Oktubre 29, 2017, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (20th after Pentecost)*ANG DAKILANG UTOS

 

https://anoblenoon.wordpress.com/tag/paintings/

 Exodus 22:20-26

 

Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51

1Teselonica  1:5-10

Mateo 22:34-40

 Ngunit ng marinig ng mga Pariseo na napatahimik ni Jesus ang mga Saduceo, ay nagtipon sila. At isa sa kanila, na tagapagtanggol ng kautusan, ay nagtanong sa kanya upang siya ay subukin. “Guro, alin ba  ang dakilang utos sa kautusan?” At sinabi sa kanya: “Ibigin mo  ang Panginoon mong Diyos nang buong puso mo, at nang buong kaluluwa mo, at nang buong pagiisip mo.” Ito ang dakila at unang utos. At ang pangalawa ay katulad nito, “Ibigin mo  ang  iyong kapwa na gaya ng iyong sarili.”

“Sa dalawang utos na ito nakasalig  ang buong kautusan at ang mga propeta.”

 Maaari ba nating paglingkuran ang Panginoon habang tinatalikuran natin ang mga aba?

 

 

Ako ay may nakilalang isang bagong pari na inatasang maglingkod sa isang parokyang wala halos gustong ma-assign, bilang bahagi ng kanyang paghuhubog bilang isang pari. Ito ay sa Payatas. Ang dingding ng kanyang simbahan ay dingding din ng kanyang kapitbahay. Ang problema ng pamilyang nakatira sa barong-barong na kapit-bahay nya ay problema nya rin araw-araw. Pag nag-aaway ang mag-asawa, ramdam nya, sya din ay kahalo sa gulo. Ang amoy ng paligid na nuong una ay hindi nya masikmura ay unti-unti nya na ring nakasanayan. Ang ingay ng paligid na nung una ay nakaririndi para sa kanyang pandinig ay unti-unting nagkakaroon ng himig sa mga araw at buwan nyang nakakapiling. Hindi lang ni minsan na natatagpuan nya ang kanyang sarili na nakikipagsalo sa mga payak na inihahain sa kanya ng mga hikahos na pamilya. Sa tuwing sya ay nananalangin ng mag-isa sa tuwing lumilipas ang bawat araw, nararamdaman nya na ang mga matataas na pader na naghihiwalay sa pagitan ng komunidad at simbahan ay unti-unting nabubuwag. At sa bawat pakikilakbay nya sa araw-araw na pakikipagtunggali ng mga tao sa buhay, sila ay nadudulutan nya ng inspirasyon at pag-asa, habang sya naman ay unti-unting nabubuo ang pagkatao. Sa pagkakataong ito ay higit nyang naunawaan na hindi ang mensahe lamang ang nagtatakda upang ang tao ay mabuhay ng ganap, makatarungan at kasiya-siya kundi  ang paghahabi ng Salita at sarili sa kalagayan ng mga Dukha.

 

Posible bang mahalin ng isang tao ang iba tulad ng pagmamahal nya sa sarili o higit pa? Maaari bang isang-tabi ang pansariling kapakanan alang-alang sa ikabubuti ng iba?

 

Minsan ako ay mayroong nakausap na isang magaling na manananggol. Sa aming pag-uusap, ay hindi ko mapigilang pansinin ang kanyang mga pudpod na sapatos. Pabiro ko siyang sinita na sa galing nyang abogado eh pwedeng pwede syang maging isang consultant ng isang malaking kumpanya,magkaroon ng saliring sasakyan at mga mamahaling sapatos. Lalong naging lubos ang paghanga ko nang makita ko sa kanya ang kadakilaan ng paglilingkod na kaylan man ay hindi masusukat sa kinang ng mamahaling sapatos o ano mang maluluhong gamit. Ang hindi kaylan man pagtuon ng buong panahon para sa sariling kapakanan at ilaan ang lahat ng makakayanang paglilingkod laan sa nakararami at karapatan ng mahihina ang nakapagpatibay ng aking paninindigan bilang isang mapagsilbing alagad ng Diyos.

 

Kapag sinasambit natin na mahal nating ang Diyos, ito ay nararapat na may kaukulang pagyakap sa kabuuhan ng kanyang mga nilikhang iniibig. Lalong-lalo na sa mga dukhang sa kanya lamang nananalig ng awa at pag-asa.

Unang nakibahagi ako sa gawain ng Asuncion Perez bilang volunteer nuong panahon ng bagyong Yolanda. Nakiisa ako, kasama na rin ng ilang mga kabataan ng St. John United Methodist Church na nagtungo sa isa sa mga komunidad sa Quezon City kung saan pansamantalang kumalinga ng mga lumikas na ilang pamilyang nasalanta at nawalan ng tirahan mula sa Tacloban Leyte upang magbahagi ng konting tulong na pagkaing pangtawid man lang. Doon naka kuwentuhan ko ang ilang mga inang naiwang kumakalinga nang mag isa sa buong pamilya nang sa kadahilanang kailangang maiwan sa Leyte ang kanilang mga ama ng tahanan para maki pila sa ano mang tulong na maibibigay sa kanila ng gobyerno.

Sabi ng isang ina, “anong simbahan kayo?” Habang ang ilan ay halatang nangingilag sa amin. “Salamat at kahit hindi kami katulad nyo ay tinutulungan nyo kami”, ang sabi nya. “Kasi nuong nandun pa kami sa probinsya at katatapos lang ng bagyo, may nag bigay ng tulong pero para lamang sa mga ka-iglesia nila.

Parang may kung anong kumurot sa puso ko dahil hindi lamang ito ang unang pagkakataon kong narinig itong ganitong klase ng sama ng loob. Itong ganitong uri ng diskriminasyon ay napakalakas din sa loob ng ating iglesya. Nagkakasamaan ng loob ang ilan ng dahil lamang sa usapin ng pagbibigay at pagpaprayorita sa mga kasama sa simbahan sa usapin ng relief. Hindi ang mas nangangailangan at mas hikahos ang binibigyang pansin. Ang pagpapadalo at pagpapatanggap sa ating mga simbahan minsan ay ginagawang sukatan ng katagumpayan ng isang programa. Nawa’y mamulat tayo na ang pag-aalay natin ng ating sarili at ang pag-asang naidudulot ng ating pagbabahagi ay higit na matimbang na dahilan upang sila, sa kabila ng pagkalugmok ay matutunang kumapit muli sa pag-asa ng pagbangon at kadakilaan ng pagmamahal ng Diyos. Pagmamahal na inialay nya sa atin ng walang pagsisino at ano mang pagaalinlangan. Pagmamahal na kumikilala sa katarungan at karapatan bilang mga anak nya, bilang tao.

Sa iyong muling pagninilaynilay iyong kapain…tunay mo bang mahal ang Diyos at sampu ng kanyang mga anak na dukha, maralita at api? Handa ka bang ibukas ang mga pinto ng iyong tahanan at sambahan para kalingain ang mga walang tahanan at pakanin ang mga nagugutom sa hapag ng iyong kainan? Makikilakbay ka  ba  sa  araw-araw nilang pakikibaka sa kahirapan ng buhay? Mananangis ka din ba  sa kaapihang patuloy nilang dinaranas sa kamay ng mga mapagsamantala? Sisigaw ka rin ba ng katarungan at aakayin sila para sa ganap na  pagbangon at maliwanag na kinabukasan?

Kapayapaan at pag-ibig sa ating lahat.##

 

Liza Adamos Cortez

United Methodist Church

Quezon City

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time (19th after Pentecost) 22 October 2017*Serving God without the Caesar Dressing

Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10

Isaiah 45:1, 4-6

1Thessalonians 1:1-5

Matthew 22:15-21

Serving God without the Caesar Dressing

 

 

“Give therefore to the emperor
the things that are the emperor’s,
and to God the things that are God’s.”[i]

Matthew 22:21

Imagine this rich dressing made with garlic, coddled egg, olive oil, lemon juice and anchovies topped with croutons and grated parmesan cheese, at times, with some crispy bacon bits. Then, try tossing it with steamed veggies such as kangkong, okra, eggplant and unripe mangoes. Sounds appetizing, doesn’t it? Or maybe not? Because that recipe popularized by the Italian-born American restaurateur Caesar Cardini in 1946, really blends well with Romaine lettuce.  It is ala “dress Caesar what is Caesar’s”. But more than just food, let us reflect on the very essence of life apart from its imperial embellishment.

