It is good to be back at Silliman University Church. Seeing friends and some familiar faces in worship–praying together, listening to God’s Word, listening to the music of the choir directed by Dr. Susan Suarez (who, by the way, is one of the outstanding teachers of the Philippines for 2022), listening to the playing of the organ by Prof. Bobbie Vista — which deepens my faith as I listen to her music, listening to the playing of the piano by Allen Diadem Jovita, and watching the technical team who make it possible for those who cannot come to church physically to worship with us…I feel excited starting a ministry with you again. I know that I am with God’s people.
However, every time I start a new call to ministry (whether I am familiar with the church or not), there is a feeling of anxiety. I think there is something presumptuous about a person such as I, standing on a pulpit like here at Silliman University Church, daring to speak for God. I ask myself, “How could it be that God would beckon me in this specific call at this time and at my age?”
Then I am reminded of Paul who wrote in 2nd Corinthians: “It is by God’s mercy that we’re engaged in this ministry…We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us…for we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Cor. 4:5, 7)
I remember a story of a preacher who was beginning his ministry with a new congregation. He prayed, “Oh Lord, give me power, and keep me humble.” An old member of the church was heard praying, “Lord, you give him power, and we will keep him humble.”
“Treasure in clay jars…empowered by God.” That is who we are — the pastoral team and you, the congregation–as we do our ministry together.
Let us pray: Bless us O God, that the meditation of our hearts, and the presence of the Holy Spirit empower us to do ministry together in this time and place.
Flying on a plane recently reminded me of a story about a commercial airline pilot who, on one occasion, made a particularly bad landing. The wheels of the big jet hit the runway with a jarring thud. The airline had a policy requiring pilots to stand at the door while the passengers exited so he was to give each of them a smile, and say, “Thanks for flying with us today.” In light of his bad landing, the pilot had a tough time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment, but no one said anything. Finally, when almost everyone had gotten off, and as the pilot was about to feel relieved, one little old lady walking with a cane approached the pilot and asked, “Sonny, mind if I ask you a question?”
“Why, no, Ma’am, what is it?” said the pilot bravely.
“Did we land,” she asked, “or were we shot down?” (King Duncan)
Maybe you’ve had days like that–days when it felt like you were shot down. Even worse, maybe things are going quite well for you. Your friends and your family tell you how fortunate you are. But you don’t feel fortunate. In fact, your life is somewhat tortured by a nagging fear that you cannot even define.
Our gospel story tells us of Jesus and the disciples gathered in the upper room prior to his crucifixion. The atmosphere is tense; the disciples know that something ominous is about to happen. They are troubled, and at a loss for words. They have been with Jesus for several years, and everything is going fine. There were celebrations, they listened to the words of wisdom from Jesus, and gained new insights. They saw miracles taking place, and felt nothing can stop them.
But then in that upper room, Jesus tells them he is leaving. Jesus, their dear friend and mentor, the one who called them, the one who loves them, the one they love will be leaving them!
But with characteristic compassion, Jesus lays aside his own intense feelings, and reaches out to comfort his followers. “I am leaving,” said Jesus, “but you will not be alone. God will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to teach you all things, and will remind you of everything. I am also leaving you with something to remember me by. It is precious beyond all measure. Don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid. I am giving you the gift of peace.”
Jesus then goes on to say that the world doesn’t really understand the kind of peace he is giving. And later, in John 20:22, we are told that Jesus breathes on them, and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” And this is what we celebrated a few weeks ago, Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit.
At that time, the Romans occupied Israel. And they were sensitive to any threat of rebellion from the people. Likewise, the leaders of the Jews were afraid that anyone who disturbs the status quo will result in them being thrown out of their position and power.
And Jesus knew this. In fact, he knew what lay ahead for his disciples. There will be persecution, imprisonment, even martyrdom.
Thus, Jesus felt that what they needed most was an assurance from him. And so he said to them, “I am leaving you with a gift–peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 LB).
Later, we learn that those who preached and witnessed about the living Christ would be torn apart by lions in the gladiator pits. They would be burned as human torches in Nero’s gardens, crucified upside down.
To assure them, Jesus told them they would not be left on their own. He tells them he will be with them in the presence of the Holy Spirit, who is the Comforter and the Counselor. He offers this as a gift — as a way for his disciples to know his living presence as they participate in God’s holy work in the world.
The Spirit that God sends is a comforting gift, an empowering gift, a beautiful and life-giving gift.
When we think of ‘peace’, we usually think of the absence of war between nations, or the ending of hostilities between persons. However, the peace of which Jesus spoke is not simply the end of conflict nor is it the lack of inner struggle. It is the peace of God that is an internal strength and tranquility which exists in spite of turmoil in the world around us or deep within us.
An old story which illustrates this point concerns a little boy who sat calmly aboard a ship which was tossed about like a toothpick by the wind and waves. A passenger asked him, “Are you not worried? Doesn’t the storm frighten you?”
“No,” replied the boy. “If I sit here, I can look through that hole, and I can see the captain at the helm. He is my father, and he has brought this ship through many storms. As long as my father is at the helm, he will get us safely through.”
These days, we see a lot of conflict going on. There is conflict going on in the Middle East. Terrorists are wreaking havoc in many parts of the world, including here in the Philippines. And the war between Russia and Ukraine is raging on. Women and children with the elderly are driven out of Ukraine, leaving their husbands, sons and some daughters to fight, not knowing if they will see each other again. In the US, there are shootings in schools, killing innocent children.
How could a person in his right mind shoot 10-year-old children who cannot defend themselves? Or a person who drove several miles to a market place just to shoot people because of the color of their skin? Or of a young man shooting people in a church? Even here in Dumaguete, we learn of people being shot at, and the perpetrators now still at large.
It just boggles my mind, and makes me sick. And around us for more than two years now, we have friends and loved ones who died because of the pandemic. Many lost their jobs or their businesses had to close. Some cannot take their loved ones to the hospital because they cannot afford to pay the hospital bills. A pastor told me that when they were distributing bags of rice to families, some were crying of gratitude because they did not have food for days.
Medical workers are exhausted. The economic system that is in place in our country favors those who have the money, or those who know somebody important. Then we have more floodings and typhoons or hurricanes all over the world because of climate change. And for those whose candidates lost during the recent election, there is anxiety or apprehension for the future of our country. There is frustration and even anger.
Aside from those things, we have our own personal problems — conflict among members of the family, and struggles with health issues.
Because of all these, we are bombarded with all kinds of promises for peace in the forms of drugs (legal and illegal), and all kinds of diversions.
At the slightest pain or provocation or indication of boredom, we are urged to pop a pill, take a drink, buy this or that to overcome our discomfort. Sometimes we see in advertisements that to get peace is to go to a resort or go take a cruise.
For several months, you heard politicians making promises that if you vote for them, our country will be better off. We search our world with its glamorous promises for some ease, some respite from our pain and suffering. And some may help us temporarily.
However, Jesus, as he did to the early disciples, promised to give us the gift of peace.
It is not a release from tension; it is not the avoidance of struggle; it is not an escape from pain.
Rather, the peace which Jesus gave to the disciples involved little contentment. They had to endure persecutions, misunderstanding, and hardships of every kind.
Perhaps that is why Jesus says, “Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Notice that Jesus did not say, “Come unto me so you can avoid the tensions and struggles of life.” Rather, he tells us to come if we are life-weary, and he will give us rest.
The Greek word translated “rest” points to being refreshed and revitalized, rather than finding relaxation.
He tells us that we may come to him for strength if we bear heavy burdens. His promise is regeneration for those at the end of their tether, and peace for those who are struggling.
One of the best illustrations comes from Paul’s own life. This man who wrote most of the books in the New Testament had a whole host of ailments, troubled by his “thorn in the flesh.” He was constantly beleaguered by those who were out to destroy him, that he wrote in his letter to the Christians in Rome, “O wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)
But then in his letter to the Christians in Philippi, Paul wrote, “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content; I have learned the secret of facing hunger and want.” (Philippians 4:12)
And again in his second letter to Timothy, he wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Paul experienced serenity of soul not because he took the easy way out, but because he met head-on the tribulations and tensions of the world, and by the power of God, overcame them.
He experienced peace that was “beyond human understanding”. It was not the absence of hostilities and distress, it was not produced within himself, but was an amazing gift given by Christ through faith.
This is the good news for us. Our Lord tells us as he did long ago, “My peace I give to you …”
However, as we hear those words, let us be reminded that the way to peace is not the way of comfort and contentment. The gospel meets us with high demands for service and sacrifice.
The Cross which is the symbol of our faith is a sign of defeat, and a reminder of the most tragic event in history. Yet, this is where our peace begins because it was there, on the cross, in the ultimate tension, in the monumental struggle between God and evil that Jesus became victorious, and opened the doorway to life eternal for us all.
The resurrected Christ beckons us today, offering rejuvenation for our haggard spirits, and strength to cope with the difficulties of our lives.
He says, “Follow me!” And this is addressed to everyone.
One cannot say, “I’ve done my share, I’ve borne my burdens… now is the time to rest.” As long as we have life, God calls us to take an active role in God’s eternal plan using our God-given gifts. Jesus calls us to love our neighbors, those in need, and those marginalized by society. He recruits us to do battle against the evils of this world.
Thus, as we start our ministry together, we are called to be courageous. Death may stalk our streets due to the presence of the coronavirus, or by people who take the lives of others. Some are possibly trapped in boredom, bigotry, loneliness, frustration, poverty, despair, and death.
But then, Jesus breathes into us, and tells us, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled. Neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
In the power of that promise, we are both safe and free to do ministry in new and innovative ways. We may not be able to fix everything in this world, we may even disagree on many things, we may get frustrated or even angry, or we may feel hopeless. I believe that God will understand that. But we are assured of the presence of the Holy Spirit who will be with us to empower and to comfort as we participate in God’s work in this world.
The Holy Spirit will accompany us into the conflict. Christ speaks of love, and then gives us the ministry of reconciliation. Christ speaks of weakness, and then calls us to share the burdens of those around us, bringing his power to our inadequacies.
It is in active service where we put our faith on the line, that we discover that in all things, we are held by God that always, “underneath are the everlasting arms”. The Spirit is a life-giving gift. We are truly blessed if we receive it.
The year was 1887, and a humble music professor named A.J. Showalter received some sad news. Two of his former students had just lost their wives. Both of these men were in despair, and looked to their old Music professor for comfort.
Showalter had always been deeply devoted to his students. He had no comforting words of his own, so he turned to Scripture, where he found this verse from Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms . . .” Out of this verse, Professor Showalter wrote a chorus to send to his students, which some of you might recognize: “Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.” Yes, “What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms.”
Amid the struggles, great and small, which we face every day, we need to take time to let our God embrace us through the Holy Spirit. Through faith, let the heartbeat of God’s love fill us with the passion and fire of the Holy Spirit.
And as we surrender ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit, God gives us the gift of peace. It is a gift which continually regenerates for you and me. Thus, let God speak through us today and the coming days. Treasure in clay jars, empowered by God.
As we go back to the community to be witnesses of a risen Christ, may the gift of peace which passes all understanding keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Author’s email: piajonathan@yahoo.com
