Let us not kill Jesus

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 28, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo!

Traditionally, December 28 is celebrated in the Philippines as Innocents’ Day – a memorial day in honor of the massacred children during the week when Jesus was born. The slaughter was ordered by King Herod – a power-hungry leader who will do anything to maintain his position.

Oftentimes Niños Inocentes is celebrated as a day to make pranks and jokes, and when the hapless victim fell for it, the prankster will proclaim “Happy Innocents Day.” This memorial day has sometimes become like an April Fools Day. It is good to laugh but not on the expense of others. We dishonor the memory of the innocent children if we will not celebrate their martyrdom.

In retrospect the first Christmas weeks were probably not as joyous like our celebration today. Hundreds, if not thousands, of families were mourning the death of their innocent children, and Joseph, Mary and Jesus were forced to escape the wrath of Herod to Egypt.

At the end of this year, let us ask ourselves some questions – “Am I trying to kill Jesus because I don’t want him to be the king of my life?” “Am I forcing Jesus to flee from my life because I don’t want him to change my way of life?” Let us hope that we can answer it honestly, and let us ask God’s forgiveness on our murderous intent on Jesus and in our refusal to accept his message.

May God bless us all! Let us have a happy new year as we celebrated God’s faithfulness, mercy and goodness in our lives!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

p.s.

Thank you very much for reading our weekly reflection. I appreciate your comments through email and facebook. To those who emailed and bounced, I’m very sorry. I’m going to check my googlegroups account. Kindly email me directly at cpuchaplain@gmail.com

Christmas message from the Shepherds

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 21, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Roxas City, Capiz!*

In the Christmas presentation of the Kindergarten Department last week, my son – Kairos, was one of the angels. He had a speaking part as the Angel of Hope. He was saying something like, “There is hope because Jesus brings a new life, a life that is better than this world can offer. Jesus is the hope of the world. Keep your hope alive!”

The angels during the birth of Jesus brought a message of hope. They proclaimed to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest! Peace on Earth and goodwill among people.”

This is a message of hope because:

Firstly, the angels are reminding us that nobody should be above God. During those times, the emperor cult worship was practiced. King Herod felt that nobody should be above him. He killed four of his sons, one of his wives, and even his in-laws. Tradition also tells us that Herod massacred 14,000 innocent children from 2 years below when he heard from the wise men that a king was born. This is one of the worst political killings.

When the shepherds worshipped the new born Jesus, it was telling us a revolutionary message – they are turning away from the rule of Herod. In turn, the message for us is that we should not worship ourselves, the political leaders or any other so-called “powerful people.” God is the only one worthy of worship, and all glory must be given to God alone.

Secondly, the angels are reminding us that peace on earth can be achieved if there is goodwill among people. This was a message of hope for the shepherds because they know that Israel was beset by violence for a long time. When the shepherds decided to spread the good news, they were telling the people that peace can be achieved. But sad to say, the gospel according to John records that “he came into his own but his own received him not.”

Conflicts are still happening nowadays because we refused to believe in the way of life that Jesus taught us. We are still rejecting the message of Jesus.

May this Christmas week be a time to reflect on the message of the shepherds to us.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*I am coaching the CPU Table Tennis Women’s Team representing the Province of Iloilo in the Western Visayas PRISAA Meet. We got the championship just this morning. National PRISAA games, here we come!

Give a gift that truly matter

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 14, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Giving of gifts is part of the Christmas tradition. Last Wednesday the Chaplain’s Office and the College of Theology headed the White Gift Service. Faculty, staff and students brought to the altar their gifts wrapped in white. The beneficiaries (work students, and those chosen by the Outreach Office) will be receiving their gifts in a ceremony to be held this afternoon.

As a young child, I was intrigued with the idea of exchanging gifts every Christmas. Later, as I was studying in the seminary I learned that most probably the idea of giving gifts during Christmas started with the gift-giving of the Wise Men or the Magi.

Traditionally, we interpret the gifts brought by the Wise Men in their symbolical meaning. Gold – this means that the receiver is a King, thus we connect this to the declaration that Jesus is the King of kings. Frankincense – this means that the receiver is a Priest since frankincense is used during religious ceremonies, thus we relate this to the declaration that Jesus is the High Priest. Myrrh – this means that the receiver is one who will sacrificed himself since myrrh was used in the embalming process, thus we link this to the declaration that Jesus is the Sacrificial Lamb.

Is there more to it aside from this traditional interpretation? Did the Wise Men really think of these theological meanings? They were probably astrologers who studied the stars, and they followed the star because they believed that there is a tremendous mystery under it. I told myself that the Wise Men may have done something wise to deserve the title of Wise Men. I started searching the practical uses of their gifts and I found out that indeed they were wise men.

Joseph, Mary and Jesus fled to Egypt to hide from the murderous intent of King Herod. The gold given by the wise men was most probably used by Joseph and Mary in their travel to Egypt, and to start a new life there. It was indeed a wise gift because Joseph, Mary and Jesus have no relatives in the land of Pharaohs.

Frankincense was used in ancient times, and even until now to ward off mosquitoes and flies. Jesus was born in a manger, a place swarming with mosquitoes and flies because animals are there. It was a very wise gift!

Myrrh was used in ancient times for its healing properties. It was sprinkled in the umbilical cord of a new born baby so that it will heal faster. It was also used to stop the bleeding of a woman who had just given birth. This was a very welcome gift for Mary and Jesus because they have to travel the arduous path towards Egypt just a few days after Jesus was born.

This may sound conjecture but I am comforted with this assumption because I believe that God sent the Wise Men to give gifts that were really needed by Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

How about us? What kind of gifts are we giving this Christmas? I hope that it will be a gift that would truly matter.

May God bless you!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Arise, Shine!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

December 7, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last December 4, 2009 the CPU campus once again full of lights. Thousands of people witnessed the official opening of the Festival of Lights and Music at Central.

This annual celebration challenges us to reflect on the meaning of the words of Jesus when he declared “I am the Light of the world” and also the implication of the command of Jesus to “let your light shine to the world.”

Let me share some of my thoughts:

First, there is no hiding when the light is turned on. We are uncovered and out in the open.

Jesus exposed the evil deeds of the people during his time. Those who were exposed plotted to kill him. This means that Jesus is commanding us to be involved in the ministry of exposing and uncovering the wickedness of people and institutions. Let us be courageous in this ministry because our jobs and lives will be threatened. To be a Christian is not to be faint-hearted.

Second, the light that we received needs to be passed on. Evil people will try and try to extinguish the light. They will only become successful if we will not pass on the light to other people.

The people that crucified Jesus thought that they have succeeded in extinguishing the Light. They were wrong. The darkness of death was not able to enveloped Jesus. When the disciples saw this, they were emboldened to follow the “Great Commission” of Jesus to go and spread the light.

In the time of Jesus, light is generally referred to as the light emitted by a lamp – there is wick in a shallow bowl that rests in an olive oil as its fuel. Symbolically, this means that we should continue on putting oil in the lamp – making disciples that emanate the light of Jesus. In a modern setting, before the light burns out from a candle, we must light a new candle – this is one of the major reasons why Christianity still continues to spread out.

Let us continue in shining!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Righteous Indignation

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 30, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo!

Today is another holiday. Our country is celebrating the heroism of Andres Bonifacio, the Filipino that organized a secret society called Katipunan – Kataastaasan Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (The Highest and Most Respectable Society of the Sons of the People). The Katipunan advocated revolution rather than reform.

The Katipunan interpreted Christianity apart from what the colonizers taught them. Mabini wrote a New Decalogue. A portion of it says:

“…God is the fountain of all truth, of all justice, and of all activity, and thy honor the only power which will oblige thee to be truthful, just, and industrious…Thou shalt cultivate the special gifts which God has granted thee, working and studying according to thy ability, never leaving the path of righteousness and justice…Thou shalt strive for the independence of thy country: for only thou canst have any real interest in her advancement and exaltation, because her independence constitutes thy own liberty, her advancement, thy perfection, and exaltation, thy own glory and immortality.” (Obusan, ed., Roots of Filipino Spirituality, p. 280)

Since last week, politicians have started filing their Certificate of Candidacy. Most of them filed last November 28 because they deemed it lucky (a double eight). The politicians have now started their mantras – “we want to serve you; we are servants of the people.”

But the gruesome massacre of about 60 people in Maguindanao, Mindanao reminds us that most of these politicians do not want to serve the people. They only want to serve themselves. The pictures and videos being shown in the newspapers and TV news stations are so horrific that it incites you to puke. Women were raped and then shot in the genitals; some were murdered by a chainsaw; some were buried alive inside their vans; and some were killed while the perpetrators were laughing. It is as if Lucifer was incarnated in these merciless killers.

Where are the principles of honor, justice, righteousness, and sense of service? The Katipuneros are reminding us today of what they fought for. As Christians let us have a righteous indignation on what happened. Let this be a costly wake-up call for all of us to stand up and be counted. Let us throw away our indifference and be part of the transformation of our society.

May God bless us all in this struggle!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Be Grateful!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 23, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week is still focused on thanksgiving. We will reflect on the story of the ten lepers in their encounter with Jesus.

People who have leprosy during the time of Jesus were one of the outcasts of their society. They stayed in the cemeteries and caves away from the people. They were away from their family, their husbands, wives, children and friends. There is an Old Testament law that states that a leper should maintain a distance of 50 feet away from the people, and they shall shout “Unclean! Unclean! Get away from me!”

Have you ever felt being neglected and driven away? Yes, all of us have, in one time or another, experience this kind of feeling. But the good news is that Jesus Christ cares and has compassion to those who being neglected and cast away. The story says that when the lepers cried out for mercy, Jesus took pity. They were cleansed along the way to the priest but only one of them remembered to say “thank you.” This leper was a Samaritan. This Samaritan leper will teach us three different thanksgiving positions.

The first thanksgiving position that he showed was he turned and went back. This Samaritan was not an “eat and run” type of person like some of us. The nine, who were Jews, forgot about Jesus and went straightly back to the society. They are even the ones who were expected to come back since there was an enmity between Samaritans and Jews. Jesus might be saying, “these nine lepers who did not come back have a greater disease than leprosy – the disease of ingratitude.”

In our Filipino culture and tradition, we frown upon those who are ungrateful because we have a culture of utang na loob (utang nga kabalaslan, utang nga kabubut-on - sense of gratitude). We need to practice utang nga kabubut-on towards our God.

The second thanksgiving position that the leper showed was “he raised his head to heaven and praise God in a loud voice.” The leper knows where credit is due.

When something good happens to us we sometimes forget whom to be thankful and credit our being a dibuenas or swerte (lucky) or to the other gods.

The third thanksgiving position that he showed was, he bowed to the ground at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. To humble oneself is to perform an act of submission. It is to do away with our human pride and let God reign in our hearts. Like the Samaritan leper, we must learn to let go and let God reign in our lives.

It is hard to have a “humble thanksgiving” when we have something better that what is being given to us. It is also hard to say “thank you, Lord” when we are in want. But all the while God is saying, “look at what you have.” As the hymn goes, “count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

The nine lepers may be physically healed but the one who returned was not only physically healed but was also spiritually healed. “Your faith has made you well” – this is what Jesus said. Because of the leper’s faith and thankful attitude, he was made whole.

May God bless us all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Give Thanks! - part 2

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 16, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Since yesterday afternoon, November 15, 2009, almost everyone I encountered talked about the fight of Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, and how Pacquiao methodically and systematically won the welterweight crown and made history by winning 7 world titles in 7 weight classes. Newspapers report that Filipinos are thanking God for this victory because even for a short time the nation can forget the series of typhoons and calamities that hit the country.

Last week, we started our reflection on thanksgiving. We will now continue reflecting on thanksgiving with another acrostic of the word THANKS.

T – TRUST IN GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

H – HELP THE NEEDY

2 Corinthians 8:1-4, 7“ Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem… But just as you excel in everything …see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

A – ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO REGENERATE YOUR LIFE

1 Thessalonians 5:19, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.”

N – NEVER FORGET WHAT GOD HAS DONE TO YOU

Deuteronomy 6:12, “be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

K – KNOW JESUS MORE DEEPLY

2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

S – SHOW THE PEOPLE WHAT IS GOOD AND AVOID EVERY KIND OF EVIL

3 John 11-12, "Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Give Thanks!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 9, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

November is usually the month that the churches celebrate thanksgiving. This week our reflection will center on thanksgiving, and the scripture text comes from Psalm 100.

There are six things that can be found in our scripture text. I am giving an acrostic meaning of the letters from the word THANKS.

First, T – Thank God for giving us three things. Thanksgiving comes from two words – Thanks and giving. Thanks be to God for he has been giving us his goodness, mercy and faithfulness. Verse 5 says, “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His faithfulness endures to all generations.”

Because of these three major things that God has given us, what will be our responses? The 5 letters that are left, based on our text are the responses that God is expecting us.

The first in the five responses is that we must have a H – Heart that is thankful/grateful (indebted). Verse 4b says, “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

The second in the five responses is that we should A – Always praise God. Verse 1 says, “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all you lands!” Verse 2b, “Come before His presence with singing.” And Verse 4a, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.”

The third in the five responses is that we must remember that we belong to N – New Covenant community. Verse 3b, “We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” We Christians belong to the New Covenant community or the new testament community. Jesus said, “this new covenant I gave to you…love one another.”

We need to be reminded that when we were baptized, we signed a new contract with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We gave our commitment to repent from our sins, to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, and as a result to be initiators of the Kingdom of God. Have we been faithful to this new covenant? The church covenant that we read every communion Sunday is a big reminder for all of us.

The fourth in the five responses is that we must K – Know that the Lord is God. Verse 3a, “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” We are his people. He is the owner. Sometimes we forget that God is the owner and we are his stewards. What is happening around us has shown how we fell short of our responsibility as stewards of God’s creation.

The fifth response is that we should S – Serve the Lord by serving his people. Verse 2, “Serve the LORD with gladness.” The Hebrew word used by the Psalmist to describe serve is awbad. The literal meaning of awbad is to be enslaved to serve the Master. We are bondservants of Jesus. This verse teaches us that serving God is not a burden but a joy. We must never feel that the ministry of Jesus Christ is a burden but rather we must feel joyful because we are serving the Lord of lords and King of kings.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Life is full of transitions

Binhi sang Pagtuo

November 2, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo City!

Yesterday, November 1, most Filipinos went to the cemetery to visit the resting place of their loved ones. Some even went back to far flung provinces to be with relatives in this day of memorial. Last night as our family went back home in Pvia, we can still see a lot people camping near the burial ground in jolly moods reminiscing the days of their departed family members. In the second floor of my mother-in-law’s house (we are now living very near a cemetery), we can see a lot of burning candles – a Filipino tradition of honoring the dead.

Life is a constant change. It is a transition from one segment to another. In a cemetery in Negros, there is a sign that says, “Kami subong, Kamo sunod” (roughly translated as “Us now, You Next”).

We all love to be in our comfort zones. We like the normal situations because our actions are always almost automatic. We are not comfortable with transitions. Changes are oftentimes painful. But whether we like it or not, there will always be transitions.

My family is still in the process of acclimatization. A few days ago we decided to transfer in my mother-in-law’s home after 10 years of living in a rented apartment near CPU. Our house helper and children’s nanny for many years left for Manila. Now, our two kids will also have to get accustomed being cared for by their grandmother (I hope she will not spoil them).

As we cope with life’s transitions – birth, childhood, youth, young adults, adulthood, senior citizen, dying, death, and life after death – let us remember that our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our God is a constant like the mathematical equation pi is always 3.14. If we embrace this truth, then we can always be ready to face whatever life may bring to us. We will not be afraid because God will always be there.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Unity in Sports for Nation Building

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 26, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last Saturday, October 24, 2009, the 14th National University Games started at Central Philippine University. The campus is now teeming with athletes from various schools all over the country. The theme of this event is “Unity in Sports for Nation Building.”

What lessons can we learn from sports that can help us in nation building?

