Matthew 2:11 “Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” The gifts of communion Reading: For I desire steadfast love not sacrifice. Hosea 6:1-6 Reflection: In our journey to Bethlehem, the city of bread, we contemplate the wise men who came to pay homage to the Christ-child. They opened their […]
Matthew 2:11 “They saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him.” Gathered in worship around the One Lord Reading: When they saw him, they worshipped him. Matthew 28:16-20 Reflection: When the Magi from their far-away countries arrived at Bethlehem and saw the child with his mother, they worshipped him. In […]
Matthew 2:9 “The star which they had seen in the East went before them.” Guided by the one Lord Reading: The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of Cloud. Exodus 13:17-14:4 Reflection: Again and again the scriptures tell us how the Lord God walks with his people, protects them, and watches over them […]
Matthew 2:6 “And you, Bethlehem… are by no means least.” Though small and suffering, we lack nothing. Reading: From you shall come forth…one who is to rule in Israel. Micah 5:2-5a, 7-8 Reflection: From the small and lowly city of Bethlehem, the Lord, the Son of God, made his entrance into the world. From the womb […]
Matthew 2:3 “When king Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” The presence of Christ turns the world upside down. Reading: So we labored … from break of dawn until the stars came out. Nehemiah 4:18-21 Reflection: The Lord has come amongst us. Christ’s coming disturbs the ways of the world. In […]
Matthew 2:2 “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews?” Humble leadership breaks down walls and builds up with love. Reading: The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:20-28 Reflection: Jeremiah denounces the bad leadership of the kings of Israel who divided and scattered the people (Jeremiah […]
Matthew 2:2 “We saw His star in the East.” Raise us up and draw us to your perfect light. Reading: This grace… has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:7-10 Reflection: In this fragile and uncertain world, we look for a light, a ray of hope from afar. In […]
18th to 25th of January, 2022 Introduction In the gospel of Matthew, we are presented with the statement that wise men, drawn to the light of a star, declared: “We saw His star in the East and we have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). To this day people are still drawn to the light of that […]
A Unity Statement of the Christian Churches on the Occasion of the 500th Year of Christianity in the Philippines On Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd 2021, the Christian churches of the Philippines issues a document that states their unity titled “One Ecumenical Family“. They did this to celebrate 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The […]
Whenever I am asked why I chose to make a commitment to the Sword of the Spirit, I say that one of the main reasons, if not the main reason, is its ecumenical dimension. Being in community with Christians from other churches has been extremely valuable to me in my growth as a disciple, not […]
