Hari ini Jumat, 4 Maret 2011

Just came from the birthday party of Christine "Princess", daughter of Sir Ramon after the first friday mass at the adorasi behind Galaxy mall. Its good to be eating Filipino food after exactly two weeks after my arrival in Surabaya. For two consecutive fridays now, on my "weeksary" of arriving in Surabaya, I have been spending it with the Filipino Community. Highlight of our dinner is the Kare-Kare with bagoong courtesy of Barrio Fiesta hehe, which is a big deal here and made the event special. But more than eating Kare-Kare and bagoong, the famous Filipino hospitality and sometimes disturbing "kamustahan" is what keeps our kababayan's spirit strong and inspired. I believe that the Filipinos wherever they are in the world, would always find Filipino communities who are ready to fight, laugh, cry and pray for each other.

I am currently reading a book entitled, "Purpose driven youth ministry" by Doug Fields, a book particularly recommended by Romo Adrian before starting our Teen's Catechism classes. I find the book's theme a classic because although the content might sound traditional,the approach is ever refreshing and inspiring. I am particularly drawn at the approachof the author in trying to highlight the importance of the youth minister's spirituality and his or her attitude towards the ministry in general. First and most essential part of any Christian youth ministry is the emphasis on having God as the driving force of the activities. Programs are but accidental and if successful should always be attributed to God's work and glory more than on human effort. It is therefore providential that this Sunday's Gospel from Matthew 7:21-27 warns us that not all who call God as Lord will be able to enter the kingdom of heaven nor would God know everybody who claims to be doing God's works. Fields in his book points at youth ministers who are preoccupied with the hype of formulating or copying programs, for the sake of recruiting and pleasing other people. Youth ministry should first and foremost be God's work, God's project an thus ministers are but instruments in God's plan. Youth ministry is not the whole story, it is but a small part in God's greater history of salvation for all. It is therefore fallacious to assume that the primary goal of any ministry is the quantity of people pleased with the program but rather with the amount of "Godness" is alotted for the whole program. If one is to think of a purpose for any youth ministry of for any other Church ministry at that, one must remember the great commandment of loving God with the whole heart (Worship), loving neighbor as you love youself (Ministry) and the great commission which is to make disciples of every nation (Evangelism) baptizing them (Fellowship) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching others to obey the commandments (Dsicipleship).