Kapitolyo Tai Chi Summer Outing 2013

This blog is about our annual day out of the city. Let me first mention that our Tai Chi class “performs” every Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7 AM in a beautiful city park in our neighborhood (barangay).

In May 2o12, I was invited to join the club. It turned out I was the oldest and the only guy till my Tai Chi barkada Buster joined a month or so later.

Today I celebrated one year of almost “no miss” participation (except for a passport renewal appointment at the embassy and a wedding in Laguna). I thank God for my good health. I thank the entire club for welcoming me and giving this opportunity for exercise and friendship. (Only much later I joined the Yoga for Life (http://www.facebook.com/yogaforlife.ph) class. But that is another story.)

We did not have Tai Chi today, but we sure had a super day, May 10, 2013.

The organizers did a magnificent job of planning and organizing everything – to the finest detail.

I was amazed. They said meeting time was 6:30 am. I did not rush. When I arrived at 6:31 everybody was there, raring to go. That was a 22-year first for me, when time did not mean Filipino time.

We were on the road well before 7 am in my Tai Chi buddy, Buster’s, van (with another passenger truck following).

I was elated to join the Friday Mysteries of the Holy Rosary on the way to Antipolo. Then, lo and behold, it was Mass at National Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage Pilgrimage Church in Antipolo, the cathedral of Antipolo. It was a Friday, a huge domed cathedral, packed, no seating room. People flocked from everywhere for the Marian month of May devotion.

The photo above is from -- http://lakwatsero.me/2010/05/22/our-lady-of-antipolo-shrine-antipolo-city-rizal-may-22-2010

My brother Bud’s funeral in Ohio is tomorrow and I was pleased for another chance to offer Mass for him – and in a national shrine at that.

Next stop into the mountains of Rizal Province was another pilgrimage shrine with the huge Statue of Regina Rosarii  (The Queen of the Rosary). After prayer and lighting candles, we took photos at the foot of the expansive statue and admired the mountain beauty.

On the road again, I was amazed at the primacy of rice in the province. Off on and on for miles were 20-40 meter patches on one lane of the two-lane hi-way – patches of newly harvested palay – drying in the sun on the hi-way. (The police call it “palay solar dryers” — not with praise.)

Winding through the mountains, I was reminded of the beautiful hills of Ohio, the beloved hills of my youth.

Well before 12 noon, we arrived at the rustic acreage of the resort owned by a husband and wife, Ferdi and Minda Fuentes, members of our Tai Chi club.

After the prayer before the meal, lunch was a fiesta in itself. Very tasty Filipino “ulams” brought all the way from Pasig, but a culinary delight, topped with fresh fruits of every name and taste.

The photo above is taken from the Rotary Club of Pasig South Facebook account; Album Name: Outing at Minda's Sanctuary 26Feb2011

Some went swimming; I think some were praying; maybe just maybe, some others were gossiping (sure did a lot of talking talking).

The mountain air, the well-landscaped resort for retreats, team building and seminars – all made a relaxing afternoon. Then from the owners’ home the helpers showed up with trays full of halo-halo, brimful of crushed ice and fruit delights.

Then came the signal to pack up and by 4:30 pm, all twenty-five of us, sad to leave, were headed back down the mountain and past the sign pointing to Daranak Falls, through Antipolo, and a sleepy ride home for many, and gorgeous mountain scenery for those who kept their eyes open.

A day of prayer, food, and relaxation, fun and friendship long to be remembered. Minda Fuentes Sanctuary, Barangay Niuagan Pililia, Rizal.  I was thankful, not only for the Tai Chi, but for these wonderful senior citizen friends from our neighborhood in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Retiring at 84

There has been a lot of speculation since my brother Joseph announced his retirement at 85 the other day. Somebody said, “How can you call him your brother?” I said, “Jesus said, ‘Love your enemy.’”

Some are praising his integrity and love for the “church.” All are guessing about his successor.

So, what do I think about me at 84? Can I say I am getting feeble and no longer mentally and physically able to attend to the calling?

This morning was my 9th-month anniversary in 7:00AM Tai Chi. Honestly it was the first time I felt unable to keep up with the other seniors. The teacher even gave me a wonderful reflexology treatment after the class. Now it’s seven hours later. I feel stronger and confident I can keep up with the other seniors in the next class. Incidentally, I am the oldest in the two dozen or more members.

Pope Benedict has 118 potential successors, capable of taking over.

I have to think about, not who could, but who would carry on the work? Who would be willing to carry on the ministry I have done in the Philippines for 22 years without salary? Who will teach sex-positive theology courses by internet for free? Who will be available for people with broken hearts, broken lives, and broken hopes? Well, I started that work in 1991, but, actually we now have at least a half dozen dedicated pastors doing that with all their heart.

There are limits to what a pastor can do (especially when he or she also has to hold a secular job for survival). That’s Pastor Regen in Dasmariñas, Pastor Egay in Makati, Pastor Jason in Marikina, Pastor John in Olongapo, Pastor Myke in Baguio, and the good people in Quezon City.

I am thinking, first of all, about all my friends who have tested positive for HIV. They are brave. They are courageous. They have a wonderful positive outlook. I want to keep on giving them every support I can so they can keep on “doing everything right when living with HIV.” I have shared my essay on that subject with them, but I want to see them come together in a self-help wholistic well-being support group — so they can go on and on and on like my friend Rev. Steve Pieters who has had HIV for more than 30 years. (Google his name.)

I am thinking of my friends who are tired of having their life, their dreams, their hopes shattered by addictions over which they have had no control. I want to continue to share with them my own life experience in overcoming addiction to alcohol in a wonderful 12-Step program that changed my life, saved my life. It could be anything powerful enough to upset one’s life.

At the same time some of my friends are working on sexual compulsion that’s bringing them to ruin. They say, “I have the most wonderful lover in the world, but I give in to drives that seem beyond my control.” Of course, as we work a recovery program, we find it is not uncontrollable.

Day after day people come to me for “help” when their relationship seems to be on the rocks, or at least bumping over stumbling blocks. I share with them my experience and the book I have written on this very subject — “how to,” how to make a relationship run smoothly and happily. Yes, a support group with others who are really sincere also helps. This is a work with the rewards of seeing happy couples — in love.

Yes, after 22 years, some of the 10 million LGBT people in the Philippines still have trouble with knowing and accepting God’s unconditional and non-judgmental love. The pastors do a great job when they have a chance to help these people wipe away the tears, erase the fears, and find peace and joy. Some people find our support group of people trying to swim out of internalized homophobia a tremendous help. I rejoice when I observe the transformation that takes place in people who finally come know what God is really like and overcome the trauma of being rejected by church and people.

A very big joy over the years (for decades now) has been when somebody comes to me and says, “Pastor, teach me how to pray.” The joy is fulfilled when that person sits down — anywhere, in a coffee shop, anywhere, and learns first-hand the presence of God always, and then finds the moment by moment friendship of Jesus who said, “I am with you always.” He also said, “Pray always.” My heart leaps at the wonder of it, when we sit down to pray. Just two or three of us, and FEEL the presence of our Friend Jesus, right there with us, just like He said. I have seen it happen in America, in New Zealand, and here in the Philippines. It never fails to be awesome.

Will I? Should I? Can I retire from all this overwhelming and awesome experience of God operating in my midst, right in my presence as my friends and I acknowledge together the presence or Jesus with us? Pope Benedict wants to retire to a monastery. I am sure I would like that, too. But what about all those wonderful people God keeps sending to me? I don’t have responsibility for a church of a billion souls. At the moment I don’t see who God is choosing to continue the care for the wonderful souls mentioned above with HIV, addiction, heart-break, internalized homophobia, and a yearning for the practice of the presence of God in prayer.

Maybe soon Good will raise up, not 118 cardinals capable of caring for God’s loved ones in Manila, but just maybe the one whom God is calling will say, “Yes, Lord, I love You and Your people, and I will answer your call.”

So, I see that it’s not at 84. I have a year to go to 85. Maybe then or someday God will make the self-help support groups strong enough that God will say, “OK, a servant leader has answered my call; you can retire to a life of prayer.”

Wonderful Year-end; Even Better Year Ahead

It was wonderful. It will be more wonderful.

Celia Rodriquez (no less, four-time FAMAS best actress and best supporting actress) was there to worship with us. Her daughter Camille, from MCC Los Angeles, gave us an inspiring, authentic Gospel message.

Nearly 5o of God’s beloved people, some with HIV, some with diabetes, some with arthritis, some with alcoholism, some with wholistic well-being praised God in song and heart-felt worship.

Yes, that is a quick glimpse at the MCC Philippines year-end worship service in Makati on December 30, 2012.

And why was my heart leaping with love and joy? In 1991, in our first Christmas we had 5 MCC people worshipping (the other 10 had gone home to the province). Today we have 5 MCC communities.

I wonder what wonder and love was in the heart of Rev. Stedney Philips as she attended by Skype from LA.  Special to us this day was this attendance of our supervisor, advisor, and friend, well-loved by all much-appreciated for her constant concern and attention.

