August 27th * 12th Sunday after the Pentecost *Christ Above All, Others Above Ourselves

 

Exodus 1:8-2 – 2:10
Psalm 124, Isaiah 51:1-6, Psalms 138
Romans 12: 1-8
Matthew 16:13-20

In the place called Caesarea Philippi, so called to honor the Roman Emperor Jesus spent the time to do “research” on the perception of his disciples and others about him.

His first question was, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Disciples answered John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremias – the prophets of Jews.

Yet most of the people knew Jesus as a different person, not the Messiah that his disciples known about. It was because Jesus possesses no grandeur in which they supposed the Messiah was to appear.

The second question was, “but who do you say that I am”.

Jesus didn’t make the inquiry because he is ignorant of what they thought about him but because he wanted to know what kind of impression did they have on him. Simon Peter witnessed what Jesus did in his ministry. You are the Christ, Simon Peter answered. This also served as an affirmation of disciples’ faith in him in the midst of controversies from Pharisees and Roman Empire.

Since then Jesus blessed the church through Simon Peter. In the tradition, Peter is considered the first Pope.

We have a long history as a church, the contradictions help the church to furnish itself through time. This inquiry of Jesus to his disciples can help us to contemplate on our identity from the people we serve. Who do we say the church is? Who do we say we are?

I am a youth from United Methodist Church, under a lay organization called United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF). We have this common motto “Si Kristo ay Higit sa lahat” or Christ above all. You may hear this motto in the reports, sermons, and activities of UMYF. The question of Jesus “but who do you say that I am,” Simon Peter answered him with big faith and based on what he had witness of Jesus. As a church we are called to be a witness of Christ’s salvation to the people. This is how Jesus came to serve and not to be served. He came that the people may have abundant life and may the people who needed God the most may experience God’s prevenient love. “Si Kristo’y Higit sa Lahat” (Christ above all) is actually emptying ourselves to serve. This actually is a reminder to all that it is not about us, it is about the mission of Christ above ourselves. Rev. Tin the youth coordinator of national UMYF actually quoted it “Others above all,” pointing that the others are the people who we should serve.

It is heart breaking to hear the news about another minor shot dead under the Oplan Double Barrel Reloaded. Where does abundant life manifest in these events? Where’s the church? It is not the issue that minors too are guilty of abusing drugs. It is the issue of handling this problem. I was 17 years old when I started to make serious choices – where to go in college and what course to take up. I was seeking wisdom from elders to give me a bird’s eye-view of the life of an “adult”.
At least, I was able to ask the questions and had an opportunity to be enrolled in a university and get a course. I am still alive, and in some ways, enjoying the work that I do. Unlike Kian, who, in spite of having dreams and is trying hard to get a schooling, his young life, has been stolen from him and from his family and community. He was killed in the name of war on drugs.

Perhaps there are many Kians in our society. I wonder, how the Kians perceive the church?

At this point, some questions linger on : How does the church denounce the evils in the society? How do we proclaim the Good News of Christ for the people? What could be the perception of the victims and of the poor about the church and its role in society?

We can ponder upon on the statement of the World Council of Churches statement on Mission and Evangelism in Changing Landscape:

“Mission from the margins seeks to counteract injustices in life, church, and mission. It seeks to be an alternative missional movement against the perception that mission can only be done by the powerful to the powerless, by the rich to the poor, or by the privileged to the marginalized. Such approaches can contribute to oppression and marginalization.”

We repel people from us or church if they feel we don’t understand their struggles.

Christ above all!
Others above ourselves,
Serve the people! ##

Ms. Hannah Grace Santillan
United Methodist Youth Fellowship &
Kalipunan ng Kristianong Kabataan sa Pilipinas

 

 

photoggrab from:https://lentenmuse.wordpress.com/2017/03/08/who-do-you-say-that-i-am/

Ika-11 na Linggo pagkatapos ng Pentekostes Agosto 20, 2017*Pananampalataya

Isaias 56:1, 6-8/Awit 67
Awit 133
Mga Taga-Roma 11:1-2a, 29-32
Mateo 15: (10-20), 21-28

 

Nang sinabihan ako na magsulat ng isang likha-panalangin para sa baliktanaw, nagdalawang-isip ako dahil hindi naman ako ganoong kagaling magsulat ng mga akda, na lalo ay hango sa Bibliya. Pilit kong inunawa ang mga salitang nakalathala sa mga berso ng Bibliya na ibinigay sa akin. Kaya bago pa man ako magsulat, ako ay humiling sa ating Dios na ako ay gabayan sa pag-unawa ng Kanyang mga salita at gabayan ang aking mga kamay na makalikha ng isang akda na makapagbubukas ng ating mga mata at puso para sa ating kapwa.
Mateo 15: 10-11; Pinalapit ni Hesus ang mga tao at sinabi sa kanila,”Pakinggan ninyo at unawain ang aking sasabihin. Ang lumalabas sa bibig ng tao, hindi ang pumasok, ang siyang nagpaparumi sa kanya sa paningin ng Diyos.” Ang mga katagang ito ay maaaring maitulad sa mga taong magaling magsalita ngunit kabalintunaan ang tinuturan. Halimbawa, ang mga Pariseo sa panahon ni Hesus, na sinasabi na sila ay tapat nakapanig sa tama. Ang mga Pariseo ay mayroon silang ugnayan sa mga karaniwang tao. Mas mataas ang tingin ng mga tao sa mga Pariseo.
Kilala ang mga Pariseo bilang masugid na tagasunod ng batas at ng mga rituwal. Ito ay labis nilang pinahahalagahan. Ngunit dahil dito, nagiging tunguhin nila ay mas pahalagahan ang batas kaysa sa kagalingan ng tao.
Ipinapaalala sa atin hindi natin dapat na ituring ang mga tradisyon na may pantay na awtoridad sa Kasulatan at hindi natin dapat na hayaan na ang ating relasyon sa Diyos ay maging isang listahan ng mga ritwal at mga kautusan. Sa ganitong diwa, maaaring tanungin natin, ano nga ba ang bokasyon kung saan tayo tinawag? Sino ang mga taong dapat nating akayin at pagsilbihan?
Bilang mga taong naglilingkod sa Diyos, ang pangunahin nating misyon ay ipamalita ang mga Salita ng Diyos, tumulong sa kapwa at itatag ang simbahan ng mga dukha. Bilang mga Kristiyano, kailangan din nating tasahin ang ating mga sarili kung natutupad ba natin ang ating mga tungkulin na mula sa utos ng Diyos na mahalin ang ating kapwa na gaya ng pagmamahal natin sa ating Diyos.

Ano nga ba ang nagpapakita ng matinding pananampalataya?
Ang babaeng Cananea ay itinuring ni Hesus na may matinding pananampalataya. (berso 28). Hindi naman siya naglakad sa tubig katulad ng ginawa ni Pedro. Hindi siya nagpatihulog sa bangin para patunayan ang kanyang pananampalataya. Ano ang matindi sa kanyang pananalig?
Bakit nilapitan ng babaeng ito si Hesus? Marahil wala na siyang ibang matakbuhan. Siguro nabalitaan niya ang mga pagpapagaling niya sa ibang bayan. Napakalaki ng kanyang pangangailangan. Napakalalim ng kanyang pag-aalala sa kanyang anak na sinubukan niyang lumapit kay Hesus kahit maraming nakaharang. Nandoon na siya sa puntong wala nang mawawala sa kanya, at sa posibilibidad na may makukuha pa siya. Nilapitan niya si Hesus, nanaghoy at humingi ng tulong.
Sa panahon ngayon, may mga makikilala pa din tayong mga taong may malalim na pananapalataya. Halimbawa ang isang ina na nawalan ng asawa at anak dahil sa pagpaslang. Pinasook ng labinlimng pulis ang kanilang maliit na tahanan. Pilit pinababa ang mag-iina, natira sa taas ang mag-ama. Nagmamakaawa ang anak na lalaki na huwag silang patayin ngunit walng-awa silang pinagbabaril. Kahit na napakabigat ng kanyang dinadala dulot ng kanilang pagkawala, pinapakita niya sa karamihan na siya ay malakas at kayang gampanan ang mga naiwang responsibilidad sa kanyang mga anak. Si Nanay Maria ay isa lang sa libo-libong inang nawalan ng anak. Siya ay isa lang sa libo-libong ina na pilit nabubuhay para sa kanilang mga pamilya sa kabila ng kanilang pagdadalamhati.
Ang kwentong iyon mula sa berso ay nagpapaalala sa atin simbahan at mga grupong nagtataguyod ng karapatang pantao na maging matatag sa pagkilos upang makamit ang kasaganaan ng buhay na inaasam natin sa lahat ng tao. Katulad ng ipinangako sa atin ng Diyos na isang buhay na masagana at ganap (Juan 10:10). Ang babae sa kwento ay di nagpatinag nang hindi siya mapansin, buo ang loob niya na kailangang magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang anak niyang magkaroon ng buhay na normal at may kabuluhan. Ang kanyang pagsisikap, batay sa kanyang pananampalataya sa Diyos na kayang baguhin ang mga bagay patungong mainam, ay ibinigay.
Nais kong ibahagi sa lahat ang tulang aking nilikha ukol sa walang pakundangang pagpaslang dahil sa giyera kontra droga ng kasulukuyang gobyerno. Nakasaad din dito ang ganitong mga pangyayari ay nangyari na noong idineklara ang batas military sa panahong diktadurya. At ito ay nagbibigay hamon sa atin na tayo ay may dapat gawin ukol dito.

Bigyan mo ako ng simula..
Paano ko sisimulan ang pagsiwalat ng pagkabahala?
Mula sa laksa laksang bilang ng mga pinaslang
Ng walang kalaban-laban…ng walang pakundangan

“Maawa po kayo, huwag niyo po kami patayin, Ikulong niyo na lang po kami,!
Mga salitang paulit ulit na sinasambit habang nakatutok ang baril sa sintido ng aking ama.
Hanggang sa “BANG!…BANG!BANG!”,
tanging tunog na patuloy na umaalingawngaw sa tenga ko.
Dalawa sa dibdib, isa sa ulo na siyang naging dahilan ng kanyang unti-unting pagbagsak.

Ang sakit, ang sakit, sobrang sakit
nang makita ko ang katawan ng aking ama na wala nang buhay
Nakapanlulumo kung paano siya kinatay na parang aso,
parang hindi buhay na tao ang kanilang kinitil
Buti pa nga yung isyu ng pagkatay sa aso sa isang pelikula, lumikha ng ingay.
Daig pa ang tila pagkatay sa ama kong sinasabi nilang adik..ADIK..na Ok lang patayin dahil ADIK..

Ganito lang ba kadali ang magbilang, magbilang ng pera
na katumbas ng bawat ulo, ng bawat buhay
Bilang na akala mo kaunti kumpara sa mga mabibiktima pa ng mga sinasabi ninyong adik.
Bilang na ayos lang kaysa isakripisyo daw ang marami pang buhay
kapag sila ay pinatuloy na binuhay.
Bilang na patuloy na nadadagdagan dahil sa proklamasyon
ng giyera kontra droga na nagmula sa isang bibig.
Bibig na pangulo na iniluklok natin dahil nangako ng inaasam nating pagbabago.

Pagbabago nga ba ang kanyang bitbit sa kanyang pagsilbi sa ating mga mahihirap?
O patuloy na naman tayong aasa sa mga bulok na mga pangako
ng mga trapong pulitiko na dulot ay pahirap
Ang masang api ang laging napagsasamantalahan dahil tayo ay wala daw kakayanang lumaban
Kayang manahimik habambuhay dahil walang laban
sa mga matataas na tao na kumokontrol sa estado

Estadong patuloy na pinagtatagpan ang tunay na dahilan
kung bakit may mga taong sumusuong sa pagkamanhid
Upang pandaliang matakasan ang pait ng kahirapan, ng kawalang trabaho,
ng kawalang serbisyong panlipunan
Na dapat ang estado ang may pangunahing pananagutan. Na dapat ang kahirapan ang tinutugunan. Na dapat ang mahihirap ang sinasalba. Ngunit kabalintunaan ang tinuturan,
estado mismo ang unti-unting dumudurog sa lalong maliliit.

Ang ganitong kwento ay hindi lang umusbong ngayon, umiral na ito nang panahong diktadurya. Kung saan maraming aktibista ang dinukot, tinortyur at pinatay.
Kapalit ng kanilang pagtatanggol sa karapatan ng nakararami.
At nagpapatuloy ngayon ang ganitong kalapastanganan.
Silang api, silang laging napagsasamantalahan, silang malaking porsiyento ng mamamayan,
na pilit dinudurog ng maliit na porsiyento ng lipunan ngunit makapangyarihan.

Paano ko tatapusin?
Bigyan mo ako ng katapusan.
Matatapos ba ito kapag tumahimik ako na parang walang nakita, walang narinig o nabasa? Tama bang magsawalang-kibo na lang ako dahil hindi naman ako ang adik
o wala naman akong kamag-anakan na pinatay.
Kailan natin hahanapin ang nawawala?
Kailan kayo maaalimpungatan mula sa pagkakahimbing, mula sa pananahimik at di pag-imik? Kailan tayo kikibo at ipagsisigawan na hindi tama?
Hihintayin pa ba nating lahat ng api ay malagas at manaig parati ang nasa itaas.
Ang pagkamulat at pagkilos ng masang api ang makatutugon
at makapag-aahon sa atin mula sa pagkalugmok.
Kailan natin balak baliktarin ang tatsulok?
Kailan natin isusulong ang pagbabagong ating inaasam asam?
Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?
Kung hindi tayo titindig para sa karapatan at buhay, paano makakamit ang katarungang inaasam? ##
(Feb 24, 2017)

 

Roselle Tullao,
Roman Catholic
Marikina City

 

larawang kinuha mula sa https://cacina.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/carry-the-gospel-with-you-964/

 

 

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost August 13, 2017 *In Times Like These

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28

Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b/ Psalm 85:8-13

1 Kings 19:9-18

Romans 10:5-15

Matthew 14:22-33

Every day we scan the newspapers or watch TV and see the frustrating and depressing news.  There’s violence, there’s cheating and lying in different government agencies. We are broken to see and hear news of wars and killings, smuggling and corruption, sickness and destruction. Despite government claims of a stable economy with sound fundamentals, the indisputable fact is that poverty is increasing and becoming more widespread.  More and more of the commodities consumed by the population are imported rather than produced by local manufacturing.  The Philippine economy is steadily experiencing a diminished capacity to meet the present needs of the people and, even more importantly, to prepare for the future.

In perplexing times like these, it is usual to hear cries for help, for a decisive crushing of dissent and destabilizing elements, and for the suspension, although temporarily, of mechanisms for the popular assertion of political will and the protection of human rights. And many of us would feel that there’s more sorrows than joy in life, more anxieties than a sense of security, more occasions to be angry than to love, more reasons to give up than to persevere. We fell into a new depth of hopelessness and disillusionment.

The readings for this week and the events themselves tell of hopelessness and disillusionment. I wrestled with the texts and questions came to my mind and were raised:

Why did Elijah have to flee to the cave? He had just previously called down fire from heaven and had all the prophets of Baal slaughtered before his eyes (I Kg. 18:20-40) He had also called, the rain from the sky (18:41-46) Why did Peter need to walk on the water? Why did he need proof “that it is you”? How much evidence is required, anyway? If the Lord could whip the prophets of Baal with fire from heaven, why couldn’t he protect Elijah from Ahab? Peter had just seen Jesus multiply bread in the wilderness (Mt. 14:13-21) ; why did he himself need to walk the waves?

