Church for LGBT - Open Table MCC - Philippines

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place in the guest room.

Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.

Christmas season, which in the Philippines begin in September as per the Vatican council of the sy and ayala family, is a weird season for progressive groups including progressive Christians. Lalong-lalo na progressive Catholics. It is a weird, awkward, and contradictory season. Lalo na ngayon na sa mismong lugar kung saan pinanganak, nag-lakad-lakad, at nagmilagro si Hesus ay merong genocide na nangyayari. 

Weird, awkward, and contradictory because there is so much celebration happening and both the religious and capitalist messaging is about gratitude and generosity. It is the time for gift giving and thanksgiving. It is time for gathering together as family and friends. Sabi sa tradisyunal nak anta… “Tayo’y mangagsiawit Habang ang mundo’y tahimik.” Ang totoo hindi tahimik ang mundo at nakakarindi ang sintunadong mga kanta ng mga nangangaroling na iisang kanta lang ang kinakanta, tapos tatlo o apat na grupo ang tatapat sa bahay niyo to sing the same song. 

 Another contradiction and awkwardness pag pasko for progressives is the fact that from September to December, there is so much wealth created because of consumer consumption. Ang this humongous wealth gets concentrated with the Billionaires. And a lot of the items people buy comes from labor exploitation, some of which comes from modern slavery city of Valenzuela – the city of factories and manufacturing. Kasama dyan yung contradiction na maski pa magbigay sila ng 13th pay at bonuses, almost 90% of employee salaries will go back to businesses kasi ang empleyado ay gagasta rin para sa pasko. Empleyado ng SM mamimili rin sa mismong SM. The irony of it noh? Kaya ang tunay na pinagpala pag pasko ay ang mga negosyante. 

And here is the conundrum, the season of Christmas or any season for that matter is a mixture – halo-halong pag-asa at kawalan ng pag-asa. Halo-halong gratitude and generosity with selfishness and greed, both individual and systemic. Magkahalong time for family gatherings and also loneliness kasi hindi naman lahat may pamilya to celebrate it and even those na merong pamilya, maraming mga LGBT are living in terror during the holidays going to homophobic churches and mingling with homophobic relatives. Halo-halong celebration and thanksgiving for all the blessings and good things of the year that is about ti end while at the same time kasama rin dyan ang lahat ng kashitan, pagsubok, karamdaman, and relationship break-ups of the past year. And just to reiterate, the contradiction of that we celebrate the incarnation of the Prince of Peace when in the land of his birth, at this very moment, there is continuing bloodshed, a huge number of those murdered where children and mothers. 

But let me ask you, was the first Christmas, whether the version of Matthew or today’s lectionary version of Luke, was it a time of perfect peace, prosperity, and celebration for everyone? It was not. It was almost exactly as we have it today. The first Christmas was also a contradiction, weird, and awkward. Kung may pagkakaiba man siguro, it was not as eventful as we have it today. It was so ordinary and unnoticed specially in the version of Luke. It was also a time of occupation, violence, and oppression by the Roman Empire. Im sure as Jesus was being born, merong mga katawang nakapako sa Krus sa kalsadang papasok sa Jerusalem and across the empire. The first Christmas, there was a lot of consumerism also lalo na nung nagpatawag ng Census ang Emperador at nag-siuwian sa kanya-kanyang mga probinsya or hometowns ang mga tao. Puno nga ang lahat ng mga “hotels” at walang matuluyan si Maria at Jose. 

I’m sure, in the midst of heavy taxation, exploitation, and oppression by occupying powers, Jewish people still went to the synagogues and made pilgrimages to the temple to practice their faith, celebrate Jewish festivals, and to find something to be thankful for in the midst so much suffering, burden, and even violence. And let us not forget that the persecuted Christians of the 1st and 2nd century, were singing songs of rejoicing and thanksgiving as they were being crucified, burned alive or fed to wild animals. They themselves were a contradiction of joyful death. 

The first Christmas – the Prince of Peace was born in a weird and awkward world – a mixture of many contradictions, and I am here to say to all fellow progressives who find this season very difficult. That is okay. Afterall, wala naman tayong choice. We are living, working, and struggling in such a world. We do not have to feel guilty if there is a part of us who wish to celebrate kahit konti in the face of contradiction. In the face of every shit thing we continue to fight for and struggle against. It is okay to celebrate, enjoy food, enjoy the company of friends and family even though we know na merong mga hindi makakapagcelebrate, merong walang makaen, at merong walang pamilya or worst, merong mga nawalan ng pamilya because of violence. 

I am sure, despite being in the middle of so much destruction, hunger, and violence, Palestinian Catholics will try their best to still “celebrate” and gather for worship, prayer, and fellowship inside ruined church buildings or destroyed homes, sharing whatever little food they have left with each other or communion as their only food. There will still be mass celebrated in the many churches across Palestinian lands this month and next month. Next month kasi ang Eastern Orthodox Christmas. They have to celebrate. They have to gather as a people. They have to still find the smallest spark of joy and hope, the smallest ounce of faith, and to muster scraps of love for them to endure and continue. 

We who are thousands of miles away, we can still celebrate despite all the contradictions. We can still celebrate for those who can’t. We have to celebrate and collect as much joy and hope we can and share as much faith and love for the same purpose of finding strength, courage, and perseverance to ENDURE the oppressive demands of this world and to continue fighting against it. 

Mary and Joseph, and the peasant shepherds despite being under Roman occupation celebrated and allowed themselves to experience great joy with the birth of Jesus. And even if we go to the version of Matthew, in the face of genocidal infanticide of King Herod, the wise ones from the East allowed themselves to experience profound joy. I’m sure Mary and Joseph also felt profound joy receiving gold and other expensive gifts, bilang sila rin naman ay isang pesanteng pamilya. Magkahalong joy with the birth of Jesus and then fear because Herod is out to kill Jesus and most probably his parents, and of course to kill also the wise one who lied and ghosted Herod. 

So my Christmas message for this year for all of us na mga mulat or woke at sa kung sino pang mga kaibigan natin sa movement – Do not feel guilty to celebrate this season if you are able. If you have the means to celebrate kahit konti. At kahit parang wala na dahilan o kakayanan to celebrate gawan nating ng paraan. Makicelebrate with others. Kaya importante ang community and friendships. The only difference between our celebration and those that this world would have us do, is to celebrate it with intentionality and remembrance, and not denial or distraction. The capitalist and imperial celebration is always to distract people so that they do not come to the awareness of their oppression. All the festivities and consumerism propagated by those in power are intended to exploit and distract the people. Para hindi natin maramdaman o makita ang ka-shitan ng mundong ito. Yun yung dapat na malinaw sa atin: na hindi tayo nagsasaya dahil gusto nating takasan ang mga kabwisitan sa mundong ito. Hindi tayo nagsisimba para lang magpasalamat sa ating personal na mga blessings at ipagdasal ang personal nating mga kagustuhan para sa darating na taon. 

Hindi tayo nagtitipon bilang pamilya o bilang magjowang bakla or magjowang shibuli para lang sa ating mga sarili kasi okay na tayo bilang tayo. We celebrate and find reasons for joy so that we can be renewed and strengthened. We take time to rest, pray, and reflect para may panibagong lakas para sa pakikibaka, adbokasiya, at ministry sa darating na taon. Magpapahinga, kakaen, at magtatawanan para humugot ng panibagong tapang para sa mga rally at iba pang pag-oorganiza na dadaluhan sa darating na taon. Mag-aawitan tayo hindi dahil tahimik ang mundo, bagkus, mag-aawitan tayo bilang uri ng nagpapatuloy na protesta sa mga simbahan at sa lipunang complicit sa injustices and consumerism na umiiral. 

Ang ating pagsamba at mga celebrasyon ay hindi para takpan o kalimutan ang mga problema ng mundong ito at maski ng ating mga personal na buhay, bagkus para meron tayong panghugutan ng lakas para patuloy na mabuhay at lumaban.

Siguro ito rin ang ating bitbitin at pag-isipan sa darating na taon. How can we continue to create moments of joy and happiness sa ating mga sari-sariling buhay at sa community na ito para pang-hugutan ng lakas at pag-asa? Sabi ng ani Pastor Carleen, MCC served as her hingahan at one point of her life. Isa sa mga mumunting espasyo na Siya, bilang aktibista, ay nakakahinga at nakakatawa kasama ang mga accla kahit sandali in contrast sa sangkatutak na karumaldumal na kaganapan na kanyang hinaharap. How can activities of joy be a source of hope and strength for you and for others? Not as coping or escaping, but as protest to a world and even to a movement that would exploit our labor and skills. Pero syempre hindi puro joy and joy na lang justifying it as source of strength. With so much joy and hope, how do we translate yung joy and hope na iyon by contributing our part sa pagkilos, sa ministry, sa advocacy? With so much joy and hope, how can we begin to remove our fear about rallies and try to attend one? With so much joy and hope, paano ka higit na makikipamuhay at makikisangkot sa community at ministry ng Open Table? Para sa matatagal na dito, paanong magkakaroon ka ng renewal sa iyong faith and advocacy sa open table at hindi tignan ang community na ito with bitterness, resentment, or to look at it as nothing more than just a burden? 

With moments of joy and hope, paanong mabawas-bawasan ang pagiging triggered person mo at maging mas kalmadong titabeks? 

Borrowing the wisdom of Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber – Goodnews is only Goodnews because it is delivered in the context of suffering and death. 

The birth of Jesus Christ, 2000 years ago, was only Goodnews because it was under Roman occupation not because God will magically eradicate the problems we ourselves have created or allowed. The uneventful birth of a child in a cruel world; a child promised to embody the presence of a loving God, is good news and worth celebrating. 

Let us celebrate the good news of Christ’s birth by being intentional with our celebrations, rituals, and festivities as a source of our strength, hope, and perseverance. In the same way that the peasant shepherds under Roman oppression experienced joy by seeing the Christ child, or the Magi – the Wise Ones – after their long journey and with the threat of a murderous mad king, experienced the joy of encountering the same promised liberator, may we also continue to look for and experience the joy Jesus Christ in our relationships, communities, and advocacies; Jesus Christ who is present in the countless tears and the smallest of joys of the Palestinians experiencing genocide; Jesus Christ who is present in all the contradictions, awkwardness, and weirdness of this season, of our lives and of our world. Let us celebrate with both joy and tears mixed together. 

