Binhi sang Pagtuo
June 29, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!
Our reflection for this week comes from John 9. This chapter narrates the encounter of Jesus with a blind man who is a beggar. Jesus saw a man with congenital blindness.
The result of the encounter was a miracle. The blind man can now open his eyes after Jesus put a mixture of saliva and mud into his eyes. Why saliva and mud? Yuck! I don’t know of the medicinal value of mud and saliva but this is the underlying meaning: we are all made from dust, from mud.
Jesus used this incident to differentiate a man who was once in “darkness” but is now in the “light.” The bringer of the “light” is Jesus who declared “I am the light of the world” (v.5).
In the Half-moon drive, there is a big globe with a picture of Jesus Christ inside it. The words “I am the Light” are also inscribed on top of the picture. This is a visible reminder in the campus that Jesus brings light to our darkened world.
The interesting part of the story is on how this man responded to the miracle that happened to him. We can learn three things from his responses.
First, the man testified courageously. The healing experience of this man was challenged not only by his neighbors but by the Pharisees as well. At first there was some hesitation in his testimony but later on when he was cornered by a lot of people, he courageously declared that Jesus is a prophet. He responded with great logic and reasoning (vv.26-34) that even the Pharisees were caught off guard.
Second, his testimony was brought about by his accountability to become the “bringer of light.” He “let his light shine” (Matt. 5:16) to other people. He knew what it is to be in “darkness”, thus, this propelled him to bring the “light” (Jesus) to those who are in the “dark.” He wants others to experience the metanoia – of being transformed.
Third, he became a disciple of Jesus with the mission to “open the eyes” of other people. In his second encounter with Jesus, this man was taught that there are people who can physically see but are spiritually blind (v.39).
This lesson became his commission to help “open the eyes” of those who are spiritually blind. His desire to reach others was intensified with his awareness that God will judge each person according to their response to the message of the “light” (Jesus). He wants others to “open their eyes” also.
The three responses of the former blind man present to us three questions that we need to ask ourselves. First, are we testifying courageously for the cause of Jesus Christ? Second, do we let our light shine so that others may experience metanoia? Third, are we continuing the mission to open the eyes of those who are spiritually blind?
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
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Is God still our Father?
Binhi sang Pagtuo
June 22, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!
As we celebrate Father’s Day, our reflection comes from Malachi 2:10-16.
The question of Malachi is relevant to us, “Have we not all one father? Did not one God created us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?”
Malachi was a minor Prophet but he had a major message. His message was: Remain in your covenant with God. Malachi was telling them that God should be their Father and they should act as children of God.
The story of the Bible is a story of a covenant relationship of God to his chosen people. The covenant is this: “I will be your God and you will be my people.”
Through Jesus Christ, we can now be called sons and daughters of God, and we can call God our Father. Christians are called the New Israel. Jesus gives us this new covenant: Love God and Love your neighbor. This is the commandment that all the laws, the prophets and writings are based.
The obvious question for us today is – Is God still our father? Do we still consider ourselves as children of God? I hope God will hear our resounding yes.
I would like to share two attributes of our God the Father that are found in our passage.
First, God is a caring father. The people of Israel in that time were careless in their attitudes. In spite of that, God was still the father who cares. He was still reminding the Israelites through the prophet Malachi to turn from their careless attitudes. God, as Father, cared so much that he sent prophets to always warn the Israelites and turn from their wicked ways.
Second, God is a sustaining father. We see in the passage that Israel became unfaithful to the covenant to the point of divorcing God. He still sustains his part of the covenant even if it is one sided. He is like the father in the parable of the prodigal son who keeps on waiting for his son to return.
Lastly, let me share a survey of 10 appreciated qualities of a father by his children:
1. He takes time for me.
2. He listens to me.
3. He plays with me.
4. He invites me to go places with him.
5. He lets me help him.
6. He treats my mother well.
7. He lets me say what I think.
8. He is nice to my friends.
9. He only punishes me when I deserve it.
10. He is not afraid to admit when he is wrong.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely yours,
Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain
June 22, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!
As we celebrate Father’s Day, our reflection comes from Malachi 2:10-16.
The question of Malachi is relevant to us, “Have we not all one father? Did not one God created us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?”
Malachi was a minor Prophet but he had a major message. His message was: Remain in your covenant with God. Malachi was telling them that God should be their Father and they should act as children of God.
The story of the Bible is a story of a covenant relationship of God to his chosen people. The covenant is this: “I will be your God and you will be my people.”
Through Jesus Christ, we can now be called sons and daughters of God, and we can call God our Father. Christians are called the New Israel. Jesus gives us this new covenant: Love God and Love your neighbor. This is the commandment that all the laws, the prophets and writings are based.
The obvious question for us today is – Is God still our father? Do we still consider ourselves as children of God? I hope God will hear our resounding yes.
I would like to share two attributes of our God the Father that are found in our passage.