First, we must trust each other. Team mates need to trust each other. During game time each one should trust each other to perform their respective roles. One should never abandon his/her task and play the task of another. One must have the confidence with his/her team mate that he/she should be in the designated spot when you pass the ball because if not, then indecisiveness comes in and consequently mistakes will happen.

Filipinos should learn to trust each other. This is one way that we can help our country.

Second, we must listen to each other. Every player needs to listen to the advice of his/her fellow players, and especially to the coach. Yesterday, my players in Table Tennis learn this lesson the hard way. I have to call a timeout and tell them the gameplan once again. It nearly cost us the game but we prevailed against our rival in Negros. Hopefully, we can duplicate our win in the next games.

Filipinos should learn to listen to each other. Nobody has the monopoly of bright ideas. We also need a coach. The coach can be our leaders. The coach can identify the weaknesses and strengths and points us to the right direction. But of course the best coach is God, and the gameplan is the Bible.

Third, we need to have determination, intensity, focus, passion and enjoyment. These are the keywords that are repeatedly heard in the game courts. Coaches, team mates and fans shout these words as a reminder to those who are playing. The most popular words in the duration of the game are “kaya mo yan” and “focus.” Most often, the intensity level of the players is heightened when they concentrate and give the best that they can. The result is a good game with no or little regrets.

Filipinos oftentimes have the mentality that a foreigner is better than him/her. He/she does not believe in him/herself. Filipinos sometimes resigned their fate to whatever will happen next, and not making his/her own destiny. We need to be determined, and be passionate. We need to bring back the pride of being a Filipino – “kaya natin to!”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Commitment to the mission of God

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 19, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Yesterday, October 18, I celebrated my birthday. A friend asked how old I am, and I jokingly answered, “the age in which Jesus died on the cross.” Later, I reflected on my remark and noticed that Jesus died as a young man, yet fully confident that he has finished his mission in life.

I then remembered yesterday’s early morning incident while I was searching for my coffee mug in which I accidentally broke the handle of my wife’s mug. She said that I have to fix it. I mixed an epoxy and fixed the mug. BAM! I got a birthday message from God – Jesus was telling me, “My body was broken at 33 years old so that your broken life can be mended and used for My mission.”

During the Baccalaureate Service for the 1st Semester’s graduates at the University Church yesterday, I heard the acceptance speech of a student encouraging her fellow graduates to commit themselves to nation building especially in such a time like this. I was moved by her boldness to commit in such an endeavour.

Let me end this reflection by a poem written by Jennie Claire Adams, one of the missionaries who were executed during World War II.

“Let me live bravely;

For life has many battlefields, Where valor must be shown,

Many darkened corners, Where pain and fear are known,

Life calls for sacrifice, To share the highest good,

To serve courageously, Sometimes to give life’s blood.

As others lived and gave, Let me be brave.

Let me serve faithfully;

Content with work to do, Whatsoever life may bring,

I’m serving others well, Thus do I serve my King.

May I not weary grow, When tasks seem burdensome,

Nor turn aside distraught, Before life’s work is done.

As others served, proved true, Let me be faithful too.

Let me die heroically;

Steadfast in faith and calm, When that great day is near

Knowing no hour of dread, Feeling no anxious fear,

For death is but a door, Closed tight on pain and strife,

A door that opens up That we may enter Life.

As heroes die, Still brave and true, Let me die, too.” (Centralite, 1946, p.24)

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Let us connect with our past

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 12, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

This coming October 16, 2009, the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches will be choosing its next General Secretary. The fifteen members of Board of Trustees will meet and decide on who that person will be.

As we continue to reflect on the Foundation Day celebration of CPU, let us remember the Baptist roots of our alma mater.

Let us read some of my historical notes:

In 1935, when the American government granted a commonwealth status to the Philippines, a great milestone in the history of Philippine Baptist churches occurred…Representatives of the Philippine Baptist churches and the American Baptist missionaries dissolved the WVC on May 23, 1935 to give birth to the Kasapulanan sang Bautista nga Pilipinhon (Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches).

The significance of this new development was described by Nelson and Herradura. Their words deserve a longer quotation,

“This new organization changed the status of Central Philippine College from being an institution of the Foreign Mission Society to a cooperating entity of the Convention (CPBC). The by-laws specified that the corporation members should be members of Convention-related Baptist churches, elected by the annual assembly of the Convention, and that two thirds of the College Board of Trustees should be members of Baptist churches. With this development, majority control of policy-making passed from American to Filipino hands.

Consequently, the campus of the college was leased to the Convention as the field body responsible for its oversight. All requests by the college for appropriation, missionary personnel, and other related needs had to be coursed through the Convention Board of Trustees, to the Society. Furthermore, proposed changes in the constitution of the college or its by-laws must be ratified by the Convention in session before they could be enforced.” (Linnea A. Nelson and Elma S. Herradura, 1981, p. 45.)

Going back to the New Testament, Paul was reminding Timothy to remember the genuine faith that he has which was passed on by two generations – his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Paul was telling Timothy not to put to shame the faith that he has inherited.

In the Filipino culture, we always tell our children not to put into shame our family name. We always tell them that we cannot give them money but we can give them a good name – a name that they can carry with pride because it has a good reputation.

Here at CPU it is common to have 3 generations of Centralians. We even have up to 5 generations of Centralians. This is so because the old generation trusted CPU to pass on the faith to the next generation.

Are we still passing the faith of the older generation to the latest generation? Foundation Day celebration is good time to remember our heroes of faith, the past American Baptist missionaries, and Filipino pastors and leaders. Are we remembering their names, their ministries and their words? Or are we disconnecting ourselves from the legacy that they have started?

I hope that CPU will continue to connect with the past so that the faith that they have will be passed on to us.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Decalogue of Central Philippine University

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 5, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from CPU campus!

Last week on October 1, 2009, CPU celebrated its 104th Foundation Day.

Let us reflect on the Central Decalogue*:

1. I believe in Central Philippine University because she believes in the future of the Filipino youth;

2. I believe in her democratic spirit;

3. I believe in her emphasis on scholarship and character;

4. I believe in her teaching that the human personality is sacred and its dignity should be upheld over and above the arrogance of wealth and the tyranny of power;

5. I believe in her educating the poor in order to lift them up and free them from the shackles of social and religious prejudice, ignorance, and superstition;

6. I believe in her educating the rich in order to imbue them with high social conscience for imaginative vision, generous attitudes, civilized humility, and sacrificial dedication to the welfare of the people;

7. I believe in her classroom instruction which insists that students must be free to explore honestly any area of knowledge and push back the horizons of their intellect and educate the emotions of the heart;

8. I believe in the freedom and fearlessness of her professors to discuss ideas and issues without imposing their will, but guiding the youth along the path of broadmindedness, independence, self-reliance, and creativeness;

9. I believe in the necessity of research in the atmosphere of freedom because a university is not truly a university unless it carries on research;

10. I believe that a university with a Christian base and a Christian orientation should be more progressive and more daring in pressing ahead of its times in all things, to the end that the human spirit will come to full flowering under constant ferment.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*published in the 1960 Student Handbook, reprinted in The Central Time 1905-2005, 2005, p.122. The original version of the Centralian’s Decalogue can also be found in the 1946 issue of the Centralite, p. 22.

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

The warning of the Flood

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 28, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last Friday, September 25, 2009, Bagyo Ondoy visited the country. In the afternoon, a siren was heard in Jaro and people started going home from the CPU campus. Lopez-Jaena Street is beginning to flood. Later, news coming from Luzon broke our hearts. Disaster struck our fellow Filipinos.

The 8 hours of continuous rain brought flood in many cities in Luzon. The last big rainfall that fell in the Philippines was on 1967. The rain brought by Ondoy is so far the biggest, even bigger than Bagyo Frank. Some reports said that the rainfall is approximately equivalent to 6 months of rain. The flood reached more than 12 feet in height.

In the midst of this situation, we can raise a question, why did God allow this to happen? Is God deaf, not to hear the prayers and pleas of our fellow Filipinos? Or is there really a God? Is God dead?

Romans chapter 8 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Jesus Christ our Lord – be it trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword.

I may sound callous but I am reflecting that the flood is a big warning to all of us. Tropical Storms are normal occurrences but floods like this one are abnormal. We reclaimed lands that are normal pathways of water. We dump garbage in the river. Industrial wastes go to the river also. Graft and corruption in the making and cleaning of canals are rampant. We cut trees that are essential in holding big amounts of water. We are killing our environment. No wonder we are all experiencing the fruit of our own labor.

God always brings a way out of this situation. He sends people like Noah. We ridicule people like Noah, people who are always giving warnings. Are we listening to warnings?

Let us remember to go inside the ark. The ark symbolizes the church. Sad to say, like in the time of Noah, only a few are inside the ark. The animals even outnumbered the people. How about us? Are we inside the ark?

After the flood, there is a rainbow. It symbolizes hope. Hope is what propels the Christians faith to go on. And faith is what pushes us to continue in loving one another, to make actions that will make planet Earth, our only home, a better place for the next generation. Let us not lose hope.

The flood is a very costly reminder. Let us listen to its warning.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Freedom!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 21, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo!

37 years ago, September 21, 1972, Martial Law was declared in the Philippines. Centralians struggled against the dictatorship of Marcos. They engaged in “parliament of the streets.” Some Centralians and Baptist pastors were imprisoned, and some were sadly killed.

Let us reflect on some historical notes:

Rev. Moley Familiaran, President of CPBC 1976-1978 reflected on the May 1977 CPBC Assembly theme: “Life Worthy of Human Dignity” held in Capiz:

“The life worthy of human dignity is the Christ-like life. It is free. It is true. And it is the only way to live. On the editorial pages of the Bible we read the Good News that Jesus Christ gives light to the darkened eyes; he removes resentment that breaks the heart; he sets them free, those who were bound by many invisible chains; and he announces the arrival of the new age – the age of liberation! In everyone of us there is a Christ going to be. Dignity is only one of the flowers of that Christ-seed. It is the flag flying in the brilliant sky proclaiming Jesus’ sovereignty over a human life. Where there is no freedom, there is no dignity.”

Through the leadership of Rev. Dr. Domingo J. Diel, Dean of the College of Theology in 1975, CPU put forward a new approach on theological education in the light of the contemporary issues during that time. The statement says,

“We believe that theological education should help in preparing Christians serve God through service in the world. As such, theological education should start where the people are. It should take on account the people’s desires and aspirations, their struggles, and most of all, their needs. It should be able to understand the ‘hows, whys and wherefores’ of the people that it may be able to apply the Christian message relevantly to the lives of the people, and the community wherein they live. We believe that Theological Education can do this when it opens itself up and enters into dialogue with the world – its cultures, ideologies and religions.”

“Theological Education should promote a living involvement in the life situation of the people. Having understood the hows, whys and wherefores of the people, it should seek to put into practice such understanding in terms of involvement in actual life situations of the community, participate in its struggles and become a motive force in the shaping of history.”