Like me, the prophet and apostle were  still wanting  the signs of God’s work in the world. It didn’t matter what wonders were manifested “out there.” They wanted it shown for them: “save me.”

Today, when crisis after crisis shakes the lives of our people and the many of us, we would do well to remind ourselves that we are tasked with bringing God’s rescue to others.  And that, in every community are those who want to see our message being lived out in practical ways. In our community are those who would be grateful for us to serve them, to work on their behalf to change unjust systems, and to help them find practical ways to address their struggles. Like Elijah in Kings, he heard God’s instructions and rescues God’s people from corrupt leaders. It is to be willing to throw oneself into a disorderly world and expect to encounter Yahweh there. It is to want to transcend the normal “rules” and see what possibilities might be brought into being. It’s a formidable and  challenging call.

That is why the prophet and the apostles needed the reminder that what God was up to in the world went beyond their personal preoccupations. As Paul was also to learn from I Kings 19:18 when he was anguishing about his fellow Jews, God’s perspective is bigger than ours: “I have kept for myself 7,000 men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Elijah, it appears, was not alone in the first place. Neither was Paul. Neither was Peter. They just thought they were because they missed the signals of presence. Wanting more impressive signs, they got subtler ones to ponder. So with those who continue to participate in God’s work of saving the world; You are not alone either.

Participation in God’s work of saving the world is a long and often lonely task,  but let us be reminded that in his frustrations the prophet met Yahweh and that in the middle of the crisis the apostles spotted Jesus walking towards them on the water.

I went with other women in the ecumenical movement in a Lumad area in Sarangani Province last May 2017, to learn from them, listen to them and see and experience their plight to be able to journey with them in their struggles. On our way back to the venue of our training workshop, we were held at a military checkpoint and interrogated for two hours or more. Names were asked and pictures were taken. It’s terror all around. I was scared for my life. That was a moment when I, like Peter, lose sight of Jesus and begin to sink in the waves and need help.

Yes, Peter should have kept his eyes on Jesus…and so should we. But when we don’t, when we falter from time to time, when we stepped  into stressful, unfamiliar terrain., or even fail, Jesus will be there to grab us, to catch us, to support us and set us up straight again, ready to give it another go.##

Rev. June Frances Huelar-Gange

UCCP
Mapatag, Hamtic, Antique

photograb from: https://frted.wordpress.com/tag/peter-walking-on-water/

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost August 6, 2017 * The Offering

         

Genesis 32:22-31

Isaiah 55:1-5

Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21

Romans 9:1-5

Matthew 14:13-21

The version of Matthew and Mark on the feeding of the 5,000 took place after the death of John the Baptist, who baptized Him in the river of Jordan, and is believed to be one of the closest friends of Jesus. This event led Jesus into deep sadness, hence, decided to go to a solitary place by alone. When the crowd heard where Jesus is going, they immediately followed Him on foot and upon seeing them, Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick.   When it’s almost dark, the disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food for there is no supply of food to feed all those who followed Him. But Jesus refused and instead, told his disciples, “They do not need to go. You give them something to eat.” They reported to  Jesus that there were only 5 loaves and 2 fish available. Jesus asked them to bring him what they had  and directed the people to sit down on the grass. He gave thanks and broke the loaves. He then gave them to the disciples who later on distributed it to the people. More than 5,000 people ate and were satisfied.  The disciples picked up left over – 12 basketfuls of broken pieces.

 

I remember a Biblico-Theological Reflection shared by a pastor during one of the activities I’ve attended last  2016. He stated that during the time of Jesus, people were  used to bring food  (the baon or packed lunch)with them  wherever they travel from one place to another. So, when Jesus started to give blessing and broke the loaves, the people who brought food with them SHARED what they have and as a result, 12 baskets full of leftover were collected after they shared each other’s food.

