Church for LGBT - Open Table MCC - Philippines

Listen to this Sunday’s preaching by Ptr Joseph Tiu SanJose. Reading: Acts 2:44-47 All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together [...]

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When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Muli, isang mapagpalayang Hapon sa lahat, and Happy Pride! Gaya ng nabanggit natin two weeks ago, ang text natin for today ay sequel nung ascension story. And dahil nga sequel siya, from 40 days, tatawid naman tayo sa ika-50 days. Ang salitang “Pentecost” ay hango sa Greek word na “pentēkostē”, which means 50th.” Celebrated on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day after Easter, Pentecost is not just a commemoration, but a divine activation – the promise fulfilled.

Eto na naman tayo. Just like nung ascension story, may feeling na parang tuloy-tuloy lang na naganap ang mga eksena. Pero yun pala, it took another week or so. From the time na umakyat na si Jesus sa langit, sunod na naganap yung isa pa nyang pangako, the coming of the Holy Spirit. Naalala ko tuloy yung first time na nagsulat ako ng sermon about the Holy Spirit. Isa sa mga tanong sa utak ko ay: So dumating lang pala ang Holy Spirit after ni Jesus? Eventually, nasagot ko rin naman. Because we know that even during the Old Testament, the Spirit was already active. But at that time, they appeared upon specific people, for specific moments—like with prophets, visions, and proclamations. Isa na nga dun ang prophecy about the Messiah na, by the time of our story in Acts, ay naganap na.

Ang title ng previous sermon ko was “Mission: Completed,” referring to the completion of Jesus’ earthly mission. Pero hindi doon natatapos ang kwento. Ang mission natin ay nagpapatuloy. Hence the title of my preaching today: “Mission: Continued.” Sa Acts 2, sa araw ng Pentecost, we witness not just an event, but a moment of divine empowerment, isang surprise that changes everything.

Like in the previous stories we’ve explored these past weeks, ganun na naman ang feeling ko sa text na ito. Ang lalim, napaka-profound, literally prophetic, and undeniably powerful. At maidagdag ko lang, napaka-dramatic din ng arrival ng Holy Spirit—may wind, may fire, may speaking in tongues. Pero rather than mag-focus sa question na “Did this really happen?” or sa scientific explanation ng mga events na ito, I found myself thinking: Napaka-queer! BONGGA! Imagine, rushing wind, dancing flames, ecstatic speech, if that’s not divine drag, I don’t know what is!

And then, I thought about how beautiful this story is. If we look closely, we are reminded of the experiences of the very first Christians. Just like us, Hindi nila na-meet ang historical Jesus. They were holding on to stories, appearances, memory, and promise. Just like us. They were scared. Just like us. They were unsure about what was next. Just like us. But then something unexpected happened. God surprised them. And through wind and fire, they were not just comforted, they were transformed.

Now let’s rewind a bit to remember how we got here. Our Easter series, The Gift of Surprises, started with the theme “Mission: Love One Another” Ang huling commandment ni Jesus  wasn’t about doctrine or rituals, but about love. Love for one another as a sign of being His followers. And we explored how that love shows up, especially in queer lives, in chosen families, in checking in, showing up at paggampan sa maraming ganap ng ating simbahan. And let’s be honest, the fact that we, as queer Christians, continue to love a faith tradition that hasn’t always loved us back? That’s already divine.

In our second week, “To Be or To Do,” we reflected on how Jesus broke Sabbath rules to heal – and this healing wasn’t just physical, it was revolutionary. We asked ourselves if we want to be recognized—or if we want to act. We remember si Dr. Paul Brand, si Princess Diana, at si Pope Francis—each breaking through stigma, expectation, and status quo to bring compassion. And just like them, we are invited to choose substance over ego, pagkilos over parangal. 

Then 2 weeks ago, in “Mission: Completed,” we stood with the disciples as Jesus ascended. Pero hindi siya nagpaalam na parang “goodbye,” kundi parang “your turn.” The mission passes on to us. He promises the Holy Spirit—and that’s what we receive today.

Acts 2 is the moment when that promise breaks open. When the Holy Spirit descends, the disciples aren’t just moved, they’re activated. They begin to speak in different languages. And not just “foreign” tongues—understandable languages, spoken by the diaspora, the outcasts, the visitors. That’s the first miracle: People heard the gospel in the language they actually understood. Hindi Latin. Hindi theological jargon. But the language of their home. Their heart. Their mother tongue.

And isn’t that what our queer ministry is? speaking the language people have been denied in churches for so long? Telling them: You are welcome. You are holy. You are fabulous. You are enough. Telling them that God doesn’t just tolerate you, God celebrates you. And doing so in our own lingo, bekimon, or just Tagalog with a bit of camp.

Let’s not forget: when the Spirit came sa para sa mga believers, outsiders assumed they were drunk. Kasi nga, the Spirit made them loud, animated, passionate. Familiar? That’s us every Sunday! Loud, fabulous and unapologetic. But Peter responds: “No, we are not drunk. It’s only 9 in the morning!” And then he quotes the prophet Joel: Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young will see visions, your old will dream dreams. It’s one of the most inclusive visions in scripture. Walang age or gender limit, lahat ng uri, everyone, all flesh. And to think na isa ito sa mga unang sermon ni Peter sa pagsisimula ng Christianity, as it expands beyond Jerusalem, Antioch and the Asia Minor and Africa. Ang mga sinaunang preaching pala has always been about God’s radical inclusive love for all people, pero anyare dun sa ibang fans club ni Jesus? Parang na lost in translation ata. 

And so today, as we celebrate Pentecost – the birthday of the church, let’s not treat it as just an ancient festival na medyo complicated ang history or isang cute liturgical moment. Let’s remember that this is our story, too. That same Spirit is in us. That same wind still blows. That same fire still burns. And in our church, this queer, DIY, sometimes-on-the-brink, sometimes-on-fire at agit church, The Holy Spirit is active.

Mission: Continued. Because we still have queer kids hiding in fear na napipilitang umattend sa kanilang mga simbahang mapang husga,  We still have parents choosing to love quietly. We still have justice to fight for. We still have healing to do, in fact, a lot of healing, sa panahon ng impending na giyera, na pwede naman sanang maiwasan kung hindi lang sa EGO ng ilang lider at mga dabarkads nyang rich kids, lider na sinasabing galing pa naman sana dun sa promised land, Kaya tuloy ang laban against genocide, tuloy ang pagmamahalan, habang patuloy ang pagsigaw ng “Queer and Christian? Pwede!”

Pentecost isn’t just about what happened back then. It’s about what God is still doing now. It’s about the Spirit showing up and performing during drag bingo, in HIV awareness, in our trans siblings bravely living their truth, in a church that refuses to die. It’s about fire that refines, not consumes. It’s about breath that fills, not suffocates. It’s about voices that rise, even if they tremble. Parang si Maricel Soriano as Terry while confronting Monique. 

The Mission Continues. 

And as we continue this mission today, we also remember something very special. Today is Father’s Day. At bilang bahagi ng ating queer community, we know that not everyone had a father who showed up with love, understanding, or tenderness. And yet, we long for that kind of presence, a protector, a supporter, someone who holds space when the world turns its back.

For someone who had not just mommy issues, but also daddy issues, yes,I had both, a problematic parenting issue growing up, hirap ako sa mga honor thy father moments kaya bilang timely at relevant naman, push na. I can say na hindi naman sya toxic, growing up,  bilang typical na bata sa generation natin, na napapalo, nabubugbog, not about my sexuality but because of kakulitan, and that’s something I am proud of, hindi man namin napag usapan personally, but I know that he accepts me for who I am, quoting him saying na “basta maging maayos ka lang” whether I like it or not, there’s a lot  of traits that I got from him, both good and bad, My dad was sobrang sipag, he was an air force reserve officer, kaya sa bahay, hindi pwedeng basta ka lang nanunuod ng TV, dapat while doing that, magwalis ka rin or magtiklop ka ng damit, he practices what he preach, magaling din sya mag luto,  pati nga uncles ko, may kanya kanyang specialty,  kaya somehow he was hard to please.  Sa kanya ko din natutunan ang pagiging entrepreneurial, pagiging street smart at maabilidad, but at the same time, nakuha ko rin yung “angil” nya, yung ugali na mabilis mag snap at magalit sa maliliit na bagay, I eventually became that person that I hated, pero na resolve ko rin ito eventually, some of you already know the story. an unexpected “positive” surprise. 

Kaya’t gusto kong balikan natin yung series na When Life Gives You Tangerines – especially  isang character ii Park Bo Gum na si Gwan-sik. Sa lahat ng mga eksena nya, isa talaga sa pinaka tumimo sa akin ay ang kanyang tahimik, pero matatag na presence. He wasn’t flashy. He didn’t say much. But he showed up, consistently. He loved Ae-soon with fierce gentleness. He protected her when others dismissed her. He stood by her when even her own mother struggled to choose her. He loved without condition, without noise, but with integrity and strength.

And for many of us, Gwan-sik represents the kind of father we all wish we had. The kind of parent we dreamt of as queer kids. The kind of ally who doesn’t need a seminar on SOGIESC to know how to love.

Our very own Steel Heart—strong, yet soft. Silent, yet brave. Faithful, without ever needing applause.

