“What an Affirming Christian Church should be”

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 26, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Yesterday, the University Church of Central Philippine University celebrated its 97th Foundation year. The theme that was expounded by the speaker, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico was “Knowing, Growing, Loving, and Serving.”*

We also praise God for the just concluded Christ Emphasis Week Celebration. The numbers of those who made decisions to accept Jesus Christ are the following: College 983, Elementary 117, High School 400+.

For our reflection this week, let me share with you a poem written (Dec. 20, 2004) by Dr. Henry Florida Funtecha entitled “What an Affirming Christian Church should be.” This poem appeared in the UC Newsletter “Church Alive” last July 25, 2010.

“We want a church that welcomes people

Whatever their beliefs are, even if they belong to other religious persuasions.

We desire a church that makes one feel at home

Whatever his/her socio-economic status in life is.

We admire a church that welcomes people wherever they may be in their faith journey

Believer or agnostic, conventional Christian or questioning skeptic.

We prefer a church that is open to the ideas and experiences

that people attending its services can bring.

We love a church that reflects God’s own love for humanity.

We believe that, as a church, the way members treat one another

is more important than the doctrines they hold.

We think that it is vital to take seriously the intellectual problems

which many people have with Christianity,

and encourage ways of understanding religion which feeds the mind as well as the soul.

We submit that a church must be concerned with injustice and suffering,

and see itself as a community helping to build a better world,

bring hope to those whom Jesus called the least of His brothers and sisters.

We recognize that some of the people’s ignorance far outweighs their understanding,

and that the church should give as much value to their asking questions as in finding answers.

We affirm that, as members of a Christian church, faith entails costly discipleship

and conscientious resistance to all sorts of evil.

We trust that God in His infinite love and wisdom will always give a helping hand

to an affirming church, and in the end, His kingdom will reign supreme in this world.”

May God bless us!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*The UC pastors are: Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Fabula (Senior Pastor), Rev. Roger Quimpo (Outreach Pastor), Rev. Cris Amorsolo Sian (Youth Pastor), and Pastor Ruth Lunasco (Christian Education Director).

Awakened!

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 19, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Central Philippine University is celebrating Christ Emphasis Week (CEW) starting today.* The theme is “Awakened” and based on the scripture texts: Ephesians 5:14-16 and Romans 13:11-12 -- “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you”… “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

The theme and texts imply two things.

First, we need to get involved in the process of waking up people from the state of “sleep-mode” Christianity.

My family is living now in CPU Heritageville, Pavia. It would take us three rides to reach CPU in Jaro (1 tri-sikad and 2 jeepney ride). Because of this we need to wake up early in the morning so that we can be on time for our office, and also for our son’s 7:30am class.

The process of waking up takes a lot of effort. Sometimes it would take three pushes in snooze button of the alarm before we finally wake up. Then a cup of coffee to perk us up, a little stretching, followed by a cold shower, and a breakfast to make us finally ready to go.

This is also the same with our spiritual lives. We need a lot of “alarm clocks” – preaching, bible studies, Sunday School, fellowships to continually remind us to wake up and shine for Jesus Christ.

Are we acting up as the “alarm clocks” “exercise” “coffee” “shower” “food” of people so that they can be awakened?

Second, as “awakened” people, we need to live for Christ. The texts say, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” … “So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Are we shining for Christ? Are we bearers of the light of Christ?

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain

*We covet your prayers for a meaningful CEW experience for CPU. The speakers for this CEW are from the United States brought over by our alumni Engr. Nelson and Mrs. Bethel Consumo.

Starting last semester we offered many venues for the convocation to maximize the attendance. In this CEW we are using three venues – Rose Memorial Hall, University Church and Alumni Promenade Park. We assigned colleges for each venue.

The Encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 12, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Our reflection for this week is about the encounter of Jesus with Zacchaeus.

This encounter happened in Jericho, a wealthy and important town during that time. It was the center of trade and industry. Its commerce was mainly on palm and balsam. Zacchaeus lived in this town.

He was wealthy but was unhappy. He was lonely for he had chosen a way that made him an outcast. He was not only a mere tax collector but the chief publican. He was despised and hated by people. He was corrupt because he charged more than what is supposed to be. He was an extortionist. This was his kind of life before he met Jesus Christ.

We can learn three things from Zacchaeus.

First, he had an Eager Attitude. He was determined to see Jesus and would let nothing to stop him. Zacchaeus threw away his pride, being a chief publican, and climbed the Sycamore tree in order to see Jesus.

Are we eager to find Jesus Christ? Do we let the crowd, the people, our work hinder us from coming to Jesus Christ?

Second, he had an Obedient and Open Attitude. When Jesus said that he will dine in the house of Zacchaeus, he immediately came down. He did not hesitate.

Jesus is continually knocking on our doors. Are we open to receive him? What obstacles do we have to overcome to see Jesus?

Third, he had a Repentant Attitude. There was a radical repentance in Zacchaeus. His change of life was evident in the actions that followed. He promised to give away half of his health and to return four-fold to those whom he cheated.

How do we act on our repentance?

The verse ending the story of Zacchaeus says, “salvation has come to his house.” It means that Zacchaeus became a blessing to his house. He brought the means of grace and salvation to his household.

Tradition tells us that later Zacchaeus became the bishop of Caesarea. What a turn of events if someone encounters Jesus Christ!

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Fellowship of Believers

Binhi sang Pagtuo

July 5, 2010

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

We praise and thank God for the successful Global Reunion of Centralians held last July 1-3, 2010 at San Francisco, USA.

What comes to mind during reunions is the word fellowship. We are relational beings and in constant need of fellowship. One aspect of the church is Koinonia. There are three English words that are associated to this Greek word – fellowship, communion and community. Let us focus on fellowship in this week’s reflection.

There are two words in fellowship – fellow and ship. We are all fellows in one ship, and we are fishers of people.

The earliest symbol Christianity, which is earlier than the cross is the fish – iktus. The early Christians assigned a meaning to the word iktus. In Greek this means: Iesou, Kristou, Theo, Uious, Soter or Jesus the Christ, Son of God, our Savior. The ship also symbolizes the church, even until now.

The design of the University Church in the campus of CPU is a big reminder for all of us to remember that we are all fellows in one ship. If you picture out the University Church, it is in the shape of a barangay – the Malayan ship that our foreparents used in going to the shores of our country.

Let us row together for God’s glory!

We appeal for prayer: Last night the Associate Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Alma Frondoza was rushed to the hospital. She is now in coma. The cause is CVA (Cerebrovascular accident). Her condition is GCS 3.

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain