ZigZag Weekly

15/07/2025

Ancillary services drive July 2025 transmission rates up

Power consumers can expect higher transmission rates this July 2025, with the bulk of the increase driven by Ancillary Services (AS) rates, NGCP announced.

For the June 2025 billing period, both AS and NGCP’s transmission wheeling rates increased, but the surge in AS costs accounts for most of the adjustment.

Overall equivalent average transmission rates for the June 2025 billing period increased by 5.49% to PhP1.2113/kWh, from May's PhP1.1482/kWh.

The increase was driven by a 9.32% increase in ancillary service rates in the June 2025 billing period. From PhP0.5655/kWh in May, AS rates increased to PhP0.6182/kWh.

AS rates pertain to the pass-through costs for power supplied by AS providers to stabilize the grid during power supply-demand imbalance. AS charges are remitted directly to generating companies with bilateral contracts with NGCP, and to the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) for the AS sourced from the Reserve Market.

The AS cost for Visayas for the June 2025 billing period includes the 6th and last tranche of the settlement of the remaining 70% AS from the Reserve Market during the March 2024 billing period whose recovery was deferred by the ERC.

NGCP does not earn from AS and does not benefit from the movement in prices.

Meanwhile, NGCP's transmission wheeling rates slightly increased by 0.39%, from PhP0.4593/kWh in the May 2025 billing period to PhP0.4611/kWh in the June 2025 billing period.

Transmission wheeling rates are what NGCP charges for its primary service of delivering power.

“For the July 2025 electric bill of the end consumers, NGCP charges only PhP0.46/kWh for the delivery of its services,” NGCP explained, adding that AS still accounts for the bulk of transmission charges. **

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14/07/2025

Move forward or backward
By Danilo P. Padua, PhD

Last July 2, two days after the 20th Congress opened, 23 senators submitted their 10 priority bills each in the Senate. Only Senator M. Zubiri, a former Senate President, was empty handed. This was duly reported by the Philippine Star the following day.
Seems only 3 of them (Senators F. Escudero, R. Marcoleta, and C. Villar) are already ready to rumble as they submitted their lists with complete titles.
Most of the bills being eyed seem to just suddenly popped up from their quiet reverie, and bereft of critical thinking. They were just borne out from just 1 or 2 angles of the issue making them qualify to be just a figment of their imagination. No tangible and practical applications. At best, they can only serve as a staple for upper house deliberations but not expected to have laws enacted from them. That is like unknowingly dumping taxpayers’ money in the garbage bin.
Let us take just 2 of the intended bills, both for the education sector. One is from Sen. S. Gatchalian (Shortening the current 4-year College Course to 3 years); and the other, from Sen. Jinggoy Estrada (Removal of the added 2 years of H.S. – going back to 10 yrs of basic education)
Gatchalian’s proposal is to put all general courses from the college level to H.S. That is his idea to shorten the college courses. That means, 12 years for basic education and 3 years for college. The Sen explains that this will reduce at least one year for students to finish their bachelor’s education. Also, the college should be devoted to the study of the chosen field of specialization by the student.
Firstly, there are already trained faculty members for the general courses in college. And they are under CHED. If they are to be moved to the H.S. level, there will be a lot to surmount or maybe to dismantle such as the staffing pattern under DepEd, and the attendant disruption of the faculty set up in College. The budgeting will necessarily be adjusted. There will be a lot of replanning, restructuring, and the like. In short, it will be more messy to do it than to just improve the implementation of R.A. 2013 (Enhanced Basic Education Act).
The Senior High School was launched in 2016, barely 9 years in existence which is not a sufficient period to gauge the effectivity or ineffectivity of the program.
When the basic education was increased from 10 to 12 years, many in the education sector hailed it as aligning local education to international standards. Rightly so. We were already at par with the rest of the world, except one country in Africa.
A lot of studies, analyses, etc were spent into it. RA 2013 was a result of due diligence from various sectors. To reverse it now is like driving a car in reverse, not forward.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) unfortunately showed that our students are almost at the rock bottom of the list in Math Science, and critical thinking. Fortunately, our CAR students are much better than those from the rest of the country. This is more on the implementation rather than the set programme itself.
If there are flaws in the implementation of the Programme, it’s better to enhance or improve it. In short, fix the flaws so our students will become more critical thinkers.
That of Sen Jinggoy is even worse, because we will almost totally revert back to the unwanted state of our education before. At least with the addition of 2 years in our basic education, we somehow gained a measure of credibility in the world arena. The idea of not going forward with it should never be entertained.
The plans of the 2 senators are very short sighted, and lacking of due diligence, they should be shelved pronto albeit with an alternative proposal of making the present programme become workable.
Education should not be treated like a guinea pig.
**

11/05/2025

Elections
By Jan Vicente B. Pekas

An action committed brings forth its own set of consequences. They are undeniable and unstoppable, we, the people who committed such action, must face them eventually. Good or bad, the side effects of what we do catches up with us no matter how far we run or how hard we cover our eyes.
Throughout my life my actions had given me consequences that ranged from a simple burn due to holding a hot kettle, and life threatening drowning due to my overflowing confidence. They have all given me lessons that had stockpiled over the years. I especially learned to diligently practice swimming. Because apart from going swimming, there are only so few holiday activities our families can afford.
Our actions, perhaps even inactions in the elections will also bring forth their own side effects. After countless people saying, “Vote wisely”, we will eventually know how wise the voters have been.
And just how much closer have we gotten to being a prosperous nation.
Through out my time in school and watching the news and browsing the internet, I have had to hear over and over again how rich other nations are. It was always Philippines being the butt of jokes. And even if our nation was being portrayed in a better light, success was only a potential, a big if.
Elections can always bring us closer to that promised land. Where the premium healthcare we hear so much about in the west can also be implemented here and we can produce more quality products with the words, “Made in the Philippines”. And our name would be in equal standing with that of our neighbors Japan, S. Korea, and China.
These were among the many imaginations for our country from my childhood and youth. Though I forget what brought over such currently audacious goals.
Come the results and the time after it, we will eventually see if leaders who have the same audacity to dream such goals have been elected or they will remain dreamers stuck in a nightmare.
Regardless of what is to come, we all will face the consequences together. Because its not like we have any choice. If we hit the bullseye on this one, then perhaps we can all sigh with relief. But if we are off the mark, then what is there to do but try again next time, and next time, and the next.
Till someone or everyone is pi**ed enough to break the torturous cycle at least.**

09/05/2025

The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) on Wednesday May 7, 2025 announced the top-performing cadets from the Siklab-Laya Class of 2025. Top 1 - Cadet First Class Jessie Jr R Ticar, Summa Cum Laude; Top 2 - CDT 1CL Murthan P Zabala; Top 3 - CDT 1CL Joana Marie D Viray, Cum Laude; Top 4 - CDT 1CL Carlo A Badiola; Top 5 - CDT 1CL Jetron Giorgio A Nazareno, Cum Laude; Top 6 - CDT 1CL Kobe Jo Ann Q Pajaron, Cum Laude; Top 7 - CDT 1CL Malvin Brian N Dapar, Magna Cum Laude; Top 8 - CDT 1CL Elzur D Salon; Top 9 - CDT 1CL Aprilyn A Magsigay, andTop 10 - CDT 1CL Kristine Kate C Senados.** photo by neimless_skills

29/04/2025

SM Supermalls, DOLE launch nationwide Labor Day Job Fairs

In celebration of Labor Day, SM Supermalls reaffirms its dedication to supporting Filipino job seekers by providing accessible employment opportunities through strategic partnerships and nationwide job fairs. As part of this commitment, SM is renewing its collaboration with Jobstreet by SEEK to enhance job matching, ensuring that more Filipinos find meaningful careers.

Renewing our partnership with Jobstreet by SEEK
Building on past successes, SM will renew its partnership with Jobstreet by SEEK on May 1, reinforcing its commitment to connecting job seekers with top employers. This continued collaboration enhances digital and on-site recruitment efforts, ensuring a seamless job search experience.

Join the nationwide Labor Day Job Fairs

SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), invite all job seekers to participate in the nationwide Labor Day Job Fairs on May 1. These events will be held across 20 SM malls, providing thousands of employment opportunities:
• SMX Convention Center Manila
• SM Center Las Piñas
• SM City East Ortigas
• SM City Marikina
• SM City Sucat
• SM City Grand Central
• SM City Baguio
• SM City Tuguegarao
• SM City Cabanatuan
• SM City Olongapo Central
• SM City Pampanga
• SM City San Jose Del Monte
• SM City Taytay
• SM Center San Pedro
• SM City Sto. Tomas
• SM City Roxas
• SM City Bacolod
• SM Seaside City Cebu
• SM CDO Downtown Premier
• SM City Davao
Hassle-free job hunting with on-site government services

Job seekers can enjoy a convenient hiring process with the presence of key government agencies, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and Pag-IBIG Fund. These agencies will provide assistance with essential employment requirements, making job hunting more efficient and stress-free.

Driving growth, building the nation

More than just hiring events, these Job Fairs contribute to economic recovery and community development. By promoting employment opportunities, SM Supermalls plays a vital role in driving economic growth and supporting businesses. Your next big career move starts here—don’t miss out!

