Catch the wind of the Spirit of God

(A homily during the opening Mass at San Pedro Cathedral during MSPC XVI)

“All I see is the emblem of MSPC, ang bangka, every adjustment, every three years, properly adjusted ba ang sail?” Pangutana ni Archbishop Romulo G. Valles sa iyang kaugalingon ug sa mga nanambong sa ika-16 nga Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference kon MSPC nga gipahigayon sa dakbayan sa Davao niadtong Oktubre 16-20. Sa opening mass niadtong Oktubre 16 sa San Pedro Cathedral, ang atong Arsobispo miingon nga, “gikan sa daghang mga MSPC, we were able to push the local churches in Mindanao nga buhion ang mga GKK, buhion ang mga lay leaders, buhion ang apostolado sa mga Lumad, buhion ang inter-religious dialogue, ang paglihok alang sa justice and peace. Kini tanan mga landmarks, mga timaan nga ang MSPC nga atong gipreparahan kanunay, if I may use the emblem of this MSPC, to adjust our sails so that we can catch the blow of the spirit.”

Maong iyang gipahimangno nga sa paglaraw sa Simbahan sa Mindanao, kinahanglan dili kalimtan ang upat ka butang:

1. “We are Church”
   “We can only adjust the sail of our journey symbolized by that Bangka sa atong emblem, we can adjuts with hearts and minds so conscious that we are the body of Christ. Very conscious as we do the adjusting the sail of our journey. With many considerations kanunay ta mubalik sa Santos nga Eukaristiya.” Ug pinaagi niining panghunahuna ato pirming mahinumduman nga kita ginapakaon sa lawas ug dugo ni Kristo.
2. “That we are a people fed by the banquet of Christ”
   “As we adjust the sails of MSPC, the church of Mindanao, we must have clear memories of the words of Jesus, ‘Do this in memory of me.’ As we touch the sail maybe the memory chip is corrupted. In the Eucharist, we are reminded by the presence of the Lord, the singular wish of Jesus that we share abundantly the life that He alone can offer. Busa kining principal nga pagsaulog sa Simbahan–‘the eucharist,’ very constant and important nga di nato angay kalimtan.”
3. “The power of the Word of God”
   “Remember the power of the word as we adjust the sail of MSPC, the church journeying in Mindanao.” Nagpadayon siya sa pag-ingon nga ang mga readings sama sa gibasa bag-o lang, hastang pagkaanindot tungod kay, “the salvation is not only for the Jews, but for the gentiles, change your boundaries. Kadtong naulahi, mga gentiles they are invited by God to be holy, to be sons and daughters of God. Kanindot na pulong sa Diyos. That should wake us up as we deliberate many things during this MSPC. As we adjust the sail of MSPC, always be conscious that the living word of God and its power is always ‘dabar’ (effective). The living word of God is always in our midst.”
4. “The beauty and power of personal witnessing”
   “We can see in many persons through the years, persons truly touched by the spirit of God. Even in Marawi, we can hear inspiring stories of the people from Marawi, in the midst of Marawi conflict, many of you listened, very personal, intense, the power of witness in our lives.” Dayon iyang nasibya ang storya mahitungod sa iyang pagkagawas gikan sa hospital. “Recently I was released from the hospital. The woman was very good to me, then she approached me and gave me a paper and told me to pray for her and her family.” Usa ka ehemplo sa pagtoo sa usa ka babaye nga ang pag-ampo makatabang gayud, “all catechists and GKK leaders older than myself, be sensitive to the powerful witness of lives of people in Mindanao, bishops, priests, lay people, and even non-Catholics but touched by the spirit of God.” Sa katapusan nagmalipayon siya sa maayong pag-abot sa tanan.