Why this Historical Friday is really Good

The trial of Jesus at Pilate's palace was concluded, the flogging and the crown of thorns shed blood from the body of Jesus. He was sentenced by the Empire to be crucified. The king's robe was taken back and he has to carry the cross to Mount Golgotta.

The Romans and the Jews followed the process of crucifixion for ordinary criminals for Jesus. Beneath the cross were women closest to him and the beloved disciple. He uttered words that we now called 'Siete Palabras' or the seven last words. Historians and theologians have interpreted these words in many ways that suit their purposes. For Christians these words are nothing else than their own. Especially to the suffering and exploited people Jesus words on the cross are their own life stories.

God forgive them for they know not what they are doing, is not forgetting the extent of violence inflicted on them by the powers that be, but sifting their emotional response from the protracted struggle that must be pursued while life lasts.

Today you will be with me in paradise. This is realized paradise not founded on the primeval Garden of Eden but on the great resolve that working for justice is a minute everyday work that must be shown in their social relations.

Dear woman here is your son. Resting in the assurance that women will always take care of their children or children have to provide for their aging parents have been transcended with the understanding that within families blood relations must give way for social affinity and responsibility.

Why have you forsaken me? For billions of years our solar system has evolved into what we have now, where there is order and peace. Think of the chaos that it went through and we can say that in chaos and total darkness we are forsaken. We are forsaken whenever there are situations of chaos such as present in the world today, wars of aggression, extrajudicial killings, poverty, unemployment, human and natural disasters. By understanding the chaotic situations where we live we can work on possibilities for the reversal of such situations.

I am thirsty. Jesus felt the thirst as his body was losing much water and thirst signifies that exhaustion has seep in and finally death is approaching while hanging on the cross. The parched earth need rain to regain life. Our physical world has been devastated by too much greed and selfishness. Our environment is parched and is near death because of overuse and exploitation. Our lives become parched when it is lived in possessiveness and unbridled acquisitiveness.

It is finished. Jesus declared it--his suffering on the cross. The Sacrifice for the redemption of depraved humanity is completed and it is for human beings to take upon themselves the once and for all human sacrifice. Those who have declared themselves Christians have to stop human sacrifices for the sake of national security or in the name of Western democracy. Jesus crucifixion is enough and sufficient sacrifice fir all humanity and for all time.

I entrust my spirit into your hands. The people struggling for justice and peace could no longer entrust their future to their chosen political leaders because the leaders who are expected to protect their lives are those who devour them, stripping them of their humans dignity and imperiled their future.

Good Friday is a reminder to all Christians that this Jesus that the empire has crucified will remain to be crucified unless the suffering people are freed from the monumental poverty, exploitation and violence.

Is Black Saturday really Black?

The disciples were puzzled of what took place the previous days and the third day is approaching and Jesus had been buried in the tomb. They were mourning and nobody knows what will happen next. They were scattered in different places and waiting what else the Roman and Jewish authorities would do to them. It is possible that there will be crackdown and all of them might be imprisoned and punished and die just like Jesus.

Hopes for a better future is dimmed and many questions remained unanswered in their minds. For now is just hiding and letting things cool down. Reminiscing Jesus' teachings, prophecies, miracles and his personal touch with them. For some Jesus' personality is inscrutable and to a large extent enigmatic. Three years of hearing him teach and interacting with him made the disciples believe he is special and a progeny of God. But what about now, it seems like everything is over, each to his own. The darkness enveloped the tomb where Jesus lay, no sign of life. If is sealed and guarded.

Is Black Saturday really Black?

The disciples were puzzled of what took place the previous days and the third day is approaching and Jesus had been buried in the tomb. They were mourning and nobody knows what will happen next. They were scattered in different places and waiting what else the Roman and Jewish authorities would do to them. It is possible that there will be crackdown and all of them might be imprisoned and punished and die just like Jesus.

Hopes for a better future is dimmed and many questions remained unanswered in their minds. For now is just hiding and letting things cool down. Reminiscing Jesus' teachings, prophecies, miracles and his personal touch with them. For some Jesus' personality is inscrutable and to a large extent enigmatic. Three years of hearing him teach and interacting with him made the disciples believe he is special and a progeny of God. But what about now, it seems like everything is over, each to his own. The darkness enveloped the tomb where Jesus lay, no sign of life. If is sealed and guarded.

