Brothers and sisters, good morning! To start with, let us ponder on the following verse from the Book of Proverbs that says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not” (Prov 3:5).
Accordingly, coincidence is God’s way of protecting His anonymity. However as renewed Christians, coincidence is Divine Providence. In the afternoon last Tuesday (April 19, 2011), I was a “gate crasher” during the heavy snacks of the BCBP Mactan Intercessory Group hosted by Kuya Lito and Ate Dolor Yu. Do you want to know the underlying circumstances? I delivered the personal effects of our nephew-in-law who is a PAF pilot whom I consider a bum, a good for nothing “son of a gun”. Because of infidelity, we allow him to fly with his “doomed flight plan”.
Kuya Lito seeing me unloading the bags in front of their store, he invited me to their home. The “gate crasher” became the ”greeter” because I came ahead of the Group. To cut the story short, Kuya Gil Sanchez, my worthy brother knight of the Knights of Columbus and certainly your active and highly able and available Formation and Life Director can give you the details.
Humbly, I claim, “I am here neither by selection of an individual nor election of a group but by the Almighty appointment of God”. With my doctrinal and expectant faith, I am here to share with you a portion of my inner being with the prayer that you can bring home a “nourishment for the soul” this Lenten season.
A collection of inspirational and Christian books including the Catechism of the Catholic Church, my Christian Community and the Catholic Serendipity Bibles provided me the much needed references.
Scanning and browsing the book entitled, “Francis of Assisi: The Man Who Gave Up Everything To Follow Jesus”, I was awed and struck by his sermon without words. St. Francis wanted to show the Poor Clare sisters that “it is repentant heart that counts before God, not eloquent words”. In the process of writing my thoughts, I did it with a clean conscience and a pure joy in my heart allowing the Lord Jesus, our ultimate model of dependence on God, to guide and empower me.
I found the book by J. Oswald Sanders entitled, “Spiritual Leadership” very helpful. I treasure the compassion shown by Kuya Casi and Ate Emma Nadela who used to be the first BCBP Mactan Chapter Head who gave this book to Judy and me in February 2003. Awfully noted and highlighted is the 7th paragraph of 9 paragraphs of their dedication stating, “And – as you walk towards the summit where the cold gets colder, the wind stronger, the burden of responsibilities heavier – just bear in mind – you have “no one else but God”! Yes, indeed, they are emphasizing our dependence on God.
It is amazing to note that the spirit of servanthood includes among others the dependence on God from the book by Sanders (1997). Equally amazing is the January 19 devotional reflection titled, “Dependence on God” exactly the same title of our session we have on-hand. This devotional reflection is from the book, “Light of My Path Each Day”, a Scripture Union’s (SU) Quiet Time Guide that I recently bought. My reflection urged me to read the 1st and 2nd part of the Book of Samuel. This is my first time to read the whole text trying to follow the story of David. I learned that during David’s time (Old Testament), an ephod (a vestment worn by the ancient Hebrew high priest in performing sacred duties) was used to determine God’s will.
Today, we have God’s Word (the Holy Bible) and the Holy Spirit to guide us in every decision we have to make. Jesus declares, “From now on, the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you” (Jn 14:26).
In the Book of Samuel, David was featured in all his victories who began with claiming, affirmation and believing. Claiming, affirmation and believing are acts or practices of dependence on God. “David was a man made by God at the life of faith and the impact of grace, at a pattern of leadership and the perils of power, at God’s unfolding purpose pointing to Christ. David foreshadowed the One yet to come: Jesus, the King of Kings”.
In the Old and New Testament scenario, where do we fit-in? Do we have a “heart for God” relying our total dependence on Him? Personally, as I serve as speaker/sharer in your Holy Thursday morning activity, I fervently prayed for guidance. I acknowledge the Holy Spirit, my Helper, Counselor and Guide who assist me to do this service with gratefulness and total dependence on the Lord.
Abstraction/Personal Experience. As servant-leaders or simply being Christians, we do not act independently from our Master, our God. This dependence points to our relationship with Him. How intimate are we to our Heavenly Father, our Creator? In any relationship for that matter, we start with knowing, then loving and finally serving. In all aspects of our life and living, we are totally dependent on God in everything, as in everything. In our relationship with God, He is our Giver and we are always the receiver. Unworthy as we are because of our sinfulness, faults and failures, God continues to be a Merciful Giver. In our dependence, God wants us to be free from the bondage of sin and be reconciled with Him through the Sacrament of Confession, Reconciliation and Penance. Accordingly, sin is a decision to deprive ourselves from God’s grace, a detachment or infidelity of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We need to be always in the state of Grace for God’s blessings to freely flow within and through us.
Dependence for life itself. Basically, our life is dependent on God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “human life is sacred because from its beginning, it involves the creative act of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is the sole end” (CCC 2258).
The Gospels of St. Matthew (Mt 6:19-34) and St. Luke (Lk 12:13-34) shed us light on “setting our hearts on the Kingdom”; “avoid being a rich fool” and “not worrying about our life”.
We are reminded to “set our hearts first in the Kingdom and justice of God and all the basic necessities of life: food, clothing and shelter will be given to us because our Heavenly Father knows that we need all these things to live” (Mt 6:32-33).
The story of the rich fool narrated by Jesus shows us how life can easily be taken away by God. Our life do not depend on the many material possessions especially if greedily accumulated (Lk 12:13-21). Dependence on life calls for spiritual enrichment to become rich before God. This means spiritual fulfillment.
We must be free from worldly concerns. Jesus said to His disciples, “I tell you not to worry about your life …” (Lk 12:22).
Again, let us remember that material possessions do not give life. Let us be sure that in the process of acquiring what we would like to have will not derail us neglecting the opportunity to make life. This reminds me of Dr. Ron Jenson, America’s life coach who recommends, ”to make a life not just a living” in his book, Make a Life not Just a Living which I recommend you to read and live.
As a pro-life advocate being a faithful 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus myself, I for one oppose the Reproductive Health (RH) or confusingly called Responsible Parenthood Bill. I see it as another venue for corruption geared towards making a living (money-making) disregarding the value of the “gift of life”. We do not need so many legislations. Fundamental and essential is PRAYER for every Filipino to be disciplined that the core values of our culture be instilled and sustained for the many generations to come. Our educational system must promote values education. May I know who joined the “Penitential Walk for Life” last March 19, 2011?. I am writing my personal reflection about it because that day was significant for me. I think it was highly significant for Kuya Gil as well being BCBP Consolacion men’s breakfast sharer that day. Watch for its posting in my website!.
The Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop William E. Lori in his faith formation program, advises us, “We should ask for the Grace to open our minds and hearts to the truth and the beauty of the Church’s challenging and life-giving teaching on human sexuality. We are called to embrace this teaching and to lead others to live the virtue of chastity in generosity and joy” (Columbia, Jan 2011. p. 5).
Dependence on God for service. From the book of the prophet Jeremiah, God says, “I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart who will shepherd to you wisely and prudently” (Jer 3:15). Do you feel and hear this call for service as shepherds (being the action group or unit leader) to our BCBP brothers and sisters assigned to you? Let us be convicted (enough evidences to charge us being followers of Jesus) that indeed, God initiates the call for our service. Our respective assignments is an “Almighty appointment of God” for us.
Our response to the call for service may vary. An outright No because of being busy is inacceptable. Be reminded that ”God is holding our time.” He can take it away from us anytime. Jeremiah again comes to the picture with our hesitation due to the feeling and fear of unworthiness and inadequacy. When he was called, God assured him, “Before I formed you in the womb I know you, before you were born, I dedicated you” (Jer 1:5). Jeremiah responded, “Ah, Lord God! I know not how to speak; I am too young” (Jer 1:6)
A resounding assurance every time we accept whatever service we are called for, God is firm in assuring us, “To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you” (Jer 1:7).