The struggles of our foreparents bore the fruit of freedom. Most of them are still alive. They are a continuing visible reminder that pricks the young generation’s insincerity, insensivity, indifference and passivity. They are not yet the “clouds of witnesses” that cheers us to go on. They are in the midst of us – continuing the struggle for liberation. Let us march with them.

May God bless us all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Let us listen to our grandparents

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 14, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the CPU campus!

Yesterday, churches in the Philippines celebrated Grandparents Day!

Our reflection for this week comes from Ruth 4:13-17. It is the story of a grandmother – Naomi.

Ruth was the daughter in law of Naomi. She had no children with Naomi’s son. Ruth and Naomi soon became widows in the land of Moab. They eventually decided to go back to Israel. Ruth remarried through the prodding of Naomi. Ruth and Boaz were blessed by God with a son named Obed. Now, Naomi became a grandmother. She took care of Obed to the point that the neighbors were calling Obed as Naomi’s son.

The significance of this story is that Obed is the father of Jesse, and Jesse is the father of King David. And in the line of King David comes our messiah, Jesus Christ. Indeed the prayer that the line of Obed will be great became a reality.

We can learn two lessons.

First, Grandparents should be the storytellers of the family’s history and legacy to their grandchildren. They must also be the roots that strengthen the faith of their grandchildren. In Hiligaynon we call this “apostolic” ministry (the root word is “apo” – grandchild).

Lois Wyse said, “Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation.” The relationship of grandparents and grandchildren is the chain that links the past and the future.

When grandparents retired, this does not mean that they are very tired already. It means that they have another tire. God gives them a brand new tire so that they can play with their grandchildren.

Second, Grandparents, like Naomi, are given by God a second chance. Naomi felt that she was a failure with her children. Now, she gave it all to her grandson.

A quotation says, “A Grandmother is a wonderful mother with lots of practice.” And “A grandfather is a father who has a second chance.”

Young parents should listen to the words of grandparents. We must not reject “the strength and wisdom that time and experience have given them.”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain




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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

We are Empowered

Binhi sang Pagtuo

September 7, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Mactan International Airport!*

Our reflection for this week comes from Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The theme of the recently concluded 104th University Day celebration of CPU is “Empowering the Centralians for a better Central.” There are two immediate questions that went into my mind when I read the theme: Are Centralians not yet empowered? Is Central not better already?

If we take positively our theme, then it means that we are always empowering our students and alumni; Centralians are always empowered. And that Central is fundamentally better yet we strive to continue to make it better, and better.

Christians are empowered by the Holy Spirit. To be empowered means to have the power to do things. Yet the term “power” has several negative connotations. It is associated with abuse, dictatorship, authoritarian and being bossy.

One time, the disciples of Jesus associated empowerment to be like that – to be a boss, someone who is a master with slaves. The disciples were clamoring who will be in the right hand or left hand of Jesus when he assumes the kingship of Israel. But Jesus Christ scolded them by saying, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45.

This statement of Jesus means that as Christians we do not strive to become rulers with an attitude of “lording it over the people” but we are empowered to become servants. The Holy Spirit is our guide in giving service to the people. Every day we must ask ourselves the question, “How can I be of service to the people of God?”

Our text tells us that we are empowered to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. “In Jerusalem” symbolically means to be a witness of Jesus in our own homes; for a Centralian it means to be a witness of Jesus inside the community of CPU. “In Judea” symbolically means to be a witness of Jesus with our neighbors – with fellow Centralians outside the campus, with our alumni. “In Samaria” symbolically means to be a witness of Jesus in our surrounding communities. “Into the ends of earth” means to be a witness of Jesus everywhere.

Are we a good witness of Jesus Christ? If we are, then we can positively say that indeed Central is getting better because Centralians are becoming servants of Jesus anytime and anywhere.

May God bless us all.


Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

* I’m in Cebu City en route to Dipolog and then to Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte to conduct a continuing theological education seminar sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Theological Studies in partnership with the Central Philippine University, Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches and Convention Baptist Ministers Association. I’m with Rev. Jerson Narcio and Rev. Job Santiago, CPBC General Secretary.

Jesus, my Hero

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 31, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo City!

The Filipinos are celebrating National Heroes Day today in honor of the heroes of yesteryears. The Tagalog word for hero is “bayani” in which the root word is “bayan.” This means that a “bayani” does or did something great for the “bayan.”

Our reflection for this week is about Jesus, my hero.

Jesus, my hero, had a cause. The central message of Jesus’ ministry was about the Kingdom of God, or in some translations, the Reign of God. Luke 4:43 says, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God…because that is why I was sent.”

All the parables of Jesus were about the Kingdom of God. After the resurrection, Jesus also preached about the Kingdom of God.

Jesus, my hero, organized people for the cause of the Kingdom of God. He rallied his disciples to preach and teach about the Reign of God. These disciples left their work and made the cause of Jesus their priorities. Jesus said, “deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow me.”

Jesus, my hero, challenged the status quo of his time. The cause of the Kingdom of God became a threat to the religious leaders, and the ruling class. Jesus liberated God by his actions. God was imprisoned in the temple, in the Holy of Holies and in other religious places. But Jesus said to a Samaritan woman, “worship neither in the mountain or in the temple but worship God in spirit and in truth.”