Reflections on Easter Day

The women who were at the cross on Friday and who had mourn on Saturday until the dawn of the third day came to the tomb where Jesus dead body was laid only to find out that the rock that covered the entrance of the tomb was moved to the side, a suspicion that the dead Jody was stolen or some people have taken it away for their own purposes. But when they entered the tomb they angels in bright shining robes asking them if they were looking for Jesus and told them that Jesus has risen. Then Mary Magdalene cried outside the tomb was greeted by Jesus and she declared that indeed Jesus is alive.

Jesus resurrected from the dead not as a kind of dead man walking, nor as terminator computer humanoid but in an immortal body. The women and the male disciples could not explain the phenomenon of the resurrection, because it is just impossible. Jesus appearance among the disciples by the seashore preparing breakfast for them and Thomas' touching of his side and punctured hands are great testimonies to the veracity of the resurrection.

Christianity claims the lordship of Jesus who is the Christ--meaning the Messiah or Savior of the world. The son of the carpenter, the organizer of small fisher folks, the herbalist who had cure for various ailments, the social worker who has great talent in psychology who exorcised demons--greed, avarice, and various forms of personality disfunction, and an activist who challenge the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman empire authorities had been the ethical foundations of churches and societies. But the institutional church has him a possession and a tool of domination. Western civilizations has enshrined Jesus in their constitutions and laws--punitive and discriminative laws and that a non Christian society or organization is an enemy or a suspect of terroristic acts.

Having faith in resurrection is an assertion that God's life should not be co-opted by the powers of death. The resurrected power of Jesus must be reclaimed by the poor who have been victims of those who have claims of Christ.

JUDGEMENT DAY-MAY 21

Apocalypticism is a religious belief in the triumph of good over evil. In biblical studies we read about rapture, tribulations and the eternal reign of God with the faithful. The recent prediction of the Judgement Day last May 21 is another attempt of apocalyptists to tell the mind and will of God. Many people are reminded once again of the triumph of good over evil. But I can't seem to understand why apocalyptists wish for their own salvation while at the same time want the destruction of many.

Prayer for Peace in the Korean Peninsula

Most loving and compassionate God:
We praise you and thank you for creating this day
And for this time of prayer.

Advent has come once again this year,
The time of preparation for celebrating Christmas--
The birth of your Son Jesus Christ--the Prince of Peace.

It is at time of Advent when we come to the realization
how fragile our lives are,
and how temporary our material comfort had been.
However, we are assured of your compassionate companionship with us,
which strengthens our hope for salvation from real dangers
and from the fears that prevent us and the nations to pursue lasting peace.

Compassionate God, forgive us for being anxious of our future
and what will befall upon us.
At times we are passive in mediating your holy will in our country.
We have been lulled by the material comforts we have,
and forget the more important things in the life of our nation--
such as the values of peace, tolerance, justice, forbearance and solidarity.
Have mercy on us.

With your grace, help and support us is our campaign
for peace in the Korean Peninsula.
Sustain us in our proclamation of Christ's peace in the world.
Let your Holy Spirit embolden us to follow Jesus Christ our Lord,
the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Note: This is Frank's said prayer during the PROK staff morning devotion on November 30, 2010.

Peace Treaty Signature Campaign

Signature Campaign for a Peace Treaty in the Korean Peninsula
“. . .To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79)

The military tension in the Korean Peninsula has risen since Tuesday November 23, 2010 caused by the military exercises conducted by the South Korean military in Yeonpyeong island which was responded to by the North through artillery shelling of the military camp in the island. There were casualties and this incident caused alarm in all segments of society and the region. Also, this year we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War which broke out in 1950 and we do not want to repeat the tragic experiences and devastating effects of war.

We urge the signatory governments to repeal the 1953 Armistice Agreement and replace it with a Peace Treaty that will ensure peace and security in the Korean Peninsula. The Peace Treaty should substantiate the June 15, 2000 and the October 4, 2007 North-South Joint Declarations signed by the leaders of the two Koreas. The replacement of the Armistice Agreement with a Peace Treaty will de-escalate the threats of imminent conflict between North and South Korea and would ensure peace and security not only in Northeast Asia but the whole world.

We are doing this signature campaign to gather support for the making of a Peace Treaty. You are encouraged to support this move through your signature. Thank you.

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The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea