Which is More Important?

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

35 For I have come to turn
“‘a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—

36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’[c]

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 10: 34-37

Filipino tradition revolves around one main theme: family.

Above all else, whether be it the nation, our laws, and even truth itself must yield to the all important bonds of blood-relations. Indeed, each family member is expected to act in a manner beneficial to the family, even if it means treason to his country, blatant disregard of the laws, and concealing the truth.

But as Christians, do we put our family first before Jesus Christ? Do we have the right to call ourselves Christians if we do such thing? If one of our family members steals from the Body of Christ, should we hide it and not rebuke it openly?

I say NO.

But if we put our family first, WHERE DOES GOD FIT IN? As the years pass by, I witnessed how an uncle of mine have toiled, in the prime of his life, for the sake of spreading the Gospel, even at the cost of losing potential material gain for his family.

Regardless of what others think as his predisposition to unfair application of standards, and his strict and unapproachable demeanor, he did not, without permission from the owners, withdrew funds entrusted to his care and give such money as church contributions for the sake of God's glory.

For indeed, taking what is not ours is stealing. What is its difference to offerings coming from bank robberies?

The interior of the church building where his fellow church members gather and where he led as pastor does not show vanity of material elegance and grandeur, but of simplicity: a sign that God's glory is not found in a Church building's stained glasses.

I was a witness as to how he patiently dealt with affluent benefactors close to him. Careful in not offending, he meticulously navigated questions regarding traditional faith healers and the use of their craft in order to extend the life of one so dear to us all. Indeed, he consoled those whose faith cannot sustain their own and for that, I give him credit.

He once asked me if I can contribute to the Lord's work among his fellow church members. At that time, I must admit I was rather apprehensive of making contributions; differences in and concerns of making contributions towards, what I believe, unorthodox Christian beliefs hovered over my mind. I asked myself why he did not toe the line and follow our family's methodistic heritage.

Although I do not know his reason which lead to his faithful decision, his untiring dedication to what he believes as the "right thing to do," despite the material consequences to his family, earned him my respect, and taught me not to measure a Christian by his religious affiliation (i.e., as to how recognized and established the Christian church one is a member of) but by the example of how a Christian leads his life.

The life each of us walk, that is, living in a society where the preeminent position of the family creates political dynasties, where traditions compel us to turn a blind eye on justice for family's sake, where family allegiance is above the nation and our laws (Ampatuan family), and where past achievements of our ancestors tower the humility that Christ had shown in the cross, testifies to the strength and continuing influence of the Filipino tradition, at the expense other more important things, such as our Christian beliefs.

Too many instances have we put our family above all other considerations, even His. The question now is, which is more important?

Doing the Right Thing has Nothing to do With Popular Approval

After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

John 6:14-15

The growing acceptance of the voice of the people as representing the voice of God has become widely received. But the danger to the concept of vox populi being equal to vox dei, or the lack of distinction between the two, has been neglected in the passing of time.

In ancient times, the House of Israel, time and time again, violated God's command to the point that it warranted the division of the kingdom of Israel, the eventual destruction of Israel and the exile of the people of Judah to Babylon.

Even before the time of kings, the Israelites committed actions in violation of the covenant they have made with God. From raising the Golden Calf during Moises' time to the events that led to the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin, the people of Israel has never been a good source of emulation or, much to say, guidance as to what is good and right.

Prophets were sent but beheaded and His servants decapitated, all in the name of a people who were once slaves and in the end, were dragged in chains far away from the land of milk and honey for violating His commands.

As far as righteousness is concerned, there is no such thing as vox populi. It would do all of us well to remember that.

God Alone is Good. Let No Man Lay Claim to that Which is not His

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good — except God alone."

Mark 10:18 (NIV)


Why does men use the word "good" without regard for the consequence of their claims? For among words that define human nature, "good" is definitely not one of them.

If we believe in the teachings of our faith, we must always be reminded that God's plan started with the "fall of man" into sin; not in the sense that we today commonly consider and quickly recognize as a sin, but merely a failure to comply with the very first command that was given to man.

"You must not eat the fruit of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil."

Satan encouraged Eve to eat the forbidden fruit by claiming that by eating the fruit, she will be equal with God, possessing the ability to distinguish good and evil.


"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.
"For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened,
and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV)


Although we Christians aspire to imitate our Risen Lord, I neither believe we have the right claim that we are good nor even say we aspire that which is good (but act for His glory), and most of all, consider ourselves "like God."


5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Philippians 2: 5-8


The danger of false humility lurks in the corner as we profess we do not claim righteousness or being good but implicitly shout, in any arena of life, be it in our private or public lives, that goodness is only found and can be exercised by one person besides God Himself and Himself alone.

So now, I reiterate Apostle Paul's words:


9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10 As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."
13 "Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."
14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know."
18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Romans 3:9-18


For if we are good, we can stand on the Throne of Judgment with our head highs, not needing the intercession Christ have died for in the cross. It is better that good abounds in us, so that others may see and God is praised without our individual selves benefitting from from it.

Church and Transparency

There is nothing hidden that will not be found. There is no secret that will not be well known.

Luke 8:17


Many churhes here in the United States, even beyond the United Methodist Church, proudly publicize the dates of coming events, and give proper notice to activities and meetings crucial to the growth of the faith and upbringing of its members.

Apostle Paul showed that transparency is crucial to the mission of the gospel, as he poured his personal life as a testament to his Christian belief: his sufferings and joys contained in the letters addressed to the churches he had visited (and had not...to the dismay of its members), all for the sake of furthering the Gospel of Christ.

Our Lord and Savior did not turn away those who came to him, who sought his help and grace, and even allowed himself to be scrutinized by the very same Pharisees that saw to his eventual triumph in the cross. He revealed to us Himself: the message that would, for all time, be the everlasting salvation of our souls from the very destruction that awaits those who do not acknowledge Him.

Indeed, transparency is in the nature of Christian living.

If that is the case, why do I not see the by-laws and the articles of incorporation of the Angono United Methodist Church? You have a website with pictures, names, titles, positions, events and activities.

But where and why are these information critical to the function of the church so elusive and hard to access?

I am sure we are not following the path of the Roman Catholic Church, which, as an institution, did not encourage its members, for a thousand and five hundred years, from accessing the holy scriptures.

Transparency, you say?