limitations.  Talk more about “programa” (programs) instead of “problema” (problems) only.   Whenever we talk, use not only our “nguso” (upper lip), but also our “puso” (heart).  “Ngawa” (talking) is not enough; we need “gawa” (action) to practice our faith.  The Pharisee talked much about himself, while the Tax Collector asked for God’s intervention in his life.  If the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, our lesson calls for us to increase our humility by increasing our practice of faith. ##

[i] Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

[ii] Ibid.

 

 

Rev. Nehemia  Punzalan Allera

United Methodist   Church

Mindoro

 

Photo grab from http://www.davidlose.net/2013/11/luke-18-9-14/

I Demand Justice

 

Psalm Reading: Psalm 121:1-8

First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2

Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8

 

 

 

I used to think that  activism, is a form of civil dis-obedience.   I tend to believe that what activists are doing is useless  Honestly speaking, fighting for the benefits of s is not my greatest  concern. When my formator decided to assign me at  Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR)  as part of my apostolate, I realized that I need to change my perspective.

My usual route in going to   PCPR from formation house in Antipolo is via  Cubao. As I walk in the street of Cubao,. I  am   frustrated and sad  with what I am  witnessing. I  hear the cries of the street children, of old woman who are begging for their food,  prostituted women   sell their bodies, and homeless people living in a cart with newspaper to wrap their bodies as blankets. I  am helpless.

How unfortunate; would be the first words that anyone can simply utter.  They are unfortunate because they are living a miserable life, not because they want it, or they choose it, but because they don’t have any option, and that they are victims of the injustices, that mold  our political system.

As a young member of a religious congregation, with a strong desire to fight for what is right, and adhere to promote social justice, I really want to help them.  I would like to offer something to ease their hunger, to let them feel that they are not alone in their miserable condition at least for a day.  I would like to let them know that  someone is willing to listen, feel, and understand their struggle, and to show them a glimpse of hope. But I know that whatever help I can give to them is just a temporary help. No matter how I tried to fill  their hunger and hardships, I am also aware that if the current political system will not change into- a  pro-poor and pro-people system ,  the most vulnerable ones will remain marginalized.

This is a sad reality! I think  our corrupt political system is an  instrument in making the lives of the poor more miserable. Laws are not passed to ease the suffering of the people.  Instead. bills and programs are schemed out to  serve the   interest of elite minority.

I am sad that homeless families  would spell sleepless nights  of inflicted stress and pain, both physical and social.  The world indeed is a   stage  of contradictions.  There are few powerful people who enjoy the fancies and sophistication  of expensive restaurants  while  on another side of the world  people are dying because of hunger and starvation. The already rich and powerful are still the ones who  continue to accumulate assets for their own interest, knowing that majority of our people  live below the poverty line.

My involvement in PCPR has led me to this realities , Gradually I become aware that social injustices in our country is not just an illusion. Injustices in our country are real. It is undeniable that the Filipino People are suffering until now. Needless to say that being an activist is somehow beneficial in order to demand justice for the rotting political system.

If this  set-up  becomes  an acceptable norm , then JUSTICE must be an illusion. However  the classical rottenness of  political system  can be considered a   social cancer of our society.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus illustrated f faith in times of difficult situations and at the same time, reassures us that God is not blind to our suffering. The Gospel reading encourages us to keep our faith alive in times of difficult moments, God sees us through and Justice will be served.

Prayer is a good practice. But in the context of injustices present in our country today, prayer must be coupled with  concrete action.  The Gospel reading reminds us  of  the widow’s desire and she  was persistent in seeking justice.  She   made the judge  grant her desire. In the same way, prayer can give us assurance if we continue to demand justice for our brothers and sisters who suffer from the social injustices as a result of unjust political system. We can participate and be in solidarity with them  as they seek salvation and liberation.

If we want change,  let us opt to make a difference in joining them hand-in-hand  in uplifting their lives. We must be like the WIDOW  who was persistent and confident in the correctness of her  demand for  justice. Can we stand with the people as they   demand for justice?##

 

Bro, Arfie John Gultia, MJ

Image Source: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/456872334792327168

 

A LESSON TO LEARN

Psalm 98:1-4

2Kings 5:14-17

2Timothy 2:8-13

Luke 17:11-19

 

October 9, 2016, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 21st Sunday after Pentecost

 

The story does begin with Naaman, commander of the army of the king, a great man in high favor with his master. The narrator paints a very big picture. This is an important man, a four-star general, decorated for military victories, in favor with the king, one of the inner circle. That’s how the narrator begins. We have to see that this man is powerful in every way, but then the story takes a turn. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy. The picture of Naaman shifts in our mind. All the greatness described at the start can’t change this one terrible truth. He suffers from leprosy. A mighty warrior but infected with a disease so devastating that his skin seemed to be rotting on his bones.

Then someone else enters the story-very different from the mighty warrior. She is a slave, carried off in a raid into Israel. Mighty warriors were accustomed to such booty-gold, silver, chariots, horses, and slaves. They could have what they wanted. This particular slave girl had been carried from her home and now served Naaman’s wife. She is as small as Naaman is big. The power he has is the power she lacks. Yet, she is not silent. “If only my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria,” she told her mistress, “he would cure him of his leprosy.” Now why did this young girl care about this man whose army had carried her away from her own people? That’s one question, but here’s another. Why did Naaman and the king listen to what this slave girl said?

There would be no story without the servants, without the slave girl who spoke of God’s prophet, without the servants who turned Naaman’s pride around. The mighty warrior was made whole by the power of God and by the intervention of the servants. We could simply say it’s a wonderful story, the kind of story you tell around remembering God’s acts among our ancestors. But is there anything more? Is there something the mighty might learn from this story?

The United States is known as a mighty country. It is, in most ways, the mightiest country on earth. Even in a falling market, the wealth of the United States exceeds the wealth of the whole developing world. It is also known as a mighty warrior. According to their Defense Department, they have military bases in 63 other countries. Their troops are now deployed to more locations than in any time in history. Their aircraft carriers sail on every sea; their planes and satellites patrol the globe and all who live on it. Their military budgets reaches up to $396 billion. Do the mighty have anything to learn? Do they have to listen to anybody else in the world?

What might the mighty learn from other peoples of the world? What would they learn if they listen to the poorest of the world’s people and to the poorest people in their own country? This is how the present day empire monopolizes the wealth and power over and against the poor countries in the world.Thus, the prophetic call to redistribution and reordering of society is good news to the poor and it is an essential and urgent task for people of faith.

In the same spirit as expressed in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus once again told his disciples of his special concern for the “little ones”, those who, in their very “littleness” and fragility are like unto the one who died and was raised. Try to come between them and Jesus, put up any kind of “stumbling block” (skandalon) in their path. With its focus on two healing stories, today’s readings could be described by the phrase “the healing you need is right in front of you.” God’s healing presence abounds. In a world that focuses on complex solutions in which often the side-effects outweigh the benefits, God’s pathway is simple. What we need to be healthy and whole is right here. We are the change we have been looking for. Although the causes – and cures – of disease and injustice may be multi-faceted, the first steps to transformation may be simple in nature.

Yes, the world would be healthier if powerful nations and people could grasp a vision bigger than their might. Naaman was a mighty warrior, but all his might could not restore him to health. He would never have been healed if he hadn’t listened to those who had no power. This pushes us to a realization that our common pursuit for wholeness, Shalom, and abundant life for all can only be made possible through the initiative and efforts of the marginalized, oppressed, poor and neglected challenging the rich, the powerful and oppressors to liberate themselves from the shackles of slavery and oppression. For Jesus calls us to find God in one another and in the freedom that comes with resisting the oppressive social distinctions of every time. He invites us to enter the kingdom of God by rejecting all discrimination based on social, economic and political power, and by affirming that character is more important than creed. Amen.

 

Pastor Irma Balaba

United Church of Christ in the Philippines

Image Source: http://artedelamor.com/spiritual-healing-paintings/