LESSONS FROM KERYGMA

LESSONS FROM KERYGMA CONFERENCE 2008

 

“The Lord is God!” – 1 Kings 18:39

 

As part of the secretariat for Kerygma Conference 2008, I was aware of the difficulties as well as the miracles that went into producing the event. As the conference drew near and hitches came here and there, tensions ran high. Many were getting sick, including me. But you know what the experience taught me?

That when it is the Lord’s will, He makes things move beyond our human capacity. Things fall into place despite the hitches — and always just in time. That when it is God’s work, He touches people’s hearts to support the event. Sponsors and donors were coming in even up to the week before the event.

And when I got to talk to a number of people who attended the conference, the more I was convinced that no one went there by accident. Each person who was there was called by God. Each one had a story to tell on why and how he came to the conference. Each attendee has a story to tell on how the conference touched him or her.

So, if I were to be asked to be involved again in future Kerygma Conferences, will I wholeheartedly give my yes again? You bet! Tess V. Atienza (svp_tvatienza@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Can you see God’s work in the events of your daily life? In the major events of your life?

 

Lord, increase my sensitivity to the work of Your hands in my life so that I may proclaim it to the world.

 

CHOICES

 

Every time I go to the mall, my attention is almost always caught by the name of the food court, “Choices.” It is not difficult to understand why it is called thus, and why a convenience store found in filling stations all over the country is appropriately named, “Select.” We all face a daily smorgasbord of decisions to make, selections to do and choices to consider. Some are easier to make, for the simple reason that the world of mass media has already made the choices for us. For many, it is no longer a case of deciding whether or not to use skin-whitening products. The issue boils down to “which one” and “when” to begin using them. The daily bombardment of sounds and images, along with the insistent and repetitive, subtle and not-so-subtle sales pitches, literally take most of our personal freedom of choice away.

But there are choices that go beyond the mere shallow selecting process from among a variety of products to pick from. Such choices, major decisions to boot, stand closer to the very foundation of human freedom. It is not just a matter of selecting this or that, in favor of many others, but a matter of   prudently deciding to follow a particular path in favor of another, either of which would stand to have a train of important and far-ranging consequences.

The Israelites during Elijah’s time had more than just the task of choosing which among two giant, warring media networks to root for. Their choices went far beyond deciding to be either “kapuso” or “kapamilya.” It was a choice between the true God and the false one. And Elijah’s intervention had a hand in their eventual choice in favor of the true and the good and the genuine.

We are beset with a parallel situation even now. It is hard to decide to be godly and be left out of the loop, as it were – a high price to pay for choosing life – and God! But life is all about making choices. The choice for God or against Him, has far-rangingconsequences. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

 

Reflection Question:

What are behind the choices I make? Do my choices lead me to God or away from Him?

 

Lord Jesus, help me to choose You — always.

 

Blessed Diana, pray for us.