First, God is a caring father. The people of Israel in that time were careless in their attitudes. In spite of that, God was still the father who cares. He was still reminding the Israelites through the prophet Malachi to turn from their careless attitudes. God, as Father, cared so much that he sent prophets to always warn the Israelites and turn from their wicked ways.
Second, God is a sustaining father. We see in the passage that Israel became unfaithful to the covenant to the point of divorcing God. He still sustains his part of the covenant even if it is one sided. He is like the father in the parable of the prodigal son who keeps on waiting for his son to return.
Lastly, let me share a survey of 10 appreciated qualities of a father by his children:
1. He takes time for me.
2. He listens to me.
3. He plays with me.
4. He invites me to go places with him.
5. He lets me help him.
6. He treats my mother well.
7. He lets me say what I think.
8. He is nice to my friends.
9. He only punishes me when I deserve it.
10. He is not afraid to admit when he is wrong.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely yours,
Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Freedom in Jesus Christ
Binhi sang Pagtuo
June 15, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from CPU!
Last June 12, 2009, Philippines celebrated its 111th year of independence with the theme of “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan.”
In the light of this event, let us reflect on the freedom that God gave us through Jesus Christ.
Let me share with you a portion of a beautiful book entitled “Joshua” written by Joseph F. Girzone. This passage is a critique on how we oftentimes missed the message of freedom that was so essential in the life and teachings of Jesus. We are frequently guilty of building theological prisons in our strict devotion to church doctrines. We have failed to grasp that “fidelity to the teachings of Jesus cannot be forced by threat of punishment…Jesus wanted the human spirit to find him in freedom and to embrace him joyously and spontaneously.”
“God never intended that religion become what it is today. Jesus came to earth to try to free people from that kind of regimented religion where people are threatened if they don’t obey rules and rituals invented by the clergy. Jesus came to teach people that they are God’s children and, as God’s children they are free, free to grow as human beings, to become beautiful people as God intended. That can’t be legislated.
“Jesus gave the apostles and the community as a support to provide help and guidance and consolation. Jesus did not envision bosses in the worldly sense. He wanted his apostles to guide and serve, not to dictate and legislate like those who govern this world. Unfortunately, religious leaders model themselves after civil governments and treat people accordingly. In doing this they fall into the same trap that the scribes and Pharisees fell into, making religion a tangible set of measurable religious observances, which is legalistic and superficial…it is their endless rules and their rituals rather than love of God and concern for others that occupy the people’s attention.
“Customs and practices and traditions then replace true service of God, and these become a serious obstacle to real growth in the love of God…People become rigid in their thinking and afraid to think for themselves…when even ceremonies and mere customs change they panic, because they have been lead to believe these things were their faith. With that kind of mentality all growth stops… If a person is not open to the inspirations of the Spirit, because it goes beyond what the (religious traditions) allow him, then even the Holy Spirit cannot work in him and he remains stunted. What is worse, he frustrates the work that God wants to accomplish in him.
“That’s why the prophets of old were such great men. They had the boldness to see beyond the limitations of human religious traditions and provide guidance to God’s people. They had the courage to break out of the sterile rigidness of religious forms, and incurred the wrath of religious leaders who hated them for this, and persecuted them, even killing some of them in the name of religion.”
May God grant us the freedom to think and see beyond the “four corners of the church.” Jesus was once asked, “where is the proper place of worship, in this mountain or in the temple?” Jesus answered, “you must worship God in spirit and truth.”
Sincerely,
Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain
June 15, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from CPU!
Last June 12, 2009, Philippines celebrated its 111th year of independence with the theme of “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan.”
In the light of this event, let us reflect on the freedom that God gave us through Jesus Christ.
Let me share with you a portion of a beautiful book entitled “Joshua” written by Joseph F. Girzone. This passage is a critique on how we oftentimes missed the message of freedom that was so essential in the life and teachings of Jesus. We are frequently guilty of building theological prisons in our strict devotion to church doctrines. We have failed to grasp that “fidelity to the teachings of Jesus cannot be forced by threat of punishment…Jesus wanted the human spirit to find him in freedom and to embrace him joyously and spontaneously.”
“God never intended that religion become what it is today. Jesus came to earth to try to free people from that kind of regimented religion where people are threatened if they don’t obey rules and rituals invented by the clergy. Jesus came to teach people that they are God’s children and, as God’s children they are free, free to grow as human beings, to become beautiful people as God intended. That can’t be legislated.
“Jesus gave the apostles and the community as a support to provide help and guidance and consolation. Jesus did not envision bosses in the worldly sense. He wanted his apostles to guide and serve, not to dictate and legislate like those who govern this world. Unfortunately, religious leaders model themselves after civil governments and treat people accordingly. In doing this they fall into the same trap that the scribes and Pharisees fell into, making religion a tangible set of measurable religious observances, which is legalistic and superficial…it is their endless rules and their rituals rather than love of God and concern for others that occupy the people’s attention.
“Customs and practices and traditions then replace true service of God, and these become a serious obstacle to real growth in the love of God…People become rigid in their thinking and afraid to think for themselves…when even ceremonies and mere customs change they panic, because they have been lead to believe these things were their faith. With that kind of mentality all growth stops… If a person is not open to the inspirations of the Spirit, because it goes beyond what the (religious traditions) allow him, then even the Holy Spirit cannot work in him and he remains stunted. What is worse, he frustrates the work that God wants to accomplish in him.
“That’s why the prophets of old were such great men. They had the boldness to see beyond the limitations of human religious traditions and provide guidance to God’s people. They had the courage to break out of the sterile rigidness of religious forms, and incurred the wrath of religious leaders who hated them for this, and persecuted them, even killing some of them in the name of religion.”
May God grant us the freedom to think and see beyond the “four corners of the church.” Jesus was once asked, “where is the proper place of worship, in this mountain or in the temple?” Jesus answered, “you must worship God in spirit and truth.”
Sincerely,
Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Give of your best to the Master
Binhi sang Pagtuo
June 8, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from CPU campus!
Our reflection for this week comes from II Corinthians 8:1-9. This scripture text tells us how Paul challenged the church in Corinth by way of illustrating how the church in Macedonia helped in proclaiming the gospel.
Paul challenges us to give six things. If we sum up these six things, we will know that what God is asking of us is our whole being.
First, let us give of our material resources. How is our offering nowadays? Are we faithful with our tithing? Or are we finding it hard to give our materials resources to the church and in the mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Second, let us give our faith. Let us not just keep the faith, we must spread it. Our faith is enriched if we share it with others.
Third, let us give our kind words. We cannot catch our words the moment it left our mouths.
Pastor Acosta once told of an illustration about a little girl that shouted “buang” in the mountain. The mountain echoed back “buang” to her. She was infuriated. Her mother told her to shout “gwapa.” When the mountain echoed back the word “gwapa”, she beamed with joy. Let us watch our mouth.
Fourth, let us give our knowledge. Let us train second-liners. Like Jesus, we must have disciples.
Jesus had his full-time ministry for about three years. But he trained not only 12 disciples but also 70 and then 120. The gospel reached all of us because of discipleship.
What about us? Are we training someone to someday replace us in our leadership positions, or are we holding our positions until we die?
Fifth, let us give our availability to serve. We give a lot of excuses to God. Although we really felt that God is calling us to serve Him, we still refuse to listen. We say things like – I’m still young, I’m old, others are better than me, I’m shy, I’m busy, I’m afraid and many more.
Like prophets of old, let us say, “Here I am, send me.”
Sixth, let us give our loving attitude.
Dr. Feliciano Sombito, first President of Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches said in 1935, “Dapat naton usisaon kag suklon ang aton kusog kag kaluyahon… magamitlang sang mga defectos, sa espiritu nga dili pag padiutay apang pagpadaku, dili pagmusmus apang pagbatak, dili paghikay apang sa higugma, kag dili pag patay apang sa pag hatag kabuhi.”
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain
June 8, 2009
Dear Centralians and Friends,
Greetings from CPU campus!
Our reflection for this week comes from II Corinthians 8:1-9. This scripture text tells us how Paul challenged the church in Corinth by way of illustrating how the church in Macedonia helped in proclaiming the gospel.
Paul challenges us to give six things. If we sum up these six things, we will know that what God is asking of us is our whole being.
First, let us give of our material resources. How is our offering nowadays? Are we faithful with our tithing? Or are we finding it hard to give our materials resources to the church and in the mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Second, let us give our faith. Let us not just keep the faith, we must spread it. Our faith is enriched if we share it with others.
Third, let us give our kind words. We cannot catch our words the moment it left our mouths.
Pastor Acosta once told of an illustration about a little girl that shouted “buang” in the mountain. The mountain echoed back “buang” to her. She was infuriated. Her mother told her to shout “gwapa.” When the mountain echoed back the word “gwapa”, she beamed with joy. Let us watch our mouth.
Fourth, let us give our knowledge. Let us train second-liners. Like Jesus, we must have disciples.
Jesus had his full-time ministry for about three years. But he trained not only 12 disciples but also 70 and then 120. The gospel reached all of us because of discipleship.
What about us? Are we training someone to someday replace us in our leadership positions, or are we holding our positions until we die?
Fifth, let us give our availability to serve. We give a lot of excuses to God. Although we really felt that God is calling us to serve Him, we still refuse to listen. We say things like – I’m still young, I’m old, others are better than me, I’m shy, I’m busy, I’m afraid and many more.
Like prophets of old, let us say, “Here I am, send me.”
Sixth, let us give our loving attitude.
Dr. Feliciano Sombito, first President of Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches said in 1935, “Dapat naton usisaon kag suklon ang aton kusog kag kaluyahon… magamitlang sang mga defectos, sa espiritu nga dili pag padiutay apang pagpadaku, dili pagmusmus apang pagbatak, dili paghikay apang sa higugma, kag dili pag patay apang sa pag hatag kabuhi.”
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Assistant Chaplain
Sunday, May 31, 2009
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
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
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------
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
Monday, May 25, 2009
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
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
Monday, May 18, 2009
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
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
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