Sunday Reflection by Mayor Beng Climaco

17th Sunday

2 Kings 4:42-44 Psalm 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18 

Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15

THE HAND of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs. Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD, and let your faithful ones bless you. Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom and speak of your might. The eyes of all look hopefully to you, and you give them their food in due season; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is just in all his ways and holy in all his works. The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.

The Psalms are very encouraging especially for all of us who hunger in this pandemic. Last Tuesday for Eid Il Adha, the office of former Speaker, Rep. Allan Cayetano provided cash assistance for Muslim, IPs and Christian beneficiaries to help augment income for livelihood. 

The unique quality of Zamboanga is our unity as Christians, IPs and Muslims who call this City our Home. It was a heart-warming occasion that I shared the Pangalay and I learned from a master - Earl Pasilan for my Rotary presentation in Brazil. Using a Yakan scarf given to me, and a Tausug sablay also a gift and using my janggay  (nails), it was a celebration of Sacrifice of God's love and saving act.

Covid victims and frontliners were beneficiaries, silent frontliners who helped us tremendously. Our PWD proved their capability even managing the steep steps of City Hall. Sila ta busca la vida amediante como PWD. Then the Sama Dilaut family shared bawlu, lokot-lokot and chocolates from barter while dressed colorfully. The inate generosity desde corazon, bien incredible. 

This is the Miracle of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes in today's Gospel. God opens the hearts of People to give from the heart what little they have can transform and be multiplied. Yesterday, over lunch, I was surprised to see three boxes of Leche Flan. God's blessings shared by one of the beneficiaries who has been grateful for the opportunity, and continues to work hard selling food even in the pandemic. 

Tzu Chi Foundation under Dharma Master Cheng Yen from Taiwan also shared rice and groceries to drivers of Jeepney and Tricycle. Her volunteers in Zamboanga with the coordination of Dr. Anton Lim have always helped the people of Zamboanga and other countries. We see the multiplication of God’s blessings when people share love and compassion. 

Yesterday, we shared rice to families in the urban poor to let them know that the government is here to help. We pray for God's continued miracle. Just as the Apostles looked at the boy with Five Loaves and two fishes, our resources are not enough. But in today's Responsorial Psalm we entrust ourselves to Jesus: “The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs!” (MBC)

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