This authentic Christian community in the heart of Makati is the fruit of the untiring and loving labors of Pastor Egay Constantino. He constantly reminds his growing flock that the growth of this family of friends is happening because they are sincere friends of Jesus, making sincere friends in their daily environment, and introducing their friends by word and example to their Friend Jesus in the family of friends. His witness is an amazing evidence of the power of Jesus to work through the loving and sincere ministry of a caring pastor.

So, of course, I give thanks to God on this last Sunday of 2012 as we look forward to what God has in store for us in 2013.

Something very important to me, I am thankful that the faithful members of the five MCC Christian communities in the Philippines have a deep love and appreciation for our beloved founder, The Rev. Troy Perry and for the world-wide MCC authentic Christian community he brought into being, with the power of the Holy Spirit, for our good and God’s glory in 1968. Since his retirement our love for MCC continues under the inspired guidance of Rev. Dr. Elder Nancy Wilson who in a way we can be proud of carries the banner of MCC, not only to us, but to the United Nations, the White House, and around the globe.

And most of all, we love and appreciate and are thankful for MCC itself, an awesome world-wide model of authentic Christian community.

If my ministry were to end with 2012 I can give thanks to God that MCC Philippine, in 5 communities continues the authentic Christian community that this world needs and God’s beloved LGBT people are thankful for. I received a text today from one Bible-loving person who was present today, “MCC has done so much for me. It tamed my roaring soul into a joyful lamb.”

All this happened today on Rizal Day, the anniversary of the martyrdom of our national here. In a Rizal Day column in the Bulletin today, President Ramos declares that Rizal living among us today would indeed be pleased by the passage of the Reproductive Health Law.

Likewise I think our national hero would also be proud of MCC Philippines. He vehemently disliked phony religion. He repeatedly denounced hypocritical, un-Jesus-like behavior of religious leaders he could not respect. He said, “Humanity cannot be redeemed so long as there are oppressed people.” He called for liberty and equality. He cherished virtue and in the 35th and last year of his life taught in his school in Dapitan not only English and Spanish and Math, but honesty and integrity as well.

He blamed the woes of the Filipino people on “false prophets.” But he admired religion that was authentic, as taught and practiced by many of his Jesuit friends (including those with whom he worshipped every Sunday for his final four years in Dapitan and who walked with him to his execution).

Why is this important? Why is this the main thought of my discussion today? The world has seen too many false prophets who lead unsuspecting followers away from the Way, the Truth, and the Life offered by Jesus, sometimes to physical and/or spiritual death.

In MCC we are certain of authentic Christian community through the guidance of Rev. Perry, Rev. Nancy Wilson, Rev. Ken Martin, Rev. Stedney Philips,  and dozens of Elders and sincere pastors over the 44 years since 1968. That includes pastor Regen Luna now in far away Dasmarinas in the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit and the 5 wonderful MCC pastors in the Philippines: Pastor Egay (Makati), Pastors Joseph and Kakay (Quezon City), Pastor Myke (Baguio), Pastor Jason (Marikina), and Pastor John (Olongapo).

So while modern technology goes on with more and more iPods, iPads, iPhones, ithis, and ithat, what really builds a better world is

“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME
TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM
RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED…
— Luke 4, The New American Standard Bible (©1995)

My prediction for 2013 is a year that sees the above-mentioned authentic Christian communities doing THAT.

They will dry the tears,
Erase the fears,
bring healing and joy.

They will support wholistic well-being for those with HIV and AIDS.

They will make friends and introduce their friends to their Friend, Jesus.

They will show by their life and example that Jesus is the way out of problems (addiction, trauma from homophobia, devastating sex-negative theology).

They will bring about a healing of spirituality and sexuality, with the Good News and experience of the personal Presence and Friendship Jesus offers 24/7.

What if?

What if? What if we could spend Christmas thanking the God of caring and compassion that we have a new Reproductive Health Law in the Philippines? Thank you, God. Thank you, bold legislators.  It was not a battle against the Roman Catholic Church. Lord, it was a move toward Your justice, Your Love, Your compassion.

And Senator Soto is obstructing the Conference committee to reconcile the passed Senate and House bills. What if?

If we look around, what do we see? What if we look honestly at the cold, hard, uncaring, uncompassionate milieu of our world, notwithstanding the world-wide and impressive outpouring of support for the people of Newtown? What if we open our eyes to the injustice sprayed from invisible and visible automatic weapons around the world?

The emotion that President Aquino and President Obama expressed after the Connecticut massacre was admirable and thought-provoking.

What if they would recognize and be moved by and make pledges in behalf of the killings of 265 transgender people in 2012 alone (plus all the other years before)?

Where were they in November when the friends of transgender people mourned the 265 transgender victims of 2012?

