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10 JUNE 2004
Dear JVP Community,
We are all carpenters.
It has been a little less than a month
since I last wrote you. In the Mission Mass two weeks ago,
my heart leapt when I saw and got to know the many faces
in the JVP Community to whom I write. The mass marked the
end of Batch 25’s Orientation Seminar and the beginning
of the yearlong celebration of JVP’s 25th Anniversary
with the theme “JVP rocks at 25: building character,
building country.” It was a joyful event celebrated
by the JVP, friends, and family that unexpectedly filled
and overfilled the LHS Chapel. We sent off the 32 volunteers
of Batch 25 who would continue the JVP story and welcomed
volunteers of Batches 1 to 24 who have woven the 24-year
old JVP story. In my meeting the other day with Fr. Ben
Nebres, S.J., President of the Ateneo de Manila, he extended
his congratulations for the Mission Mass. He was not able
to join us in our celebration as he was in a workshop of
the Jesuits, but he said that everybody spoke very highly
of the mass. Despite some hitches during the mass, the Spirit
was truly at work and celebrating with us.
The lights snacks at the LHS lobby that
followed the mass was a happy time for current and former
volunteers, JVP family and friends - including those from
the Ateneo community and from international and local volunteer
groups - to establish or re-establish ties and exchange
stories. A small exhibit was put up at the LHS lobby with
the help of JVP former volunteers. It explained and illustrated
the 25th Anniversary theme and captured the JVP history
and identity with pictures of all the JVP batches and mosaics
depicting the JVP core values of spirituality, service,
social justice, solidarity and simplicity. The short program,
though delayed by the happy gathering at the LHS lobby,
brought together former and current volunteers and some
parents of volunteers. It was an opportunity to put a personal
face to JVP history. Every five JVP batches shared their
JVP experience and the national mood during their period
through narratives and songs. Amidst the differences among
the JVP generations, it is the common thread of building
character and country that binds the JVP community throughout
its twenty-five years.
It is thus that we are all carpenters:
we build character and country. And Jesus is the Carpenter
whom we emulate in building. I take this opportunity to
repeat and paraphrase portions of my Mission Mass message
pertaining to our being carpenters for those who have requested
that I post the message in our mail board and those who
were not able to attend. For those who have heard it, the
repetition is a reiteration.
Jesus came to the world as a carpenter.
He built lives, repaired broken relationships, and mended
wounded hearts and spirits among the people with whom He
lived in His time. He declared Peter the “Rock”
on which, as a carpenter, He would build his Church, the
people of God. Now, thousands of years since, Jesus has
not only called each of the 25 batches of JVP to be a rock
building the JVP community which is a church of God in rock
bottom reality. He also calls each one of us to be a carpenter,
to build and mend like Him. By allowing God to work through
us and our hands, we are all carpenters building God’s
Church in the different contexts in which we find ourselves:
in a far-flung area, at home, in the neighborhood, in our
office, in other communities, and in our country.
The task of building community, church and country seems
daunting. But the fishermen whom Jesus called to be his
apostles must have also felt that the task to be fishers
of men was daunting for they knew nothing of it. The good
news is God not only works through us so that with our hands
we may build His Church and this country. With gentle hands,
He also works within us. By allowing the Spirit to work
in us, God builds our character for us to have the courage,
the strength, the talent, and above all, the love, to fulfill
our task. When God calls, He equips us with what we need
to heed His call. And should we fail, in our frailty, to
do the task, God is also there to mend our broken selves.
Peter, the Rock on which the Church would be built, denied
Jesus three times. But in asking Peter three times if he
loved Jesus and allowing him to affirm his love for him,
Jesus -the carpenter- mended Peter’s broken self.
God is always there, whether building or mending. And He
is there for each one of us for this Carpenter has carved
each one’s name on the palm of His hand.
God’s call to build is a continuing
and pervasive call for the work of creation is not yet finished.
God gifted us with our heads, hearts and hands so that with
Him, we may continue His work. We can heed this call by
building character and country, by building His Church and
establishing His kingdom on earth. And some have answered
this call by being part of JVP for at least a year, but
making JVP a part of their lives for all years.
Let us continue to heed God’s call
to build. Let us celebrate the 25 years of building JVP
and through JVP. Mabuhay ang paglilingkod! Mabuhay ang JVP!
At tayo ang nagbibigay-buhay.
In Christ,
Jo Maribojoc
Executive Director
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