Continuing the Journey Together Inspired by the Ecumenical Spirit

Colossians 3:15-17

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

I Corinthians 12:26

"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

Blessed not Honored

It is of course an honor to speak before us all today. To tell you the truth, I feel more blessed than honored. I consider it more of a blessing from God that today God has given me this chance to share with you all, in this celebration. More importantly it is certainly a blessing to give a homily to the ecumenical youth, you, the future leaders of your respective churches and also the hope of the ecumenical movement in this modern era.

Ecumenical Spirit is Jesus Spirit

Our theme is "Continuing Journey Together Inspired by the Ecumenical Spirit" is a great inspiration for me. I would like to make it a point in my homily this evening that this Ecumenical Spirit is the Jesus Spirit. The Jesus spirit that is not confined in the premises of a single religion. The Jesus spirit that is not contained in a single denomination. The Jesus spirit that is not a monopoly of the few. But that one Jesus Christ who is the Head of all our churches. One Jesus who is Lord of us all. One Jesus who loves us all. And one Jesus who saves us all. Irregardless of our denomination. That is the truth that inspires me, and I hope will inspire us all as we struggle to go on united in our ecumenical journey.

Ecumenism in the NT

According to Pheme Perkins in his book, Reading the New Testament.

We will see that there were a number of different group of Christians in the New Testament.

1. There were Christians of Jewish origin who continued to follow the customs and practices of Judaism.

2. Other Christians of Gentile origin focused their whole religious experience in the belief in Jesus and not the Jewish traditions.

We will also find in the NT that there are different lines of Christian traditions. Most of them linked with the apostles.

3. James, the leader of the Church in Jerusalem, becomes the focal point for Jewish Christianity.

4. Peter, who apparently left Jerusalem for missionary activity in the Antioch region becomes the sponsor of Christian mission which retains ties with the Judaism.

5. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, establish missionary churches. The

6. Johannine community is yet another New Testament church of different tradition.

If we remember the basic fact that the New Testament permits some differences in Christian traditions and practice, then we will understand that it is possible for a number of different Christian churches to all be faithful to the bible. I may even comment my brothers and sisters that the NT Christians were far more ecumenical than us because I believe they do not proselyte each other.

Hindi nyo man po naitatanong mga kapatid, 13 years old pa po ako ay ebanghelista na ako don sa amin sa Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro City. We were trained how to defend the Church from other denomination – memory verse! Debate! Actually the whole family is such. One day when in our tyange sa balay – a group of young men and women approach papa obviously to proselyte. But papa asked them one question: "How is my God related to your God? Are they cousins?" One of them replied no sir, its but one God. So my father said, "You go therefore to those who have other god's or have no God at all you are wasting time". That argument saved my father from being proselyted. But that same argument open my mind to accept and respect other denominations. If their God is our God then there is no need to argue.

Ecumenism Amidst Us

What is ecumenism in our own today? Is it a mere thought? A mere idea? A mere concept? or a true and actual reality? I can see there are many of us here who die defending that ecumenism is not a myth. Nick Primavera of the WVEC for example. I am a witness to several activity sponsored by the ecumenical council that gathers priests of the IFI, pastors of CPBC, UCCP and others, and lay workers also not in order proselyte nor to convert one another but sharing how the gospel is lived out in their respective churches and in the existing context – for me that is ecumenism.

This evening we are here youths of different denominations gathered together again, not for the purpose of winning over each other to be converted to our church, but according to Paul in his letter to the Colossians, to "sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" – to the same God, the same Jesus Christ who inspired each and every one of us to come together at this very moment! Let us therefore be glad for God is with us! This for me is ecumenism.

But brothers have you seen ecumenism everyday? It's one question I ask myself while reflecting upon my sharing with us all this evening. Me, whenever I see Nick Primavera, I feel ecumenical. He is, for me, the most ecumenical man I've known. Of course because he heads the WVEC. Moreover, the WVEC office is located in the CPBC compound. And his office mate, nang Inday is a wife of a CPBC pastor. Whenever I see the Salvation Army, I feel ecumenical.

Upon asking myself if ever I witness an everyday ecumenism I come to realize that I do. Let me share this to you. I really feel blessed to encounter this unique opportunity. And I found it in the very seminary that I am teaching now. In the faculty.

1. Pastor June Frances Gange – UCCP resident pastor who teaches Christian Education subjects on Mondays.
2. Deacon Pete Pido – A Roman Catholic deacon, who teaches Thology and Philosopical subjects Tuesdays and Thusdays.
3. Mr. Nick Primavera – a UCCP churchman who teaches Ecumenics on Wednesdays.
4. Mrs. Nitz Guilliergan – A Convention Baptist and faculty in CPU who teaches Gender Stuidies on Fridays.

So in Saint Paul's Theological Seminary we got a daily dosage of ecumenical friends sharing with us in the formation of the future ministers of the IFI. That for me is a concrete example of ecumenism everyday. I share this to you so that you maybe more curious and conscious of ecumenism in your midst. And so that you may also be encouraged to development such an environment.

We go now to the challenge that I will leave us all. Fostering ecumenism is not an easy task because it might go against preserving our very own respective churches. I hope your church leaders are open and positive to your coming here. I am not sure if all of your parents are aware and is supportive of your ecumenical involvement. I pause a challenge therefore for all of you: you are EYF because you engage in ecumenism in your youth. But you become old and have a family of your own, why don't you encourage your children to ecumenical activities while they are young. In that way we can foresee a day when ecumenism is exercise everyday – a more practical reality. A day when no Christian will bark at each other and accuse or condemn each other but hold hands together, one in Christ and as one establish a more Christian community, of more Christian governance, where love, peace based on justice and love in Jesus Christ reigns. Amen.

Homily by Revd Fr. Christopher N. Ablon to the Ecumenical Choir Festival. November 19, 2006 at UCCP Church Iloilo, Dungon B Iloilo City.

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