The “Memorial Booklet” of Ganda, the transgender advocates, lists the 265 “names” and recounts the grisly stories of their deaths — guns, guns, guns and burning, hanging, stoning, slashing, stabbing, throat cutting, strangling, beating, cutting the body into pieces, drowning, decapitation, buried alive.

“Each was a victim of violence based on bias against transgender people… [yet] even now deaths based on violence based on anti-transgender hatred or prejudice are largely ignored.”

My friend, what if? What if the world would mourn and act upon the senseless brutal slaughter of 265 innocent transgender people — as they so rightfully did for the insane killings of 20 innocent children and their hero teachers in Connecticut?

What if? What if President Aquino and President Obama would have attended the November “Day of Remembrance” …“which publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten. Through this vigil. We express our love and respect for our people in the face of [inter]national indifference and hatred, [remembering] that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends, and lovers…memorializing those of us who have died by anti-transgender violence.”

Similarly what if they would have been awakened by the senseless murder of my friend, Ito?

Now surely it is time to look at gun control. But what about “violence control”? Is mourning our brutally killed loved ones enough? What about action?

One action that has been languishing in the Congress longer than the RH Bill is the Anti-Discrimination Bill that penalizes behavior that discriminates against LGBT people.

All these years the members of the Congress have been shaking in their boots, quivering in fear of retaliation from those who hate condoms and would rather see people suffer and die.

Lord, thank you, I pray, that a majority of our legislators got the guts to give the people more importance than a church’s hatred of condoms. It’s so ironic, Lord — a church which claims to be Your church, which preaches love and practices prejudice and violence toward women and LGBT people.

Yes, deplorably, that’s what they do to LGBT people every day, every decade. Fr. John McNeil (SJ) tried to combat the prejudice from within. They rewarded him with expulsion. Jesus said, “Love.” Yet they influence people like Pacquiao to say, “Let them die.”

Yes, the Philippines is a non-violent culture. But today’s editorial in the Inquirer says something like, “Slow down. Don’t forget the Ampatuan mass slaughter which is having such a slow trial now.”

What about more “subtle” violence in our culture? What about the religious violence, the societal violence, the cuddling, the promoting of a culture of hate and violence toward LGBT people?

What if? What if the president, the congress and the people — is it unimaginable — what if they would love and respect women who love women and men who love men? And stop the violence? What if? Would it stop or slow down the suicides, murders, firings, evictions, senseless hate and hate crimes?

If the murders of 265 transgender people will not bring a tear to the world — what will?

The ecumenical church service that President Obama attended in Newtown was wonderful. We saw arm in arm, literally, Catholic and Muslim ministers, Protestant, Jewish,  Anglican,  B’Hai, Methodist — arm in arm — praying and mourning together. It was impressive.

What if? What if they would unite for love and justice for LGBT people?

What if?

In the meantime in the Philippines we have five Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) and Catholic Diocese of One Spirit who preach and practice, not only ecumenical unity, but who follow and teach Jesus’ example of love and justice for all.

And that is especially for the marginalized, like Jesus did. He loved to make the marginalized, the hated Samaritans heroes of his stories, such as the “Good Samaritan.” YET, that was in direct contradiction to the cultural practice of His “church” at the time.

Thank you, lawmaker who voted “yes.” You followed the example of Jesus — who put justice and the “right” first rather “wrong” practiced by His “church.”

What if? What if society would follow the example of  the Way of Jesus — rather than the way of hate and prejudice?

Our society could happily take a look at the way of Jesus with regard to another marginalized people in our society.

What if? What if you and I, our neighbors, our friends, and yes, our church, our whole society would stop chasing to the underground (a hidden life) people who have a certain virus?

My God, what did Jesus consistently do about the “sick” people in his life? The lame, the blind, the lepers? And what does our society do to people who have HIV? Stigma!!! The Internet paints this picture:

“Social stigma is the extreme disapproval of, or discontent with, a person on the grounds of characteristics that distinguish them from other members of a society. Stigma may attach to a person, who differs from social or cultural norms.

Social stigma can result from the perception or attribution, rightly or wrongly, of mental illness, physical disabilities, diseases such as leprosy, illegitimacy, sexual orientation, gender identity skin tone, nationality, ethnicity, religion (or lack of religion) or criminality. Attributes associated with social stigma often vary depending on the geopolitical and corresponding sociopolitical contexts in different parts of the world.”

Society does THAT to LGBT people every day. God forbid that LGBT people would join society in doing THAT to persons with HIV!

I even heard of a cemetery that refused to bury a person with HIV so as “not to contaminate the cemetery.” My God, science has told us that we can drink from the same cup, eat from the same fork? Why does this hate, stigma, fear, and nonsense continue? Why does it drive so many to close the doors of their homes and their hearts?

What if? What if society would follow the authentic example of the Love Jesus (instead of inventing pseudo ways of hate and prejudice which are a mockery of Jesus by those pretending to follow His way)? Would an authentic follower of Jesus really practice “selective justice” or “selective caring” or “selective compassion”? Some get it; some don’t.

A step has been made in the fearless passage of the RH Law. The hate churches surely will intensify their campaign to prevent any more laws which are pleasing to Jesus, but not to the church.

Speaker Belmonte has already announced the next arena. The Philippines and the Vatican are the only countries in the world which refuse their people the right to divorce. The Vatican is dominated by celibate priests, monsignors, bishops, cardinals and popes. They don’t have a problem with personal divorce — only divorce for people who need it. The people who need it are human beings who are human and have got stuck in a painful shattering, perhaps destructive, unworkable marriage.

Every country recognizes that need except the Vatican and those who say “Opo” to the Vatican, that is the Philippine government in obedience to the Vatican’s bishops.

But what if?


[You can read this article and many other fascinating ones by googling Outrage Magazine.]

 

No More Opo

Let me get around to “No more opo.”

I told the community at Sunday worship yesterday (December 9) to watch for my blog, “No more opo.”

Actually I was overwhelmed by the combined service of MCC Philippines, MCC Quezon City, MCC Makati, MCC Marikina, MCC Olongapo, MCC Baguio on December 9.  I was surprised at the tremolo in my voice as I thanked them that my heart was leaping with joy for the wonderful beautiful experience of authentic Christian community – as I have always experienced with MCC for 40 years.

Yes, even that is related to “No more opo.” That’s what Rev. Perry said (in his language, probably before he ever heard of Filipino) when he started MCC.

For my readers in Pakistan and other places where Filipino is not the first language, when I talk here about “opo,” I am thinking of a slave (usually with dark skin) humbly looking up to a master (usually masculine and light skinned) and saying, “Yes, master, whatever you say.”

When MCC has authentic Christian community, it lovingly says, “Yes, Lord, Your will be done,” to our Lord and Friend, Jesus. BUT long gone is saying “opo” to ways that are not the Way, the Truth, and Life of Jesus.

Manny Pacquiao, lying bloodied on the floor of the ring, knocked out cold in full view of millions, is also a reminder of “Opo.” He
“got religion” and said “opo” to the false teachings and proclaimed gays and lesbians to be candidates for hell.

The Philippine Congress (for years) has been delaying a law for reproductive health (RH) that among other things would make condoms available to the poor (and a lot of other good things for the good of women).

A much publicized Roman Catholic bishop declared (in his own words with no visible tongue in cheek) that God is sending typhoons and death and destruction to the Philippines because people are supporting the RH Bill so vehemently condemned by that church.

In short, I would say the RH Bill has not been passed (just like the bill called the Anti-discrimination bill criminalizing discrimination against LGBT people) because lawmakers fear the power of the (masculine-dominated) Catholic church and cringe in “opo” posture, fearing for their re-election. (Of course we learn all about this in our daily newspapers.)

On Saturday this same weekend we observed the 18^th anniversary of the first Gay and Lesbian Pride March in the Philippines. (The term LGBT was not yet invented then.)

Among the interviews I was given that day, one team asked me, “Rev. Mickley, why did you and Oscar Atadero start the first Pride March in 1994?”

I asked them if they ever heard of Stonewall? They shook their heads negatively. Quickly I told them that the Stonewall Inn was a gay, lesbian, and transvestite bar in New York in 1969 that was being harassed by police; people were being hauled off to jail on false charges just for being there.

On June 26^th those baklas, gays, lesbians, and transvestites turned against the police and boldly shouted, “No more harassment!” They rioted for two weeks, and that began the activist gay liberation movement. (I was not in New York, but I became a member of the Gay Liberation Movement in Detroit and worked with a group of ministers to bring MCC to Detroit.)

The very next year in 1970 the Pride Marches began in New York and other cities – which have now long since spread all over the world. MCC, which had been founded by Rev. Troy Perry in 1968,  a year before Stonewall, has always been a proud participant in pride marches wherever  they are.

Then I continued to answer my interview question about the Philippine Pride March. I said that in 1994 I was pastor of MCC Philippines and Oscar Atadero was a board member, and also a board member of Pro Gay Philippines. We realized it was 25 years since the Stonewall riots and passed time for “No more opo” in the Philippines.

It was time to confront
NO MASTURBATION with “No More OPO”;
NO CONDOMS with”NO MORE OPO”;
NO LOVING THE ONE YOU LOVE (without RC approval) — With “NO MORE OPO.”

SO I told the interviewers that the answer to their question was that it was time in 1994 (today and always) for the LGBT people of the Philippines to join the good people of the world-over and proclaim, “NO MORE OPO.”

I don’t believe God made Manny get knocked out because Manny made God mad by saying God’s beloved LGBT people would go to hell.  I think (from Twitter) that Jonas Bagas sees the irony of his losing two fights after he said that, but I don’t think Jonas would blame God for his knock out. For me, he became a loser with his homophobic “OPO religion.”

I don’t believe God killed thousands of Filipinos in the last several typhoons, even though a much quoted RC bishop seems to believe it, because the Congress has been debating in a “NO MORE OPO” posture on the RH Bill.

Among the hard sayings of Jesus, we have to remember, “Love your enemies.”

I thank God that now there are dozens of LGBT organizations and LGBT-friendly organization joining MCC Philippines (the first openly gay and lesbian oriented organization in the Philippines) in the “NO MORE OPO” fight.

We see it as a fight for the Way, the Truth, and the justice preached, practiced and championed by Jesus Himself and by MCC all these years, and by the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit – who boldly and joyfully proclaim, preach, and practice, with no more OPO!, no more moral slavery, authentic Christian community. (Inquiries welcome at email saintaelred@gmail.com or any MCC or from Fr. Regen in Dasmarinas).

Candle in the Wind in True Community

Walking home this morning from tai chi class, I was blessing all the children and babes in the mother's arms along the way.

But I was thinking of and praying for my new granddaughter, Zara, and my new great great grandson, Aiden, way off in Michigan.

They had just sung Happy Birthday to me at tai chi. Yesterday they sung Happy Birthday to me at two worship services -- where I worshipped with more than 50 beautiful Christians in the MCC venue in Makati.

I was thanking God for what God has done since we gathered for that first MCC service in the Philippines in September 1991.

I was thanking God that a candle in the wind was bringing a little light of true Christian Community, a candle here, a candle there, and the light was getting brighter.

As always, my colleague, Fr. John Chuchman captures the picture in one of his inimitable poems (added below). Sadly in today's email, one of my seminary friends was reported to be in bad shape with cancer, and even worse shape worrying that he will go to hell because he remarried after his first wife was declared mentally ill and incurable. Imagine a church which puts a good person in such dread.

That's the kind of moral slavery our LGBT friends are victims of every day, everywhere.

Before I came to the Philippines with the MCC message of our beloved founder, Rev. Troy Perry, there was no one telling even a fraction of the 10 million LGBT people here that God loves them unconditionally and passionately -- and that no homophobic church can take that away from them.

On Sunday when it came to testimony time, a handsome young man was speaking passionately in tears in Filipino. I asked Oliver, sitting next to me, why that young man was crying as he gave his testimony.

Then I was brought to tears when Oliver told me that the young man was testifying about how Fr. Richard Mickley had been an inspiration to him and helped him change his life to a happy life, knowing God's love. He even shared my childhood story from my blog about down on the farm in Ohio, milking the family milk cow every morning before school and every night before the evening meal when I was 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 -- and when I was 11-13 (before entering seminary at 13) after milking the cow I rushed to church to serve the parish Mass before school.

Well, yes, I was in tears as I poured out my heart in my testimony -- for what God has done in the Philippines over the last 21 years. From one struggling MCC -- before computers, before email, before Facebook, before cell phones and iPhones and Blackberries and iPads -- to a tithing church in Makati, a resolute chuch in Quezon City, a growing ministry in Marikina under the leadership of my long time co-worker, Jason Masaganda, to MCC Olongapo shepherded by John Linsangan, another long time co-worker, to MCC Baguio where another long time friend and co-worker, Fr. Myke Sotero, brings the message of true community.

And lo and behold, the Sunday worship service on this particular Sunday at MCC  Makati was led by Fr. Regen Luna, former MCC Makati pastor with his dynamic and authentic preaching of the Word. It is interesting because Fr. Regen is now a Catholic Priest of the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit. Surely this is concrete evidence of the authentic Christian witness that we are all God's children, one God, One Lord, One Spirit, One Savior and Friend in-dwelling in us all, Jesus.

We have been called by Jesus to pray, pray always, so that has become a special joyful ministry of Argel Tuason and I as we sponsor prayer partners for the wonders of prayer, care, and sharing "where two or three gather" with Jesus in our midst.

So, in 21 years God has come to be known as the loving God our God is in many communities in Luzon -- and, praise God, in many individuals throughout the archipelago who read my blogs and intereact with me by email.

