Faith that Cares

REFLECTION

February 24, 2008

By: Arnel S. Oroceo

Text: Psalm 27:4; 1John 3:18

INTRODUCTION

“Better is one day in your courts... than a thousand elsewhere”... Have you ever felt like staying in church even after the worship or activities have ended? You have felt the presence of God and you simply do not want to leave. Probably, David was feeling the same way when he was writing this psalm. He wanted to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. He wanted to feel the saving presence of the Lord in his life.

We also seek the presence of God when we go to church each Sunday. However, God does not speak to us with an audible voice from heaven or touches us with His big miraculous hands. He warms us with each other’s faith and zeal. As we express our faith, we express love and care for our brethren as well because a person who has faith is a person who loves... Can we say Amen to that?

While I was doing my study, I came across an article about The United Methodist Church’s (USA) top seven legislative priorities for 2008, which its public policy arm has announced last January 30. The chosen priorities all support the emphasis of the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) Board of Directors. It believes that the faith community can offer a much-needed voice to the debates.

1. Among the priorities for this year is the issue of reducing global warming pollution. GBCS says that Congress’ action in 2007 to increase fuel efficiency standards, as part of its energy bill is not enough. GBCS urges Congress to pass a comprehensive global warming legislation that reduces emissions and protects the vulnerable from both the result of global warming and the potential price hike from the legislation.

2. The ministry also expressed support for the bill “Climate Security Act of 2007” (S.2191), a bipartisan effort to reduce U.S. global warming pollution.

3. Additionally, protecting children’s health is another GBCS top priority this year. The Methodist body will advocate on behalf of children who lack access to healthcare and push for policy to curb the tobacco industry from luring children to be “life-long smokers” and the alcohol industry from encouraging “underage and binge drinkers.” To combat these problems, GBCS will also urge Congress to support stricter regulation on tobacco by the Food and Drug administration, fund the “STOP Underage Drinking Act,” and reauthorize the “State Children’s Health Insurance Program.”

4. Increasing affordable housing in 2008 is another key goal. “As the housing crisis across the country deepens, GBCS remains committed to passage of the ‘National Housing Trust Fund,’” said John Hill, director of Economic and Environmental Justice. He explained that the “National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act” (S.2523) provides local communities with resources necessary to increase housing opportunities for people in lower income households.

5. Other policy priorities include the reauthorization of President Bush’s AIDS funding, which expires at the end of 2008,

6. Supporting the “Second Chance Act” for ex-offenders and their families,

7. And rallying behind the “Global Poverty Act” to develop a comprehensive strategy to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of reducing global poverty; and ending the war in Iraq.

These priorities either are objectives that they think can be accomplished this year, or issues that are so important that they need to be emphasized regardless of hopes to accomplish them this year or not,” Mark Harrison explained, director of GBCS’s Peace with Justice Program.

I shared these to emphasize that the Methodist faith is indeed, a faith that cares. A Methodist is a Christian who loves and cares.

Family- Some people are very pleasant with other people but when it comes to their own family members, they are inconsiderate. Let our family feel our love and care. [1 Tim 5:8]

Church- Superficial wounds heal easily, but emotional wounds hurt more deeply and only the soothing words from a caring brother/sister can bring healing. A Christian is an instrument of God’s warmth most especially for the family of believers. When you see a closely knitted family who cares for each other, you admire it, right? However, when you see a family killing each other, would you want to be a part of it? Of course, not! When the family of believers in a church loves each other, other people would love to become a part of that family. [Jn 13:35]

Pastor/s- I have heard comments that Christian churches in Korea flourish because they love their pastors. I heard there were members who would even give a car to their pastor. I am not saying that we should give cars to our pastors too. Let us just care for them for these acts of love toward God’s anointed touch the heart of God very dearly. [Phil 4:18-19]

Society- Witnessing is actually a matter of caring. We give food to people who are hungry or sick because we care. For those who are dying in the spirit, are we not going to care and share with them the Balm that would give them healing? The cure is in you, in me, in each one of us. Let us dare to care before they die. [Jude 22a]

CONCLUSION

We can love and care because God has cared about and has loved us first. Remember, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, by virtue of God’s mercy, let us all be avenues also of God’s mercy as we live out our faith. Sometimes, it is difficult but it is a call. Whenever we can and wherever we can, let us show our faith that cares.

To the readers of Reflections: Permission is given to print and reproduce part (where the meaning intended is retained and the part is not quoted out of context) or all the content of the reflections for personal use or for distribution on the condition that there is proper acknowledgement, no changes are made and the content is distributed free of charge. Please be prayerful and discreet in distributing or making the content available to others. This paragraph should be included in any and all content reproduced for distribution.

-Arnel Oroceo

The Orocean Journal

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