The affirming words of Rev. Nicky Gumbel, the developer of Alpha, a basic introduction to Christianity, during the last session of Alpha in our parish last week, still resonate in my mind, offering me a fresh perspective on who we should be as a Church. In simple yet profound terms, he shared in the Alpha video:
“The message we strive to convey is that Jesus loves you. Jesus died for you. He gave Himself up for you, even if you were the sole person in the world. God loves you unconditionally, wholeheartedly, and continually. Therefore, the Church should be renowned for its love—a love that embraces individuals of diverse backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, lifestyles, and perspectives. A church is a home. It embodies Jesus, the Body of Christ. The Church is love. You are loved by God. God loves you!”
These straightforward yet impactful words encapsulate what we call the Kerygma—the proclamation of the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, we die to our sins; through His burial, we are buried with Him; and through His resurrection, we are granted a new life. This transformation is rooted in the fundamental truth that God loves each and every one of us.
With this truth ingrained in our hearts, we gain a deeper comprehension of the Church. As I highlighted last Sunday (August 11), the Church is not merely a structure or an organization. It does not solely consist of priests, deacons, bishops, cardinals, and the pope. Instead, the Church comprises all of us. We are the Church, forming a family collectively. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, embodying the tangible presence of Christ. Through the Eucharist, we manifest the Spirit of Christ, spreading love, mercy, forgiveness, care, compassion, hope, joy, and justice to the world.
All of this finds its foundation in the words of Jesus in this Sunday’s (August 18) Gospel (John 6:51-58): “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
So, what does this reflection mean for us, members of this parish? It means that we strive to be a family and a community deeply rooted in love for Jesus and our connection with Him. This goes beyond attending worship every Sunday; it entails joining small groups for communal prayer and celebration of life, engaging in charitable activities such as assisting the homeless, deepening our understanding of the Bible and the Catholic faith together. It means approaching fellow parishioners at Mass without hesitation, welcoming them, getting to know them, and making them feel valued and included in our community.
Additionally, it involves not elevating bishops but holding them accountable to be servant-leaders rather than “princes” of the Church. As priests and bishops, our role is to serve, not to seek glory.
May the Church and our parish truly become the nourishing bread for the life of the world. Amen.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
