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