At tai chi they sang to me; at MCC they sang to me and prayed over me. At home I feel the warmth of the hearth and heart-felt warmth that has kept my heart warm for 14 years. I miss my children and grandchildren (who lost their unequalled awesome mother this year) and can now only be in prayer for them throughout the day.

So, today 84 years after November 12, 1928; 21 years after September 7, 1991; I have much to be thankful and joyful for. Work is not work if it is a labor of love, and I am thankful for every labor of love I am given the opportuinity to do for people with the Lord with us.

The following poem is how my fellow CDOS priest, Fr. John Chuchman, puts this into a worldwide perspective.

True Community

 

I strive for a table
where people are together
at the table of the Divine
working to contribute healing and growth
to each other's lives.

 

I abhor a table of clashing cymbals
competing for attention

each claiming to know
the "right" way.

 

Christianity seems to have lost
unity amongst diversity
because it has lost
the Way
of the Director, Jesus.

That which Jesus taught
has been replaced with creed, dogma and hollow ritual.

 

Christians these days
are not known
By Their Love.

 

Instead of healing wounds,
church rules/structures/walls
offend, exclude, abuse people.

 

Instead of nurturing people
to a higher consciousness and Spirituality,
hierarchy expend effort
in defense of dogma.

 

Instead of helping with people with rebirth in the Spirit
through encouragement, humility, and support,
church seems focused on
legalities, money, and politics.

 

It is now the time,
for the feminine and masculine Spiritual warriors
to rise up
and take responsibility
for building true community
where we can all be healed
and grow.

 

Imagine what our world would be like today
had we Spiritual Warriors
risen up 1700 years ago
to combat Constantine
and
a Roman Church.

This is not my first time here.
This is not my beginning.

 

I will no longer
sit in church singing outdated hymns,
worshiping Jesus as he never requested.
I will no longer
sit in church with people not really interested in helping each other.

 

I seek something more:
a Community of fellow Pilgrims
walking together,
working, crying, laughing, listening, learning, singing, praying,
lovingly supporting each other,

growing and sharing
our human experience.

 

Let's together explore
the Great Mystery.

 

It really is,
not up to the hierarchs
committed to protecting the institution
and their jobs in it;
It really is,
as Jesus taught,
up to each of us.

 

Love, John

A discussion with a non-Christ​ian: What is Authentic Christiani​ty?

Recently I was invited to a very lengthy conversation with a very spiritual person who had never had an opportunity to learn about Christianity. Our conversation was sensational.

I wish I could convey to you the sincerity of her inquiry and desire to learn. I sent the following email to her after she returned to her Asian country.

You showed some interest in my expression "authentic Christianity." Let me try to explain. I think it fits the vision and mission of the social justice organization you represent.

Gandhi once said that he would become a Christian if he ever found a Christian who was living Christianity, in other words, an authentic Christian, living authentic Christianity.

Nowadays Christians are too often subjected to a NO NO NO Christianity which is not authentic:

NO masturbation,

NO condoms,

NO divorce where love didn't work out,

NO love for the one you love who is not approved by the (church) establishment,

NO sex except if married and to make babies,

NO sex in your whole life in any way

if God brings you into this world as an LGBT person.

NO cultural acceptance

if the code of the dominant religion is not lived up to.

All too often, oppression by the dominant religion

As you mentioned in our talks, others are qualified to point out where Islam or Buddhism may impose unjust requirements on their culture or the people of their country when their religion is dominant in the culture.

Here I have pointed out a few instances of some form of compulsory compliance with Roman Catholic rules in a country, such as the Philippines, where Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion. For the followers, I call it moral slavery if they feel bound and shackled to these rules.

For Protestants, Muslims, Atheists, people of any religion or non-religion who are directly or indirectly forced to comply, I call it cultural injustice. (Indirectly, for example, would be “No divorce” through the power of the church, by ballot box pressure, to prevent passage of a divorce law  thus imposing Catholic theology on every resident of the country. Or obstructing the passage of a reproductive health law which 70% of the citizens want because it assures sustainable human development, women’s rights, maternal and infant health, and reduction of abortion rates.)

Authentic Christianity

The teachings of Jesus make authentic Christianity.

The most basic principles of Jesus' teachings are to love and to pray.

Jesus mission was for people to have a more abundant life.

 

The dominant message of Jesus' behavioural requirements

for his followers are:

To enjoy peace and social justice,

To be agents of peace and justice for others.

Explanation of authentic Christianity

1. To love

Jesus consistently urged his followers to love, even their enemies, to love their neighbor as themselves.

But even more fundamental, is the Christian belief that God, the Maker of all people and things, IS LOVE, and those who live in Love, live in God, and God lives in them.

