March 28, 2021 * Sunday PALM SUNDAY OF THE LORD’ Solemnity *

Fr. Jay-AR Rofer,MJ

Is 50:4-7

https://www.pinterest.nz/aquafireate/he-qi/

Ps 22

Phil 2:6-11

Mk 14:1-15:47

It has been a year already since the first lockdown was declared. Now, again we will experience another ECQ, another harsh and unscientific way to curb the virus. Another lockdown due to increasing number of positive cases of Covid-19. When we first experienced the lockdown many went hungry. Many have lost their jobs. Jeepney drivers were begging for money and food along the highway because they were not allowed to operate. Fishermen were not allowed to go to the sea to fish.

Tangos in Malabon is a big community with the population of 35 thousand households. Most of them are daily wage earners. That means, no work, no food. One afternoon, ten women were looking for me and approached me. They asked for ayuda because their families have nothing to eat anymore. The ayuda of the government was not enough especially for big families. I told them to pray for more donations. I felt helpless.

When I arrived in my rented apartment, I cried inside my room and prayed to the Lord to do something for the people. Lo and behold, there were organizations like Caring Heart Foundation, Inc., Tanging Yaman Foundation, Inc. and some individuals who expressed their desire to help the poor people in Tangos. They sent us sacks of rice. We were able to feed the people.

Tangos Mission Station is also graced with dedicated and committed volunteers. We are around 50 volunteers.

Today is Palm Sunday. It is also called Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Jesus triumphantly enters the holy city of Jerusalem. It is in Jerusalem that the paschal mystery will happen. Jesus rides on a colt like a king. However, the kingship of Jesus is not of power but humility; not to reign but to serve.

Despite the tragedy that happened to Jesus, there are some significant persons who show faithfulness and love to Jesus. One of them is the woman who anointed Jesus with the precious perfume. According to the gospel, as he (Jesus) was reclining at dinner, a woman entered carrying an alabaster jar of expensive perfume made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfumed oil on Jesus’ head. What the woman did to Jesus is an act of faithfulness that Jesus is the Christ. She believes that the Father works in Jesus.

In this pandemic, how do we show our love to the people especially the poor? In the mission stations of the Diocese of Kalookan, we have Busog-Puso Feeding Program. We feed 100 poor children every week-end. In Tangos, we also feed 100 senior citizens once a week. It is our concrete response to the growing number of hunger experience by the people especially the poor. Let us not forget them, our sisters and brothers who are deeply affected by the pandemic. Let us continue to extend prayers and actions so that those who in leadership like the government will have the wits and the scientific tools to get us out of this predicament. Our solidarity is needed.

Fifth Sunday of Lent*March 21,2021*We’re human, too.

Hannah Santillan, United Methodist

https://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/172147969240/christ-as-seed-art-by-jyoti-sahi-india

Jer 31:31-34

Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15

Heb 5:7-9

John 12:20-33

“They tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds” -Mexican Proverb

As I read the Gospel this Sunday, I remember a song from our theatre play production in 2014 about the struggles of the indigenous people in the defense of their ancestral domain.  The play was about the story of Macliing Dulag- an Igorot leader who led his community against the construction of the Chico River Dam in the 1980s. In one of the scenes,  the song “Awit ng Mortal” was played. I considered this song as one of my favorites. I became emotional when I first heard it during our rehearsals.

I encourage you to read through the song. Here are the lyrics.

— 

AWIT NG MORTAL

by Bayang Barrios/ Joey Ayala

Ano ang sukat ng halaga ng isang buhay,

Kayamanan ba o di kaya ang pangalan.

Ano ang titimbang sa husto o kulang,

Ng katuparan ng adhikain at paninindigan.

May gantimpala bang dapat pang asahan,

Upang kumilos ng tama’t makatuwiran.

Saglit lamang ang ating buhay,

Tilamsik sa dakilang apoy.

Ang bukas na nais mong makita,

Ngayon pa ma’y simulan mo na.

Ang bawat tibok ng iyong puso,

Minsan lamang madarama.

Ito ang kumpas ng ating awit,

Na sadyang may hangganan.

May gantimpala bang dapat pang asahan,

Upang kumilos ng tama’t makatuwiran.

Kat’wan at isipa’y kukupas,

At sa lupa’y yayakap din.

Subalit ang bunga ng iyong pamana’y

Higit pa sa pinagmulan.

Saglit lamang ang ating buhay,

Tilamsik sa dakilang apoy.

Ang bukas na nais mong makita,

Ngayon pa ma’y simulan mo na.

This song reminds me of how short life is, and we are but a spark in the great LIGHT of life. WE could be  fragile and insignificant , reminding us of our humble  significance .  How could our work affect the many lives of people?  How do we form our opinions, and have many views in this world and know what to stand for?  The song suggests that we should be living our short lives to see and live beyond our tiny selves, to work on something bigger and larger than us, to struggle on a collective problem.

And now, it lends me the question, how can we live our lives to the fullest? I often ask this whenever I visit wakes and funerals- when there’s a combination of celebration of life and weeping. An impeccable timing of sheer sadness and hope.  Every time I visit funerals, even when I don’t know the person personally,  I ponder  upon  how they lived their life. In my visits, I had the privilege to listen  to the “parangal” or honoring rites  celebrating  the lives of the people, especially those who were victims of extra judicial killings. They were  activists, journalists, lawyers , farmers workers and human rights defenders. They were mothers, fathers, siblings, or neighbor. Like good citizens and people with integrity, they served their communities to the best of their abilities. They were diligent in their work as committed servants of the people.

In our text, Jesus predicts His death; how can that be? He was so sure that the Roman Empire will kill him. How come a divine human being like Jesus can predict his near-coming death? We know the whereabouts of Jesus and what he was doing. We, Christians, believed that Jesus didn’t have such transgression to deserve such gruesome death on the cross. His life was well  lived in the company  of the fishermen, the sick, women, and the people from the  periphery doing charity work, performing miracles, and healing the sick.  He transformed people into better members of the community. He’s doing what a conscientious and good  person is supposed to be doing. Yet, Jesus was legally executed with capital punishment – the crucifixion. Did they give him a fair trial? We exactly know that the answer is– NO. Whatever Jesus was doing; it threatened  the empire. They wanted him to be silent.  

Jesus made the people realize their worth as God’s creation and what they can do collectively. He reminded the people of God’s promise of  abundant life – a life with dignity and justice. Look how powerful the impact of that in our own lives  nowadays. For we know our inherent worth, and we fight for it.

It is dismal  to say, that like Jesus, deaths and arrests are much predictable with the careless statement of “Kill, Kill, Kill” of our  President. No one deserves to be terrorized and live in intimidation and harassment by the government.

Since 2016, Almost 250 human rights defenders — including unionists, church people, lawyers, journalists, and environmental rights defenders — have been killed[1]. To add up to that was the recent Bloody Sunday incident where the Police killed nine people in just one day. Emmanuel Asuncion, coordinator of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Cavite, was killed inside the Workers’ Assistance Center office in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Witnesses state that he was shot ten times and dragged outside the office. His last word was “Tao rin kami” We’re human, too. Anna Mariz “Chai” Lemita-Evangelista, member of environmental organization Ugnayan ng Mamamayan Laban sa Pagwasak ng Kalikasan at Kalupaan (UMALPAS KA), a land defender killed in their home alongside her husband Ariel in Barangay Calayo, Nasugbu, Batangas. Their 10-year- old son managed to escape. Imagine the ten-year-old boy witnessing the murder of his parents by the police. Imagine the life trauma he will have to endure. Melvin “Greg” Dasigao, member of urban poor organization San Isidro Kasiglahan, Kapatiran, at Damayan para sa Kabuhayan, Katarungan, at Kapayapaan (SIKKAD-K3), killed in his home in Rodriguez, Rizal. Along with 3 members Mark Lee “Makmak” Coros Bacasno, Abner Damas Mendoza Esto, Edward Damas Mendoza Esto. The two are Dumagat Puroy Dela Cruz and Randy “Pulong” Dela Cruz. Tao rin po sila.

These are just a few people who have been killed and were killed brutally by the very agency and institution that swore to serve and protect the people. The victims of these brutal murders lived a  very meaningful life, a life dedicated for the people, a life offered to the cause of peace and justice, a cause something bigger than themselves.

Jesus said in John 12:24-25,” Very truly, I tell you unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”.

Those who were silenced and killed by the Roman Empire and this Duterte Government did not lose their lives in vain. Their lives are planted in the collective memory of the people, their lives are planted in the very heart of those people who never stopped working for justice; of those who cannot rest until abundant life with dignity is achieved. Their very blood flows in the veins of every activist, of every Christian who believes in the redeeming promise of God. They are seeds planted in the very rich soil of the peoples movement for change. Their lives and memories are not lost. They will continue to grow. Their fight will continue, and we will carry on their struggles and cause.

It is appropriate  to honor the bravery, commitment, simplicity, and love of  these people who offered their lives to humanity. This is the very message of Christ to us. In verse 26, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be.”  

I also want to share the recent benediction I read, which also my prayer to all of us.

In this, may we find strength, and the next time we feel lost, let look at the lives of your friendly neighborhood activists and hang on to the promise of God’s good news in the people’s collective power.

Benediction:

“Sending Forth so that God may Happen.”

Hey! You! Life urges us on every day with what is just and what is needed from each one of us: Work diligently for justice, Love so that mercy has concrete gestures on our part. And be humble with whoever is by our side as if they were God. Let us go in peace, Let us serve with joy, Let us bring with us the rage and anger of the most marginalized and dispossessed, And may the grace of our fallen siblings. The love of the martyrs and our comrades, And the contagious force of dignity: Be in our lives for God to happen!

Amen.

---

[1] https://www.dw.com/en/dutertes-four-years-in-power-extrajudicial-killings-rights-abuses-and-terror/a-54082293

Fourth Sunday of Lent* Marso 14,2021*Ang Nakamamatay at ang Nakabubuhay

Floyd Castro, United Methodist Church

2 Chr 36:14-16, 19-23

Mga Awit 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Efeso 2:4-10

Juan 3:14-21

Madalas, ang ahas ay tinuturing na simbolo ng kasamaan. Sa ikatlong kabanata ng aklat ng Genesis, ahas ang tumukso kay Eba upang suwayin ang Diyos. Mapanganib at makamandag, hindi welcome ang mga ahas kung saan naninirahan ang mga tao. Ahas ang turing sa mga traydor.

Sa ating teksto, sinabi mismo ni Hesus na ang Anak ng Tao ay itataas kung paanong itinaas ni Moses ang ahas sa ilang upang maranasan natin ang buhay na walang hanggan. Hindi pangkaraniwan ang analogy na ito. Hindi logical na ihahalintulad ng isang mabuting (o banal na) tao ang kanyang sarili sa isang ahas. Sa kabila ng paggamit ni Moses sa ahas bilang instrumento ng pagpapagaling o pagliligtas mula sa kamatayan, negative pa rin ang pagkilala ng marami sa ahas.

Habang nasa ilang, naging impatient ang mga Israelita kaya’t sila ay nagsalita laban kay Moses at Yahweh. Dahil dito, nagpadala ng mga makamandag na ahas ang Diyos na tumuklaw sa kanila. Pagkatapos magsisi ng mga Israelita, gumawa si Moses ng ahas mula sa tanso, ayon na rin sa instruction ni Yahweh na kanyang itinaas gamit ang isang poste (pole). Lahat ng tinuklaw na tumingin sa nakataas na ahas ay gumaling at nabuhay.

Makamandag ang ahas. Nakamamatay. Pero hindi ang kamandag ng ahas ang pumapatay sa mga Israelita kundi ang kanilang kawalan ng tiwala kay Yahweh. Para sa kanila, mas makapangyarihan ang ilang kaysa kay Yahweh. Hindi naman totally unreasonable kasi, bukod sa salat sa food supply ang ilang (na isang disyerto) pinamamahayan din ito ng mababangis na hayop (at marahil, mga ahas). Mahirap mag-survive sa ilang. Para sa kanila, mas madali pang mabuhay sa mapang-alipin na Egipto kaysa sa ilang habang nasa ilalim ng pangangalaga ng Diyos.

Sa pananaw ng maraming nasa puder (tulad ni Nicodemo na kausap ni Hesus sa binasang teksto), makamandag ang turo ni Hesus. Banta sa kanilang paraan ng pamumuhay ang ini-introduce ni Hesus na pagdating na kaharian ng Diyos. Noong nakaraang Linggo kung saan binasa natin kung paanong sinimulang wasakin ni Hesus ang sistemang pang-ekonomiya na kino-control ng mga religious leaders/elders ng Templo. Para sa kanila, lason ang hamon ni Hesus na gibain ang Templo na kanyang itatayong muli sa loob ng tatlong araw. Kung gigibain ang Templo, magigiba rin ang ibang strukturang nakasandal dito (sosyal, pulitikal at pang-ekonomiya). Kung maitatayong muli ni Hesus ang templo sa loob ng tatlong araw, kasabay nitong babangon ang bagong simulain na wala nang pagkiling sa mga taong may “authority” gamit ang nangingibabaw na sistema.

Pero hindi ang turo ni Hesus ang lason. Hindi ang turo ni Hesus ang nakamamatay kundi ang lumakad sa kadiliman imbes na sa liwanag. Hinusgahan na! Condemned na ang mga pumiling manatili sa kasamaan. Buhay na walang hanggan ang ino-offer ni Hesus sa mga maniniwala sa kanya. Ngunit ang alok na buhay ay magiging available lamang pagkatapos ng pagkawasak (pagkamatay) ng templo at muling pagkabuhay nito (Juan 2:19). Marahil, mas madaling maunawaan at tanggapin ito ng mga wala sa puder kaysa sa may mataas na pinag-aralan o katungkulan (v10). Mahirap kasing maglakad sa liwanag kung ang mga struktura na nagpapahirap at nagpapadilim ay hindi mawawasak. Welcoming para sa mga nasa laylayan ang pagwasak ng matataas na struktura; disenfranchising o isolation naman ito para sa mga nasa puder. Hindi pwedeng maitaas si Hesus habang matayog ang “templong” nagpapahirap sa kanyang mamamayan.

Isa na namang madilim na yugto ang pinagdaanan nating mga Pilipino noong nakaraang Linggo kung saan 9 na human rights at environment advocates ang pinaslang sa itinuturing ng pamahalaan na legitimate operation. Makamandang ang karahasan. Nakalalason ang paniniwalang ang kapayapaan ay makakamit sa pamamagitan ng mga pamamaslang. “Kill them all” ang sabi ng nasa puder! “Eternal life” naman ang alok ng tagapaglistas ng masang isinasantabi.##

Pagpupugay sa Kababaihan, Isang Repleksyon

Rev.Homar Dstajo, UCCP

Juan 4: 5-42

• 

Nais ko pong batiin ang mga kababaihan sa buong daigdig ng pagdiriwang ng International Women’s Day sa 08 March 2021. Lumaki ako na naranasan ang strong personality ng aking ina na music worker ng aming iglesya.

Nakita ko ang hangad ni Mama ng equality sa loob ng tahanan, lalo na sa decision making. Nakatulong din si Papa na mulat at bukas ang isip sa pagpapahalaga niya sa kababaihan. Pangarap ko na ganito ang kalagayan sa ating lipunan na pantay-pantay at paggalang.

Subalit ang kalagayan sa ating lipunan ay may mahabang kasaysayan ng kolonyalismo, at halos lahat ay biktima ng imperyalismo. Bukod sa patuloy na umaasa sa mga dayuhang pamumuhunan ay patuloy na lumulubog sa pagkakautang. Sinasamantala ng Free Trade Zone ang mababang sahod at murang paggawa sa Pilipinas. Ang kawalan ng trabaho at tumataas na presyo ng mga bilihin ay nagtulak sa maraming mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga kababaihan, na maghanap ng trabaho sa ibang bansa. Nananatili ang hindi pantay na pamamahagi ng yaman. Lalong dumarami ang karahasan at diskriminasyon sa kababaihan. Dumaranas ng doble at triple na pang-aapi at karahasan. Nagiging biktima ng trafficking sa iba’t ibang anyo tulad ng prostitusyon, contract workers bilang domestic workers at guest relation officers.

Ganito ang ating kalagayan. Anong inspirasyon o encouragement ang ating mahahalaw at ilalapat ang pagdiriwang ng International Women’s Day sa 08 March at batayang teksto para sa Linggo na ito?

Gayunpaman, makikita ang lumalaking kamalayan sa politika at panlipunan ng mga organisasyon, samahan ng kababaihan at mga kilusan para kapayapaan at hustisya na napapakilos para sa pakikibaka ng karapatan at hustisya na magdadala sa mas makataong lipunan.

Sa kagaya na sitwasyon ng ating batayang teksto, mula sa ebanghelyo ni Juan, ang babaeng Samaritana na kausap ni Jesus, ay napailalim sa diskriminasyon at pagkondena dahil sa kanyang personal na buhay. Ang kanyang pakikipag-usap kasama si Jesus ay nagpatotoo na di pangkaraniwang tao si Jesus na meron malalim na pag-unawa sa kanyang personal na buhay at nagbukas sa kanya upang ibahagi ang kanyang buhay kay Jesus.

Ang isang napakahalagang pahayag ni Jesus ay matatagpuan sa talata 21, “Babae, maniwala ka sa akin…” Ano ang ibig sabihin ni Jesus sa Samaritana na hindi siya naniniwala, hindi siya karapat-dapat sa katotohanan, o hindi siya karapat-dapat sa Mesiyas? Ano ang dapat paniwalaan ng babae? Ano ang epekto nito sa Samaritana?

Tatlong bagay ang aking natutunan sa teksto at ang kahalagahan nito para sa International Women’s Day. Nais kong halawin ang mga punto ito mula sa aking kamanggagawa na si Rev. Annabelle U. Uriarte.

1. Ito ay nagpapatunay (affirming). Dahil sa karahasan at diskriminasyon na pinagdadaanan ng ating mga kababaihan sa araw-araw, ang pahayag ni Hesus ay nagbibigay-daan sa Samaritana at sa maraming kababaihan na patunayan ang kanyang sarili bilang isang tao, ang kanilang halaga at kakayanan. Bago pa man dumating si Jesus, kung  saan nagmumula ang “tubig na nagbibigay-buhay”, pinatunayan ng babae ang kanyang pananampalataya sa Mesiyas na kanya naman ipahayag sa lahat sa mga tao (v.26).

Ang mga kababaihan ngayon ay patutunayan ang kanilang kakayahan na labanan ang masasamang elemento sa lipunan na gumagawa ng karahasan at diskriminasyon.

• Ito ay magbigay ng kapangyarihan (empowering). Napagtanto ng Samaritana na ang pakikipag-usap kay Jesus ay nagbukas ng mga kakayahan. Gaya ng maaari niyang inumin ang tubig na nagbibigay-buhay! Nang idineklara ni Jesus na siya ang Mesiyas na hinihintay niya ay nagbibigay sa kanya ng bagong lakas. Habang ang iba ay naghihintay, naranasan na niya ang ekstra-ordinaryong nakaharap ang Mesias. Hindi inalintana ang kanyang kalagayan at katayuan sa buhay, ang Samaritana ay bumangon mula sa pagiging isang “biktima” ng lipunan, na maaaring magdala ng “mabuting balita”.

Ang mga kababaihan ngayon ay kailangang bumangon mula sa anumang kalagayan at katayuan na mayroon sila at maging mga instrumento ng pagbabago na may kakayahang magbigay kapangyarihan sa iba.

• Ito ay mapagpalaya (liberating). Ang pagkakaroon ng limang asawa ng Samaritana ay nagbigay ng pinakamalalim na isyu ng kahihiyan at pagkakasala sa kanyang pamayanan. Dahil sa opinyon ng mga tao sa kanyang pamayanan ay dinala siya sa matitinding kadiliman ng kanyang buhay. Hindi siya katanggap-tanggap! Maraming kababaihan ang minamaltrato, inaabuso sa pamamagitan ng pisikal at verbal. Ngunit ng sabihin ni Jesus ang kanyang pakay at hangarin sa Samaritana ay pinunit nito ang lahat ng anyo diskriminasyon  at karahasan. Winasak ng paggalang, pagkalinga at pagtanggap sa Samaritana ni Jesus. Napalaya ang babae.

Ang mga kababaihan ngayon ay kailangan kilalanin ang sarili na meron siyang kakayanan at bumangon mula sa mga pisikal at verbal abuses ng lipunan dahil merong makikiramay, kakalinga at tatanggap sa iyo upang maranasan ang kalayaan mula sa anumang uri pagkakagapos.

Mula sa pinakamalalim na hukay ng ating kawalan ng pag-asa at pagkaalipin sa mga kapritsohan ng lipunan, KABABAIHAN, MANIWALA KA SA IYONG KAKAYAHAN. Amen