Jesus, my hero, died for the cause. Everybody that became uncomfortable by the message of Jesus plotted to kill him. They eventually captured him during the night to evade the multitude of his followers. They put him in a mock trial. They forced him to recant. But in his silence, he showed them what loyalty to the cause is all about. It was a deafening silence; a silent protest that was so loud that they have to kill him.

Jesus, my hero, never died. Jesus resurrected from the dead. A godly cause cannot be killed. When Jesus showed himself to his disciples, they were at first frightened, but later they were empowered and emboldened to declare to the whole world why Jesus came and what Jesus died for. Later, these early disciples were persecuted and put to death for the cause of Jesus. They gladly gave their lives.

Is Jesus your hero also? Let us follow in the footsteps of our hero.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

Are we worth dying for?

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 24, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last August 21, 2009, we celebrated Ninoy Aquino Day to commemorate his death and martyrdom for the Filipino people. One of the famous last words of Ninoy were “The Filipino is worth dying for.” He died for the cause of freedom and democracy. Although his death was just one of the many deaths during Martial Law, it became the rallying cry of the Filipinos to topple the dictator. Ninoy became an icon of the struggle of restoring democracy.

More than 2,000 ago, Jesus was also killed for a cause. He died not only for the Filipino people but for the whole humanity. Mark 10:45b says that Jesus came to “give his life as a ransom for all.” Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Let me share with you a poem entitled “One Solitary Life.” The authorship is attributed to Dr. James Allen Francis, 1926.

“Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where he worked in a carpenter's shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.

He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place he was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness.

While He was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends deserted him. He was turned over to his enemies, and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had - his coat.

When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave.

Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure for much of the human race. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of people on this earth as powerfully as this One Solitary Life.”

As we reflect on the sacrificial death of Jesus, let us ask ourselves this question “Are we worth dying for?”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Be a leader like Jesus

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 17, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week comes from John 13:1-17.

Nowadays, Philippine television is full of info-commercials advertising a politician. They are promoting themselves to be the next leaders of the country.

Our text is teaching us a kind of leadership exemplified by our lord Jesus Christ in the night before the last supper. In this instance, Jesus is illustrating his kind of leadership by taking off his outer garment, wrapping a towel on his waist, getting a basin of water, and started washing his disciples’ feet.

He is reminding us that to be Christian leader one must have humility, a service oriented mind and above all, love to whom you are serving. He wants to instill in our hearts that there is no scarcity of feet to wash. He is also trying to let us know that a person who wants to lead must also learn how to follow.

There are a lot of leadership lessons that Jesus is teaching us. I will just share three things.

Fist, a leader must be a pathfinder. He must have a vision and a mission. He knows where to take his group. He leads them in a path towards the goals and objectives of the organization. He plans as if he will live forever and work as if there is no tomorrow.

Second, a leader must be a manager. He knows how to identify and put people where they really belong. He understands the personalities of his followers and gives them roles wherein they are happy and can develop their potentials. He does not force the individual to do the task that he is not cut in to do but tries to help that individual in learning what he is called to do and develop the skills and abilities that God gave him.

Third, a leader must empower his people. He gives them the power to do. He knows where to push the right button of an individual and also knows where to put the key that unlocks the drive of an individual to do great things.

Let ask ourselves this question: What kind of legacy can I leave to those who are coming after me?

May this be the challenge that will always haunt us. Let us envision an epitaph that depends on our response to this challenge. Let us remember that there is a cloud of witnesses above us that are always expecting us to rise up from the challenges they have left.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain




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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Be Wise

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 10, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week is from Luke 6:47-48. In these verses, Jesus was reprimanding his audience why they are calling him “Lord, Lord” but no do what he says. He then proceeds to remind them that those who call him that title must put into practice what they hear from him.

I remember a time that CPU put up a banner that says, “Jesus is Lord of CPU.” I don’t know why it was taken down but the message of that banner brings a lot of accountability to the CPU community.

Perhaps, it would be important to ask the question about what we mean by "lord". The lord is one who commands our attention, our loyalty, our fidelity. The lord is one who makes claims on our lives, to whom we yield authority.

In a parallel verse on Matthew 7:24, Jesus is telling us that one who obeys his commands is like the wise man that built his house on the rock. When the flood came, it was not able to shake the house because it was founded upon a rock.

Therefore, Jesus teaches us to be like that wise man. For Him to be wise is:

Firstly, to say the right thing in times of persecution and examination. We would sometimes break down in times of suffering and would be willing to say anything that will make us get out of adversity. Jesus commands us to stand in the right way even if it would get us to trouble.

Secondly, to make the choice for the betterment of humanity. Inherent to us is the attitude of selfishness. One only likes to advance his/her own agenda and forget everyone around his/her. Filipinos has this ‘crab mentality’ which we like to pull down those who are ahead of us. Jesus mandates us to work for the prosperity of all and to deny our own selfish desires.

Thirdly, to accept that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men. I’m convinced that we are getting tired on the wisdom of the world. The Lord of Wisdom is letting us know that the intelligence of people is no match to that of God.

Today, Jesus commands us to act upon what we have heard. Let us remember that a person who hears and does not obey is like the foolish man that built his house on the sand. When rain came down and the flood arose, the house fell with a great crash.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain



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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Teach me to live my days wisely

Binhi sang Pagtuo

August 3, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from Iloilo City!

As we mourn the passing away of the first woman president of the Philippines, Cory Aquino (National Day of Mourning and non-working day on August 5, 2009), and as we continue to experience Typhoon Jolina that brought flood to Iloilo City (President Teodoro C. Robles declared no classes early this morning), our reflection for this week will center on our finitude, our mortality.