Other Job Fair activations happening in May that you can catch in SM Supermalls:
• May 1 – SM Malls (20 malls)
• May 2 – SM City Valenzuela
• May 22 – SM City Lucena
• May 29 – SM City Dasmariñas
• May 30 – SM City Trece Martires
Ready to level up your career? Visit the SM Job Fairs this Labor Day, May 1, doors open at 10AM! Bring multiple copies of your updated resume, a valid ID, and your best self.
About SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls, a division of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the Philippines' leading mall developer, dedicated to sustainable and community-driven initiatives. Through its job fairs, SM Supermalls continues to empower job seekers, support businesses, and contribute to economic growth.**

SM Supermalls connects job seekers with top employers during the Job Fair.

20/03/2025

An arrest and a change in BARMM
By Danilo P. Padua, PhD

Last week was a very eventful one in the country. To some the event was some sort of justice, to some it is just a political agenda; a case of politics rearing its ugly head.
The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, materialized due to an arrest order from the International Criminal Court based in The Hague, Netherlands, brought about such reactions. The order was coursed thru the INTERPOL.
Not long ago, the former president boldly dared the ICC in a live televised statement, saying in effect: “ Come and arrest me, before I die”. He got his wish, his supposed comeuppance.
PBBM and other concerned government officials were always telling us that even if an arrest warrant is issued by ICC, the government will not cooperate but if the INTERPOL is used to enforce the arrest order, the government will be forced to do something. That is to say of course, that the arrest order will be enforced if one becomes a reality, come what may.
FPRRD must answer any malfeasance that he may have committed but personally, I believe the PBBM government should not have easily yielded to the ICC’s insistence to have the former President transported to the Netherlands posthaste. Self-respect for the Philippine government, including its own justice system should have been carefully considered. Somehow we have lost a good level of dignity by allowing a foreign entity to impugn our judicial system. Our top national leaders were apparently drowned by the childish dares and attacks (although very weak) by its critics.
It would have been better had our leaders started to conduct formal court proceedings against even the former president. Such proceedings, in my mind, would have prevented the ICC to issue an arrest order and haul down the first head of state into its detention facility in Netherlands. Now we are wallowing, bewildered, in the negative side of history.
There are certainly more notorious international offenders like President Putin of Russia, Bashir of Syria and Netanyahu of Israel. Their crimes are diligently chronicled in international media. In fact, there were also arrest orders for them from ICC. They were not of course offered for slaughter to ICC.
Whatever we say now though, no longer carries any weight. Sec. J. Remulla of DILG said, “Nasa korte na ang labanan”.
0-0-0-0-0
The quiet transfer of power from the previous to the present chief minister last March 3, 2025 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, was overshadowed by the Duterte caper. This is the appointment of the new Chief Minister Macacua, a former governor, vice previous CM Murrad of BARMM. Am not sure if this news was aired by the national mainstream media.
I happened to be in Cotabato city for about 12 days starting Mar 4, 2025 for some important activity related to agriculture in the region. The city is the seat of government of BARMM. The region’s governance structure is different from the existing Philippine system. It is headed by a Chief Minister, then Senior Minister(similar to a Vice Pres.), then Minister (similar to agency Secretary); under the ministers are director generals, then directors, and so on.
My first informal meeting was with a young professional who advises the current S.M. He strikes me as a no nonsense individual who, in my estimation, will be somebody someday in the region. He talked of how progress should be all-in, meaning nobody will be left out among the groups (Moros, settlers or Christians mainly, and Lumads or IPs) in the region. A noble view of the future, indeed.
Then I visited the SM’s office for a courtesy call, carrying a short communication for future discussions. The SM was out, but a young, vivacious secretary was gracious enough to let me know of what their office is doing, and even shared some nuggets of their history such as why children of datus and other royalties before were not sent to school, and many more. She never told me, but I learned later that she is actually an attorney. More later.
**

18/03/2025

NGCP: Heightened monitoring needed amid spike in demand, unplanned plant outages

NGCP appeals to energy stakeholders to strictly monitor and ensure the availability of power in the coming months, following a surge in demand due to exceptionally high heat indices in recent days and unplanned outages of critical power plants.
As of 10 March 2025, the highest peak demand for the year was recorded on 06 March 2025 at 12,467 MW, a 5% increase from the DOE-approved GOP forecast demand of 11,870 MW for that day. For 2025, the DOE forecasted a peak of 14,769 MW for Luzon to occur mid-May, a 5.37% increase from the 2024 actual peak of 14,016 MW on 24 April 2024.
On 05 March 2025, hot weather conditions caused a spike in demand, but the unavailability of GNPD1 (668 megawatts capacity) among 11 other plants totaling 1,639.3 MW and the deration, or the operation at less than the declared capacity, of 16 other critical powerplants, led to the raising of the yellow alert from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the same day. