Peacemaking and practice: growing hope By Doug Dicks Psalm 9:9–10 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Reflection: The Nassar family of Bethlehem has been struggling for years to hold on to their family land. Located southwest of Bethlehem, this area of about 100 acres… Read more »
Peacemaking and practice By Rev. Patrick D. Heery John 4:4–30, 39–42 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty.” Reflection: Two thousand years ago, a scar ran across the land of Palestine, separating Judea from Samaria — two groups of people ideologically and… Read more »
The church and its witness: cultivating joy By Rev. Teresita Regidor Oton Psalm 100:1–5 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Reflection: In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I have met secretaries, bookkeepers, receptionists, caregivers, and salespersons, all Filipino, all in situations of forced labor, all overworked and tired. Yet, I… Read more »
The church and its witness: remembering God’s redemption By Rev. Cathy Chang Deuteronomy 5: 1–6, 12–15, 21 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Reflection: The first time I preached about human trafficking and modern-day slavery, I struggled… Read more »
The church and its witness: in times of exile By Rev. Joram H. Calimutan Esther 7:1–10 and Luke 4:18–19 “He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Reflection: Queen… Read more »
The church and its witness: life in exile By Rev. Cathy Chang Psalm 137:1–6 By the rivers of Babylon — there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. Reflection: This psalm evokes the pain and loss from the Babylonian exile. Jerusalem, once the center of the people’s faith… Read more »
The church and its witness: answering the call for help By Rev. Marie Sol Sioco-Villalon Psalm 28:1–9 To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, do not refuse to hear me. Reflection: In the course of my serving victims of human trafficking, I receive many phone calls and Facebook messages from Filipino… Read more »
The church and its witness: protecting migrant workers By Rev. Cathy Chang Esther 4:4–17 “Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” Reflection: In my Filipino colleagues I see the courage and determination of Queen Esther as they advocate for the lives of their… Read more »
The church and its witness By Rev. Patrick D. Heery Genesis 37:18–28 “Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites.” Reflection: Long ago, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. It’s a story still being lived out today, as 21 million people live and work in conditions of forced labor, many of them… Read more »
Go and see: an idol of silver By Rev. Alan Jenkins Acts 17:16–34 “Since we are God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals.” Reflection: The Bible’s teaching on idolatry seems a simple,… Read more »