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In
the midst of distressing news both from the political
and religious sectors of our society, the Methodist could
still find enough reasons to be grateful to God.
The worldwide celebration of the tri-centennial birthday
of John Wesley and the 265th anniversary of his heartwarming
experience, provides us with the occasion of traversing
the road back to the Wesley’s time against
a backdrop of uncertainties and trials as people of God
in the contemporary arena; children (10 of them survived
to adulthood), yet the quality and ordering of the family
life made a very deep and lasting impression on the sons
and daughters? It was truly a family that was so religious,
scholarly and firmly disciplined. Not to be forgotten
as well are the narratives associated with John and Charles
Wesley and a few other young men attending Oxford University
who met regularly for intellectual and spiritual improvement
and to help one another become better Christians, or such
stories like the failed missionary work in America and
the encounter with the Moravians on board a ship, singing
hymns and worshipping God amidst a turbulent storm. What
about the “heart- warming” experience that
marked the turning point in John’s life? Such stories
of faith have been proven to be of great source of joy
and hope at all times for the peoples of different culture
and society.
But the most
significant chapters in John Wesley’s life were
those that took place after the night of the 24th of May
1738. Assured of being saved from the power of sin and
death, his heart felt the burden brought by the problems
at that time. He felt the intensity of the need for salvation
for all the people, the renewal of heart and holiness
unto God. He was convinced even more of the necessity
of introducing reforms for the church and society. And
for all those years, God had never failed him. Through
a Spirit-filled life, John Wesley worked for all of these,
not for his glory but for the One who called him to lead
and inspire a movement that have grown and expanded worldwide,
even after his death.
Almost 300 years
have passed in our history as people called Methodist
and yet we still see some of the shadows of the past;
besetting and forcing us to make decisions whether to
listen and act rightfully or to remain grossly insensible
to realities.
At this time
of celebration, let us be sensible enough for our workers
in the mission fields and their families. Do we ask ourselves
whether we give our pertinent shares in order to uplift
their standard of living? Or, have we tried to reach out,
for us to know whether the reforms in the urban churches
had trickled down especially to the most rural and un-chosen
assignments? How is our support for the small churches?
Have we started to re-assess our budgetary focus, among
others, and have finally categorized mission work as among
the priorities of our big mother churches? Have we provided
for a tangible response towards the real needs of the
contemporary church? What about those in the society?
Do we still hear the cry of the poor? How far have we
gone to affect for genuine reforms? The list is really
just too long.
May this season
of celebrations and those that have yet to come, be done
not just for the sake of having one. Let us celebrate
because God loved us so much despite our shortcomings.
Let us all be glad because we are still part of the continuing
movement for reforms toward a genuine Christian church.
Sing praises to the Almighty! Lift up our voices as we
offer our thanksgivings! Be grateful to the Sustainer
of Life who has been transforming and reviving the lives
of many people through all these years. So be it! (VSL) |
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The
worldwide celebration of the
tri-centennial birthday of John Wesley and the 265th anniversary
of his heartwarming experience |
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- Remembering
John Wesley
- Philippines
Annual Conference celebrates
Wesley’s 300th birthday |
