May 29, 2022 Seventh Sunday of Easter – Ascension*God’s Presence

Ms. Divine Gonzales-Naoe, United Methodist Church

https://dwellingintheword.wordpress.com
/2009/08/10/42-matthew-261-75/

Ps 97:1-2, 6-7, 9

Acts 7:55-60

Rev 22:12-14, 16-17, 20

Jn 17:20-26

We are celebrating the Pentecost Sunday around the world- the 7^th Sunday after Easter and 10 days after Ascension. A time to commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church- A narrative that focused on the amazing acts of the believers that transcend political, social, cultural, and economic upheaval.

After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to his disciples and apostle Paul seems to number the disciples to over five hundred followers. It was believed that the majority of these people were from the middle and lower class of the society. Jesus taught these people for forty days about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). He then instructed his followers to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. His followers left their jobs and probably relied to the few patrons in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit arrived fifty days after His death.

The coming of the Holy Spirit, for the believers, signaled their life-changing events. As cited in Acts 2:42-47, they devoted their life to the apostles’ teachings and fellowships; they were filled with awe as the results of the amazing works they performed, they sold their property to help those in need and people were added to their number daily as they enjoying the fellowship they created with sincere hearts and with gratefulness to all the people.

The flame that ignites each one to continue the works of Jesus Christ was not without frustrations nor even an absence of danger. The movement of believers had experienced the worst but remained steadfast to their faith and commitment to their call. One story that prototype a Christian martyr was that of Stephen. A believer and a follower who was known to have a good reputation. He was chosen to respond to the needs of the widows. He spoke with knowledge and wisdom that God does not only confine to a man-made temple but he reiterated that God’s place is where the people live. He narrated the old testament history aligned with how God has been true for keeping the promise made for the people. In spite of God’s favor and protection of the chosen people, Stephen denounced the rejection of Israelites to God’s prophets who supposedly guide them into the land where they will be blessed. He reminded the people in the synagogue how God responded to the rejections and the consequences of not heeding the warnings of the prophets. His fearless and vehement words to the leaders of the synagogue, such as, “stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, betrayers and murderers,” were uttered to the same crowd responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the Jerusalem. These words struck the very core of the diaspora Jews’ pride and became outrageous to Stephen. This encounter had caused the martyrdom of the “Crown” (meaning given to Stephen’s name).

In the gospel of John 17:20-26, Jesus prayer prior to His death is said to be the High Priestly Prayer which was offered to those who will follow his teachings.  A prayer of hope for those who will continue the works and ministry of Jesus’ disciples. A prayer that will be attributable to the people and a community of believers, not only to his original disciples but a big group of united believers who will be committed to proclaim God’s love as embodied by Jesus Christ’s life, teaching, and ministry.

This prayer is not merely uttered words but became real for the believers after the Ascension of Jesus Christ. As what was stated in Acts 2:41, the Church grew by 3,000 people on the day that the Holy Spirit came. There were believers who were added to their group, like Stephen whose martyrdom became the seed that bear fruits in four missionary works: (1) The mission of Philip in Samaria, (2) The conversion of Saul, (3)The mission of Peter, (4) And the nameless missionaries who scattered because of the persecution at Stephen’s death. Take note also that the prayer does not only result in a significant increase in the number of believers but each has contributed to how the Christian faith should be demonstrated especially during those times when believers were tormented, ignored, and rejected. The acts of faith by the believers mark who sent them and their message is consistent with that of Jesus’ message- God’s love for the people. A message that will identify the believers based on the uprightness of their decisions and actions. A message when accepted will direct the people in shaping their collective ethos, the practice of the early Christians in solving the problems and questions of their communities.

The message of God’s love, has served as the compass of the believers. For in the case of Stephen’s prayers for his tormentors “do not hold this sins against them”, is parallel to that of Jesus when He said, “Father, forgive them…”. These prayers connote significant meanings for the believers as cited by bible scholars: as perfect prayer in the construction of Christian Identity. Praying for the enemies is parallel to that of the Wisdom of Solomon which can be illumined by the response of Jesus, the suffering righteous. This can be understood that the righteous sufferer is whether “he/ she can sustain insult and torture without moral collapse (Beck, n.d.). Thus, Stephen’s prayer parallel to that of Jesus, is a demonstration of his supreme exercise of imitation Christi- an action that shows ethical teaching of the believers of Jesus Christ. Some bible scholars and historians recorded Stephen’s story was not only to show us of the actions made by the righteous one but vilified the violence made by the Jews. This had been recorded that the Jews in Jerusalem were the original murderers of Christians. An instance attributable to the growth of Christianism outside Jerusalem. A manifestation of strength and strong determination to continue despite bedeviling conditions, as Paul acclaimed in his writings, “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

The first twenty years of Christianity can be illustrated in two words- growth and suffering, it is not the acceptance of the latter but rather serves as an opportunity for the former. Going through the praxis of change as seen in the outcome of the believers’ works, new opportunities for beneficence emerged and became the framework of identity construction of the early Christians. This had caused the success and proliferation of the early Christian faith. In this belief, we rise for a purpose that is to create a community that testifies the presence of God in our midst-where love, peace based on justice, and joy for celebrating the fruit of our works are our common grounds. This, however, recognizes the leading of the Holy Spirit for each individual putting the needs of the group to take precedence over each of individual in it. Nothing could ever disengage any member of the group if its main purpose is founded on the precept that the common good is and for most the aim of each member. One of the learned Christian principles stated in Romans 8:28, and it says “ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.”

Before Jesus left this world, He offered a powerful prayer not only for His disciples but to all believers who responded as strong and courageous individuals with the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. What has been promised to us was the presence of God amidst daunting circumstances. Whenever people are faced with great challenges that menace the lives of the people and the creation, this sends a signal or a call that alerts the believers to work for a common purpose- God preserves the integrity of the creation. Our Christian history had proven, God’s work cannot be undermined. We always succeed. We always win!

May 22, 2022* Sixth Sunday of Easter* Tahan Na.

Floyd Castro, St Mark UMC

Awit  67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

             Mga GAwa 15:1-2, 22-29             

Pahayag 21:10-14, 22-23

Juan 14:23-29.

Sumagot si Jesus, “Ang umiibig sa akin ay tumutupad ng aking salita; iibigin siya ng aking Ama, at kami’y pupunta at mananahan sa kanya. (Juan 14:23)

‘Yan ang sagot ni Hesus sa tanong ni Judas (hindi si Judas Iscariote) kung bakit sa kanila lamang magpapakilala si Hesus at hindi sa sanlibutan. Oo nga naman, mas madali siguro ang pagpapalaganap ng Mabuting Balita ng kaligtasan kung si Hesus na mismo ang magpapakilala (magpapakita) ng sarili sa sanlibutan. Nasa panahon tayo ng tinatawag na Eastertide kung saan ginugunita natin ang muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus. Paano nga kung magpapakita na lang ang resurrected Christ sa buong sanlibutan – hindi ba mas madali nilang makikita ang katotohanan at maniniwalang siya ang Panginoon?

Hindi nga ba yun ang mahalaga – ang maipakita sa buong mundo, sa lipunang nambastos, nanghiya at pumaslang kay Hesus na nagkamali sila at sa pamamagitan ng pagpapamukha ng kanilang pagkakamali, maihatid sila sa tamang pananampalataya? Pero bakit hindi ganito ang balak gawin ni Hesus? Alam natin mula sa mga kwento na naniwala ang mga alagad dahil nakita nila si Hesus na muling nabuhay (Juan 20:8), pero mukhang hindi sapat na nasaksihan at na-confirm (lang) nila ang katotohanan tungkol kay Hesus (Juan 20:29). Tila kapos ang katotohanang pinanghahawakan ng mga alagad. Kapos ang pinanghahawakang katotohanan kung walang PAG-IBIG. Pag-ibig na s’yang papatotohanan naman ng pagsunod sa salita ni Hesus. Pag-ibig na kumikilos at magpapakilala na sila at tayo ay mga tunay na alagad niya (Juan 13:35).

Sa ideals ng representative democracy, ang panig ng nakararami o majority ang nagpapasya. Sa katatapos na halalan, narinig natin ang “boses” ng nakararami. Bagamat marahil hindi pa rin tanggap ng marami sa minority ang resulta, dahil na rin sa mga na-monitor na irregularities, ayon sa rule of law, kinakailangang magpatuloy ang bilangan at proklamasyon ng mga pinili ng taong-bayan. Pahayag ng mga kritiko – marumi ang halalan at nagsimula ang dayaan noon pang magtanim ng sari-saring kasinungalingan ang isang partido sa loob ng maraming taon. False information o fake news daw ang ginamit na basehan imbes na ang katotohanan ng ang mamamayan ay pumili ng mga bagong lider na mangunguna sa bansa sa susunod na mga taon.

Ang tanong, ganun ba kadaling magpakalat ng kasinungalingan? Hindi ba mas madaling ₊pasinungalingan ang mga kasinungalingan dahil mayroon namang sapat na paraan para i-access ang impormasyon tungkol sa recent na kasaysayan? May mga librong isinulat ng mga credible at maka-Pilipinong historians, mga peryodiko, court at iba pang government documents. Bakit parang hindi nagkaroon ng epekto ang mga katotohanang nakalimbag sa mayamang references sa pinaniniwalaan ng tao pagdating sa kasaysayan? Mukhang kahit gaano ka-obvious, hindi madaling ma-absorb ang pinanghahawakan nating katotohanan. ‘Yan marahil ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ang simpleng pag-r-reveal ni Hesus ng kanyang resurrected na kaanyuan ang solusyon sa kawalan/kakapusan ng paniniwala ng mga tao. Ang higit na mahalaga at lapat sa plano ng Diyos ay ang paghahayag ng katotohanan ng katauhan (being) ni Hesus sa pamamagitan ng pag-ibig.

Maaaring nasa panig natin ang katotohanan pero kapos ito sa kapangyarihan kung hindi ito papalaganapin sa diwa ng pag-ibig. Bilang isinugo ng Diyos na magulang, ang pagpapahayag, pagmumulat at pagpapalaya sa mga api, bihag, di-mulat at nakakaranas ng paniniil ay naganap hindi sa larangan ng mga debate at fact checking kundi sa hands on na pagtugon ni Hesus sa kanikanilang pangangailangan. Matalas ang mga turo ni Hesus tungkol sa kaharian ng Diyos at pag-asang hatid nito pero ang pangunahing naramdaman ng mga tao ay ang kanyang presensya, pagtangang naghatid ng kagalingan, kabusugan at pagpawi ng pagkauhaw.

“Kapayapaan ang iniiwan ko sa inyo. Ang aking kapayapaan ang ibinibigay ko sa inyo; hindi ito katulad ng kapayapaang ibinibigay ng mundo. Huwag mabagabag ang inyong kalooban at huwag kayong matakot.” (Juan 14:27)

Sa pangwakas, habang ang mga alagad, tulad natin sa ating kasalukuyang kalagayan, ay hindi pa nagkakaroon ng sapat na kalinawan sa pag-asang dala ng pagkabuhay na muli ni Hesus, ang kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng Banal na Diwa ang kanyang iniwan. Malaking hamon ang maging payapa sa gitna ng kawalang-kasiguruhan. Para sa mga alagad, mas madali at pamilyar ang assurance ng presensya ng buhay na Hesus (yung Hesus na kilala nila bago siya ipako sa krus) at mahirap unawain ang kapayapaang pangako ng muling nabuhay na panginoon. Pagtatago ba mula sa mga Hudyo ang kahulugan ng kapayapaan? Ito ba ay pananahimik at pagkalimot sa pag-asang nahubog sa loob ng ilang taon? Paano magiging payapa sa gabay ng Banal na Diwa? Marami pang tanong na sa ngayon ay hindi kayang sagutin. Ang sabi ni Hesus, “Kapayapaan ang iniiwan ko sa inyo”.

Tahan na, bayang Pilipinas. Tahan na kay Hesus at huwag matakot. Tahan na upang kumilos sa diwa ng pag-ibig at gabay ng Espiritu. Amen.

May 15, 2022 * Fifth Sunday of Easter *Love

Dss. Norma P. Dollaga, KASIMBAYAN

Painting of Wing Garibay “FÖR ATT VÄRLDEN SKA LEVA”

Ps 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13       

Acts 14:21-27 

Rev 21:1-5a    

Jn 13:31-33a, 34-35               

These post-election times could be an opportune moment for reflecting on this question: how well do we LOVE? We love gently. We love radically.  We love each other individually. We love collectively.  To love is to give up  the position of privilege to be in communion with those whom we love.

To love is not to be a slave to theoretical and philosophical constructs of the hubristic privileged on what it takes to love. Farmers, workers, indigenous people, urban poor –they have much to offer us. They who  have unlearned the ways of subservience to oppression, and choose the path of loving others by embracing the teachings of Resistance, Freedom, Truth, Justice and Peace. They love, and they love without demanding privilege. They have no backup when they get tired, like  Jesus, our teacher who once said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” The backup they hold onto is the strength of the movement that carries on the vision of Jesus, the teachings of resurrection , the early church movement, and the people’s movements that seriously and genuinely offer the vision of ending exploitation. That is LOVE.

Jesus, in his last days with his friends and disciples, must have felt  the chilling effects of the Roman Empire’s cruel rule. He became a target. The  radical love he shared was too dangerous, too subversive, and too powerful. He did not side-step controversies or compromise his teachings, thus setting an example for his followers and for the masses who believed and hoped with him. His “mass appeal” was reserved for the masses, not for politicians and the enablers of the empire.  His heart belonged to the blessed ones–the masses who were  made victims by the unjust system.  He knew the consequences of loving them, and of caring for them genuinely. He must have subjected himself to a re-molding process with the poor, who taught him the ways of loving others. His loving ways underwent a process of growth, blossoming into a strong, and gentle Jesus–the Jesus who  hungered with them, was persecuted with them, thirsted with them, and bled for them.

The ruling class and self-righteous religious leaders were prejudiced against him. And why would they not be? He talked to, and even touched, “sinners.” He did not smell good or look “respectable.” He worked on the Sabbath. He smelled like the commoners who were never offered grand dinners or parties by those who exploited the hard work of farmers and workers and shepherds.

“Love one another,” Jesus advised his disciples. This advice led the disciples through their mission and work. This would be the branding of Jesus’ followers and of the earliest churches.

There is a lovely scene in the book, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, about loving:

“To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think that my rose looked just like you-the rose that belongs to me. But in herself alone she is more important than all the hundreds of you other roses: because it is she that I have watered; because it is she that I have put under the glass globe; because it is she that I have sheltered behind the screen; because it is for her that I have killed the caterpillars (except the two or three that we saved to become butterflies); because it is she that I have listened to, when she grumbled, or boasted, or even sometimes when she said nothing. Because she is my rose.”

“Goodbye,” said the fox. “And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see  rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

“What is essential is invisible to the eye,” the little prince repeated, so that he would be sure to remember.

“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.”

“It is the time I have wasted for my rose-” said the little prince, so that he would be sure to remember.

“People have forgotten this truth,” said the fox. “But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose…”

The election is over, yet the struggle of loving our people and country continues. One great lesson of loving these elections have re-taught us is to go back to where our roses (the people)  are.  Many of us are frustrated, devastated and  grieving, because the election’s result  manifested a glaring  reality about vote-buying, cheating, disenfranchisement,  and , the return  and reinforcement of dynasty and oligarchy.  I do not advise us to move on as if nothing happened–there is no short-cut to the process of healing our wounds. However, I do encourage us to re-read the reminders of  Jesus. To love one another – let us love one another, we who have common visions and aspirations, we who have the same pains and fears. Let us love one another–loving the very people whom Jesus loved and who will always be with us. They are the ROSES whom we will shelter, whom we will pay attention to, whom we will water, whom we will defend, and whom we will listen to, more so because they are so often denied the chance to speak and the chance to be heard. They are our guides and gurus–the people on the ground.

Love one another. Let us look after the welfare of the people and our country. We acknowledge our pain, fears, and anxieties. We raise our righteous indignation. The way forward is to never give up HOPE. The seeds will grow. The roots will find power in deeper ground. The blossoming of flowers is certain. We shall harvest the fruit of our HOPE.

Our hero, Andres Bonifacio, has a great reminder:

Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya, Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila

Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa, Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga wala.

Walang mahalagang hindi inihandog, Ng may pusong wagas sa bayang nagkupkop.

Dugo, yaman, dunong, katiisa’t pagod: Buhay ma’y abuting magkalagot-lagot

Ang nakaraang panahon ng aliw, Ang inaasahang araw na darating

Ng pagkatimawa ng mga alipin, Liban pa sa bayan saan tatanghalin?

Sa aba ng abang mawalay sa bayan. Gunita ma’y laging sakbibi ng lumbay

Walang alaalang inaasam-asam, Kundi ang makita lupang tinubuan.

Kayong nalagasan ng bunga’t bulaklak, Kahoy niyaring buhay na nilanta’t sukat

Ng bala-balaki’t makapal na hirap, Muling manariwa’t sa baya’y lumiyag

Ipakahandog-handog ang buong pag-ibig, Hanggang sa may dugo’y ubusing itigis

Kung sa pagtatanggol buhay ang kapalit, Ito’y kapalaran at tunay na langit

Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya, Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila

Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa. Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga wala

May 8, 2022* Fourth Sunday of Easter*THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Prof. Revelation Velunta, Union Theological Seminary, Dasmarinas, Cavite

https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-The-Shepherd-Woman/1276329/6268077/view

Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

Acts 13:14, 43-52             

Rev 7:9, 14b-17

Jn 10:27-30

am willing to bet that most of us know Psalm 23 by heart. We are not talking about one or two verses here. This is a whole chapter from the Bible that most of us know! This is one chapter that gave courage to so many when they were afraid. This is one chapter so many people held onto when they crossed over to the life beyond. Shepherd works as a metaphor for God in the psalm. The good shepherd will never abandon the sheep. The sheep will never, ever, be alone.
In Sunday’s gospel lection, people gather around Jesus and ask, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” These people expected a male leader who will lead them to victory. These people expected a strongman who will destroy the Romans and restore the former glory of the monarchy. These people expected a leader who will make sure that the people who put him in power are rewarded handsomely.

Jesus responds by talking about sheep and shepherds. Sheep do know the voice of their shepherd. Sheep do follow their shepherd in and out of the sheepfold. Sheep do run away from those whose voice they do not know. Shepherd works as a metaphor for Jesus in Sunday’s lection. The good shepherd wil never abandon the sheep. The sheep will never, ever, be alone.

Our country does not need a messiah nor a strongman. We need a shepherd.

Lest we forget, then and now, women make up more than half of the world’s shepherds. Let’s stop imagining that the good shepherd in the Bible has to be male. Rebekah, Rachel, Miriam, Zipporah and her sisters were shepherds. The shepherds who visited Jesus when he was born were probably all women. Most importantly, many faith communities celebrate Mary–the mother of the Lamb of God–as a shepherd!

Friends, the good shepherd is a woman.
On May 9, let’s elect a shepherd!