And isn’t that a glimpse of what God’s love looks like? Hindi yung judgmental God we were warned about, but a steady, committed, tender God who shows up, who sees us, who stays. A God who hears our queer prayers, who holds your gender-expansive heart, who knows every shade of your identity—and calls it good, wonderful and valid. 

On this Pentecost and Father’s Day in the middle of Pride Month, we celebrate that kind of divine love. The kind that speaks your language, that calls your name, that sits beside you in silence and roars in fire pag kinakailangan

So mga kapatid, I leave you with this: the Holy Spirit is not waiting to be invited. Lagi nating sinasabi na ang diwang banal is already here, and tayo ang nag iinvite sa ating mga sarili into God’s Holy Presence. Hindi kailangan ng perfect theology, kundi mga bukas na puso at isip. na hindi kailangan  buildings, pero Lord kahit isang permanent space lang sa isang building. The Holy Spirit needs boldness. And that spirit chooses you. Yes, you. Accla, bear, transwoman, nonbinary, a Guncle, questioning student,  and even ang ating exhausted na mga ally, ikaw na yan.

This is not the end. This is not a period. This is a semicolon. A continuation. A comma in God’s long sentence of liberation. 

So yes, the Spirit comes like wind and fire, but also stays like Gwan-sik. Quiet. Present. 

This, mga dear, is the surprise of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit has come, to be with us till the end of time.

Our Mission: Continued.

Holy Spirit, activate. Mga besh, go. And may you know today that God, our Gwan-sik, our Steel Heart loves you, delights in you, and will never leave you. Amen.

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Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

Inhale, Exhale!!! Muli! Isang mapagpalayang hapon sa lahat!!! Happy Pride!!! We are still on our easter preaching series, and our gospel today is about the ascension of Jesus, sa totoo lang, medyo nahirapan ako sa text na ito, compared dun sa last 2 weeks. We are now on the Gospel of Luke, while ang texts natin nung mga nakaraan ay mula sa John. Nabangit ko last time na yung gospel of John yung pinaka latest na na naisulat or yung bunso sa 4 na gospel, pero sinasabi naman na ang gospel of Luke yung pinaka modern, possibly dahil sa greek education ni Luke kung saan attributed ang gospel, na isang physician at companion ni apostle paul, bilang hindi nga sya hudyo, at gentiles din ang kanyang audience at hindi familiar sa jewish customs, careful sya sa pagsulat at well researched ang kanyang account ng story of Jesus’ life death and resurrection, Luke also stated his goal upfront,  “So that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4). Isa sa mga highlights ni Luke ay ang inclusivity at deep concern ni Jesus for the poor, the marginalized and the oppressed. Pati narin ang prominent attention to women’s stories, more women are named and honored dito compared to the other gospels.

So para sa mga katulad ko na kamakailan lang talaga fully na exposed about the Journey of Jesus, I invite you, halika at bakahin natin ito ng sama sama, let’s struggle through it together. 

umpisahan natin sa kaunting review, since connected naman ito sa susunod kong preaching na supposed to be for next Sunday, advanced reading narin, bilang sequel  ng gospel of Luke yung book of Acts of the Apostles. 

So yung ascension story ay sinasabing naganap on the 40th day after ng easter, kung saan si Jesus diumano ay nagpaalam na for the last time sa kanyang mga disciples, eto yung moment na aakyat na sya sa langit, langit na forever nang magiging palaisipan para sa ating mga queer, dahil sabi nga nila, ay hindi naman daw tayo mapupunta doon. 

Ang preaching ko today ay pinamagatang “Mission accomplished” so after easter nga ay nagkaroon ng series of appearances si Jesus sa kanyang mga tagasunod. 

Imagine, 40 days na pala yun, pero kasi sa pagkaka kwento like sa Gospel of John,  tila parang naganap lang sila immediately after the resurrection, although hindi din naman talaga nabangit dito sa ating text na it was a 40 day period, very significant yung 40 days noh sa mga stories sa bible as period of transition or transformation. 40 days daw sa disyerto si Jesus and then sa Exodus, 40 years daw ang mga Hebrews nagpaikot-ikot sa disyerto before they entered the promised land. Although pag sinabing 40 days or 40 years sa bible does not mean literal na 40. It means a long time, and specifically a long process or journey of transformation – pagbabago. Pagpapanibago. Napaisip tuloy ako kung may connect din ba yung 40 days observance natin pag may namamatay, kung saan ito daw yung time na aakyat na sa langit ang mga yumao. 

40 days, parang campaign period sa Pilipinas, though saatin, exactly 45 days sya pag national, not including the day before and yung mismong araw ng election. Pero unlike sa Bible parang halos wala naman transformation ang 45 days campaign. Parang walang pagbabago towards improvement. Parang pagbabago towards becoming worst. Anyway, So for 40 days after ng kanyang muling pagkabuhay ay nangangampanya parin si Jesus sa kanyang mga tagasunod, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and preparing them for a time when He will no longer be with them. Pero let’s not forget din that yung kampanya nyang yun was what lead to his death. Jesus was somewhat an activist – a human rights activist – who denounced the political powers – Roman Empire – and religious elite establishment oppressing the people during their time.

At this point parang sinasabi ni Jesus na “So eto na nga tayo noh, tulad ng nasusulat noon pang panahon ni Moises, at ng mga propeta, ang lahat ng ito ay naganap na, andito na ako, anjan kayo, malaking bahagi ng Jewish faith ang mga naganap noong panahon ng Exodus story, in the same way na malaking bahagi ng Christian faith revolves around the death and resurrection of Christ. 

Earlier, I said na medyo nahirapan ako to write about the ascension story, personally, mas madaling arukin yung Jesus in human form kesa dun sa Jesus na may super powers or yung glorified, and exalted version. Mas lapat for me yung Jesus Christ that lived and dwelt among us, mas madaling intindihin na hung humanity ni Jesus is in  way God’s solidarity with the human experience, and the revelation of His Love for us. Hindi man ganun katagal ang kanyang pananatili sa piling natin, physically. pero yung pangako na patuloy nya tayong sasamahan at sinasamahan ay pang habang buhay. 

The historical and human Jesus has completed his mission but our mission begins. Jesus prepares us for 40 days and then when he is about to leave passes the mission to his disciples. He promises them the Holy Spirit, 

If we do the math, ilang episodes na ng 40 days, at 40 nights, ang lumipas, nakakailang 40 years narin from the time of the first christians, more than 2000 years ago. Marami nang nagbago, marami nang pagbabago, towards a more radical and inclusive world, pero at the same time, marami rin ang may mission to go backwards, against inclusion and diversity, taliwas sa example ni  Jesus to be welcoming to strangers, kaya’t natapos man ang mission ni Jesus ay nagpapatuloy ang laban para sa atin. 

The same is true sa ating DIY church, na nakailang episodes na rin ng transition, exodus, near death at rebirth, sinong makaka limot sa eksena one Sunday sa yellow room sa cubao, when at 4 pm eh nasa tatlo or apat na piraso lang kami, kasama na si Rev. Joseph, kung saan kami ay na real talk kung gusto pa ba nating magpatuloy bilang simbahan, sa totoo lang, at that point, parang ang daling sumuko nalang, it was the most convenient thing to do, pero pinili parin nating magpatuloy, kahit halos wala nang pinanghahawakan kundi by the grace of God nalang talaga, prayers, prayers nalang ika nga. 

If you ask the people na naka witness nun, kung aabot ba tayo sa ganito, sa kung nasaan tayo ngayon, maaring sabihin nilang hindi. Sabi nga, malayo pa, pero malayo na, bilang isang legacy member, sanay kami na mag ikutan lang ng leadership role sa simbahan, ikot-ikot lang, kaya ngayon na may mga bagong tao nang gumagampan, nag vovolunteer ay talagang nakaka taba ng puso, pero at the same time may konting takot parin, na what if mapaso, mamatay ang ilaw sa kanilang puso, which is hindi rin naman talaga maiiwasan, sa kahit ano pang community, maaaring hindi ito ang community para sa kanila, dahil lagi rin naming sinasabi, na hindi lang dito sa open table mararanasan si Hesus at ang pag-big ng diyos. 

Mahaba pa ang lakbayin, para sumakses at umabot sa mission complete stage, pero malayo layo narin ang ating narating, our mission continues habang mayroon pang mga kabataang queer na naoopress sa kanilang mga tahanan at  simbahan. The fire keeps on burning hanggang sa umabot tayo sa point na hindi na kailangan ng Open Table MCC, and that’s the goal, for us to no longer make sense dahil ika nga ay na mainstream na ang idea ng isang queer christian. Kelan yan? Maybe in another 2000 years. Kelan lang ba na-ordain mga babae at kelan lang ba nagkaroon ng women rights sa simbahan at lipunan? Kaya, mga another 2000 years pa ang Open Table MCC. At habang hindi pa ito nagaganap, ay tuloy lang sa mga ganap, tuloy lang sa pag gampan, one Sunday service at a time. Samahan pa ng iba pang ganap gaya ng katatapos lang nating Drag Bingo Fund raising, personally, akala ko aabot nadin ako sa mission complete sa earth sa pagtatapos ng buwan ng mayo. Imagine, having to stage a fund raising event upang opisyal na ipinakilala ang Pride Cares na charity arm ng church. Then samahan mo pa ng preaching series ko. May mga moments talaga na parang gusto ko nalang bumitaw, at bitawan ang lahat. Madaling mag give up pag wala kang maasahang tulong, and that’s not the case. How can I give up while everyone else is doing their best and trying to squeeze in our tasks habang patuloy sa pakikibaka sa mga personal na ganap at eksena. Hindi perfect, may slight disappointments but everyone was worthy of the disappointment upang magpatuloy. Matapos ang drag bingo, ilan sa ating mga brilliant na deacons at leaders ay kasalukuyang nasa Bangkok, upang umattend ng conference ng mga queer affirming churches in Asia, and at the same time, Rev. Joseph and a couple more people are preparing to attend the Global MCC denomination’s general conference sa July. Gaganap at gagampan despite the dangerous situation sa US today with it’s current administration, sa kabila ng pisikal na pagod, at threat to security, ay pinili natin na mag participate sa mas malawak na gawaing pangkapayapaan, karapatang pantao, at pagkakapantay-pantay. After all, we are Easter people. Tayo ang pagpapatuloy ng kwento, kwento ng pag-ibig at kabutihan ng Diyos. When Jesus ascended, he promised the Holy Spirit to empower and dwell with us and within us – all of us – walang if’s and buts. For the longest time, queer people have been told to wait, hide or change in order to be accepted by God, the ascension story promises a future for you, and it’s not a second tier one, you don’t have to erase yourself to belong in God’s Kingdom. Remember Accla, the ascension is not about Jesus leaving us – It’s about Jesus reigniting the mission, so para sayo na isang queer Chrisian, hindi ka isang after- thought, you are not less holy, less loved or less called. You do not have to change your sexuality and/or gender identity to have a joyful and fulfilling life as a follower of Jesus. The risen and ascended Christ today sends you out on a mission and promises you the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

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After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many ill, blind, lame, and paralyzed people. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The ill man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am making my way someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

Now that day was a Sabbath.

Muli, isang mapagpalayang hapon sa lahat, we are still on our easter preaching series na may temang The gift of Surprises: The Joy of unexpected, so sa text na binasa natin, which is titled” Jesus Heals on the sabbath, klaro na ang surprise element is yung pagpapagaling ni Jesus dun sa lalaki na paralyzed for 48 years, so we can only imagine the joy of this man for being healed after such a long time, so sa sobrang happy nya, pinamalita nya ito ngayon sa lahat, ngunit imbis na ma galak, ay tila parang nainis pa ang mga ito, they said to him, uy, wait lang, sino ba yang nagpa galing sayo, sino ba yang Jesus na yan, diba bawal yan? Diba sabbath ngayon, araw ng pahinga, so sa pagpapatuloy nung kwento ng John Chapter 5, sobrang OA ng reaction ng karamihan, since mga hudyo sila, ang ginawa ni Jesus ay isang paglabag sa kanilang batas, kaya’t ganun nalang ang galit nila, pero anung sagot ni Jesus, ang panginoon nga ay patuloy sa pag gawa, at pagkilos, and so I am working, so lalo pang lumevel up yung irita nila kay Jesus, sabi sa verse 18, For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the Sabbath but was also calling God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God.

So very progressive ng eksena dito ni Jesus noh at talaga namang nagpapakita ng radikal na pagmamahal, so pag tinuloy pa natin yun kwento ay marami pang mga eksena ng balitaktakan si Jesus with the jews sa chapter na ito, at very consistent sya dun sa pagtawag sa panginoon as his Father, Indeed, just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whomever he wishes sabi sa verse 21, na tila tungkol sa kwento ni Lazarus na bumangon sa pagkaka himlay. that story among many others ay parang hindi pa talaga enough for them to believe, pero hindi napagod si Jesus sa pag explain, sa pag papaalala at sa pag sesermon, gaya ng isang magulang sa kanyang mga anak. 

So as I reflect on this story from over 2,000 years ago, napaisip ako kung meron bang mga similar stories sa panahon natin ngayon na very much like in the spirit of Jesus’ sabbath healing: breaking the “rules” to restore life.

Isa sa mga stories na nahanap ko is about Dr. Paul Brand, na isang missionary doctor na kilala sa kanyang ground breaking work para sa mga leprosy patients in india. 

Alam naman natin yung stigma about sa sakit na leprosy or ketong and it goes back to the biblical times, so in the mid 20th century, ganun parin yung dinaranas na malalang stigma ng mga leprosy patients in many parts of india, kung saan ang mga may sakit nito ay tinuturing na “untouchables” and often left to die in Isolation, and of course maraming medical professionals such us doctors would refuse to care for them. 

Hindi rin iba sa ating mga pilipino ang kwento tungkol sa pag iisolate sa mga may sakit na ketong, we had an entire island dedicated for them. remember Culion island in palawan na ginawang leprosarium nung panahon ng american colonial regime nung commonwealth era, although na sugpo na ang leprosy sa isla noon pang 1980’s, the island was only declared a leprosy free area by the WHO noon lamang 2006. 

despite social taboos and institutional resistance, Dr. Brand developed surgical techniques to restore the use of patients’ hands and feet, proving that much of leprosy’s damage was due to nerve loss and hindi yung disease itself. he woud work on “Sundays” and Holidays when necessary, emphasizing that compassionate care transcends human regulations. Just like our version of doctors and teachers to the barrio, na piniling iwan ang kanilang mga komportableng buhay para maglingkod sa kapwa. 

The story of Dr. Paul Brand was told in the book “The Gift of Pain” (co-authored with Philip Yancey), which blends medical insight with deep spiritual reflection. Si Philip Yancey naman ay isang American Author who writes primarily about spiritual issues na relate din sa mga experiences nya growing up sa isang strict na fundamentalist church, at iniistruggle ko pa yan si Phillip Yancey at marami pa syang mga books na pinag ninilayan ko pa at need basahin if kering gawing reference. 

So last week nga noh, we commemorate the lives lost through AIDS sa International Candlelight Memorial, ang HIV/AIDS na ata ang maituturing na modern day leprosy, or at least nung panahon ng AIDS crisis at talagang grabe ang stigma about sa sakit na ito. 

At isa sa mga prominent figures na somehow nakapagpabago sa pag tingin ng mga tao sa sakit na ito ay si Princess Diana. nakasulat sa isang article mula sa UPI or United Press International Archives, eto ang kwento “In April 1987, Princess Diana opened the UK’s first dedicated HIV/AIDS ward at London’s Middlesex Hospital.  During this visit, she made headlines by shaking hands with AIDS patients without wearing gloves—a powerful gesture at a time when fear and misinformation about HIV transmission were rampant.  This act challenged the prevailing stigma and demonstrated that HIV could not be spread through casual contact.  Diana’s compassion played a significant role in changing public perceptions about the disease.”

So yung pag visit nya hindi lang ito symbolic noh, or mema lang na parang yung mga pulitiko na dadalaw sa hospital kakamayan yung mga patients, tas picture then exit na, alcohol, change outfit, ganun. Princess Diana spent time talking to the patients, listening to their stories and showing genuine care, treating them as her fellow human being simple lang naman sanang gawin pero tila napakahirap para sa ibang tao, nang mga panahong ito. Diana used her global fame to bring attention to the AIDS crisis and humanize those affected by it. 

Isa pang prominent figure, sa hanay naman ng pananampalataya ay si Pope Francis, personally, talagang kakaiba yung epekto ni Pope Francis saakin, dahil talagang binago nya yung pagtingin ko sa pagiging isang lider ng simbahan. 

Pope Francis is renowned sa kanyang profound gestures of humility and service, particularly yung  practice of washing and kissing the feet of individuals mula sa diverse backgrounds. So apparently,  this tradition ay rooted in the Christian rite of foot-washing on Maundy Thursday, symbolizes Christ’s act of humility and service to his disciples.

So after nyang ma elect noong 2013. Pope Francis began performing this ritual in unconventional settings, gaya ng sa prison, mga participants from various faiths and walks of life, at isa sa mga recent gestures nito is last year lang, when he washed and kissed the feet of 12 female inmates at Rome’s Rebibbia prison, emphasizing inclusivity and compassion. 

Isa pang particularly poignant moment happened on April 11, 2019 during a spiritual retreat at the Vatican para sa mga leaders of South Sudan, In an unprecedented act, Pope Francis knelt and kissed the feet of President Salva Kiir and opposition leaders, including Riek Machar and Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, imploring them to maintain peace in their war-torn nation  . This gesture was a powerful appeal for reconciliation and unity, reflecting the Pope’s deep commitment to peace and humility.

Sa mga ganitong gestures, Pope Francis has consistently demonstrated a commitment to breaking traditional boundaries, promoting inclusivity, and embodying the principles of humility and service that is the very center of his faith. 

The stories of Dr. Paul Brand, Princess Diana and Pope Francis are like the story in our text. Where someone helps or heals another person despite cultural, legal or religious restrictions, after all, love is the fulfilment of the law, tama, mali?

So habang pinagninilayan ko ang text na ito at kung anong magandang title, na alala ko yung isang chapter sa book ni Ryan Holiday na “Ego is the Enemy, entitled “To be or To Do” na sobrang life chaging din para saakin, kasi before joke time lang sakin yang punch line na to be or to do, tobedobedoo. 

Pero mas malalim at personal yung atake nya for me, this chapter explores the internal conflict between pursuing recognition  or yung (to be) versus pursuing purpose and impact (to do). 

Simply put, it’s asking us “Do you want to be someone – or do something? To be someone means chasing titles, prestige, and status na often driven by ego. Or you want to do something and focus on meaningful work, contriuting value and making a real impact – often quetly without fanfare.  

Ang cheka ni Holiday dito is that Ego pushes us to be or to seek approval, rewards, and validation, which can distract us from or true goals. those who choose to do priorities substance over image and are more likely to create lasting change.

Sa ating buhay, we must decide whether our actions are guided by the desire to look important or the desire to do important things, the path to humility and purpose is ultimately more fulfilling and impactful. 

Sa totoo lang mas madaling chumeka nalang about the things we want than to actually work on it, para sumakses. 

As I close on this preaching, naisip ko lang na as human beings we can only do so much, pero bilang mga followers ni Jesus, we are reminded to focus on the “work itself” sa pag kilos, sa pag gampan, sa pag tulong sa kapwa. 

Kaya walang silbi yung pagkuda kuda at pag pepreach na yan kung hindi naman nakikita or wala namang pag kilos, walang pagbabago. 

Let us continue to strive to be a follower of Jesus, na hindi lamang sa ating isip, hindi lamang din sa ating mga salita, kundi pati narin sa gawa.

The post To Be Or To Do appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Everybody say Love!!!! Isang mapagpalayang hapon sa ating lahat, muli po ako si Sean, been with Open Table MCC since 2015, isa sa mga Hermana, at  Deacon, also the lead of Pride Cares na charity arm ng ating church, pero mas kinikilig ako sa title na “Mother Sean, at ako ang makakasama nyo for 4 Sundays, and ang tema ng ating easter preaching series is still “The gift of Surprises: The Joy of the unexpected, parang yung pagkaka hanap ko sa MCC, Some of you may already know the story, I was active sa HIV/AIDS Awareness Advocacy, and umattend ng LGBT Advocates training na facilitated by then MCCQC, na di rin naman natuloy, at first, the surprise was meeting the people from the church at that time, naisip ko, ay grabe, napaka profound ng mga tao, and one of them is Pastora Kakay. What’s more surprising was me still being here for almost 10 years now despite all the things that our DIY church have went through na surprisingly na-witness at naranasan ko rin.

So yung text natin for this Sunday ay mula sa Gospel of John, bilang isang Christian, probably the very first bible verse that you would memorize is yung John 3:16, kaya hindi na natin yan i rerecite today, kaya yung gospel of John din yung tinatawag na the Gospel of Love, bilang bunso sa 4 na gospel, very unique din sya compared dun sa 3 Synoptic Gospels, very poetic, at very powerful din hindi lang sa mga bold statements ni Jesus dito pati na rin yung mga signs, and of course ang favourite nating litanya na Very truly, I tell you! Sa Gospel of John mahilig chumika si Jesus – “Very truly I tell you.” Anong equivalent nyan sa ating ngayon, yang Very truly I tell you?

So kung babalikan natin ang ating reading natin today, yung cheka ni Jesus dito is maihahambing sa isang magulang sa kanyang death bed, na naghahabilin sa kanyang mga anak na maiiwan, Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. Kung napanuod nyo na yung series na “When life gives you tangerines”(spoiler alert sa mga hindi pa nakakapanood. Sorry na lang kasama talaga sya sa preaching.) I remember the scene nung mamamatay na yung nanay ni Ae-Soon, at nag hahabilin ito sa kanya, and hindi lang naman dun sa series, applicable din talaga ito in real life, madalas ang bilin ng mga magulang bago sila ma lagutan ng hininga ay “magmahalan kayong magkakapatid” or pag ikaw ang panganay, usually, they will say “ wag mong pababayaan ang mga kapatid mo, magmahalan kayo”. Pero actually, I just realized na kakaiba yung bilin ng nanay ni Ae Sun, watch nyo nalang kung bakit kakaiba,  at meron ding magandang element of Surprise dun sa first episode ng series, so konting context, yung main character na si Ae-soon, ay nakatira sa family ng tatay nya na deceased na, kasi yung mom nya, may bago nang asawa at meron na ding mga anak, yung mom nya ay isang “Haenyo” sila yung mga women free divers from Jeju Island in South Korea, The haenyeo culture is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, highlighting the unique traditions and skills of these female divers. 

kung ma aalala nyo, ayaw syang pauwiin nung nanay nya sa kanila, kasi nga yung family ng tatay nya yung may kakayahan na pag aralin sya, pero araw araw syang nag aabang sa nanay nya sa diving spot, until mabasa nung nanay nya yung Tula nya na naging 2nd Place. na antig yung puso ng nanay nya, kaya ayun, binawi na sya nito. Eto yung laman nung poem: 

Damn abalones by Oh Ae Un

All day, every day, Abalones, Abalones

when the typhoons blow, abalones, abalones

worth more than a daughter those damn abalones

“Hurry back” I tell her when she dives in the sea

What could down there so cold and so deep be, is she looking for clams burried under the sand? Did she run out of breath, will she come back to land? Why does a daughter ehat here on the shore? Because damn abalones

That’s what it’s all for

If abalones cost a hundred won to find 

I’d pay it all back for a day of mom’s time

My mom with her sore back 

My mom with her bad cough 

A hundred won per day, if it means mom can rest. Bongga diba….watch nyo na, don’t worry hanggang first episode lang muna tayo. Balikan natin yung habilin ni Jesus, and  yung habilin ni Jesus dito very specific noh, at may disclaimer sa dulo “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Palagi ko na din tong dialogue na kung sinabi mo na Christian ka and you Stan Jesus, then you should follow his commandment. Kung idol mo sya, then makipamuhay ka dun sa mga taong pinili nyang makasama. 

Dito sa church, madali nating makikilala na si Keppy ay isang Little Monster, at BeyHive, Si Mars Lawrence ay isang “Lambs” at Regine Velasquez superfan. Talagang ma fefeel mo, kasi si Keppy, updated sya Gagachela week 1 and 2,  sa Dance Steps ng Abracadabra at iba pang songs from Mayhem, tama mali? at si Mars Lawrence naman ay talagang well known, at na try na rin mag Marih Carey in Drag,lahat ata ng concerts ni Song Bird recently ay napuntahan nya. So kung si Jesus ay isang Pop Icon, malamang ang title ng number one album nya ay “ Mission: Love One Another” at ilan sa mga kanta nyang pasok sa billboard charts ay may temang love for humanity, at social justice, Mga songs nya be  like “ Glow Up from Galilee”, Messiah Energy, Clothe me in Kindness, Stranger no More, When I was hungry, you found me at “The least of these (Is me). Kayo? Ano sa tingin nyo ang magandang title ng song ni Jesus? ikaw? Rev. Joseph, kung ikaw ang tatanungin, anung magandang title? 

So what am I really trying to say here, hindi ba’t as an avid fan, we get inspired by the song of our idols? Like for me, sobrang powerful ng message ng “One Moment in Time” ni Whitney Houston, I feel like if there is a song bout my life, yun yun, kaya as christians, we get inspired by the life lived by the historical Jesus, na kung susumahin natin ay makikita natin sa Matthew 25:35-40. na again, uulitin ko lang, na ang message ay makipamuhay tayo sa mga uri ng tao na pinili ni Jesus na samahan. 

So pag nagsama sama na ang lahat ng fans ni Jesus, syempre ang tawag na dun ay fans club at madami nang fans club si Jesus, isa lang dyan ang Open Table MCC, hindi man tayo perfect, we try to maintain a safe space, proclaim God’s radically inclusive love for all people through Jesus Christ, and participate in the wider works of Justice and Peace in the World. Pero syempre, hindi naman mawawala ang mga bashers, paano kaya tayo nakikilala ng mga tao outside of our community? ng ibang groups? Ay, sila yung burgis na simbahan, na naka aircon, sa Greenhills, ay mga maldita yung members nyan, ay kulto yan, eto isang example, na talagang naka comment dun sa FB page natin, “ An apostate church” so ginoogle ko agad ang meaning ng apostate na yan, pero syempre, kebs ako jan, hindi ko yan papatulan because I know my community, kung merong search for number one advocate ng church na to, I can say na isa ako sa mga contender, I am a living example, at least I hope to be that way, most of the time if not always. Isa akong buhay na patunay and an answer to the question kung bakit kailangan pang magpatuloy ang simbahang ito.Isa sa mga cheka ko sa mga previous kong sermon is to take up space, bilang isang queer christian, to tell the world that we exist, when I decided to be a part of the community, it wasn’t that hard for me to understand the concept, the equation na LO+ LO = LG, to love others as we love ourselves is to love God. Pag-ibig sa kapwa tulad ng pag-ibig sa sarili ang manifestation ng ating pag-ibig sa Diyos. Hindi mo pwedeng mahalin ang Diyos kung hindi mo mahal ang iyong kapwa tulad sa sarili. At dito nanggagagaling yung fire, at ang drive na magpatuloy, but at the same time, dito din nanggagaling ang frustrations. At this point, mayrong 2.4 billion christians sa buong mundo, ang estimated population naman ng mundo is around 8 billion as of 2023. dito lang sa pilipinas, mayroong at least 90 recognized religious affiliations, pare parehong mga christians, nag aaway-away pa, nakakalungkot lang isipin na most christians, maganda naman ang intention, at talagang mabubuti ang puso at may malasakit sa kapwa, pero nalilihis at tila naliligaw ng landas, dahil sa mga lider ng kanilang simbahan, I hope and pray that christians today go back to basic, napaka simple lang ng formula, pero andaming efforts ang nasasayang, nakakalungkot lang na minsan, yung mga beliefs at paniniwala natin ang sya pang naglalayo, imbis na mag lapit sa atin sa Panginoon at sa isa’t isa. Sabi nga ng ating Founder na si Lolo Troy, let’s keep the main thing, the main thing, and the main thing is Jesus, the main thing is love. While I am writing this preaching, I had a Holy Spirit activate moment, na parang sinasabi nya, baks, kaysa ma stress ka jan sa frustration mo, bakit hindi mo yan idagdag sa mga advocacies mo, struggle through it, diba nga? Bakahin mo, kasama ang mga kapatid mo sa simbahan, And so I take on the challenge, and make it my mission to remind others of how simple it is, sobrang simple lang ng ask, to love one another, kaya din siguro mahirap dahil sa ating buhay, may iba’t ibang manifestations ang love, minsan love is present but we don’t appreciate it, maybe because iba ito sa inaasahan natin. We Pinoys and Asians in general ay hindi mahilig magsabi ng “I love you” sa ating mga kapamilya at mahal sa buhay, kaya ang love minsan ay disguised as “ Nak, kumain ka na ba? anung gusto mong ulam?” Nak, anong oras ka uuwi? “Nak, ilabas mo na yang mga labahin mo” pwede ring “Ma, bawal sayo yan, hinay hinay lang sa lechon, Ma ang maintenance mo, nainom mo na ba? Pa, ako na bahala sa bill ng Internet at Kuryente this Month, Ma, Pa, eto pandagdag sa tuition ni bunso. Yan yung mga simpleng manifestations ng love. Love din yung kahit na laging binabash eh Rally parin ng rally ang mga aktibista, kahit na minsan, kinukutya by the same people na  pinaglalaban nila, Love din yung desisyon ng ating mga farmers na patuloy na magtanim ng sibuyas, magsaka ng palay, kahit minsan, hindi sigurado kung mababawi ba nila lahat ng ginastos nila or may kikitain man lang ba sila. Love din yung pagboto ng tama tuwing eleksyon, para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga anak, so pag bumoto ka nung may redflag na nga, part ng political dynasty, may kaso ng pandarambong at pagnanakaw, ayan, malinaw na malinaw, hindi love yan. Isa pa sa mga manifestations of love is ang pakikisangkot natin kahit paminsan minsan lang, today, May 18, 2025, we also commemorate The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, which is a time for all of us to remember the many lives lost to AIDS. It is an opportunity to honour those who dedicated their lives to helping people living with and affected by HIV and continue to mobilise our communities in solidarity. Patuloy nawa tayong makisangkot upang labanan ang stigma about HIV/AIDS, at nagpalaganap ng awareness at kaalaman tungkol sa sakit na ito, dahit hindi ito isang death sentence. 

The mission is to love one another, present perfect tense yan, gaya ng habilin ng isang magulang sa kanyang mga anak na maiiwan, Christ’s commandment is to love, and how does that look like today? sa kapwa natin Christian, you can show your love by opening up your hearts and minds to the issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, even if you don’t understand, after all, just like all of you, we are created in God’s image and likeness, and more than that, we are also human beings who are fighting for the same rights. Para sa atin namang mga queer christians, let’s continue to take up space and live our truths, Ituloy ang kabaklaang yan, Go lang mga accla, ipakita sa lahat na we are queer, christian and fabulous. Let’s appreciate our allies and hope that someday we continue to gain more allies, let’s not give up on the conservatives, medyo mahirap itong sabihin, pero I hope and pray that they realize that we are not the enemy. And by this everyone will know that we are his disciples. 

The post Mission: Love One Another appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, in regard to what he has given me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Magandang hapon! 

Three weeks after the Resurrection of the Lord, the Church today in the fourth week of Easter celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus the Good Shepherd.  Noong nakaraang Linggo, nabanggit natin ang hamon ni Hesus kay Pedro patungkol sa kawan ni Hesus. Kanina, binasa natin ang tugon ni Hesus sa mga Hudyo sa kanilang katanungan sa kaniyang katauhan. “Wag mo nang patagalin pa. Sagutin mo kami ngayon, ikaw ba ang Christ (Mesias)?” Sabi ni Hesus:

“Di ba sinabi ko na sa inyo? Pero ayaw nyong maniwala. Yung mga bagay na pinapagawa sa akin ng Tatay ko ang nagsasabi kung sino ako. Pero di kayo naniniwala sa akin kasi hindi ko kayo tupa. 

John 10: 25-26, Pinoy Version 

Balikan natin ano nga ba ang ideya ni Hesus sa pagiging pastol gayundin ang pagkalinga niya sa kaniyang kawan. Sa talata isa hanggang labing-walo ng Ebanghelyo ni Juan, makikita natin kung paano ipakilala ni Hesus ang sarili niya sa pamamagitan ng mga tayutay o metaphors. 

Ang mga larawan na ipininta ni Hesus dito ay malinaw na hango mula sa isang agrikultural na komunidad sa Palestina. Ang kawan ay nasa bukid o lupain, protektado ng mababang bakod na gawa sa bato (sheepfold). Sa gabi, ang mga pastol ay nasa mga tolda. Pagdating ng umaga, ilalabas nila ang kawan sa damuhan at sa batisan. 

Ang Pintuang Daraanan:

Dalawang beses niyang sinabing siya ang “pintuang dinaraanan ng mga tupa (vv 7, 9).” Kung naaalala natin noong mga nakaraang linggo, malakas ang emphasis sa ideya na si Hesus and daan. He is the way. Walang ibang daan maliban sa kaniya. Ang ideya na ito ay narereflect sa kanya bilang pintuang daraanan ng mga tupa.

Ang mga pastol ng mga tupa ay dumaraan sa kaniya. Ang mga Pariseo, o sinumang nagnanais na manguna sa mga tupa, na hindi dumaraan sa pinto na si Hesus ay mga tulisan–mga tulisan na ang tanging nais ay “magnakaw, pumatay, at manira” (10:10a). 

So, kung hindi ayon sa daan na itinuturo ni Hesus, kung hindi lumalakad sa kaniyang ang mga humahatak sa mga tupa, mga tao, malamang tulisan ang mga ito. Maging mapanuri, maging mapagmatyag. Gamitin ang isipan sa pagtatasa sa mga tao at lider ng lipunan.

Ang Mabuting Pastol:

Bukod dito, dalawang beses ring sinabi ni Hesus na siya ang mabuting pastol (vv 11, 14).  “Iniaalay ng mabuting pastol ang kanyang buhay para sa mga tupa (MBBTag).” Dalawang beses nya ring sinabi ito, ibig sabihin, binibigyang diin. Hindi ganito ang mga upahan, ayon sa kaniya. Iiwan nila ang mga tupa sa oras ng sakuna at panganib. 

Kilala rin ng pastol ang kaniyang mga tupa, ang kaniyang kawan. Ginamit nya rin ang pagkakakilala nila ng kaniyang ama sa pagkakakilala niya sa mga tupa. 

Kilala ng aking mga tupa ang boses ko, kilala ko sila, at sumusunod sila sa akin. Binibigyan ko sila ng buhay na walang hanggan at never silang mamamatay. Walang makakaagaw ng mga ito sa akin.”

John 10: 27-28, Pinoy Version 

This intimate knowledge of his flock, which involves love, is his reason for laying down his life for them. Ito ang nagpapaiba sa kaniya sa mga nagkukunwaring mga pastol.

Ang tanong: ang mga nagsasabing mga pastol ba ang handing ialay ang kanilang mga buhay para sa mga tao? Hindi ba nila iiwan ang mga ito sa oras ng panganib, sakuna? Alam ba ng mga di umanong pastol ang ngalan at pangangailangan ng mga tao? O kunukuhaan lamang ng ganansya para sa kanilang sariling kapakanan. 

Ang Pangakong Buhay Para sa mga Tupa:

Bilang pintuang daraanan ng mga tupa para makapasok at mabigyan ng proteksyon, gayundin upang lumabas para sa probisyon sa batisan at damuhan. Bilang mabuting pastol, prayoridad niya ang pagkalinga at pagpapanatili ng buhay ng Kawan. Handa Nyang ibigay ang sarili para sa iba. Kung gayon, ang pintuan ang daan para sa buhay; ang pastol ang tagapanatili nito. 

Buhay ang isa sa pangunahing tema ng ebanghelyo ni Juan. Matatandaan na sa aklat ng Juan, paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Hesus na sa kanya nagmumula ang buhay. Sa kabanata 1, siya ang logos, ang Salita na kasama sa paglikha. Gumamit din siya ng iba pang tayutay upang ipaliwanag ito. Siya ang tubig ng buhay, tinapay ng buhay, at pintuan/daan ng buhay. Dalawampu’t apat sa animnapung beses na binanggit ang zoe, life, sa Christian Testament ay mula sa Ebanghelyo ni Juan. 

Flourishing, Eudaemonia, Shalom, Ginhawa:

Sa John 10:10, sinabi ni Hesus na, di tulad ng mga tulisan na nais “magnakaw, pumatay, at manira” (10:10a), naparito sya upang ang mga tupa ay magkaroon ng buhay, buhay na masaganang lubos. I came that you may have life and have it to the full. Isang buo at mabungang buhay, iyang ang nais para sa ating lahat. This is what Jesus wanted us to have.

The theme of the flourishing of us, humans, is central in philosophies around the world.  The Greeks have the term eudaemonia (good demon). Sa kanyang tanyag na akdang “The Republic,’ ipinagtatanggol ni Plato na ang pangunahing layunin ng buhay ng tao ay makamit ang eudaemonia, isang kalagayan ng kaligayahan at kasiyahan na tanging makakamtan lamang sa pamumuhay nang may kabutihang-asal. Kanyang itinataguyod ang four cardinal virtues—wisdom (karunungan), courage (tapang), justice (katarungan), and temperance (pagpipigil sa sarili)—na ayon sa kanya ay mahalaga upang makamit ang eudaemonia. Naniniwala si Plato na ang mga virtues na ito ay magkakaugnay at hindi maaaring umiral ang isa kung wala ang iba. Dagdag pa rito, ipinapahayag niya na ang mga kaugaliang ito ay hindi likas sa tao kundi maaaring matutunan at malinang sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon at pagsasanay. Mahalaga ang pag-aaral at ang sining para sa kaniya. Ang musika, sayaw, pagguhit, paglilok, pagawit, pagsusulat, panitikan, at iba pa ay ang nagpapa-refine, o naglilinang sa mga tao. Ngunit, sino nga lang ba ang nakakakamit o nagkakaroon ng pribilehiyo para magkaroon ng edukasyon, lalo na sining, noong panahon nila? Tanging mayayaman at mga maharlikha lamang. So, tayong mga aba, mga dukha, ay walang shot sa isang buhay na buo, sa ganitong pilosopiya. Kulang ang pagkatao natin dahil di natin afford ang edukasyon sa academy, sa gumnaze/gymnasiums. 

On our previous preachings we also discussed about shalom. Shalom, in the Jewish mind, is being complete, wholeness. Hindi lamang ito kapayapaan sa gitna ng kaguluhan. Shalom is not only something an individual can have. It is an experience for the whole community–a promise of restoration, wholeness, fullness. It is communal. Kaya nga Kawan, flock, lahat. Shalom is the welfare and health of peoples, and nations. I believe this is at the back of the mind of Jesus when he declared what he wanted for his flock: a life lived to the fullest. 

Tayong mga Pinoy, madalas naririnig natin ang mga matatanda na “Giginhawa rin tayo.” “Ang gusto ko lang naman ay guminhawa.” Kung uugatin natin, ang ginhawa ang ultimate goal, ang layunin ng mga social at economic functions ng iba’t ibang uri ng tao sa barangay. Layunin ng datu na mapamunuan ang komunidad para sa ginhawa ng mga tao. Ang mga bayani o mandirigma ay nagbibigay ng proteksyon para sa ginhawa. Ang mga babaylan ay ipinapanatag ang kanilang katawan, espiritu, at kaisipan-mga elemento ng ginhawa. Kahit nga ang mga panday ang lumilikha para sa kaginhawaan ng mga tao. 

Kapag narinig din natin ang “giginhawa rin tayo,” makikita rin natin ang dalawang bagay. Una, na ang ginhawa ay pag-asa para sa mas maayos na kinabukasan. Pangalawa, ang kasalukuyan ay hindi ideal. Walang ginhawa. Sa realidad ng buhay natin ngayon, alam natin na walang kaginhawaang nararanasan ang mga tao at nananatiling pangarap at panalangin ang ginhawa. 

Madalas, ang dahilan ng kawalan ng kaginhawaan ay ang mga kawatan na nagkukunwaring mga pastol. Serbisyong panlipunan daw ngunit nagkakamal ng lupaing sakahan, nagpapamahal ng tubig na inumin, walang ginagawang maayos sa daan. Imbes na ayusin ang agrikultura upang mas maraming maisakong bigas at ani, nagkakamal ng kayamanan mula sa kaban ng bayan. Para raw mas gumanda ang serbisyo ng tubig, kuryente, gas, at maging mga pagamutan, ipagkatiwala sa pribadong sektor. Ayun, wala tayong laban sa pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing serbisyo. Ikagugutom na natin na walang natitira sa atin sa pamasahe at bilihin. Ikinamamatay na natin ang init ng panahon, ang pagtitiis sa sakit dahil walang silbi rin naman ang mga dinededuct satin buwan-buwan kung tayo ay maratay sa banig ng karandaman. Binabansot ang paglago ng isipan natin sa pagshoshortcut sa edukasyon at sa pangungurakot sa mga pondong dapat sana ay para sa libro, pasweldo sa guro, at classroom. Ubusin ba naman in eleven days ang 125 million. Nagtitiis tayo sa drama ng kadiliman, kasamaan, at kaitiman. Wala tayong pinunong masusumpungan. Wala tayong pastol na magbibigay ng sariling buhay niya para sa kawan.  Naiiwan tayong nagiisa.

Paglalagom:

Timing na timing ang Good Shepherd Sunday sa panahon natin ngayon. Para bang pinapaalalahanan tayo ng simbahan, ng sangkalangitan, sa mga tungkulin natin sa kawan. Ang lahat ng readings sa lectionary ngayong araw na ito ay patungkol sa pagkakaroon ng buhay at ang pagiging mabuting pastol. Sa aklat ng mga Gawa, ipinakita kung paanong ang mananampalatayang si Dorcas o Tabitha, na nagbibigay buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagtulong sa kapwa, ay binuhay na maguli sa pamamagitan ng himala. Iniawait sating muli ang salmo 23 at pinaalalahanan tayo na ang Diyos ang mabuting pastol na nagbibigay buhay, at kasama natin hanggang sad ulo nito. Sa Revelations 7:17, sinabi na

 “the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” 

Dumadaloy ang buhay, ang shalom, ang kaginhawaan sa pamamagitan ng mabuting pastol. 

Nagkaroon na ng bagong santo papa ang mga kapatid nating Katoliko. Nitong mga nakaraang araw, pinagmumunian ko ang buhay ni Pope Francis. Binalikan ko rin ang ilang mga sinulat niya, particularly, yung Evangelii Gaudium, the Joy of the Gospel. Iba kasi ito dun sa aggressive evangelism na kinagisnan ko. Sabi niya. “To evangelize is to make the kingdom of God present in our world (176)” tapos nun nagfocus siya sa social dimension ng evangelization: pagbasa sa social situation, pagharap sa mga social questions, pagbibigay ng halaga at focus sa mga mahihirap sa lipunan. “Our faith in Christ, who became poor, and was always close to the poor and the outcast, is the basis of our concern for the integral development of society’s most neglected members (186).” Isa sa pundasyon na tinayuan niya ang John 10:10. Sabi niya, “The proclamation of the gospel will be a basis for restoring the dignity of human life… for Jesus desires to pour out an abundance of life upon our cities. The unified and complete sense of human life that the Gospel proposes is the best remedy for the ills of our cities… (75).”

Ang pagtaguri kay Francis bilang shepherd of the unwanted ang, sa tingin ko, ay pinakamataas na taguring ibinigay sa kaniya. Ito rin kasi ang turing kay Hesus. Hindi naman glamorosang trabaho ang pagpapastol. Isa ito sa mga pinakamababang uri ng larangan noong panahon nila. It is not glorious. “Laying down one’s life” may sound virtuous, but it is awfully painful. Being a shepherd is unglamorous, and thankless leadership.

 “Involved by word and deed in people’s daily lives, bridges distances, willing to abase itself if necessary, and it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others, evangelizers thus take on the ‘smell of the sheep’ and the sheep are willing to hear their voice (24).” Be shepherd that smells like sheep, Pope Francis encourages the faithful. 

Each of us faces the challenge of guiding and caring for others in different roles—whether we are leading and supporting our families, mothering our nakshies, supporting attendees and members of Open Table, or looking after neighbors, coworkers, or members of the broader community. It can be in the form of bringing coffee or meal prepping food for our loved ones who are tired and sleepy even if we are sleepless and overworked ourselves. It is volunteering for HIV awareness organizations knowing how fearful it can be to be positive. It is volunteering in Pride Cares because we know how tough it can be for our queer siblings during calamities and disasters. Smelling like sheep is smelling like shit yet we press on because we want to give people the best life they can possibly have.

Ngayong Good Shepherd Sunday, ipanalangin din natin ang mga lider ng simbahan. Si Pope Leo XIV na nawa ay piliin ang landas ng mabuting pastol, piliin niya ang landas, hindi ng mga hinirang, kundi ng mga hinaharang sa buhay na may kaginhawaan.  Ang nalalapit nating pagpili ng mangunguna sa Metropolitan Community Church sa nalalapit na General Conference. Ipanalangin din natin ang mga lider ng ating DIY church na kasihan nawa sila ng Diwang Banal sa lahat ng mga desisyon, panawagan, at plano sa ating simbahan.

Tomorrow is election day. May we recognize shepherds who lives with “the smell of the sheep.” May we choose the life-givers, community-builders, and peacemakers. Piliin natin ang magbibigay sa ating bayan ng ginhawa at kaganapan. 

The post The Joy of Life and Living appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he had taken it off, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them, and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Happy Sunday! 

Today’s the third Sunday of Easter. Tayo ay nasa ating serye pa rin ng pag-aaral sa panahon ng Pagkabuhay, “The Gift of Surprise: The Joy of the Unexpected.”

Noong nakaraang linggo, pinagusapan natin ang ikalawa at ikatlong sa apat na appearance stories sa Ebanghelyo ni Juan–ang pagpapakita ni Hesus sa mga disipulo, gayundin ang encounter ni Thomas sa resurrected Jesus. Ngayon, tungkol naman sa ika-apat na appearance stories. Siguro mas mainam na tawagin nating recognition stories ito dahil ito ang mga pagkakataon na nakikila nila si Hesus. They started to recognize the resurrected Jesus, the divine. 

This is the “second ending” of the Gospel. It was an addition from the first part of John. Scholars think that this is written by another writer because the language, style, and the vocabulary is different. It is believed that this represents the Galilean tradition independent of the tradition of the Jerusalem appearances. Remember that basically Matthew and Mark had stories representing a tradition of Galilean appearances while Luke and Jn 20 narrate only Jerusalem appearances. When I say appearances – sa Matthew and Mark, sa Galilee lamang nagpakita ang Risen Christ and sa Luke and John 20, sa Jeruslem lamang. Sa Gospel of John, yung first three sa appearance/recognition stories ay nangyari sa Jerusalem; the one we read is set in Galilee, on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias (another name for the Sea of Galilee). 

Of Catching Fish and Fishing People:

Seven of the disciples are present, having labored through the night in vain, casting their nets without a single catch. At dawn, a figure appears on the shore—unrecognized by them—calling out and urging them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. They obey, and the net is suddenly teeming with fish, too many for them to haul aboard. That small shift is profound. From nothing to abundance. 

In that moment, the disciple whom Jesus loved declares, “It is the Lord.” Moved by recognition and devotion, Peter (being the dramatic) plunges into the sea to reach Jesus ahead of the others.

This scene also calls forth several past instances from the life of the disciples with Jesus. Ang eksenang ito ay nagpapaalala sa atin sa ilang mga naunang eksena at karanasan ng mga disipulo nung nagsisimula pa lamang si Hesus. In John chapter 1, one disciple of John by the name of Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was so intrigued that Jesus invited him and another disciple, “Come and see.” Andrew found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed).  He brought Simon to Jesus thus begins their journey with their teacher. In Matthew 4:18-22, this story was set in the Sea of Galilee, the same place where our story in John today was set. Andrew and Simon Peter were fishermen. The story in Matthew continued with Jesus saying to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” The brothers immediately left their nets and followed him. It is like the call of the sons of Zebedee, James and his brother John. They were mending their nets when he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

This scene of catching fish in the last chapter was a return to their beginnings. They were being reminded of many things. First to go back to how the Jesus movement began. That they were a small group of people who were in the peripheries of society: fisherfolks, peasants, tax collector, rebels. Theirs is a dream to experience shalom, to be free from the shackles of the empire, for their pleas and hopes to be seen, heard, acted upon, and realized.

Second, they were brought back to remember to press on and continue what Jesus started. It was interesting that after the death of Jesus, they went back to fishing. For years, they followed their itinerant teacher and the Messiah they said that they found, the one who told them “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” They are to fish people. 

We grew up in a tradition that this is the call to mission of the disciples. What Jesus did in the text we read is to remind them not to be distracted by fear, to not divert their energies from things that matter.  

Of Sheep Feeding and the Threefold Question:

Upon their arrival at the shore, they find a meal prepared— bread and fish laid out by Jesus himself. After they have eaten, Jesus turns to Peter and begins a solemn exchange. Three times he asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” And three times Peter affirms his love. To each affirmation, Jesus gives a charge: “Feed my lambs,” “Tend my sheep,” “Feed my sheep.”

Weeks ago, Jesus predicted that Jesus would deny him. Again, dramatic Peter exclaimed that it cannot be. Sya? Itatatuwa si Hesus? And true enough, on the night that Jesus was arrested, thrice did Peter deny that he knew Jesus. The denials were closed by a rooster crowing. 

Sympathetic ako kay Peter. Gets ko na he felt hurt dahil paulit-ulit yung tanong ni Hesus na “Do you love me?” Kaya nga diba ang reply nya ay “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Siguro na-gets na rin ni Peter yung thrice na pagtanong ay baka equivalent sa thrice niyang pag-deny. 

Pero, I do not view this as a reminder of Peter’s failure. It is a moment of redemption. This is the grace of resurrection. We are offered not just forgiveness, but restoration.

In John chapter 10, which we will further discuss next week, Jesus described himself as the good shepherd, we are his people, his sheep. Now, Jesus was telling Peter to feed and tend his sheep. The one who failed is now the one commissioned. He was reminded to continue caring and leading the flock. To seek the lost. To protect them. To lay his life for them, just as how the good shepherd, Jesus, would do.

Follow Me.

Then Jesus speaks in veiled terms, foretelling Peter’s fate—hinting that he too will suffer and die by crucifixion (at least that’s how that verse has been interpreted). Stories from oral tradition tell us that Peter felt unworthy to die like Jesus so pinabaliktad nya ang krus nya and he was crucified upside down – as tradition says – sa Vatican Hill. So, hmmmn… Extreme evangelicals, take note. 

As the dialogue closes, Jesus issues a final, profound summons: “Follow me.” Twice repeated, these are the last words he speaks in the Gospel of John—a call to discipleship unto death, to walk the path he himself has trod.

Last week, in our preaching, we have mentioned that the first words of Jesus to the disciples in John’s gospel are, “What are you looking for?” (1:38). This is after two disciples of John followed him after the prophet exclaimed “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” We also discussed that in the middle of the gospel, when Thomas asked how they can know where Jesus was going, Jesus says, “I am the way” (14:6). And now, at the end, of the Gospel Jesus says, “Follow me” (twice, 21:19, 22).

At the heart of John’s Gospel is the idea of “the way.” If we would recall, Jesus speaks directly about the need to be “born again” (John 3:1–10), and later, he uses the image of a seed that must fall into the ground and die to produce fruit (12:24). He even calls this the only way (14:6)—a verse that has sadly often been used to promote an exclusive and triumphalist view of Christianity. 

Sa evangelical theology, dinideal yung death and resurrection ni Jesus bilang parang legal settlement sa debt. Binayran ni Jesus ang kasalanan sa pamamagitan ng kamatayan; pero napagtagumpayan niya ito. Pero di lang iyon tungkol doon. Alam natin na sampal sa imperyo ang resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is more than that.

Within the broader vision of John’s Gospel—rooted in the idea of God becoming flesh—the death and resurrection of Jesus show us the true nature of transformation. “Be born again,” “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain, but if it dies it bears much fruit.” To say “Jesus is the only way” is not to shut others out, but to point to the pattern revealed in him: dying to the old self and rising to new life. This, above all, is the journey of personal transformation.

To follow Jesus is to be transformed, to change our old ways and be more in line with the character of Jesus. Follow the teacher, his examples. Hindi ito madali. For Peter, it means leaving his impetuous ways to the point that he will even stretch his hands to lay down his life on a cross. To us, it is to die like a grain of wheat and be changed, reborn. And we are reminded of this sa last chapter of the Gospel of John, this 2nd last chapter. We are reminded that instead of going back to what we were doing and who we are before meeting Jesus, we are reminded not to regress far back, but merely to go back and remember why we followed Jesus in the first place and how following him transformed us. How we were born again (as many times over) throughout the journey around Galilee, into Jerusalem, towards the cross and finally out of the tomb.

Now, to us today, let us reflect. Where should we return to? Saan tayo babalik para alalahanin bakit tayo naririto ngayon? Where is our Sea of Galilee? Ano ba ang simulain natin bilang isang mananampalataya, bilang isang simbahan ng mga taong itinakwil sa mga pinanggalingang simbahan? Let us go back to our roots, our beginnings with Jesus; our beginning with Jesus in Open Table MCC. What has God called us to do? It can be something not grand, as simple as being a good neighbor, offering our homes to others, lending our shoulders, extending our hands to help. Selling Drag Bingo tickets to extend love and service sa darating na panahon ng tag-ulan. To love one another to prove that we are his followers.  It can be as straightforward (though challenging) as our triple mission to maintaining a safe and welcoming Church community and space for everyone, to joyfully and prophetically proclaim the radically inclusive love of God for all people, and to participate in God’s greater and wider work of justice and peace.

When “Christianity has contributed to racism, sexism, nationalism, exclusivism, and other harmful ideologies,” what does it mean to be a Christian today? Marcus Borg, in “The heart of Christianity: rediscovering a life of faith,” said

Christianity is a way of life; that is its heart. To be Christian means living “the path” within this tradition. At the heart of Christianity is the way of the heart—a path that transforms us at the deepest level of our being. At the heart of Christianity is the heart of God—a passion for our transformation and the transformation of the world. At the heart of Christianity is participating in the passion of God.

Minsan, we tend to forget our whys either when we are extremely comfortable or when we are extremely challenged, or when we feel things have become routine. But today we are reminded to go back to the day Jesus invited us to “Come and see.” We are called to remember to care for the people and the world as a sign and a way that we truly love God. We are challenged to take up our cross, die to ourselves, and simply follow Jesus, and, perhaps, in doing so, Jesus meets us every step of the way.

The post Of Catching Fish and Feeding Sheep appeared first on Open Table Metropolitan Community Church.

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Today’s the second Sunday of Easter. In the Catholic tradition, today is Divine Mercy Sunday. We are still on our series “The Gif of Surprise: The Joy of the Unexpected.”

Last week, we have talked about the first of the Gospel of John’s four appearance stories–that of Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene at the tomb. Ngayon, ang chika natin ay sa ikalawa’t ikatlo. Bukod doon, ito rin ang unang ending ng Gospel of John. (Yep. Dalawa ang ending. Next week na natin pagusapan yung ikalawa at bakit may dalawang ending.)

John’s second appearance story (20:19–23) happened on the evening of the same day Mary Magdalene saw Jesus in the tomb in Jerusalem. The Gospel writer described that “the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews.” In that locked room, Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be with you.” He then showed them the wounds in his pierced hands and side. With this, the disciples rejoiced as they recognized their Lord. For the second time, Jesus said “Peace be with you.” 

Being at peace in the midst of fear:

In the Greco-Roman world, εἰρήνη, “eiréné,” was commonly understood as the absence of conflict and war. As a warring empire, with rebellions arising all over, peace is a concept highly appreciated. Kaya nga di ba valued ang unang emperor Augustus dahil siya ang nagbigay ng pax Romana, though they did it by silencing the wars and rebellions through massacres and public executions.

“Peace” is beyond that. In the Jewish mind, it is often translated/understood as שָׁלוֹם (shalom) or Salam in Arabic. And Shalom is not just the absence of conflict or a time of peace. It means completeness, welfare, safety, being sound and whole. So, for the Jewish writers, peace, eiréné, shalom, is a divine gift.

Aside from greetings, peace is commonly used in farewells in Jewish culture. It wishes health (welfare) to someone in Hebraic culture. Kaya nga sa John 14:27, sinabi ni Jesus na “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” Ito ang panahon na sinabi ni Hesus na “In a little while the world will no longer see me.” Nagpapaalam na sya. Kaya uncertain ang mga disipulo.

Christ not merely wishes but gives peace. Sinabi nya rin dito na “I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” A few more chapters after, Jesus continued with his huling habilin. In 16: 33, he said “I have said this to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution but take courage: I have conquered the world!” This, then, makes the salutations of Christ after his resurrection (John 20:19, 21, 26) very apt. After the arrest and murder of their teacher, one cannot blame the disciples for hiding because of fear. The public display of the execution of those who went against the state, the empire, will surely cause one to tremble, even suppress their fervent hearts. Will they be targeted next? Who will be up on the cross next?

So, when Jesus came greeting them peace, assuring them that it is indeed him, I imagine the atmosphere of the locked room changing in an instant. “Peace be with you.” Ang lakas ng impact nito. Imagine, nasira na ang ideya ng kapayapaan/peace para sa mga Hudyo dahil sa pax Romana. Here’s Jesus telling them that he’s giving them peace that they have never imagined, a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Peace be with you. Jesus was wishing them safety, welfare. May you be whole, complete. Jesus also said to them, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” With the peace that I have given you, may you give it to others as I send you. He then “breathed on them,” giving them life and the Spirit. 

In the age that we live in, where the evil seems to triumph, wars and injustices all around. Where populist leaders push their personal agendas and dividing the people. Where farmers struggle for food. Where workers toil but to no avail because the lords of this world prevents them from having shalom – many leaders of this world are the ones preventing Shalom, preventing the completeness or fulness of life for the people – Kabuuan ng buhay ng mga tao. We continue to live in a world where women were being silenced and even denied of freedom over their bodies. A world where queer people live unsure, unsafe, unheard, uncomfortable, and always second guessing themselves. 

As we have discussed last week, we said that in the Gospel of John, Jesus still bears the marks the empire gave to him. When he showed the disciples his side and hands, “the Risen One comes to them and shows them His wounds. They were the signs of suffering and pain… yet with Jesus they become channels of mercy and forgiveness, of peace. In his last Easter preaching, Pope Francis appealed to the faithful “not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others, but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development. These are the ‘weapons’ of peace: weapons that build the future, instead of sowing seeds of death!” 

In this world, in this time, we are reminded to take courage because God had conquered the world. God gives peace and not fear, unlike the tyrants of history. The wind, the spirit of God breathes life in the midst of death. Jesus brings peace, shalom, for everyone of us. 

Being at Peace in Unbelief:

Thomas, one of the Twelve, was absent when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples. When they told him what had happened, he refused to believe them. He insisted, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe” (20:24–25). In the poem of Lawrence Lacambra Ypil, “Touch,” he said

Thomas knew this of course,
when he asked to touch the Lord,
feel where the nails dug deep,
where the spear’s tip bit.
He knew that light,
this sight of hair, mouth, eyes,
would be the first to go,
followed by the memory of His words
till all that would be left
would be the faint sensation
of his finger on the lacerated
resurrected flesh.
His friends, thought him foolish
for demanding such sacrilegious proof,
and named him doubtful
when he was, in truth, the only one
who knew what believing meant
and did not mean.

This moment sets the stage for John’s third resurrection appearance (20:26–29). A week later, the disciples are again gathered behind closed doors when Jesus appears, saying once more, “Peace be with you.” He invites Thomas to touch his wounds, prompting Thomas to declare, “My Lord and my God!”—a profound expression of early Christian faith in the risen Christ.

Throughout Christian history, Thomas has often been portrayed negatively, seen as a symbol of doubt and lack of faith. For many, growing up, being called a “doubting Thomas” was second only to being called a “Judas.” When Jesus said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe,” this statement of Jesus need not be taken as a rebuke towards Thomas. Instead, this can be understood as an affirmation: those who believe without seeing are also blessed. The narrative itself does not condemn Thomas. He seeks a personal encounter with the risen Jesus rather than relying on others’ accounts—and his request is honored. Jesus appears to him. 

The belief in Jesus does not mean a “blind faith.” Thomas was not doubtful. Its not that he didn’t want to believe but perhaps he did not want any false or imagined hope. He wanted to test things out. He likes to ask questions. He wanted some answers but not shallow answers. It was not doubt (and there’s nothing wrong with doubting) but rather a faith that seeks the crucified Lord. Pananampalatayang nagpupursigeng hanapin ang Panginoon.  The 14th chapter of John, the same chapter where Jesus was telling the disciples that he will be at his Father’s house but that they have to be not afraid, it was Thomas who asked “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” With Thomas’ question, Jesus replied with one of his greatest statements in John. “I am the way and the truth and the life.”

The first words of Jesus in John’s gospel are, “What are you looking for?” (1:38); in the heart of the gospel, Jesus says, “I am the way” (14:6). He speaks of this way as “the only way” (14:6) in a verse that has unfortunately often become a triumphalist claim justifying Christian exclusivism. But within John’s incarnational theology, the death and resurrection of Jesus incarnates the way of transformation. This is what it means to say, “Jesus is the only way.” The path we see in him—dying and rising—is the path of personal transformation and with personal transformation, the transformation of our communities, societies, and the world. 

Thomas was not doubting; he sought the one who previously said he is the Truth. He sought Truth beyond chismis. He wanted to have deeper reasons to believe. The Gospel writer/s of John even said that they have “written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name” (20:30–31). This passage, likely marking the original conclusion of the gospel, tied the story of Thomas to the purpose of the Gospel. For people to come to know Jesus. Again, in the poem “Touch,”

There were wavelengths
his eyes could never perceive,
frequencies that would never reach
his inner ear.
And faith, he knew, did not lie
in thinking one could understand
what the eye and ear
could not hear or see.
The hands they knew
what faith was–
the held object
holding you.

Hold on to your questions. Keep asking. Seek answers. Seek God beyond easy and shallow answers. Seek Jesus beyond the answers and theologies you already received from your previous churches. I guess that is also the reason why we are here in Open Table. We were not satisfied with the answers we were already given by our former pastors and priests. We started to ask kung totoo ba ang tinuturo nila na masama ang LGBTQIA+. Ako bilang straight woman doing pastoral work, napuno na ang mga tanong ko at at umapaw na ang mga doubts ko that I searched for the risen Lord beyond those who have told me about him. As a teacher in a Bible School, and even in my former church, one of the challenge I saw is when people have questions in their faith and life, they have several reactions: (1) they dismiss the question so they’ll be at peace, (2) they simply lose faith, (3) they face the question head on, not afraid of the cognitive dissonance, bravely struggling towards an authentic faith. 

Keep asking and keep doubting. Seek the Lord. Find paths in your journey of faith and unbelief. J.R.R. Tolkien tells us,

All that is gold does not glitter;
Not all who wander are lost.
The old that is strong does not wither.
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

So do not be guilty trying to wander along. Go, but do it rooted in the timeless truths of life, guided by the wisdoms of the past and diverse voices from many other places you least expect. For thousands of years, we were told to keep quiet, to keep our questions to ourselves. But to seek answers and explore questions is power. The empire does not want us to raise our consciousness and that of people. Do not be guilty with all your questions, and doubts. Even Paul reminded us to “be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

This Divine Mercy Sunday, may we find ourselves being at peace honest to ourselves, being authentic in our faith as we confess “Jesus, God, I trust in you.” Amen.

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Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the [...]

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When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village but was still at the place where [...]

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