The Lord knows the kind of men and women He chooses. He knows our gifts and capabilities. He is aware of our feeling of inadequacy and our shortcomings. But, in spite of these, He calls us to service by name. Our Yes to His call, our willingness and commitment to serve will definitely be supported with our total dependence on God’s grace. We are empowered to do God’s will for His greater honor and glory.
Dependence on God for our service also means seeking His will for the people entrusted to our care. During our prayer time, we seek guidance and enlightenment. We do not simply wait for God to act because the Holy Spirit will lead, assist, guide and counsel us what to do. Reading the Bible allows us “to become familiar with God’s Word becoming accustomed to the tone and tempo of God’s promptings in our lives” (Columbia. March 2011. p.17).
Again, we look at Jeremiah as our model for dependence on God for service. He was an excellent leader who was authentically dependent on God. He realized his own limitations. However, he knew that only God can change a man’s heart and so he turned to God. He prayed and waited. While waiting for God’s answer, he organized a feasible plan of action and pressed on despite vocal opposition to execute the plan once God opened the way.
Continuous dependence in spite of trials. In the New Testament (NT), Jesus exemplifies dependence on God in the midst of adversities and trials. On the Cross, while breathing His last, He cries out, “Father, into Your Hands, I commit My Spirit”. Jesus made a tremendous act of love, trust and dependence on the Father. Jesus clings to the conviction that the Father loves Him even when the circumstances seem to indicate that the Father has abandoned Him.
In our life, we encounter or experience a feeling of God’s absence. It seems paradoxical and hard to believe but “we find God through our problems. He loves us and His love is intense every time we have problems and in pain.” We need to be spiritually sensitive because problems and trials in various degrees nurture us to grow in faith and allow us to listen to God’s call/message. Putting it in another perspective, we are encouraged to see and identify the positive or good things in all bad situations we are into.
We pray that God will endow us with the spiritual eyes to see, spiritual ears to hear and all other senses to be spiritually mature as we also mature emotionally because we have our Almighty Father who is in control.
Personal sharing. As I examine myself looking back from childhood until now, I was and am continually dependent on God. I came from a poor family that urged or triggered me to aspire for freedom from the bondage of poverty. I equipped myself professionally but I did not remain in the academe. I married to have my own family. In all these earlier endeavors, God was basically part of my decision-making. For over 5 decades of life and living, I have over 5 decades of experiences and circumstances in life during which times, God was faithfully present for me because I was and will continue to be dependent on Him.
Let me cite at least 2 highly significant events showing dependence on God for my life and service. First was my voluntary resignation from government employment. It was a paradigm shift from being an employee to what God wants me to be. It took a year in 1989 for Judy and me to weigh the merits and demerits of my plan and decision. We prayed because I knew we were facing a variety of uncertainties. Indeed, trials came our way testing our faith. Life and living were confusing and chaotic then. It was the lowest period in my life that lasted for 2 years (1992-1994). I may be able to give the details of this episode in another venue and through other means. Definitely, God was a major part in that segment of my life realizing that He has a different plan for me.
The second is our decision to renew our faith as we joined the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). I committed myself to know, love and serve the Lord through the BCBP. Being a college drop-out, I have “time freedom” to seek first the Kingdom of God believing that He will provide everything I need to live. I know my talent and abilities and I freely return to God what is due Him.
Initially, I feared whenever given a talking assignment as shown by my trembling hands every time I approached the podium. In time and with acceptance of various services, I grow and establish confidence believing that God empowers me. As the incumbent Mission Director of BCBP Consolacion, Cebu, I surrender and rely on God’s power.
Recently, in our modest marketplace (Kalubian ni Lolo), we have identified and defined our “social responsibility” employing the culture of BCBP. Log on to youtube.com and search permaculture2011 and verify what I mean. We welcome your comments and suggestions to improve our life-long plan.
Conclusion. My dear brothers and sisters here in Mactan, by way of conclusion, let me share with you an admonition from the Book of Psalms, “Let us trust in the Lord and do good that we may dwell in the land and live secure” (Ps 37:3). nmg
