BLEAUMERS

RECEIVED THIS FROM MY EMAIL

just thought about sharing it with you.

[credit goes to the one who wrote it] 

Binhi sang Pagtuo

March 2, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from John 17 – the prayer of Jesus.

Christendom has already started celebrating the Lenten Season. Last February 25 was Ash Wednesday – it coincided with the commemoration of the People Power Revolution. 40 days after that will be Easter Sunday, and another 40 days will bring us to the Day of Pentecost.

What is the meaning of Lenten Season for us? We will reflect on this question in the light of the prayer of Jesus. Probably, this prayer was uttered by Jesus after the Last Supper. Jesus prayed aloud. This prayer was very memorable to the disciples – the reason why it was recorded by John in his Gospel account. 

Three things to ponder:

First, Lenten Season reminds us that we are physically in this world, but our ways are not dictated by the systems of this world. Jesus prayed, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

Lenten Season is a time to repent. That’s why we can see a lot of penitents. May it be a time, not to dwell on rituals, but on the real meaning of the rituals – to repent from our worldly ways, and go back to the ways of Jesus. If the world always says, “what’s in there for me?”, a Christian asks, “how can I be of service?”

Second, Lenten Season reminds us that we are sanctified by God through Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed, “And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.” 

We cannot afford to be lukewarm Christians – God will spit us out. Christ died for us. Why would Christ die for us if we are “good for nothing”? All of us are “good for something.” We must take our being a Christian very seriously.

Third, Lenten Season reminds us that it is imperative that we must be united. Jesus prayed, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one – as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

Have you ever pondered what you put in your bio-data in religion? I usually put “Baptist” in mine. Recently I started answering “Christianity.” Oftentimes, we prioritize our being a “Baptist” or a “Roman Catholic” than for our being a Christian.

We can remember the first century quarrel of Christians. Some of them say, “I am for Apollos,” “I am for Cephas,” and others “I am for Paul.” Is Christ’s body divided? 

Our witness, our testimony is hindered because of our divisions. Let us remember that Jesus sincerely prayed for our unity.

May God continually bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

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BLEAUMERS

[Received from my email]

Binhi sang Pagtuo

March 9, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the Chaplain’s Office!

Our reflection for this week comes from Nehemiah 2:11-20.

This is the story of Nehemiah who traveled from Persia to Jerusalem with the mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

“Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire.” This was the situation of Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity.

Before Nehemiah started his work, he inspected and experienced first hand the situation of Jerusalem. While others were sleeping, he went around investigating the needed repairs. He also prayed and listened to God.

If we survey our national situation now, we can also find that we are in crisis. Morgan Stanley, a respected financial institution reported that the money lost in graft and corruption in the Philippines from 1965 to 2001 amounts to $204 billion or about P12 trillion. Last 2004, Teodoro Benigno reported that we lose P230 billion each year to government graft and corruption. Transparency International reported that we are the 3rd most corrupt country in Asia and number 11 in the world on 2004. Last January 2005, we got a higher rating. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Standard and Poor agency reported that the Philippines was the number 2 most corrupt country in the whole world, second only to Bangladesh. With that kind of development, Philippine Inquirer reported that our country became the number 1 most corrupt country last 2007. A week ago, Sen. Jovito Salonga recently filed an impeachment case against the head of the ombudsman office.

Nehemiah explained to the people the situation, and then inspired them to do their part. He organized the people and gave them hope. An acrostic of HOPE developed by Nestor Bunda says, “Help Organize People Everywhere.” Like Nehemiah, it is our duty to make the people aware on what is happening around us, and what kind of reforms is needed.

The people that worked with Nehemiah were not particularly gifted for construction work. There were no architects, engineers, or city planners. Those involved were the high priest and priests, goldsmiths and perfume-makers, rulers and their daughters, temple servants and merchants. God gave them success, and the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.

The message of Nehemiah for us is: “Let us rise up and build.” Are you willing to join in the effort of rebuilding our nation?

May God continually bless us all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

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