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CFCFFL
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is the CFCFFL?
The
Movement for Restoration Our
Covenant
Our
Mission and Vision
Our Statement of philosophy
Our
Core Values
Family Ministries Kids
for Family and Life (KFL) Youth
for Family and Life (YFL)
Singles
for Family and Life (SFL)
Handmaids
for Family and Life (HFL)
Servants
for Family and Life (SvFL)
Wish
to JOIN?
The
highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity,
choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over
popularity.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for THERE IS
NEVER A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
-
Bishop Soc Villegas
25 July 2007
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LESSONS
FROM LAMENTATIONS
(Part 4)
BRETHREN AND BETRAYAL
One of
the most painful things that can happen to us is betrayal by brethren,
those closest to us, those whom we love and shared our mission with.
Jesus experienced this with one of his disciples, Judas. We experienced
this with our brethren in CFC who betrayed our calling by veering away
from our charism and marginalizing Christ. On top of that, they betrayed
us personally, with their vilification campaign, lies and distortions,
and all-out effort to destroy our restored work. Such betrayal continues
even now.
Some wonder how supposed Christians, and elders at that, can act in such
ways. Judas was the same way. He remained in Jesus’ band of apostles,
up to the time he handed him over. But he was just preoccupied with one
thing: “he looked for an opportunity to hand him over.” (Mt 26:16).
He was no longer an apostle. What had happened? “Satan entered him.”
(Jn 13:27).
When Satan has entered, even if one is confronted with the reality of
his sin, he will continue to deny it. Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you,
one of you will betray me.” (Mt 26:21). Then Judas, his betrayer, said
in reply, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” (Mt 26:25).
If such act of betrayal of the Lord can happen to an apostle who walked
with Jesus himself, then it can happen to anyone of us who profess to
walk with Jesus. How can we help assure that such will not happen to us?
We need to steadfastly live out our covenant. Since there was a veering
away, we need to learn the lessons of Lamentations.
Today’s readings have much to teach us. We turn now to the lessons God
wanted to teach us two years ago. Here is the reflection offered in
2007.
*
* *
Day 37
Principles and Values of Covenant
“The
Lord God is my help”
(Isaiah 50:7a)
April
4
Isaiah 50:4-9
Psalm 69:8-34
Matthew 26:14-25
Isaiah
50:4-9 is the third of the four “Servant of the Lord” oracles. We
already saw these verses last Sunday. We now take a second look, drawing
out principles of covenant within the context of a servant of God. We
apply these verses to God’s people who are in covenant with Him, those
whom He will use to accomplish His will for the life of the world.
Being in covenant with God requires a heart and posture that can really
make us useful to Him. These are:
-
Being
an evangelizer, including the ability and boldness to speak to
people about how God has changed our lives and how God wants to
change their lives as well, such that those who are weary will be
energized, those who are despairing will be encouraged, those who
are in darkness will have hope (Is 50:4a).
-
Faithfulness
to God in daily prayer, and growing in being able to discern the
voice of God speaking to us (Is 50:4b).
-
Obedience
to God’s commands, submission to His will, openness to being used
in any way God wants (Is 50:5).
-
Willingness
to suffer for Christ (Is 50:6; Ps 69:8).
-
Perseverance
and single-mindedness for mission, knowing that God is with us (Is
50:7).
-
Courage
in the face of obstacles and opposition, knowing that God upholds,
sustains, supports and provides for us (Is 50:8).
-
Confidence
in God’s victory (Is 50:9).
In addition, we add to the list taking from the psalm for today.
· Zeal and passion for
building God’s kingdom on earth (Ps 69:10a).
· Doing spiritual warfare
including fasting (Ps 69:11a).
· Repenting for wrongdoing
(Ps 69:12a).
· Recognizing God’s
generous love and great mercy (Ps 69:17).
· Looking to and trusting
in God in times of affliction and pain (Ps 69:30).
· Being thankful for
God’s blessings and having a constant attitude of praise to God (Ps
69:31).
· Having a heart for the
poor (Ps 69:33-34).
Here was the response we needed to have. It is still the same now two
years later, and forevermore.
Lamentations action: Consider how much is involved in our covenant
with God. Consider how many of the above 7+7 postures and attitudes are
in place in your own life. Resolve to grow in all areas.
Go through each and every one of the above 14 points. Evaluate
yourself prayerfully and honestly. Where you fail, repent and resolve to
change. Where you are striving but are not doing so well, ask for the
Lord’s grace and strength.
There are many other lessons of Lamentations contained in the book
“Forty Days of Lamentations.” These can greatly help you understand
the meaning and profound implications of covenant.
· Lam 101
· Lam 201-207 (7 R’s of
Covenant)
· Lam 211-217 (7 Effects of
Covenant)
· Lam 221-227 (7 Fundamental
Aspects of Covenant)
· Lam 231-237 (7 Basic
Principles of Covenant)
· Lam 241-247 (7 Aspects of a
Covenant Heart)
· Lam 251-257 (7 Responses to
Covenant)
· Lam 261-267 (7 Benefits of
Covenant)
Look them over, study them intently, discuss them in your households,
and live them out.
In the face of continuing betrayal by brethren, I reiterate our posture
from the very beginning: do not retaliate or respond in kind, look on
the buffets and spitting as a privilege of participating in Jesus’
passion, rejoice in affliction, speak the truth, and trust completely in
Jesus.
And have this prayer: “But I pray to you, Lord, for the time of your
favor. God, in your great kindness answer me with your constant help.”
(Ps 69:14).
God bless us all.
(April 8, 2009)
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