Done in Good Taste

Many people come to church for spiritual nourishment. In worshipping God and in communion with other believers, Christians value this sacred tradition for centuries within the comforts of their own sanctuaries. “service” has replaced our real mission to preach the true meaning of the Gospel in places that most people do not want to go – the Good News brought to us by Jesus Christ, which is based on justice and equality for all. More than just “lip service,” Jesus lived out this kind of life as shown in his moral judgement and political conviction.

In the passage, we can see how Jesus outsmarted the “bad guys” by sensibly responding to their interrogative trap. Obviously, if he answered the question “To pay or not to pay taxes,” he would offend either the Roman authorities or the Jewish nationalistic parties. We could certainly determine the consequence if he had chosen any. Christians these days are also bound to fall into this same trap. “If you’re not with us, you are against us” mentality tremendously increase the polarity and prejudice in this world. For them, there can only be either acceptance or rejection. As this “single truth” is imposed in this plural world, conflicts and struggles will never end.

Exposing the Wound of the People

Unaware of the concealed snare, many people esp. the youth are into this kind of thinking. The strong adherence to conformity and individualism seems to be harmless at first glance, but internally damaging our moral fabric. The empire wants us to believe they have everything we need for. They believe they have it all. Like that old story about the pompous king wearing his new invisible clothes as praised by the brainwashed populace, it takes only a small child to expose the reality in this society. “Look, the king is not wearing any clothes.” Though people seem to think about how great the emperor is for what he has, the truth is HE DOES NOT HAVE ANY. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.”

Jesus urges us to give back to the emperor all the worthless stuffs that his earthly kingdom invented. This is the reason why he does not keep anything that belongs to Caesar. Traditionally marked with the value of a day’s labor, the denarius is just a small piece of silver with the face and name of the Caesar. A gold denarius is worth 25 denarii, so we can considerably imply it’s a month’s labor. This kind of system has reversed the value of one’s physical capabilities into metallic objects.

Putting On Our Own Clothes

In our recorded history, we have been colonized by several super notorious powers.  There were those who  preserved a life of harmony with their fellow people and the whole creation. They learned not the way of  unjust trade and  marketing. They  have the ability to grow their own crops, weave their own clothes, educate their own children and protect their own land and identity. Something that the empire has taken away from them . The indigenous peoples have already their way of living out , “to give Caesar what is Caesar’s” for they have retained what all belong to God.

In these critical times, it is but right to make use of what was used to be an imperial weapon of destruction into something that will enable life to flourish. Like what our fellow Filipinos  did with the jeepneys,[ii] . We should find the way to reclaim our lost identity by celebrating our culture and heritage in every little aspect of our lives. Our dynamic spirituality must reflect the truth of the Word of God. This is something that we must never give up for the emperor. For it all belongs to our one true God whom we serve together as a people. Amen.

 

Jeffrey J. Rivera

Associate Pastor for

Youth and Student Ministry of

Church Among the Palms

United Church of Christ in the Philippines

College, Los Baños, Laguna

 

[i] New Revised Standard Version

[ii] Revelation E. Velunta, “Jeepney Hermeneutics: Beating Swords into Ploughshares” in Anumang Hiram Kung Hindi Masikip Ay Maluwang: Iba’t-ibang Anyo ng Teolohiyang Pumipiglas (Cavite: UTS, 2006)

October 15, 2017, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (18th after Pentecost)*INVITATION

Isaiah 25: 6-10

Psalm 23:1-6

Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20

Matthew 22:1-14

 

“I bought my son Poklo a pair of pants last December as a gift,” recalled Nanay Elsa. “I remembered so well how excited he was. He wore it with delight as he marches through our busy streets slowing down on bystanders allowing them to have a glimpse of him with his new pants. Their reactions mesmerized my son. Am not even sure how many days he wore it before handing it to me for laundry,” she continued. “I purchased another clothing for Poklo just today. But this time he will no longer be able to pace his way along the sidewalks wearing it as he showcases it to our neighbors and his friends. It will be the last he will ever have. It will be the last time we will see him in his clothes”

 

Poklo was known to his community as someone so helpful and diligent despite being called by others as “special child.” Even to his parents he extends nothing but love and respect. So everyone was shocked of the news that he was gunned down on the wee hours of that day.