Psalm 90:10, 12 says “Our lifetime is seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years, Teach us, then, O Lord, how short our lives really are so that we may be wise and live according to your purpose.”

When someone dies, we usually pause and reflect of when will be our appointed time to pass away also. It is on this moment that we take account of ourselves. It is on this moment of accounting when we will realize what kind of life have we lived and if we want to continue living that kind of life.

Two things to ponder upon:

First, when we know that life is short, we start living responsibly and become good stewards of our God-given resources.

The Parable of the Talents is a good reminder to all of us to invest our lives on things that can give glory to God. We have to know that life is different from existence. Life is being alive with a purpose.

Second, when we know that life is short, we start living a life that becomes a preparation for the next life.

I remember a nursery rhyme during my Sunday School years that says, “Magpili ka sining duwa, langit impierno diin ka? Mapa langit gid lang ako kay gahulat ang Ginoo.”

Let me share with you a familiar poem entitled “I Will Never Pass This Way Again

I will pass this way but once
And if there's any good that I can do
Let me do it now
For I'll never pass this way again

I will see this day but once
If there's any kindness I can show
Let me show it now
For I'll never see this day again

Tomorrow may be too late my friend
To do all the good that you planned
So reach out to those who need you
And lend them a helping hand

I will know this world but once
And if there's any love that I can give
Let me give it now
Oh Lord, please show me how
For I'll never know this world
I'll never see this day
I'll never pass this way again

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain


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Chaplain's Office Website: http://www.cpu.edu.ph/chaplain
Audio Sermons of Binhi sang Pagtuo: http://binhi.4shared.com
Blog: http://cpuchaplain.blogspot.com

Let us be partners

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 27, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

We praise and thank God for the Christ Emphasis Week celebration last week. The event was culminated by a CEW thanksgiving during the 96th Foundation Day celebration of the University last Sunday. There were 1,049 students that made faith decisions. We are grateful to the team brought my Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Ayala of the Agape Phil-Am Ministries. Please continue to be our partners in bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the more than 11,500 students, and more than 700 faculty and staff.

Our scripture text for this week is found in Philippians 1:3-6. This is the letter of Paul to the Christians in Philippi, the first city in Europe reached by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul reminded them of their partnership in proclaiming the gospel. Paul also gave them hope that Jesus Christ will be with them in their new journey as Christians.

Paul is reminding us of two things in our partnership:

First, we need to pray for one another. Paul prayed for the members of the churches that he established. Prayer has become their spiritual communication.

Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. We famously call the prayer as “Our Father.” The bottom line of this prayer is about asking the will of God. Jesus prayed “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The theological principle is this: The will of God is good. Therefore, our will should be connected to the will of God. After we know the will of God, we should do the will of God, thus, resulting to goodwill among people. (Angut naton ang aton buot sa buot sang Dios agod mangin mabuot kita kag may yara sang maayong kabubut-on sa palibot).

Second point is, for our partnership to succeed we need a third party. This should be a tripartite partnership. This third party is, of course, God.

Eccl 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Dr. Anatalio Viray once told me how Dr. Rex Drilon, the first Filipino president of CPU contributed to the design of the University Church. The design is that of a Malay balangay (barangay) boat. You can see the bugsay (paddles) on both sides. It teaches us that if we are united in our bugsay, in one direction, we will go forward.

In closing, Paul is reminding us that we must pray for one another, and that God should be the third part in our partnership because he will be faithful to bring into completion the good work that he has started in you. Amen.

May God continually bless us!

Sincerely yours,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

I care for you

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 20, 2009

Greetings from Rose Memorial, the venue of our Christ Emphasis Week celebration!

Our theme for this CEW is “Jesus Cares: Our Hope in Times of Trouble” and the scripture text found in I Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your worries upon him for he cares for you.”

Does Jesus care? Yes, I believe with all my heart. This past week was one of the trying times in my life. My 5-year old son, Kairos, was diagnosed with pneumonia and suspected to have an AH1N1 flu. He was subsequently quarantined together with my wife, Hermely, at the Western Visayas Medical Center. I was also under house quarantine since Thursday with our 1-year old little girl, Francheska.

Our CEW Theme and Text became meaningful to me. God truly cares, and God has shown me His care through the many individuals that touched our lives through their constant prayers, encouraging text messages and emails. I am very grateful for this.

It’s been a year since Bagyo Frank ravaged Western Visayas. CPU was not spared. The estimated damage was about P60 to P80 million. But by the grace and care of God, CPU has survived and hopefully will be getting stronger.

When Peter wrote his letter, he addressed it to the scattered Jews all over Asia and Europe. The Jews experienced the Diaspora – the scattering to all over the four corners of the Earth. The temple in Jerusalem was about to be destroyed by the Romans. Their revolution was brought to an end by the Romans, and they were eventually cornered in the mountain of Masada.

The scattered Jews longed to go home yet they have no home to go back into. Israel ceased to exist. It was only in 1948 that they became a nation again. The letter written by Peter was a great reminder to all of them that God cares in spite of the seemingly unfavourable circumstances.

Let me share with you a poem by Charles Brown.

“Reach out and touch that neighbor who hates you
Reach out and touch that stranger who meets you
Reach out and touch that brother (and sister) who needs you
Reach out and let the smile of God touch through you
Reach out because touching means
you became the hand of God to the people here on earth.”


May God bless us all! Please pray for our CEW celebration.

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain