All Eyes on Jesus

Today, here in Sydney, I witnessed one my best friends getting married. Weddings are truly blessed occassions. There I saw all the people who mattered to the couple. They set their day off and gathered to show their love and support for the holy bond.  I flew from the Philippines to Australia (with the help of some friends) to be part of this once in a lifetime event of my dear friends Fredney and Christine. I was the best man.  It was their special day and all eyes were on them.

The challenge for us Christians today is to live in a way that Christ will increase in the eyes of others. Like the bride and groom during the wedding, all eyes must be on them and we fade into the background as we do our duties.

During the time of John the baptist, his followers saw that Jesus was also baptizing people and there was a dispute among them.

Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him." John answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven (John 3: 25-27).

John knew that his role was to prepare people to receive Christ. He knew that all eyes should be on Christ.  John further says...

You yourselves can testify that I said (that) I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease. (John 28-30)."

Like the best man, we shouldn't steal the show from the bride and the bridegroom. We must therefore be conscious of who is being praised for the good works we do.  In our thoughts, we are to dismiss temptations of claiming glory which is rigthfully God's.

"He must increase; I must decrease" is something we can say to ourselves everytime we do service or do our jobs. In this way, we are reminded that we merely play the role of best man or maid of honor humbly supporting Christ who should be at the center of attention.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

The Family and the Future of Humanity

The future of humanity passes by way of the family (Familiaris Consortio).

I first heard this statement during the 4th World Meeting of Families back in 2003 in Manila.  Since that time, I've been reflecting on the relevance of what I'm doing in CFC (Couples for Christ) in the contribution to humanity.

Gifted scientists, artists, writers, engineers, doctors and many more devote a great amount of time and energy to be able to contribute to the advancement of humanity.  They put in all their passion in their life's work. Many of these people are recognized by being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or through some other important social recognitions.

I realize that my life's work through CFC is dedicated to build strong families for the Lord. Serving Him through the kids, youth, singles, couples, and other individuals all lead to building families that are centered on Christ. CFC's vision of Families in the Holy Spirit Renewing the Face of the Earth becomes very personal and real when I hear stories of families whose relationships are healed and restored.  The vision becomes real when I witness single young men and women choosing to live a chaste life to become the best husbands and wives for their future families.  The vision is realized when I see the poor restored of their dignity and do not find the reason to teach their children to steal in order to survive.  The vision is made true when families deliberately practice waste segregation, energy conservation, and tree planting to take care of God's earth.

We do all our work in the pursuit of the vision without need for approval from men. We seek for no earhtly rewards. The reward of doing Christ's work is Christ Himself. Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ (Galatians 1:10).

We all agree that the family is the basic unity of society. And if indeed the future of humanity passes by the way of the family, what will happen to society and humanity if there are forces out there who want to sabotage the family?  Then these groups of people are deceived by the evil one. They are unknowingly destroying humanity because of the absence of faith, a lack of insight, short term thinking, and distortion of what is right.

Without the family, there will be no future for humanity. Let us then start by loving our own families.  If there are hurts, we set aside pride, overcome it with Christ's love, and initiate healing and forgiveness.  We don't have to look far if want to change the world for Christ.  Let us do our part in building strong families for Christ and make it our life's work.

Reflections from a Bus Ride

I had a long bus ride today. I rode from Cubao all the way to Alabang and back with all the traffic and delays (the bus slightly hit another vehicle and so they argued who's at fault).  With the traffic comes some enterprising opportunities from mobile vendors selling newspapers, peanuts (with matching tempting aroma), beverages, candies, and crackers. The vendors work out some mutually beneficial system so they can get in the bus and sell. For peanut sellers, they usually give the driver or conductor a small pack of peanuts, when they sell good on that particular ride. Nothing out of the ordinary, but it lead me to reflect on life.  In our daily Christian living, we can see ourselves in the people of the bus scene.

We are like passengers trying to get somewhere. Some of us know where we're going, some of us don't.  We all very well know that we want to get to heaven. But sometimes we ride on a different bus, the kind that leads to a "very hot place." This bus is a fast one and goes through all the shortcuts. This bus doesn't follow the right route and speed limits. It will most likely get into trouble with the law.  We seem not to mind. Not until we get hit or get caught.  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Mt 7:21). The right bus has the words "heaven" on its signboard and God's will and grace as our ticket.

We can also be likened to the bus vendors.  We try to survive and thrive in this world.  We go into business or get employed.  We try to sell a lot of things or get our tasks done.  We work out a system around us, so we can benefit from the situation.  But how often do we "sell" Christ to others? When was the last time we told someone about Jesus? Do we believe in "Who" we are selling? If we really think of it, the only way to survive and thrive in this world is through Jesus. "I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6)." We  need to build or renew the system around us, so that people will get to receive Christ, Whom we are "selling."

Our life on earth can lead us to destination heaven if we follow these lines from this Christian Song, "To know You Oh Lord, and to know Your Love.  To love you and to make you loved." Knowing God's love will lead us to the right path. Letting others know God, will complete our mission and our purpose for living.

Real Strength

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10).

Real strength comes from the power that the Holy Spirit gives to us. When we are in a state of sinfulness, when there is hatred, pride, addictions, and worldly attachments, we are drawn far from the Lord. Our distance from God makes it difficult for us to be humble in asking for His power. We resort to draw from our own strength or from our "stacked knowledge."  When relying on our own strength, we notice that at the end of a task, we are relieved that it's over and we are exhausted. When relying on God's strength, we realize that we have more to give, even if we seem to have given much.

How can we be strong in the Lord? I reflect on three things. First is to have a strong relationship with God.  We gain confidence in our friendship with the Almighty.  We are assured that He will not leave us and He will equip us.  This is developed through a constant prayer life.  No one can withstand you while you live. I will be with you as I was with Moses: I will not leave you nor forsake you (Joshua 1:5).

Second is that we have to seek to continually purify ourselves.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation through confession and other Sacraments is grace that is available to help us humble ourselves and unburden us of the weight of sin in our lives. You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1).

Third, is to practice a life dependent on Him.  In all we do, we ask for His aid through the Power of His Spirit, and in all we accomplish, we give the glory to Him alone. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:11).

May we strive to gain real strength. We need God's strength to overcome sin in our lives and to have the power to build His kingdom on earth.