That belief gives Christianity a love dimension that sets it on a path where the authenticity of Christianity is measured by its love.

Furthermore, Christians believe that God became human in Jesus so that Jesus, God who became human, could show human beings what God is like. And then with the belief that God IS LOVE, that's what God is like, the very personification of Love.

Even more awesome is the belief that when God became human, divinity was infused into human persons, "and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them," as it is spelled out in the Christian Scripture. Thus human persons are united with the divine, with God-within.

This brings Christians to the amazing realization that since God is Love, we human beings cannot add to, or even earn God’s love. God loves each person first and unconditionally.

Thus, the Christian does not exert selfish effort to gain points or earn love from God. It’s there. The Christian loves God BECAUSE God loved first. Loving God and helping and serving and loving others is a response to God’s love, not an effort to win God’s love.

The website of the Catholic Diocese of One Spirit, which I am a member of, puts this way:

“The message that Jesus brought was never a condemning one, or a set of beliefs to be adhered to under fear of punishment. It was, rather, a message of individual freedom, of each of us being a manifestation of Divinity itself, of love actually being the center that holds all things together, and of an invitation to recognize Divinity within all creation and within other people as the source of an ever-more-happy life.

“The Catholic Diocese of One Spirit tries to pay attention to this beauty and to understand what it means, in order to bring more meaning and joy into our own lives at every moment.

“We try not to be pious, stiff, judgmental or demanding. We support each other when we are down, and encourage each other when things are going well.”

Of course, as we discussed in our conversation, this is in sharp contrast to any religion, Christian or otherwise which is characterized by oppression, prejudice, and downright persecution of those who don’t stick to their rules. Such rules are not made by Jesus, the model for authentic Christianity.


2. To Pray

With God within, every human person can maintain a relationship with the divine, with the Maker of the universe, and, for Christians, with Jesus who showed us what God is like and that we can be like God and with God.

To pray, then, is the method by which we maintain connection with God-within. We can pray with others for social reasons, and that can be commendable, but we can "pray always" as Jesus told his followers, in order always to be in touch, connected with God-within.

Thus, to love and to pray are the foundation on which authentic Christianity is sustained and lived.


Behavioral requirements in the mission of authentic Christianity

Jesus said his mission in coming to this earth with us was so we could have life, have life more fully, more abundantly. He lived that mission lifting up people everywhere he went, healing them, championing the oppressed and outcasts, and often made the despised and marginalized  Samaritans the heroes of his compassion and stories, as in the “Good Samaritan,” the Samaritan woman at the well.

But throughout his teaching life, Jesus emphasized that his followers do not live merely for themselves. As Jesus, God-in-human-life, lived for others, so also, His followers, Christians, are to be guided by his teachings on peace and social justice.

His basic platform for peace and social justice He outlined in this way:
(Note: blessed can also be translated, “God blesses…” Theologians have labelled these points of Jesus’ message The Beatitudes)

Blessed [are] the poor in spirit:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed [are] they that mourn:

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed [are] the merciful:

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed [are] the peacemakers:

for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed [are] the meek:

for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness:

for they shall be filled.

Blessed [are] the pure in heart:

for they shall see God.

Blessed [are] those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

By this He meant that all human persons are entitled to this kind of life, this kind of compassion, this kind of social justice, but furthermore, His followers are the ones He expects to make that happen by their action, works, and behavior.

And how does that follow the fundamental exhortation of Jesus to love? The peace and social justice platform of Jesus points out basic ideas for developing methods in our culture for carrying out the universal law of love.

The teachings of Jesus embrace also the very important matter of unity and working together. Jesus told His followers very emphatically he wanted them to be united, to be one was the way He put it. Of course nowadays we call it “community,” a living and working together in accordance with the plan of Jesus. But, communities also have to be authentic, living by the basic plan Jesus laid out for them.

Of course this brief introduction to “authentic Christianity” falls short of the awesome wholeness of what Christians call the “Good News” Jesus gave to His followers.


Conclusion

And so, my friend, in conclusion let me emphasize no matter what you, or your watchdog organization, may have observed about violations of human rights, religious freedom, or social justice in a “Christian” country, Christianity, IS NOT a set of NO NO NO rules.

Authentic Christianity is based on the principles of love put forth by Jesus and His prescription to put love in action in a program of peace and social justice.

To do this Christians recognize and connect with the divine through direct communication with God within, and thus are truly imbued with the spirit of peace, love, and justice.

It is brought to the fruitfulness of the mission Jesus entrusted to those who would call themselves Christian when they unite in action to bring peace, love, and justice to others.

This explanation is all too brief. If you have follow-up questions, I invite you to continue our discussion by email saintaelred@gmail.com