great ordinary happenings

Last Holy Tuesday, I was blessed to attend the recollection inside the Talisay City Jail. *

It began with: A person wears a mask to hide his true self due to inferiority and insecurity, with two reasons behind: poor self-image and negative judgment of self. The person usually gives more value on the acceptance or rejection of the people around him, and of society as a whole. Covering the core self are the layers of power, prestige and wealth, which are the temptations that lead to sin.

The theme of the recollection was becoming good and faithful stewards, stewardship being “a call to discipleship in freedom to live life as (Filipino) Christians in the service and commitment to God’s community.”

I was appreciative of the topics and how they were discussed that I got notes, and with permission, I’m sharing them to you as my Lenten contribution to our reflection that befits the season:

The Human Person Above All:
1. We are of value for what we are and not for what we have.
2. Our value is ultimately based on human dignity
3. Our dignity is enhanced when we exercise our three-fold capacity to love, to rule creation, and to shape life and destiny

We have rights because of our dignity. However, we have to remember that for every right, we have a responsibility.

Sin: The Human Dignity Degraded
1. We are continually living in and surrounded by a situation that violates the human person and degrade human dignity.
2. There are factors within and outside ourselves that prevent fullness of our human dignity and violate our rights
3. The root of all these forces is the reality of sin

God’s Dream For Us: A truly fraternal community and a just society where human dignity is upheld and promoted. The situations that degrade human dignity frustrate God’s dream for us.

Conversion (in Pilipino, Pagbabago): A constant demand of the Kingdom present among us.
1. Conversion is the breaking of the Kingdom and its message into our personal life, not a turning away from something but a turning towards something.
2. Conversion demands a faith in Jesus for a change of heart in the life of the person.

Conversion: An experience of transcendence of my present life, the result of my past, and live in a new direction.

Conversion: A Change of Security
1. Conversion: the need of acceptance and love
2. Conversion: a process of knowing ourselves to be secure
3. Conversion: a moment of discovering love in the life of a person

Commitment and Service: “Here I am”
1. Commitment in the life of a disciple is rooted in the love for Jesus. It is a response of faith: an act of obedience and availability to His will, commitment is made to the person of Jesus
2. Commitment has a contemplative dimension

Commitment to Jesus is commitment to the service of the Christian community, people, and nation. It implies the making of a choice. The problem of commitment is not the making but the keeping.

Jesus’ message on the Cross: “Go therefore and do the same.” …“Take up your cross and follow me.”

(Note: For the  sequel post to this, please click here.)

Filed under: Bible sharing, Gospel sharing, community, reflections