FILAMS ARE CALLED AND CHOSEN
Greetings!
I read a story about a woman who went to a pet store to purchase a
parrot to keep her company. She picked out a beautiful bird that was
supposed to be the smartest type of parrot alive, guaranteed to talk.
She also bought a book on training parrots to talk within a week. A week
went by and she returned to the pet store and complained, "I've
followed the book explicitly but that parrot you sold me hasn't said a
word yet!" The storekeeper was puzzled and asked, "Does it have a
mirror? Parrots like to be able to look at themselves in the mirror."
So, she bought the mirror and returned home.
Two days later she
was back, announcing that the bird still wasn't saying anything. The
storekeeper thought about it for a moment and then said, "What about a
ladder? Some parrots enjoy walking up and down a ladder." So, she bought
a ladder and returned home.
Sure enough, two days later she was
back with the same story, the parrot still wasn't talking. "Does the
parrot have a swing? Birds enjoy relaxing on a swing." So, she bought
the swing and went home. Well, the very next day she returned to the
store and announced that the bird had died.
The storekeeper was
visibly upset and said, "I'm terribly sorry to hear that!" And then he
asked, "Did the bird ever say ANYTHING before it died?" "Yes," said the
lady. "Just as it keeled over dead, it said, 'Don't they sell any food
down there'?"
In life we buy mirrors by which to primp; we build
corporate ladders and social ladders so we can try to climb higher; and
we build all kinds of swings so we can seek out pleasure. But the
question we're asked every time we gather, the question we're asked each
and every day is "Where is the food?" Or better yet, “Where is the food
for our souls? Without that food, without being fed spiritually our
spirits will wind up just like that parrot.
Or, the question could be: Are you a Filipino?
Tonight, we are witnesses to a different panorama – challenges and
hurdles painted in bold hues of survival, yet with triumphant cheers
over trials emblazoned in the skies, immortalized in our hearts and
souls. The hunger and the thirst for the food of life is what drove you
and I to follow the aroma of our dreams, the scent of hurrahs over
desperation. You have began a legacy, left footprints in the sand. And
that act is the perfect example of modern-day evangelism, one beggar
telling another where they can find bread. You savored the victory and
shared it.
My dear brothers and sisters – fellow Filipinos – you
are "CALLED AND CHOSEN". From birth on God is calling us. Through what
John Wesley called Prevenient Grace, that grace of God acting in our
lives before we're even aware of God, the Holy Spirit has been calling
and wooing and whispering our names. We are all called and chosen by
God.
(from President Manuel L. Quezon) To my fellow citizens:
there is one thought I want you always to bear in mind. And that is:
that we are Filipinos. That the Philippines is our country, and the only
country God has given us. That you must keep it for ourselves, for our
children, and for our children's children, until the world is no more.
You must live for it, and die for it, if necessary.
This evening,
you and I heard diverse voices, yet in unison. A physical therapist
with personal challenges, moving from NY to Ohio, a church wedding after
22 years, very endearing with Biblical quotations from Psalm 147:3,
Matthew 11:28-30. The globetrotting adventure mfrom being imprisoned,
given reprieve to stay in America, championed her passion for women’s
rights (I recall my Kabataang Makabayan days, marching from Diliman to
Plaza Miranda), yet wrestling with her Maker. Then, we hear the words
from a nurse, a dreamer, a writer fighter turned dancer … she got enough
moxie for the lifetime. Possibly a distant relative, standing out for
opportunity – the milk and honey in a distant land. A familiar voice, a
dear mentore, an inspiration – Manang Auring “never dreamed to reside
permanently in US” … with God all things are possible. And the fearless
leader … enjoying the second part of her life, her season of reflection.
For her, it’s time to party with the “soul” and honor her journey, and
most especially honor her FilAm friends who inspire her with their
stories of grit and grace, even quoting Psalm 35, which is a favorite
Scripture.
What an enchanting, joy-filled, tearful moments!
I recall Carlos P. Romulo’s words … [Delivered in New York, June 22,
1950] One might draw from this the familiar symbol of “hands across the
seas,” but the words have reference to an ocean other than the Pacific.
If, therefore, we are seeking after symbols, may we not take it that
this event symbolizes the new era of man in which we live, in which it
has become necessary that beneficent thoughts should extend across the
barriers of time and space and link together all the peoples in all the
continents of the world. A citizen of the Philippines has cause for
special gratification on an occasion such as this. I come from an
Oriental country whose windows have remained open for centuries to the
East and to the West and has lent itself to the free commerce of ideas
and ways of life. Anchored to the East by immemorial tradition, it has
been exposed to the winds of Latin civilization through Spain and of
Anglo-Saxon civilization through America. Our political, economic,
social and cultural institutions are thus a blend of the two main
streams of Western civilization resting upon the original base of
Oriental custom and tradition. We are a bridge between two worlds, the
product, however imperfect, of that cultural synthesis in which lies our
hope for the eventual comity of mankind.
Warrick Dunn was a
starting running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He grew up in a poor
home, and he knows first-hand how difficult it is for single mothers
and their children. Now that he is enjoying some prosperity as an NFL
player, he is sharing that prosperity with people who could use a
helping hand. He started a program which he calls "Homes for the
Holidays." He provides a helping hand to single, working mothers who
have qualified for a low-income, first-time homebuyer mortgage.
For each mom selected for support, Dunn contributes several thousand
dollars toward the down payment and furnishes her new home: from linens
on new beds to groceries in a new refrigerator.
Dunn isn't having
such a great season, his future in football is uncertain, but he has
not reduced his participation in Homes for the Holidays.
Ordinary folks like you and I don't have Dunn's fame or fortune, but
there are lots of us. We are stronger together! And it would be enough
if we were to have his big heart and his spirit of SAVORING AND SERVING.
For he truly has SAVORED the gifts God gave him.
And that's what
we're "CALLED AND CHOSEN" to do. The amount isn't important, but the
heartfelt desire to please God is. And God knows we can't give equal
gifts. God doesn't want equal gifts, just equal giving. God desires
giving and living that "SAVORS AND SERVES". Giving and living that
"SAVORS" our salvation. That "SAVORS" the relationship with God. That
"SAVORS" others. That "SAVORS" giving so others can know the love of
God, too.
Each one of you deservingly shared that this evening. With brilliance, elegance and humbleness.
The oratorical piece Like The Molave outlines how the Philippines is
dependent on other nations, and must work towards becoming independent
in the future in order to support its citizens. Like The Molave also
talks about heroes and how they inspire regular Filipinos to be great
themselves and join them on the quest to make the world a more
prosperous and peaceful place. The poem states that whilst many
Filipinos are achieving great things for their country, there is still
much more to be done and more residents must contribute to the efforts.
In all of these, God uses the opportunity of our gathering together to
break down barriers, build bridges, and draw us closer together. I can
think of no greater joy than to see people come together to grow in
knowledge of God and one another, bring to life God’s kingdom on earth.
Is the party’s over? We have just began. The history is set. But HIS story continues …
We do not need mirrors! We do not need ladders! Wedo not need swings!
Our mess will be our message, our test will be our testimony. We are
victors, never victims!
We need to speak, we need to believe, we
need to be an audience for One. As my mentor Manang Auring has inspired
me all these years … “nothing is impossible with the Lord!”
Before I close, I like to dedicate a song for you, popularized by a fellow contemporary artist … ‘People Need the Lord’.
Praise God! Mabuhay!
———————————————-
*PASTOR-COACH DANNY HERNAEZ
A "run-away" child for many years, the only child of government public
servants in the Philippines, born of GIs (genuine Ilocanos),
well-schooled, knew what was right and fought for what was right, a
mainstay of the progressive student leader of the 70s First Quarter
storm, kept wandering, walking and searching till finally surrendering
to the rightful arms and embrace of our Father God. Currently, an
ordained minister and evangelist as Manang Auring introduces me to many,
moonlighting as a CEO of a healthcare company based in Southeast Texas,
president of a non-profit organization supporting churches, seminaries
and other institutions, a Life Coach for clergy and lay, an author and a
writer, thankful to be married for 43 years to Emy Manuel, a preacher's
kid, a father to four grown-up professionals with seven grandchildren,
so far ... A RECOVERING SINNER forgiven by His grace and mercy ...our
very own Pastor Danny.
