New life in the Lord!

Balikatan Life in the Spirit 2012 participants and team

Each participant receiving a Tagalog Bible and notebook

 I came to bring fire to the earth ... (Luke 12:49) - this was the scripture for the Balikatan life in the Spirit seminar held on 16-17  June 2012 at our house in Tagaytay.

We welcomed nine women and two men from Montalban. Most of them had already been regularly attending the Balikatan prayer group for the past year. This seminar is to deepen their relationship with and commitment to the Lord. It is also an initial preparation for their commitment as Balikatan prayer group members.

It was an intense weekend. In the first session, Denzil shared on the revelation of God as father, and his invitation to us as children. The participants became aware of their distorted images of God - as one who is far away, and silent in their lives, or like the policeman waiting to catch them in the wrong, and punish them. The effect of these false images brought fear into their lives rather than love resulting in acts of superstition at times, and  finding it hard to believe that God loves them as his precious children. Struggling with their lives, they feel burdened and overwhelmed by their poverty. In these struggles, it is easy to think that God does not love me or is punishing me. As Denzil gently presented the truths about God who loves as Father, the participants expressed that in the prayer time, they  experienced the Father's love.

nailing their sins to the cross

 As we focussed on the Father's plan to bring all to Him, Jitka spoke on sin, it's effects on our lives, relationship with God and others, and our need for salvation, our need for Jesus. Graced in the Father's love, and becoming aware of the sins in our lives, we asked the Lord for forgiveness and  nailed our sins on the Cross, a symbolic gesture reminding us that Jesus took our sins on the Cross and died for us. Fr Gerald, ofm was present offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It was an experience of the mercy of the Lord and healing.

In the evening, Esther shared on the new life that Jesus offers us through his Holy Spirit. In order to receive the new life, we have to be willing to die to the old life, and to clothe ourselves with the new man or woman that Christ calls us to be. During our prayer, there was indeed the grace of letting go of old ways, and allowing Jesus to give us his new life in the Spirit. Many shared that they felt the grace to let go of their past, their wrong choices, and receive God's love anew in their hearts.At the end of the first day, there was joy in their hearts as they shared their experiences.

Day Two began with Mass at the neighbouring parish. One participant later shared that as she received Jesus in Holy Communion, she was overwhelmed with the joy of his presence. thanks be to God! In the next session, we prayed with the participants for a new empowering by the Holy Spirit in their lives that they may grow in their love and knowledge of the Lord, that their hearts be set on fire that they may be transformed into witnesses for the Lord in their families, and neighborhoods. We could experience the presence of the Holy Spirit setting our hearts on fire, transforming us from within.

As our journey of discipleship is ongoing, Jitka shared on the importance of growth and ongoing transformation in Christ. At the end , each participant wrote a letter to Jesus, expressing their thanks to him, and what they have experienced. In this letter, each also wrote the concrete steps they will take in their lives to respond to his love. This letter is then closed, and kept with us for the next three months. In three months' time, these letters will be returned to them, and they will read and see how they have lived their concrete steps.

Commissioned to go forth in the new life in Christ!

One participant shared that his concrete step would be to stop his drinking bouts that he had once or twice a week. Instead he would spend the time with his family, and prayer. As heavy drinking is a real problem in their area, let us pray for our brother that the Lord will give him the grace to surrender his drinking to the Lord, and that our brother will not be put off by the sneers of his neighbors. Instead may he be a witness of Christ's light and freedom in this area. Alcoholism and gambling are the things that break up and keep families in much hardship.

During this weekend, the participants were very blessed as they had the space to receive from the Lord. One man expressed that he was touched by the way that the missionaries served them, that there was no division between us. Another shared that she was touched by the respect and dignity that the missionaries gave them. They were grateful for the food that they received, a sign of God's abundant provision and love for them.

We thank the Lord for the opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters and to witness God's liberating hand at work in their lives. This is a step towards empowering them in his love, to take responsibility for their lives,and make choices that lead to life, Thank you to our benefactors and friends who have made this possible through sharing generously with us your resources and prayers. May the Lord bless you richly!