Isang mapagpala at mapagpalayang pasko at darating na bagong taon sa ating lahat. 

The post Joy and Contradictions appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Nang malapit na siya sa Betfage at Betania, sa lugar na tinatawag na Bundok ng mga Olibo, pinauna niya ang dalawa sa mga alagad. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Pumunta kayo sa susunod na nayon. Sa pagpasok ninyo roo’y makikita ninyo ang isang batang asno na nakatali na hindi pa nasasakyan ng kahit sino. Kalagan ninyo iyon at dalhin dito. Kung may magtanong sa inyo, ‘Bakit ninyo kinakalagan iyan?’ ganito ang sabihin ninyo, ‘Kailangan ito ng Panginoon.’ ” Sumunod ang mga inutusan, at natagpuan nga nila ang asno ayon sa sinabi sa kanila. Habang kinakalagan nila ang batang asno ay tinanong sila ng may-ari nito, “Bakit ninyo kinakalagan ang batang asno?” Kaya’t sinabi nila, “Kailangan ito ng Panginoon.” Dinala nila ang batang asno kay Jesus at matapos ilagay sa likod nito ang kanilang mga balabal, siya ay pinasakay nila dito.

Samantalang siya’y nakasakay sa batang asno, inilalatag naman ng mga tao ang kanilang damit sa daan. Nang malapit na siya sa daan pababa sa Bundok ng mga Olibo, ang lahat ng napakaraming mga alagad ay nagsimulang magsaya at magpuri sa Diyos nang pasigaw tungkol sa nasaksihan nilang mga kababalaghan. Sinabi nila,

“Pinagpala ang Haring dumarating sa pangalan ng Panginoon! Kapayapaan sa langit at luwalhati sa kataas-taasan.”

Ilan sa mga Fariseo na nasa karamihan ay nagsabi sa kanya, “Guro! Sawayin mo ang iyong mga alagad.” Ngunit sumagot si Jesus, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, kung tatahimik ang mga ito, magsisigawan ang mga bato.”

A week from now, ang sang-kabaklaan ay magcoconverge sa Quezon City, specifically sa QC-Circle for what is considered as the main and biggest Pride event of this year in Metro Manila, and perhaps in the Philippines. Ang estimate and ineexept ng organizers ay about 200,000 individuals lalo na pagdating ng gabi, with the entertainment program. 

And it all started in 1992 and 1994. Na iilang pirasong mga Lesbiana ay nag-martsa sa Women’s march of 1992 insisting their space, voice, and presence in the women’s movement. And then for the first time iilang piraso, around about 40 to 50 individuals – mostly members of Pro Gay Philippines and MCC Manila, for the first time 30 years ago, nag-martsa to commemorate Stonewall Uprising, to be visible bilang bakla at lesbiana, and to voice out our rights and our intersectional oppression. Nagsimula sa iilang pirasong mga gagang lesbiana at bakla na hindi natakot lumantad at mag-martsa para sa sabihing, andito kami. Kami ay tao. May karapatan. May dignidad. At merong kaapihan. Walang performers. Walang gobyernong sumusuporta. Walang nga negosyanteng nagsposponsor. It was individuals and groups organizing and mobilizing a protest. And from those iilang pirasong mga bakla at Lesbian, nagpatuloy ang mga Pride Marches na mostly nuon ay sa Remedios Circle at sa area ng City of Manila. Every year. Dinadaos kahit iilang piraso lang of 50s to a hundred. To a fee hundreds. Not enough to be noticed at kung manotice man sa media, mabilis na nakakalimutan. And MCC has always been there from the very start to every other Pride March that has ever took place and Father Richard Mickley, ang magulang ng MCC sa Pilipinas at isa sa mga magulang nung unang Pride March nung 1994 marched every single year and attended until year 2022. Nung 2022, he went to both QC and Pasay. Did he have to be there? No. Can he be exucused because of his age? Yes. But for someone who lived at a time where there was so much animosity and violence against LGBT people when the term LGBT did not exist yet – for someone who lived at a time na yang violence against LGBT was not only real but also the norm – He had to continue marching in a foreign country he called home. Abraham lang ang peg noh? Called from different country and told to go to another country. Kaya wala tayong dahilan para hindi patuloy na magmartsa at magprotesta para sa intersectional na karapatan at dignidad ng bawat LGBTQIA+ na Pilipino na nabibilang sa lahat ng mga sector at nabibilang rin sa simbahan. 

In our gospel reading today, we listen to the famous palm Sunday reading of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. New Testament Scholars speculate that when Jesus entered Jerusalem from the Eastern Gate, he had with him approximately at least 5,000 men with him and not yet counting the women and children who also went with him. Pero bago nagmartsa si Hesus sa Jerusalem, nagsimula rin ang kanyang Martsa sa palibot ng Galilee with just a few men and women. Iilang pirasong mga pesanteng mangingisda, magsasaka, at mga kababaihan. And the culmination of his travelling ministry was to march towards the center of religious and political power, Jerusalem. With him marching the so called “sinners” and the unclean with him he ate with and became friends with. Jesus marched into Jeruslame through the Eastern gate – a revolutionary and subversive action – rebellious and treasonous action because of a prophesy that the messiah will enter Jersusalem through the Eastern gate. And while Jesus enters the Eastern Gate, New testament scholars also speculate that a roman legion was entering through the opposite gate, the Western Gate and a legion is about 6000 Roman legionnaires. It was a very delicate situation kung saan takot na takot yung mga temple leaders na baka magkagulo at magkaroon ng Roman reprisal. And so, the temple leaders – who were both religious and political leaders – “Guro! Sawayin mo ang iyong mga alagad.” 

Pero most likely they told Jesus – Patahimikin mo yang mga tagasunod mo. Manahimik kayo. Ang ingay nyo. Nakakaperwisyo kayo. Nakakapagcause kayo ng traffic. Gumagawa kayo ng eksena. Tumigil at manahimik kayo kasi baka magalit yung mga Romano. Sounds familiar? 

Sumagot si Hesus, “Maski patahimikin ko sila, mismong mga bato ay magsisipagsalita. Magsisigawan. Magpapahayag. Magproprotesta.” 

Bilang progressibong mga Kristianong Bakla, Lesbiana, Transgender, Bisexual, Intersex, Queer, Non-binary, Asexual, Pansexual, Poly, and mga alyadong Cisgender-Heterosexual – Let us never forget that our spiritual bloodline goes all the way back to 1994, to 1992, to 1991 when MCC was established here in the Philippines. Goes all the way back to the 80s AIDS protests, goes all the way back to 1970, the first Pride Marches and Parades, and then goes all the way back to Stonewall of 1969. Goes all the way back to 1968, the founding of UFMCC. Then all the way back to the early picket lines when we were still called faggots and dykes, and homophiles. Our ancestry goes all the way back to Marcova and the comfort gays of the 2nd world war, all the gay. Lesibans, and trans that were raped by the Japaenese along with other women. We go all the way back to Babaylan Tablot who rebelled against the Friars and Spaniards. It goes all the way back to the other Babaylans and Asogs that were martyred by feeding them to the crocodiles. We go all the way back to the early pilgrimages of gender minorities in Europe, making their way to the our Mother of Montevirgine. Our spiritual ancestry of protest goes all the way back to Jesus of Nazareth and the early Christians, goes all the way back to his ancestors, David and Jonathan, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, all the way back to the slaves of way back to the Hapiru, the slaves of Egypt who cried out to God for deliverance and we go all the way back to Joseph who wore a princess dress, and to his father Jacob who wrestled an Angel or God all night long up to Abraham and Sarah whom God called from a different land into another to be a blessing to all nations. Our spiritual bloodline and spirit of protest goes all the way back to a God whose nature if Love and who has always desired justice, equality, and common good for all. 

Pride as love. Pride as Faith. Pride as Protest goes all the way back to every person, queer or not, who has ever marched, protested, and resisted injustice and oppression and we are their living legacy. We are their continuing memory. We are the continuation of the struggle for genuine justice and liberation for ALL people. Ikaw at ako ang nagpapatuloy ng kanilang pakikibaka at pananampalataya.

While it is good to have performers and entertainers. Pride is not about them and Pride will not stop without them because Pride started without them. While it is good and we appreciate celebrities becoming allies, Pride is not about them. They should not be the center and focus of Pride.  While it is good that we have businesses sponsoring Pride, Pride is never about profit and capitalism. While it is good that we have foreign embassies cheering Filipino Pride, Pride should not be influenced and dictated upon by them and by their funding. While it is good that a local government supports Pride and indeed Quezon City government under Mayor Joy Belmonte is the most LGBTQIA+ responsive and progressive LGU, Pride is not about Mayor Joy or the city government of QC. We appreciate and celebrate Mayor Joy for his allyship and for collaborating with LGBT organizations for local ordinances and programs, it is also equally true that Pride is not about her even as it includes her and with all her efforts and work for the community, it does not give her ownership of Pride. We love Major Joy. But Mayor Joy is not Pride and does not own pride. Pride is you and me, all of us, and every other soul who will attend the event. Every other soul who have attended Pride events in other places and will attend pride events next week. Pride is about every organization and community making genuine effort for the movement and for new generations of queer Filipinos. Pride is about our weekly worship service and a safe space for Queer Christians. You are Pride. We are Pride. We are the ones who own it and says what it is and how it should be. Pride is collective. Pride is community. Pride is global solidarity with Palestine and every other people threatened by Western Empires. Pride is the wider movement and it is a continuing protest. Nagpapatuloy na protesta at pakikibaka na hindi mapapatahimik kahit walang LGU o business sponsor or performers. Mga bato ang magpeperform. Mga Puno ang magsasalita. Ang mismong lupa ang sisigaw para sa pantay na karapatan at tunay na katarungan. So let us march carrying our placards. Ating salubungin ang mga emperyo at mga romanong dadalo sa Pride. Tayo ay magmartsa sa espirito ng ating mga ninuong accla at sa pangalan ni Hesus na nagmartsa rin at nagprotesta sa Herusalem at sa templo. Let us march with renewed faith and inspiration knowing we are never alone, and we will never silenced. The resistance continues. Pride continues until every queer child is loved, has enough, wars ceased and all creation lives in Harmony. In Jesus name. May it be so. Amen. 

The post Pride March Continues appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

Bumalik si Jesus sa Galilea sa kapangyarihan ng Espiritu at sa buong lupain ay kumalat ang balita tungkol sa kanya. Nagturo siya sa kanilang mga sinagoga taglay ang papuri ng lahat.

Dumating siya sa Nazareth na kanyang nilakhan. Gaya ng kanyang nakaugalian, pumasok siya sa sinagoga nang araw ng Sabbath at tumindig upang magbasa. Iniabot sa kanya ang aklat ng propetang si Isaias at pagkabukas dito ay natunghayan niya ang dako kung saan nasusulat, “Sumasaakin ang Espiritu ng Panginoon, sapagkat hinirang niya ako upang ipangaral ang mabuting balita sa mga dukha. Isinugo niya ako upang ipahayag sa mga bihag ang paglaya at sa mga bulag na sila’y makakita upang bigyang-laya ang mga inaapi, at ipahayag ang pinapagpalang taon ng Panginoon.”

Inirolyo ni Jesus at isinauli ang aklat sa tagapaglingkod, at siya’y naupo. At ang mga mata ng lahat ng sinagoga ay nakatitig sa kanya.

One of the great beliefs and practices of MCC is the so called “priesthood of all believers” which says that spiritual and liturgical power is not concentrated in the person of an ordained pastor. All baptized Christians can lead, serve, and bless all the sacraments, rites, and other liturgical practices of the church community, indeed making us spiritually equal and democratic, and I feel the closest to the intentions of Jesus and later by Paul on how communities of faith should be. I am out sick today because of the multiple meetings I had last Tuesday and Wednesday, with a 5AM global MCC board meeting Wednesday morning. I’m doing better but not yet totally and so I decided to rest this Sunday. Salamat sa lahat ng gagampan sa worship today. The Holy Spirit is with you all, moving and working with, in, and through each one of you to sustain our safe space, to proclaim God’s love, and to do advocacy work, all of them sa pamamagitan ng ating worship service. 

This will not be a full sermon as I usually do because you will have arts and crafts for the duration of the preaching part of the worship. 

Marcus Borg considers our scripture reading today as the inauguration of Jesus as per the writer of the gospel of Luke. This inauguration also sets what was, in Luke’s eyes, the central purpose and goal of the ministry and mission of Jesus. Remember that Luke’s gospel frame is about Metanoia – Transformation. But how? Through the prophetic tradition, and here specifically, the one declared in Isaiah. 

For the author of Luke, the mission of Jesus is centered in this prophetic proclamation from the scroll of Isaiah, na bibigyan ko ng sarili kong rendering:

Ibahagi ang mabuting balita sa mga mahihirap, paglaya sa mga nakagapos,

Ipahayag ang pagkamulat o pagkakita sa mga bulag at nabubulagan, Palayain ang lahat ng mga inaapi at pinagmamalupitan, at ideklara ang pinagpalang Taon ng Panginoon. 

Para sa manunulat ng Lukan Gospel, the mission of Jesus is to transform society through the Isaiah passage – Goodnews to the poor. What is goodnews to the poor? That they will no longer be poor, hungry, and homesless. Release to the captives – paglaya literally and figuratively: Paglaya ng mga political prisoners at iba pang mga prisoners na inosente pero kinulong. Release sa mga nakakulong na ang tanging kasalanan ay dahil mahirap sila. Release mula sa pagkagapos sa mga toxic at mapang-aping mga paniniwala kasama na ang paglaya mula sa mga toxic ng mga religions and religious groups. At minsan paglaya rin mula sa mga pamilyang mapanakit. Madalas ibig sabihin rin nito ay paglaya mula sa sarili nating mga kaisipan na tayo ay hindi karapat-dapat. Paglaya mula sa kaisipan o paniniwala na tayo ay walang puwang sa simbahan at Lipunan. Sa kaisipan na hindi ka maganda o kamahal-mahal. Sight to the blind – pagkamulat sa maraming mga katotohanan na dati hindi nakikita o naiisip man lang. Pagkamulat sa katotohanan ng pag-ibig ng Diyos para sa lahat ano man ang iyong pagkatao, pinanggalingan, at maski kasarian or SOGIESC. 

Maging mulat na hindi porket straight ka, hindi ka na api. Makita mo na may kaapihan ka rin sa iyong kasarian bilang cis-hetero person. 

Jesus wishes to transform society through Isaiah’s call to bring freedom to the oppressed – Kalayaan at buhay na ganap sa mga inaapi at pinagmamalupitan; Freedom and fullness of life for the oppressed, discriminated, and exploited. Na sa ating LGBTQIA+ sector, isang malinaw na paraan dito ay ang pagsasabatas nung SOGIE Equality Bill. A true transformed society is mark by the declaration of the great jubilee year of the Lord, which biblically means – Lahat ng utang ay cancelled na and forgiven. If you do not know, our capitalist world is built and sustained by debt. And oppression and poverty is based on systemic continuation of indebtedness – Pagkakautang. The biblical Jubilee wish to abolish this and set people free from pagkakautang. Jubilee also means, ang mga lupang sinanla at binenta, maski ang mga ninakaw at kinamkam ay ibabalik sa mga una at tunay nitong mga may-ari. May paglaya, pagkakapantay-pantay, katarungan, at buhay na ganap para sa lahat. Eto ang tunay at biblical na Jubilee year that many so called “bible-believing” Christians fail not only to live-up to but even to consider in their lives and in their churches. 

