Philippine Asian News Today Vol 19 No 15 | Page 24

24 RELIGIOUS PHILIPPINE ASIAN NEWS TODAY August 1 - 20 , 2017
Wisdom from the Word
Ben Berto
After that , He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples ’ feet , and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded . 6 Then He came to Simon Peter . And Peter said to Him , “ Lord , are You washing my feet ?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him , “ What I am doing you do not understand now , but you will know after this .” Peter said to Him , “ You shall never wash my feet !” Jesus answered him , “ If I do not wash you , you have no part with Me .” 9 Simon Peter said to Him , “ Lord , not my feet only , but also my hands and my head !” 10 Jesus said to him , “ He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet , but is completely clean ; and you are clean , but not all of you .” 11 For He knew who would betray Him ; therefore He said , “ You are not all clean .” John 13 : 5- 11 , NKJV
I can ’ t remember when I first participated in the celebration of the Lord ’ s Supper or Communion Service as others call it . But I do remember the thrill of someone washing my feet and I washing his feet . And
then listening as the pastor reading the Scriptures telling the story of the soon to be suffering and resurrection of the Lord Jesus by partaking of the bread and wine symbolizing His body and blood . So continuing on with the Church Statement on the Lord ’ s Supper . FOOTWASHING “ Following as short sermon by the pastor , the men and women separate and go to different rooms in the church for the service of foot-washing . This rite represents cleansing from sin ( John 13 : 1-17 ). While there is no particular merit in the act itself , it provides participants with an opportunity both before and during the service to settle their differences and confess their faults to each other . It symbolizes cleansing from sins committed during the Christian ’ s walk along the Christian pathway . The foot-washing service also symbolizes their renewed dedication to the service of Christ .
“ One must put away pride in order to kneel and wash the feet of a brother or sister who is a member

THIS WE BELIEVE ABSOLUTELY : THE LORD ’ S SUPPER 2

of the same church . This is one of the things it means to serve Jesus with the whole heart . Because this ceremony emphasizes the spirit of Christian fellowship , it is an appropriate preparation for the participation in the Lord ’ s Supper .
“ Following the footwashing service , the church members return to the sanctuary . The pastor and the elders come to the communion table , remove the clothe that covers the bread and wine , and read a appropriate passage of Scripture , such as 1 Corinthians 11 : 23,24 . Following a short prayer , the pastor and the elders break the Communion brea ; d into smaller pieces , and the deacons distribute it to the congregation . Again , following the reading of a text of Scripture such as 1 Corinthian 11 : 25 , 26 , the elders and deacons follow a similar procedure with the unfermented wine ( in some churches the deacons distribute the bread and wine together ). With both the bread and the wine , the congregation waits to eat or drink until all those present have been served so everyone can participate together . The service concludes with a hymn , perhaps a prayer , and the taking of an offering for the poor . SOLEMN JOY “ On the one hand , the Lord ’ s Supper is a solemn occasion , a time when believers remember that Jesus took upon Himself our guilt and died for our sins ( Isaiah 53 : 5 ). On the other hand , it ’ s an occasion of great rejoicing , for it looks forward to the day when God will make all things new ( 1 Corinthians 15 : 52 ) and we will sit down with Jesus , our Redeemer , at the great supper of the Lamb .” Revelation 19 : 9
For prayer , questions and Bible study , call Ben at 604-581- 1278 , Junjun at 778-927-8040 , and Stanley at 604-700-3053 . You are invited to worship with us every Sabbath ( Saturday ) at the Abundant
Life Community Seventhday Adventist Church at 13062-104 Avenue , Surrey . Welcome .
Our new shepherd , Pastor Leomar Macaraig , newly ordained , also takes care of the Vancouver Filipino and Burnaby FilCan SDA churches . His phone number is ; 604-928-3579 . Every Friday , we have a Bible Stud with the Pastor . Everybody is welcome to attend , whether you are a Seventh-day Adventist or not . The Word of God is for everyone . Our address is 9495- 132 Street , Surrey .

Moments

Fr . Jerry M . Orbos , SVD

Stay focused

The story is told about a monastery on a cliff that could only be reached via a suspended basket that was pulled upward by the monks . A tourist who was in this scary ride noticed that the rope was old and worn-out . In a trembling voice , he asked the monk who was riding with him how often the rope was changed . The monk thought for a moment , and then said : “ Whenever it breaks .”
In today ’ s gospel ( Mt . 14 , 23-33 ), the disciples are in a very scary ride on their boat that is being tossed about by the waves . But what terrifies them more is seeing a “ ghost ” walking on the water toward them . What scares them is something they cannot control , and someone they do not know . We , too , are scared by the uncontrollable and the unknown . What can make us overcome our fears ? It is our faith , our focus on something or someone greater than ourselves that helps us stay
afloat and move on .
What made Peter sink ? As long as he was focused on his Master , he was all right . When he took his eyes off Jesus and began to focus on his surroundings , he started to sink . Our daily news is filled with stories of people who have become so focused on money , power , fame , and worldly pleasures , and who sooner or later sink in shame , and into oblivion . Stay focused on the Master !
I wonder what the other disciples thought when Peter made the bold request that he be allowed to walk on the water ? Perhaps some of them were inspired by his courage , or were critical of his nerve . Like them , often we encourage (“ Wow ! What courage !”) or criticize (“ The nerve of this guy !”) those who do what we do not do , or dare not do .
Of course , we also ask what moved Peter to request his Master to let him walk on the water . Was it sincere
faith ? Was it pride ? In the same manner , we , too , must always examine ourselves why we do the things we do . God sees the heart . It is only in quiet prayer that we , too , can really see what is in our hearts .
Are you a “ sinker ” or a “ floater ”? A sinker is one who tends to go down , while a floater is one who tends to stay afloat . But a sinker can also be a person who sinks or pulls down others , and a floater can be one who keeps other people afloat . Sinkers are good in criticizing . Floaters are good in encouraging .
It was such an encouraging and inspiring event to join the Priests ’ Day sponsored by St . Bridget School of Batangas City last Aug . 7 . According to Fr . Nonie Dolor , this worthy tradition was started in 1981 to help students and priests get to know and help each other . On behalf of my brother priests , and on behalf of Jesus Christ , our Eternal
High Priest , I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayers , support , and understanding .
On the lighter side , I think we finally found the answer to the puzzling question : Which comes first , the chicken or the egg ? San Jose , Batangas , is known as the poultry and egg capital of the Philippines . If you approach it via the old highway from Lipa to Batangas City , you will see a big egg landmark on the left side of the road . But if you are coming from Batangas City to Lipa , you will see a big chicken landmark on the right side of the road . So , it all really depends on where you are coming from .
Think about this : “ Learn to give all to God — your health , your family , your friends , your work , your worries , your fears , your finances , your hopes , your frustrations , your dreams , your weaknesses , and sins . When you learn to let go , you learn to be empty , and when
you are empty , you can be replenished and be refilled aplenty .”
Inviting you to join a pilgrimage to Catholic shrines in Japan on Sept . 14-23 . We start in Nagasaki , where the atomic bomb was dropped in World War II , and where many Christians were persecuted . The highlight of the trip will be a visit to Akita , where the Blessed Mother has been manifesting her messages and miraculous healing since 1973 . Included also is a visit to different churches and shrines in Tokyo . For inquiries , please contact Executive Resources at 5238581 to 88 or 09176311902 , or e-mail support @ pilgrimage . ph or www . pilgrimage . ph
A moment
A moment with the Lord : Lord , help us to stay focused on You so as not to sink and be drowned in the raging waters of this world . Amen . ( Inquirer . net |)
WWW . PHILIPPINEASIANNEWSTODAY . COM