 

I wondered why it was Poklo’s story that came into mind when I read the Gospel assigned today. Then I realized that perhaps it was because it was my first encounter with a grieving family at the height of stop the killings campaign. It was a story that welcomed me back into the ministry. It was an  invitation opened up unto me.

 

Numerous times in the Gospel we see Jesus wanting to portray a welcoming stance or sending invitations either it be to His followers or His detractors:

 

When Jesus saw two men, unknown to Him, casting their nets in the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4: 18-19) he said “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

 

When the disciples were trying to restrain the children wanting to be near Jesus he said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them.” (Matthew 19: 13-14)

 

When Thomas doubted that Jesus rose from the dead, “Reach out your hand and put it into my side” he said. (John 20:27)

 

Now we see another invitation. A wedding banquet was one of the most joyous occasions in Jewish life and could last for up to a week. As the story goes in this parable, many people had been invited, but when the time for the banquet came and the table was set, those invited refused to come (verses 4-5). In fact, the king’s servants who brought the joyful message were mistreated and even killed (verse 6).

 

The king, enraged at the response of those who had been invited, sent his army to avenge the death of his servants (verse 7). He then sent invitations to anyone his servants could find, with the result the wedding hall was filled (verses8-10)

 

A historical note: To be invited to the wedding of the king’s son was the greatest honor a citizen could have expected to receive. In a poor agrarian society the regular diet would have consisted of mostly grains and bread.  Meat was saved for special occasions – notably religious festivals and weddings. The first recipients of the invitation declined. Who in their right mind would refuse an invitation to a wedding feast of a king where there would be free food? We are not sure why the people refused the invitation.

 

The world we live in today sends its invitation. Invitation for fellowship. Invitation for partnership. Invitation for solidarity.

 

The indigenous people of this land are sending their invitation. Invitation to understand why is there a need for them to come to the Metro and insist on their right to self-determination. That we may be able to understand their fear that one day they may no longer have a land they can  call as their own. Land that has been surrendered to the ruling class for the sake of development.

 

Victims of Extra-judicial Killings are sending their invitation. Thousands had been killed for the sake of promised “Change”. We read and hear stories of riding in tandem, masked and identified. We become accustomed to listen to tales of a person or persons  suspected of being a “pusher/s” ending up dead  while  at the hands of strong armed government forces.  News state that the victims were   “Nanlaban” (resisted)  , so they were killed.  Invitation is being sent out that we may unite and gather  our strength to oppose killing the urban poor.

 

These are invitations of God through His beloved people. Sadly, there are those who decline these invitations. Even amongst us church people. We tend sometimes to question the invitation itself or those who are sending out invitations. We give outright judgement even without us understanding the bottom line of such invitations.

 

we need to embrace these invitations with compassion. If we continue to call ourselves as the conscience of the society, then we need to have concrete responses on how to address the growing invitations given.

 

Who are we to decline the invitation of God’s people? ##

 

Deacon  Ritchie Masegman

Rise Up for Rights, Rise Up for Life

Marikina city

 

 

Photp grab from: http://pericope.org/buls-notes/matthew/matthew_22_1_14.htm

 

 

October 8, 2017, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (17th after Pentecost)*The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Psalm 80:9, 12-16, 19-20

Isaiah 5:1-7

Philippians 4:6-9

Matthew 21:33-43

 

Who is the wicked tenant?  Can this same tenant produce fruit that is worthy of God’s kingdom?

From the Jewish religious leader whom Jesus is speaking to about his authority, to today’s Philippine religious leaders who are reading this Gospel reflection, to anyone who dares answer those questions, must believe that God can bring transformation out of judgment and rejection.  When God is the landlord, then this is the same One who judges the wicked tenants, and replaces them with other tenants who will produce fruit. When God is the architect, this is the same One whose building design features a seemingly rejected but eventually cornerstone.

Although many people accepted Jesus’ message of salvation and sought him for healing, many also opposed his ministry.  Leading up to this parable, we learn that such opposition arose from other religious leaders such as the chief priests and elders of the people.  After they question Jesus about the source of his authority, he answers them by presenting another question.  When the religious leaders cannot answer his question, Jesus proceeds to tell them three parables, the second of which is about wicked tenants.

 

As Jesus outlines the familiar economic system which includes land, tenants, slaves, and landowners, and the family members of landowners, there is something about this economic system which Jesus describes in such a way to criticize the religious leadership.  While his criticism was to call them towards repentance through his multiple attempts to send them prophets, their hearts already appear too hardened to accept the cornerstone of Jesus.

 

Jesus’ criticism harkens back to the voice of hope and judgment from the prophet Isaiah, who poetically paints a picture of God as the landowner who invests in a beautiful vineyard, hoping for a bountiful harvest of grapes, only to lament over the lack of justice and righteousness symbolized through “wild grapes” (Isaiah 5:1-2).  God’s desire for justice and righteousness, the same Hebrew words which sound very close the words for bloodshed and cry, respectively, teach us that redemption can be so close and yet so far.  The call for justice and righteousness that begins with religious leaders, can still fall short on deaf ears and hardened hearts.

 

As an international mission co-worker who has lived in the Philippines for 1 ½ years, I am a new student of Philippine history, current events, as well as church and society.  Although I studied the Bible in seminary, it seems that I am learning again how to read and interpret the Bible, with a new context.  Thanks to two UCCP colleagues at the national office, Zhara Alegre and Faith Justice Sanchez, they helped me with connecting the historical Biblical context with the Philippines context, in making these kinds of observations and providing such insights.

 

Who owns the land?  Questions about land ownership dating back to the Spaniards, and as contemporary as today’s multinational companies, can connect the Philippine people to the same economic system described in today’s parable.  When asking who owns the land, many would claim and assert their ownership: Individuals and corporations who own titles and have education and financial means, might think that they own the land.  These same individuals and corporations might collude with the military to support their ownership of the land.  Generations of farmers who cultivate and bring about harvest would also claim their ownership.

 

What about God?  Still when God is understood as the landowner, his wealthy abundance is not what makes him wicked, but instead God is the generous benefactor who invites people to share in the blessings of land for all people.  Land is God’s blessing of abundance for the common person to be shared among many people, instead of hoarded by the wealthy elite.

 

Where is God in this parable?  While the landowner is away in this parable, God is still present and at work in the struggle for people to reclaim the fruit of the land for themselves.  Like the son of the landowner, who symbolizes Jesus, is the struggle of a human rights defender who dares to speak out against the injustices of this economic system.  Like Jesus, this human rights defender is prepared to meet death, if not harassment, torture, or imprisonment.

 

While Jesus speaks to the religious leaders of his day about whether they will reject him and his authority, Jesus is still speaking to us today.  What kind of religious leaders are we?  Will God judge us as wicked tenants?  Will we produce fruit that is worthy of God’s kingdom?

 

God of the Vineyard, You dreamed of a place and a people to share in the blessings of abundance.  You have bestowed blessings upon our beloved country, the Philippines.  Your blessings are not only those many places and these many people, but the source and origin which is in Jesus Christ.  You cultivated, nurtured and brought about harvest of such blessings in due time.  You entrusted your people to share such blessings instead of hoarding for themselves. Raise up government leaders and human rights defenders who will preserve and conserve such blessings in proper stewardship of Your resources.  Judge for Yourself when we exploit for profit alone or hoard such blessings, and bring us back again to the source and origin of such blessings in Jesus Christ.  Make us worthy of Your kingdom, always bearing fruit for Your glory and for Your sake, Amen.       

Rev. Cathy Chang, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Regional Facilitator for Addressing Migration & Human Trafficking

 

Photo grab from: http://digitaleducation.net/digitalepa/author/admin/page/124/