Restore, Reconcile, Return, Release!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

June 1, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

As we start a new School Year, 2009-2010, let us reflect upon the words of Paul in Philippians 4:8-9: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (NLV)

As a faithful Christian, we have to put into practice the mission of:

First, Restoring the world to what is true and noble.

Do you remember what God said in Genesis every time He finished creating something? “And God saw that it was … GOOD.” God declared in the sixth day after He created Adam and Eve that everything that He had made was “very good.”

God created us in His very own image but sadly, the image of God is a little dimmed and on some days cannot be seen in us.

Second, Reconciling broken relationships back to what is right.
Our broken relationship with God and with our fellow human beings, and with nature needs to be reconciled. This is the reason why the symbol of the cross has two points: one vertical and one horizontal. What happened in the cross is a reminder for all of us that reconciliation is not complete when done only vertically or horizontally. It should be both.

Third, Returning to what is pure.

Our sense of morality nowadays is very confusing. The culture of greed in our society is blossoming. Scandals can be heard and seen left and right. Maybe we have forgotten what are our Christian values and morality. We need to go back to what is pure in the sight of God. As Christians, we must be in the forefront in the mission of restoration.

Fourth, Releasing those who are in bondage so that they may become lovely and admirable.

God wants us to be liberated from anything that hinders us in achieving an abundant life.

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 like a Child

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 25, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from Matthew 18:1-6. The story is about a familiar scene among the disciples of Jesus – a scene in which they asked Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Recent events aggravated this often repeated discussion because Peter was able to walk in the water together with Jesus, and he was also there in the mountaintop during the transfiguration of Jesus in which Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking to Jesus. James and John also asked Jesus if they can be in the right hand and left hand of Jesus in the kingdom of heaven.

Their inquiry to know who was greatest in the kingdom resulted into a totally unexpected reply from Jesus – “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”

The child is the living embodiment of several truths which the disciples of Jesus had missed. The first truth involves faith.

The people of Israel did not respond when Jesus called them to Him. They stood off at a distance, reserving judgment. When Jesus called the child to Him, the child responded immediately. Very trusting, the child accepted Jesus' invitation at once. (The Teacher's Commentary)

The second truth is about humility. The disciples waited breathlessly for Jesus to name the greatest man, among them. The disciples were wondering what great positions they would have. In response, Jesus took a little child, who had no rights according to the Law, and stood him in their midst. He told the disciples a change in their thinking was necessary. Greatness in the kingdom was not based on great works or words, but on childlike humility of spirit. Jesus bypassed the disciples completely and called a little child into their midst. This child was the example of true greatness. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Competing or jockeying for positions brings about selfishness and disunity. What happened to the disciples long time ago is still happening in our midst today, and it is a scandal to the Christian faith. There is a growing need for humility. We need to let go of our pride, of thinking ourselves more important than we really are. Let us remember that the center letter of the word pride is “I.”

The reply of Jesus indicated that they were asking the wrong question. They should have been concerned about serving the Lord, and not asking about positions in the kingdom. Their service needed to be directed towards the people. Jesus was telling them that they should focus on welcoming the little children – a symbol of the marginalized sector of their society.

What about us? Are we like the disciples that were quarreling for positions, or are we focusing our energy in serving the people of God?

May God continually bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

Be Courageous!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 18, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from Acts 5: 17-42. This scripture text tells us the story about how the disciples of Jesus were persecuted, harassed and imprisoned because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When the disciples were let out by the angels from their prison cells, they once again preached the gospel in the temple and anywhere where there are people who are willing to listen. The Jewish religious leaders heard about this, and they called the disciples in their council to answer various charges hurled against them. They were told by the high council, especially the high priest to stop preaching in the name of Jesus Christ. But the apostles answered the council, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”

The high council was furious when they heard this reply from the apostles. They planned to kill all of them. Some of the members of the council followed the advice of Gamaliel, a Pharisee, to leave the apostles alone because if what they were doing is from God, they will be fighting against God. But some had the apostles flogged.

What was the message of the apostles?

The angles commanded them to “give the people the message of life” – a new life in Jesus Christ. This message was a very simple message and was understood by the people. Thousands of people joined them every day. Why? Because this message is devoid of the burden of rituals perpetuated by religious leaders – rituals that led some of them to corrupt practices like collusion of priests and merchants selling in the temple area. This message was joined by the testimony of the lives of apostles – they practiced what they preached.

What gave the apostles the confidence, the courage and the will to be consistent on their actions and convictions no matter what the costs were?

The statement “we must obey God rather than what you are telling us” was a courageous stand. This statement also answers our question – they were obeying the command of God. They did not forsake the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Book Acts is not only called the Acts of the Apostles, but more appropriately it is also called the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Their courage in preaching the good news has left a legacy throughout the whole world. Their courage to teach and preach despite of the opposition ensured the continuity of Christianity.

Are we going to continue what the apostles and our foreparents in faith started, cost what it may?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil Gico Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain

God is Mother too!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 11, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers!

Our reflection for this week comes from Isaiah 66:12-13 that says, “For this is what the Lord says: “Look, I am ready to extend to her prosperity that will flow like a river, the riches of nations will flow into her like a stream that floods its banks. You will nurse from her breast and be carried at her side; you will play on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so I'll comfort you. You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

This text declares that God is mother too! This is intriguing because most of time we call God as our father, and only a few would dare to call God as our mother also.

Our bible is written from a patriarchal point of view. In the Old Testament, God is called the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and God is not called the God of Sarah, Rebeccah and Rachel. But God did not allow that he can only be described as father. God allowed the Prophet Isaiah to describe his motherly love to Israel.

God described Israel as a mother in whom the Israelites can have milk from her breasts, that the Israelites can be gently rock to sleep in the arms of her mother, and that they can play in her. God also disclosed that it is not only Israel that acts as a mother to her children, but God himself is also a mother – “as a mother cares for her child, I will also care for you.”

God did not also allow a total blackout of women in the Bible. There are famous women in the Bible like Queen Esther, and Ruth. These two women have two books in the 66 books in the Bible – only 3% yet their stories were told. There is Deborah, the female judge. There is Rahab, the harlot, who was applauded for her faith. In the New Testament, there were many women disciples of Jesus who actually were the financial supporters of Jesus like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Lk. 8:1-3). Statistically speaking, the names of women in the Gospels are mentioned more than the names of the twelve disciples except for that of John and Peter.

Jesus was very radical in challenging the patriarchal world view of the Jewish tradition. He healed women; he talked to them spiritual truths like the woman in the well – the words, “you must worship God in spirit and in truth” was spoken by Jesus to the adulterous woman when she asked where the proper place of worship is. Jesus came to the rescue of another adulterous woman who was about to be stoned to death. The actions of Jesus towards women during his time were very revolutionary. Many were shocked by what Jesus did especially the religious leaders. Jesus gave the women their proper honor and dignity that they deserved.

Isa 49:15 says, “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, and walk away from the baby she bore? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!” Yes, we hear stories of mothers abandoning their new born babies but God as our mother will not abandon us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. God as our mother will always be there for us.


May God continue to 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

FAITH

Binhi sang Pagtuo

May 4, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Amidst the economic crisis that the world is facing, and the swine flu epidemic, let us ponder on our faith in God because as Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

Here is an acrostic of the word FAITH:

F – Faithful to the commands of God.

An essential ingredient of faith is to be faithful. We must be obedient to the will of God.

Noah was ridiculed – laughed upon, made fun, teased by people. The climate was hot. Rainy season was over. Learned people during that time told them that no storm was coming. They did not believe him. They thought he was crazy. In spite of this, Noah built an ark. He obeyed God. The Great Flood eventually came.

A – Allow God to work in His mysterious ways

Sarah attempted to work in behalf of God. She gave her servant Hagar to sleep with Abraham. Hagar eventually gave birth to Ishmael. Because Sarah “fast forward” the plan of God in their lives, conflict happened; a conflict that is on-going until now.

Let us not play God. Let God be God. Let us remember that if we do not allow God to have his way in our lives, disastrous things will happen.

I – Integrate your belief and your action

James is telling us that “faith without works is dead.” Meaning, a faith that is only creedal in nature – belief in one God (shema), but not shown in actual life – is not acceptable to God.

Faith should have fruits and one cannot be called faithful if he is not fruitful; Fruitfulness is the result of faithfulness.

T – Trust in God

The primary idea of faith is trust. To trust God is to recognize our helplessness. It is a confession that it is only God whom we can trust. There is nothing and no one else upon whom we can rely. Our trust must be in God alone.

H – Hope on the promises of God

Hope is what keeps the people of God going. Because we know that the best is yet to come.

Joseph dreamed of a time when the Israelites will go back to Canaan, their home. He believed that exodus will come. He left instructions to bring his bones with them. It was after 430 years that they were able to leave Egypt. That’s a very big faith for Joseph.

The Katipan Hall in Camp Higher Ground, Barotac Viejo is a testament of faith – it means “KAtumanon sang TIngob nga PAgtuo kag binuhataN.” It is now almost finished. The faith of the pastors who dreamed that this will happen is worth emulating.

How is our faith nowadays?

May God continually bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain