September 3, 2023*Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time*Follow Jesus

Dss. Ellen Dizon, UMC

https://ainvaresart.com/products/original-painting-take-up-your-cross-and-follow-jesus-matthew-16ew-16

Jer 20:7-9        

Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9   

Rom 12:1-2     

Mt 16:21-27                

We Are Called

When I was reading the Gospel, it reminded me of my calling as a deaconess. When I decided to become a deaconess, I was interviewed by my local pastor and deaconess before I applied at Harris Memorial College, a training school for deaconesses in the Philippines. They briefed me with gentleness that to be in ministry is not a bed of roses and that there will be thorns along the way!

At that moment, I asked myself, “Is this a warning?”

I took it as advice and a challenge knowing that God will always be with me on my journey. I became firmer with my calling and it gave me much hope! I believed then that I was called for a purpose. Thankful for God-given gifts and talents, that I knew I could offer to fulfill God’s mission.

“Take up the Cross”

The cross represents the oppression and sufferings of the people and the hardships and challenges that we as disciples of Christ will encounter along the way while we are fulfilling God’s mission. 

We confront the sufferings and stand against the oppressions of the people – racism, poverty, unjust wars, and militarization – so communities, or our siblings will not have to live with such oppressive situations and continue to bear its unnecessary cross. We help them live their life abundantly.

Our calling as deaconesses is a commitment to help alleviate suffering, eradicate the injustices that rob human dignity, and help develop the full human potential. It is a vocation to follow Christ.

“Follow Me!”

As followers of Christ, we focus on God’s mission and be intentional in fulfilling God’s mission. I was reminded of a song, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus!” We fix our eyes on Jesus, remember what we are called for, and what God can do! 

What are we commissioned to do? 

We are constantly responding to people who are hurting. Jesus spent time with people who were broken, sick, and oppressed. Jesus went about doing good. Jesus healed the sick – the paralyzed, the lepers. Jesus gave hope and sympathized with  Mary and Martha who were grieving. He taught the children; and fed the hungry and the poor. Jesus was present.

Where are we spending most of our time and our resources?

We are God’s servants appointed and commissioned by God to care for one another with deep compassion. We are called to create a community where justice, hope, and peace become a reality. Once we act, hope is spread. We continue to advocate and be in solidarity with the marginalized. We are in allyship, which means we support and take action!

We are not alone in this mission; we are a part of God’s community. Peter was afraid when Jesus said that He would suffer, Peter responded NEVER! We can connect, serve, and act collectively. We can come together to be partners and create a society where God’s love and presence are alive! 

Jesus reminded the disciples and continues to remind us today not to be self-absorbed but to take up the cross, and follow Him. We set aside our unhelpful personal wishes and desires, but be ready and present to listen to the cries of the people and focus on the needs of the most vulnerable.

We are called for a purpose.

Suffering, injustice, poverty, hunger, homelessness, racism, discrimination, killings, and wars are everywhere! Where are we in this context?

In closing, I want to share some of the highlights of Rev Daisy Machado’s message during our retreat at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, her topic was “Rachel weeps!”

“Today there is weeping in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world…

Seeking shelter to rebuild their lives, from famine and war.

A time comes when silence is betrayal!

Saw deep fear. It becomes a military zone… helicopter flies over the wall

We have been taught to have fear

No one knows how many bodies are recovered

What is this happening?

Immigrants are exploited.

It affects the dignity of every human being

Remember Mary and Joseph. They were treated as illegals and lived in fear.

Who will care for Jesus when they get arrested? Immigration is not a criminal act.

They leave their country because it is a must! They did not come to be illegals, but to live. There is a divine dream!”

How do we respond to the dreams and hopes of the people?

I saw the perseverance of mothers seeking justice and fighting for human rights, whose families were massacred in the Philippines. There was a photo of one of the victims posted on the wall with a note that said, “Justice for all the victims…. Rise up!” We are called to rise and keep moving, to never give up hope. We are with these mothers in their journey. We empathize with them and help them amplify their voice.

Let us remember our calling, what we are called for, why we are called, and where are we called to fulfill God’s mission. God is always calling us. As long as there is suffering, the mission continues! The call to service is for life! We are called to create a world with love, justice, equality, and an abundance of life for the people! Let us stand firm to our calling.

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

Take up the cross, and follow me!

Prayer

Open our eyes that we may see

Open our ears that we may hear

Fill us with hope and know that your love and presence is alive.

Give us the courage to give our lives so that others may live abundantly.

AMEN

August 27, 2023*Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time* But who do you say that I am?

    Geraldino B. Loyola, Redemptorist Lay Missionary   

http://bertmonterona.com/works/oil-on-canvas/

Isaiah 22:19-23 22:19-23

Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8 

Rom 11:33-36:  

Mt 16:13-20     

                                     

This Sunday’s readings are focused on three issues: first, on authority (Is 22:19-23), second, on knowledge of God (Rom 11:33-3), third, on the identity of Jesus (Mt 16:13-20). At first glance, they seem to be unrelated to one another, but on deep examination, they are really pointing to a single direction. And that is, the way to our salvation. The mission of Jesus as leading us the WAY, seeking out the TRUTH and urging us to aspire for what is truly LIFE-GIVING. These three related important values in life fully capture this salvation framework. 

The first step on the way to salvation is to follow the instructions or authority of God. “The Lord will remove you from office and bring you down from your high position” (Is 22:19). This means that we must conform to the overall plan of God. Government authority like Shebna, whom Isaiah is referring to, whose concern is only his personal interest, and not the interest of the people, will be toppled down. 

Here in the Philippines, a few weeks ago, the Maharlika Fund was just signed into law. But the big question is, who will benefit from this 500 billion profit driven project? On the list of the possible investments, there is never mention of land reform which will supposedly benefit the 75 percent of our population. There is no mention of national industrialization which will supposedly ease out the massive unemployment and put an end to the debilitating export-import orientation of our economy. According to Gustavo Gutierrez, “The only authority given to us by God is to love and serve others.” I believe the authority of the current administration is too far away from God’s sense of Authority. Like Shebna, this kind of exploitative and abusive authority will be toppled down. 

The second step on the way to salvation is knowing and abiding by the truth.  “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Rom 11:36). If we want to be saved, we cannot set aside the truth that Jesus is the way. We have to undergo the pattern set for us by Jesus; and that is, all of us have to experience the passion, death and resurrection in the particular context of our lives. 

 Here in the Philippines a lot of people have been fooled to follow the lie and deception instead of truth and the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of treading the path of integral salvation or salvation history, many prefer to believe in the historical distortion peddled by the current administration. Eventually, many of us are living on illusions and false hope. Soon, many will suffer the consequences of their arrogance and pride. They thought they know better than God.   

Many of us try to run and hide from the truth because truth hurts. But there is a curative effect in facing the truth. The truth will set us free. Once we are free from falsity, we are restored to our health and begin to flourish once again. 

The third and final way to salvation is to know who Jesus really is and must follow his instructions. Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Mt 16:16). We must follow the source and author of life. The problem is, we often do not understand the paradox of life. Those who preserve their life for selfish reasons will lose it, and those who let go of their life for the sake of others will have it (Lk 17:33). 

In other words, in following Jesus, we are designed to inherit the divine life, because Jesus is the son the living God. Life is not just being able to work, eat and sleep. We are destined to glorify the goodness of God in our lives by participating in the liberating service of the Kingdom of God. Life is a restoration of relationship back to the original justice of creation. Sadly, what lies ahead of us is not life but continuing imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism. These social maladies are even made worse by historical distortion. Thus, we pray for our nation to reject the false authority, abhor the untruth, free ourselves from the death dealing social systems that are controlling our society. What we need to follow is the authority of God (unconditional love), the truth of God (wisdom), and finally the life of God (losing oneself in service of others. 

August 20, 2023*Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time*A FAITH THAT CROSSES SOCIAL BOUNDARIES

  Rev. Irma Balaba, NCCP

https://patrickwtjohnson.com/2017/08/14/jesus-racism-and-the-canaanite-woman/

Is 56:1, 6-7
Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8
Rom 11:13-15, 29-32
Mt 15:21-28


The Matthean community has constructed Jesus as a king who has the power to send his disciples transferring his authority to them. They, in turn, can establish an empire in his name and teaching  them to obey.


In many instances, biblical texts were (ab)used as justification for colonial subjugation, oppression, and inequality. The texts of the Bible portray many layers of power struggle between and among people. The story in this chapter reflects the power struggles between different factions of society. In this case, it was between the Matthean community and the religious authorities in Jerusalem under the pressure of occupation by the Roman empire.



The Canaanite woman in the text crossed the gender and cultural  boundary. She dared to challenge Jesus and courageously put forward the urgent need of her daughter to be healed.  Her wisdom transformed the barriers of race and gender into inclusiveness. As a Canaanite, unaccepted by the Jews, and as a woman in a male-oriented society, she extended Jesus’ ministry to a wider population. The woman taught the universality of God’s grace: that God’s unconditional love is available to all, without exceptions.

When we take this story as an indication of how the mission should be done, it becomes an  obvious that colonization  and Christianization came hand in hand.
 

There was no sign of equality between the divine traveler and the Canaanite woman. The divinity of Jesus was recognized by  outsiders who were considered less by the insiders – the religious leaders of Jerusalem. However, the outsiders will never become children, they remain possessed, women-like-dogs, begging for inclusion.



How does this text speak to us today? Who are those considered outsiders by the hypocrites in our time? They are those who are judged, condemned, and red-tagged and labelled as subversives and communists. They are those who are at the margins of our society. They are those who express their Christian faith in various and creative ways but were criticized  by the present-day Pharisees who are also  silent to the injustices, killings, and corruption done by those in power.


As long as we keep the door of our churches  closed and continue to be  naive, passive, and indifferent to the plights of those who are at the margins, the poor and the neglected, the challenge remains for us to break  these imperial barriers remains difficult. . The church should and could be a prophetic voice in our society, recognizing and addressing the signs of the times. We are called  to reach out, and  take on an  accompanying role in  the journey of our people towards healing and wholeness. We are called to go even beyond our societal boundaries,  to the basic sectors-farmers, fisher folks, workers, to be in solidarity with them in their struggle for liberation, and in breaking the chains of oppression and exploitation.



The Canaanite woman joins the wise men from the east who presented Jesus as a savior so strangers  and outcasts could also have access to worship. In turn, he would proclaim justice and righteousness and bring restoration to  humanity, regardless of their  religious, racial, and socio-economic status of the needy.

August 13, 2023*Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time* Maintaining the Balanced Faith

Rev.  Jonathan Ulanday, United Methodist Church

https://clarkkelleyprice.com/products/fear-not-i-am-with-you

1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a         

Ps 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14              

Rom 9:1-5           

Mt 14:22-33       

Our gospel reading today made me recall one of the gymnastic events in the Olympics called pommel horse. This is a sport that requires balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and endurance.  One of the top athletes of this sport is Krisztián Berki of Hungary.

                In parity, our faith also requires balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and endurance in order to maintain its relevance and significance in the world. Maintaining physical fitness, balance diet is a requisite, in the same vein, spiritual fitness requires a balance faith.

                Let us read the gospel according to Matthew 14:22-33. “After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. “He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

                Contemplating from this story, it intimates that Jesus Christ, our Lord, is the Lord of all nature. His walking over the water and calming down waves that tossed the boat of the disciples, reveals God’s power over the tempest. Furthermore, in their overwhelming fret and fear, Jesus accorded peace in their midst. In his astonishment, Peter expressed his desire to walk in the water and Jesus obliged on the request of the former. Upon seeing the strong wind, Peter was frightened again and he began to sink and lost his balance. Our Lord saved him by the hand with a note “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

We are in a world of full of inequities and imbalances. The ecological imbalance and the economic inequities are making havoc in the lives of many people in various communities. The ever-increasing concentration of resources and power in the hands of the few widens the gap between the poor and the rich.

                In 1730, Robert Morgan, one of the original members of the “Holy Club” the precursor of Methodism in England, persuaded John and Charles Wesley to add a new obligation to their exacting duties by visiting jails and charity hospitals. Other than fasting every Wednesday and Friday, they begun collecting funds which could be used to discharge the debts of the families imprisoned not because of sloth or profligacy but as a result of hardship or poverty.

                Perhaps it is high time that in the deep of the ecological imbalance and economic inequities troubling and besetting our communities, a balanced spirituality of the faithful is exigent. We need a faith that challenges and rebukes the social realities and conditions that tossed up and down lives of the poor and the vulnerable.

                Blessed Sunday everyone.

August 6, 2023*Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord* Mountaintop Experience

                                          Dss. Norma P.  Dollaga, KASIMBAYAN

       

https://globalworship.tumblr.com/post/
138822344510/the-transfiguration-in-modern-art-as-exodus

Dn 7:9-10, 13-14      

Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 9 2

Pt 1:16-19         

Mt 17:1-9          

The scenario is preluded with a great revelation about who Jesus is. Peter‘s declaration about Jesus being a Messiah is commendable. Jesus foretells about his departure.

Resurrection is revealed through the transfiguration moment of Jesus. The historical figures of Moses and Elijah appeared – reminding and reconnecting the disciples about the historic role of Moses and Elijah in Israel’s life. The glorious image of the two is a historical reminder of their great roles in the history of Israel. Jesus was talking to the great men of Israel, and likewise, the disciples saw his glory.

Jesus brought Peter, James, and John to the high mountain. There, they witnessed an astounding image. They saw Jesus as a great figure in the history of Israel. They were “star-struck”, a secret was once again confirmed- that Jesus was standing along with great heroes of their faith journey and life as a people.

Transfiguration reflects and dramatizes the coming resurrection of Jesus as he anticipated his death at the hands of the Roman Empire, the most humiliating capital punishment – hanging on the cross.

Being a Messiah, as declared by Peter, is not just a prophetic office or a career path of Jesus. The messiah-ship is about faithfully fulfilling the aspiration of the people who for the longest time desired wholistic salvation and liberation from all forms of power that enslave and oppress them.

This Jesus, whom Peter declared as Messiah, lives with them. The disciples were the witnesses of the options he has taken, of choosing the narrow road of servanthood, of being one with the poor and the despised. He became poor himself. Borrowing the words of Pope Francis, without a doubt, he smelled like his sheep.

His life has been a great epitome of love. The love became flesh and dwelt among people. This love was well manifested in serving the people, by his compassion to make the blind see, deaf to hear, the bent over to rise, lame to walk, set the captives free, and sharply engaged the powers and principalities that caused the suffering of the many.

He dared to ask questions, subverted the technical interpretation of the law, fulfilled the essence of the law, and have been a trouble–maker for those who could not take his option.

It was very clear to Jesus whose side he must lean on. He sided with Truth, Justice, Peace, and Righteousness. The victims of injustice looked up to him, and the perpetrators of injustice looked down on him.

It was not an easy option. It was not an easy path. Perhaps like ordinary leaders, he, too, had some butterflies in his stomach during trying or stressful moments. But still, he proceeded with his mission. Like Moses and Elijah, they too had to endure the tests, the temptations of giving up from internal and external contradictions.

The transfiguration illustrates or demonstrates that resurrection and transformation are the radical offspring of death or putting an end to things that are no longer relevant. This revelation was given on top of a mountain.

On top of the mountain, he once again revealed himself to his disciples. “

“As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” (v.9)