If you are really a follower of Jesus, his mission is also our mission both individually and as a community. We have the same prophetic mission from Isaiah. We are not only ap priesthood of all believers, we’re also prophets of all believers. Bawat isa sa atin ay propeta rin by virtue of our baptism. As we continue to commemorate Pride Month by by honoring our queer ancestors and the 30th year of the first pride march, and as we move closer to this year’s Pride March events, let us carry into our hearts and minds the prophetic mission of Jesus as Queer Christians. Let us march proclaiming Goodnews to the poor. Proclaiming release to captives. Proclaiming freedom and rights not only for LGBTQIA+ people but also for the people of Palestine. Let us proclaim the fullness of Life and God’s love for LGBTQIA+ Filipinos. Let our prophetic proclamation also become our protest against the oppressors and oppressive systems of church and society.

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so John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And the whole Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him and were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

What does it mean to be anointed? Ito ay pagpahid o paglalagay ng langis.

In the Old Testament, or the Hebrew Testament, kings and priests were anointed to signify that they are moving from one state of being, or one role, to another state of being, or another role. From former life to a new life of duty and responsibility.

Baptism, in the course of history and development of Christian religion, became ritualized. Baptism of water, included afterwards, the anointing of the Chrism oil or the Christ oil. Once baptized, always baptized. Hindi siya nawawala, hindi siya natatanggal.

So, several things, as we ponder 2024 and our lives, in relation to baptism and anointing.

Baptism is, first and foremost, about transformation. Pagpapanibagong-buhay. Pagpapanibagong-anyo. Ang translation na ginagamit minsan ay “repentance” – Pagsisisi ng kasalanang nagawa. But the Greek word that was used is “metanoia.”

Metanoia is much bigger than simply confessing sin. Metanoia is transformation. It is the purging the sins that you did, but also the sins that were done to you.

Transformation is not just sins of your making. Transformation is the totality of your life, including the sins that were done to you. Including mental health. Including trauma. At bakit ko pinapa-contemplate ang mga kasalanang ginawa sa atin? Kasi marami sa mga kasalanan din nating personal ay nagmumula sa mga kasalanang ginawa sa atin.

It’s not becoming perfect. It’s about progress. The goal is not perfection, but the goal is continuous progress, relating to transformation. And sometimes, for some of us, some of you here, especially those who have been here for the longest time, sometimes that transformation happened when you came to MCC. From thinking that you are a mistake, and that God hates you and hates your feelings and Attractions, hates your sexuality and gender – changing to a more affirming and positive faith and perspective. And therefore, a changed life.

For 2024, to renew baptism, and to renew the anointing of the spirit means the intention to also continue our transformation and our progress. As Christians, as individuals, and then of course also as a community. As we continue with 2024, think about how you can transform yourself, your way of thinking, and your way of living. And even your way of praying. To repent and be transformed is to let go of bad attitudes and bad habits of the past. To let go of anger or hatred, kung mayroon man. To do something about things that you need to deal with, or to do things that will heal you and begin to grow you into a better version of yourself.

While there is a human component to this transformation, including the decision and intentionality to do so, we still need to ask God, ask the Holy Spirit for this continuing transformation for 2024. You still need to come to prayer and ask God for God’s transformative power. Especially for all those things that are beyond your scope and are not in your control.

To be baptized and anointed by the Holy Spirit means that it is rooted in the spiritual fact that you are a child of God. And that God is pleased with you regardless of what you have done in the past. God is pleased with you by your willingness to approach and seek God out and ask for God’s guidance and help to be transformed.

That includes every human being that has ever lived on this good Earth. Every person is God’s beloved child. Including Palestinians and Israelis. Including blacks, browns, and whites. Everyone is a child of God, both cis-gendered, heterosexual, and every LBGTQIA+ person born. Every person is a child of God, including those who are differently-abled, and those born with debilitating conditions.

As we begin 2024 and hope for better things, and ask God’s transformative power through the Holy Spirit, we do so with our inheritance as God’s children, knowing well na hindi tayo iiwan o pababayaan ng dakilang magulang natin. Bilang individuals at bilang community of Open Table MCC.

If we are God’s children, then we are all sisters, brothers, and siblings. We are each others’ keepers and caretakers. As children of God, we cannot turn or act or say that we do not care for the suffering of our siblings. And equally, we do not care when some of our siblings are doing something bad to other siblings.

The baptism of Jesus is almost always interpreted as the beginning of his ministry. In all four Gospels, ang pagsisimula ng kaniyang ministeryo at misyon ay nagsimula sa baptism going forward. Nagsimula ang misyon ni Hesus sa pagpapahid ng Espiritu Santo sa kaniya, at pagpapaalala na siya ay anak ng Diyos.

We are reminded today to ask for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Sa Trinitarian doctrine nga, ang palagi daw nakakalimutan ay ‘yong Holy Spirit. Kasi palaging ang prayer format ay “In Jesus name,” o “Father God,” – Minsan palaging nakakalimutan ‘yong Holy Spirit.

So ask. Ask for the Holy Spirit so that you may be transformed, as many times over as you need, or as we need. To be affirmed, to be reminded always that we are a child of God. And trust that God will always care for and journey with God’s children. And as children of God, we are sisters, brothers, and siblings. Like Jesus who saw and experienced the oppression and suffering of his people, we are called and empowered by the same spirit to do good, to care, and to be the answered prayer of one another. A channel of God’s blessing to each other.

Amen.

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In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him, and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.

The Magi from the East journeying to pay homage the Promised King of the Jews. Hindi sinabi kung saan sila specifically galing. Basta ang clue lang, sila ay Magi from the East. Wala ding sinabing tatlo. Wala ring sinabing mga pangalan. Ayon lang sa extra-biblical tradition nakuha ang mga pangalang Melchior, Balthazar, at Caspar.

According to the speculation based on the historical situation of the time, the term “Magi” is from Persia or Babylon. And then, some historians and biblical scholars speculate that they are from the ancient city of Ctesiphon. So, you can imagine, from that area, nag-travel sila all the way to Judea, Palestine. Sa Jerusalem.

Ano ba ang aral sa kwento ng Magi?

We all have this historical information. God revealed God’s self to the Magi, noong nakita nila si Jesus. Pero ano ba talaga ang lesson niyan right now, for us, and also for the LGBTQIA+?

The journey from January to December is like the journey of the Magi. We begin the year and journey all the way to Christmas, in December 2024.

Like the Magi, we begin the journey today to look for Jesus Christ somewhere out there. The Christian life is to search for Jesus Christ. So, one of the lessons of the story of the Magi is that throughout the year, we are on a journey looking for the Christ child. And part of the journey is that we will journey with our gifts.

The journey of the Magi is excited sila sa journey, but they also practically prepare for the journey.

And that’s the same for us. Yes, we pray for a better year. Yes, we pray for blessings. But we have to prepare with the truth, the fact, that there might be certain challenges and problems that will come our way for 2024.

Sabi nga nila, do not pray for something good, or do not pray for the problem to go away. Pray that you are ready to address and to deal with a problem that will come. Do not pray for the storm to go away, because the natural order of creation is that there will always be storms. But pray that you will be prepared when the storm comes. And that’s the same with 2024. And that’s the same with the journey of the Magi.

It is a journey of finding the promised Christ, even when according to the law, according to the Jewish law, the covenant, we are not worthy and acceptable, because we are Pagans. (The Magi are Pagans. They were not Jewish. They were astrologers, magicians, readers of the signs of heavenly bodies, which according to the Jewish law is forbidden. Such practices in Deuteronomy and Leviticus are called an abomination and detestable before God. It even merits a death penalty.)

It was these astrologers that merited death penalty by the Jewish law, where God revealed the Messiah, the ones who were able to see the Christ child. And that’s the closest thing to us, as LGBTQIA+ people. That even if the covenant deems us as unworthy, God changed God’s mind. And that God revealed God’s self to those that were considered detestable.

And that’s the closest thing for us.

We are closest to the Magi, because, like them, we are considered by others as detestable, abomination. Also worthy of being stoned to death. And yet, like the Magi, the promise is: we are also called to journey, to see the signs, and to journey towards the Christ. We are called to make the journey. We are called to meet the Holy One, kahit na may nagsasabing hindi tayo katanggap-tanggap.

In the journey, we will also meet people like Herod. And we must be discerning and wise enough to see through such people who have other motives and intentions towards us and our journey.

I will tell you another story, also not in the bible. It’s a story inspired by the tradition of the three kings. It’s from short novel written by Henry van Dyke, by the title of “The Other Wise Man” – which is then adapted into a film that is shown during Holy Week.

The story goes that there is a fourth Magi, named Artaban, and he got left behind by the other three Magi. He got left behind because he failed to arrive on time sa kung saan sila magkikita, sa caravan.

Na-delay siya kasi may tinulungan siyang naghihingalo tao. There was a dying person that he helped. (One thing about the Magi – some were considered as healers and physicians.)

He had to sell one of his giftsm, to be able to travel; so that he can buy the provisions that he needs to travel by himself going to Judea Palestine. Pero no’ng dumating sya, finally, sa Bethlehem, nakaalis na ‘yong Holy Family, hindi niya na rin inabutan ‘yong mga kaibigan niya. Papapunta na ng Egypt sina Mary, Joseph at si Jesus.

Mayro’n siyang isang nanay at bata na tinulungan para hindi mapatay, by giving one of his treasures. And then he tried to follow the Holy Family to Egypt. Pero sa kaniyang paghahanap sa Hesus, may natagpuan siyang community ng mga lepers. At nag-stay siya doon para tulungan ang community of lepers.

33 years have passed, at matandang matanda na siya. And then he heard that Jesus was in Jerusalem. Ipapako na sa krus si Hesus. Noong papunta siya sa calvary at pinapako na si Hesus, willing niya ibigay ang kanyang pearl to ransom Jesus. Kaso noong papaakyat siya sa calvary, mayroon siyang nakitang young woman, batang babae, to be sold into slavery, na humingi ng tulong sa kaniya. So nagdalawang-isip siya. Binigay niya na lang ang kanyang pearl to buy the freedom of the young girl.

Heartbroken siya kasi hindi niya nakita si Jesus na ngayon ay patay na, at wala na ang lahat ng treasures niya. Hindi niya rin nagamit ang kanyang treasure to buy the ransom of Jesus.

Mamamatay na din siya. And finally, Jesus appears to him. And Jesus told him: “your gifts are accepted, Artaban.”

And then Artaban asked: “how did you receive my gifts, Lord? I have not seen you until now.”

Jesus responds: “because when I was hungry you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. When I was naked, you clothed me. When I was sick, you were there and you came to me – the lepers. And when I was in prison, you were there.”

Tinanong ni Artaban: “When did I ever feed you, Lord? I have never seen you hungry and fed you. I have never seen you sick and cared for you. I’ve only seen you now.”

And again, Jesus says: “For as much as you have done it to the least of those you have helped, you have done it to me. Your gifts have been accepted.”

And then he dies, with a peaceful and joyful smile. That’s the end of the story.

So as we begin again a journey for 2024, a journey towards Christmas, let us be reminded also that we encounter Jesus with every person we help, care for, and support. Especially strangers. Especially those we meet along the journey. From January to December. The gifts and the preparations we have made must be shared and not kept hidden.

But unlike the fourth Magi, we do not have to journey alone. We do not have to do it by ourselves. We journey together, we meet Jesus together, both in this church community, and in our individual lives.

We meet Jesus when every single week, like today, a new queer child comes to worship. Wounded and confused, because the other churches told them that they are an abomination.

So four lessons in summary:

#1 – though declared unworthy, pagans whose practices are unacceptable, we begin a new journey, like the Magi, to look for Jesus. We prepare for the exciting yet challenging journey of 2024.

#2: The point of the journey is to find Jesus. To seek him out. There is a purpose for the journey. The journey is not an end unto itself. Hindi tayo naglalakbay na chuwariwap dahil gusto lang natin. Kasi sa ating paglalakbay, kung tayo ay Kristiyano, dapat nating tanungin, ang ating sarili: bakit ba at para kanino tayo naglalakbay? And it is for Jesus.

#3: In as much as we will meet good people along the way, we will meet people who need our help. And people who will ask for our help. In as much as may makikilala tayong mga kailangan nating tulungan. May makikilala din tayong mga Herodes. Who will try to manipulate and exploit us. We must be discerning of such people, and not allow ourselves to be used, abused, and exploited. Nor let them derail our journey and purpose of our journey.

#4: While we look forward, while we look far away, and journey towards Jesus, that is somewhere out there, let us not be distracted and remember in the story of the Fourth Magi, that we also meet Jesus throughout the journey. We are to do good to whoever needs our help, as best and as able as we can.

Ang isa pang lesson at gusto ko i-chika for today, makalimutan n’yo man lahat ng sinabi ko. Ang isa pang lesson, fifth lesson from the Magi. Let us be intentionally wise in our life and in our faith. Dapat smart na tayo sa 2024. Like the Magi who are the wise ones. Huwag nang shu-shunga-shunga. Kung naging shunga-shunga ka man before, lalo na sa 2023, dapat you know better in 2024. Tigilan na natin ‘yan, mga accla.

Lahat tayo, we want a better 2024. It can only be achieved if we’re intentionally wiser and smarter – without losing our kindness and gentleness.

It is the same prayer and wish I have for Open Table MCC. We have to continue improving and doing things smarter here. Gaano man kaliit o kabagal, basta moving forward to improving things.

So I end this preaching, but I do not have any new or brilliant quote to end. Except to say, let us be smarter this time around for 2024. Let us be like the Magi – individually, and as a community. Smarter but also kinder. In that way, we meet Jesus, and others meet Jesus through us.

Amen.

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Nang pasimula, naroon na ang tinatawag na Salita. Ang Salita ay kasama ng Dios at ang Salita ay Dios. Sa simula paʼy kasama na siya ng Dios. Nilikha ang lahat ng bagay sa pamamagitan niya, at walang anumang nalikha nang hindi sa pamamagitan niya. Ang Salita ang pinagmumulan ng buhay, at ang buhay na itoʼy [...]

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At sinabi ni Maria, “Buong puso kong pinupuri ang Panginoon, at nagagalak ang aking espiritu sa Dios na aking Tagapagligtas! Sapagkat inalala niya ako na kanyang abang lingkod. Mula ngayon ay ituturing akong mapalad ng lahat ng henerasyon, dahil sa dakilang mga bagay na ginawa sa akin ng Makapangyarihang Dios. Banal siya! Kinaaawaan niya ang [...]

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Magalak kayong lagi sa Panginoon. Muli kong sasabihin: Magalak kayo. Makilala sana ng lahat ng tao ang inyong kahinahunan. Ang Panginoon ay malapit nang dumating. Huwag kayong mabalisa sa anumang bagay, sa halip ay idulog ninyo sa Diyos ang inyong mga kahilingan tungkol sa lahat ng mga bagay, sa pamamagitan ng panalangin at pagsamong may [...]

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Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one, for you do not regard people with [...]

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Listen to this Sunday’s preaching, a liturgy and sermon integrated into one by professor and scholar of New Testament and Biblical Studies, Professor Revelation Velunta. Read by Choi Discipulo, the HIV/AIDS Coordinator of Open Table MCC. Also available as a blog post. Reading: Mark 1:40-43 A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to [...]

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