 

I would like to share my  two  reflection points :

First, despite  the grieving moment on  the death of His friend, John the Baptist, he still showed compassion to the people and continued his ministry of healing and preaching to the people. Jesus saw and understood the needs of the crowd who  followed Him. He knew that he needs to continue his work and perform  miracles as a servant of  God and people amidst his personal suffering and solitude. I remember the  families who lost their loved ones due to  ‘tokhang’, the parents and children who until now search for the desaparecidos, or those friends who lost their relatives due to various socio-economic and political injustices. They would want to take a pause from everything, be alone and just reminisce all our memories together. People  from  all generations long for healing. People wanted  help  to recover from their illnesses. They seek inner peace , and  lasting peace. During Jesus ‘ time, maybe some of them are waiting for a ‘messiah’ who would deliver them from the ruling of the Roman Empire. Or maybe, just maybe, some of them followed Jesus because of curiosity. Whatever it may be, one thing is certain, Jesus went beyond his own suffering to fill the needs of the many.

 

The compassionate heart of Jesus challenges us to continue our work despite our difficult situations. Whatever feelings we have now,  it is of great courage to dare to see matters beyond ourselves and are being challenged to continue offering our time and effort to fill in the needs of those who are suffering and seeking our help. The passage teaches us what it means to offer our lives for the benefit of the many. In the current context, we may consider helping those who are deprived of the basic services that each human being is entitled to receive. They are the indigenous people, the street families, the poor, and all the marginalized sectors in our country. We are to give hope to those people who feel hopeless and to participate in the redemption of society from the sin of injustice and  the liberation of those who are experiencing different bondages in life. Are we willing to follow Jesus’ compassionate actions beyond our own personal difficulties? Are we willing to join the people in their struggle the same way as what Jesus did?

 

The second point I want to share with you is about the unnamed character who performed a big role in this miraculous event. In the book of John, it was mentioned that the five loaves and 2 fish were given by a boy, not the disciples. This boy, responded to the call to give what he had despite its limitations. I guess, he believed that his contribution, though small, will be used by Jesus for a bigger purpose. His small act of sharing paved a way to influence others to also share what they have, thus Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5,000 happened.

 

We notice that Jesus asked them without specifying any number, how many foods should they need to feed the crowd, he asked instead,  what do the disciples have.

 

We are given different skills, talents, gifts and other resources. For a miracle to happen, we can start with an inventory of what are the resources available.

 

Great things come from small things. What are the “BAON” (packed lunch)  that we have?  With the widespread hunger at present, can we do something to  feed one hungry person? Can we share some of our time to help repack goods to be delivered in a disaster-stricken area? Can we involve ourselves as a volunteer for a cause? Can we creatively donate  for the feeding ministry Can we partake in  the greater cause for the benefit of the least of our brothers and sisters who are very much near to the heart of GOD?

 

It is not enough to feed one hungry person to solve the problem of hunger.  It takes a radical move to set a “sharing mode” – not only of one child but the participation of the many. When everyone will pour whatever he/she had – including the emptying of the baskets of goods. When these are collected and distributed according to each need, there would be a surplus.  Notes, the “emptying” of one’s BAON, is a radical mode    – the offering of the child.  It not the left over that was offered, but his BAON.

 

Following Christ requires a compassionate heart that is willing to help people in need despite their own difficulties, a heart that gives hope and shares love in action that benefits all.

Jesus and the unnamed boy already exemplified what we should do.

May we offer our lives by sharing our time, strength and resources to the people. As a church, and as individuals, may we become part of  serving those who are displaced due to the conflict in Marawi and are being affected by Martial Law in Mindanao, families affected by the war on drugs, Lumad students who are claiming their right to education and the indigenous people fighting for their land and self-determination, victims of human trafficking pushed by poverty, urban poor communities who fear to be demolished to give way to the so-called development, and farmers who do not have their own land to till and food to eat. Our share, no matter how big or small, may impact change in our communities, our nation, and our world. Who knows? Our collective efforts may feed more than 5,000.##

 

Aldrin Escudero Salvador

United Methodist Young Adult/

Small Hands Ministry

Quezon City, Philippines

 

Photo grab from:https://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0ahUKEwj78O6–s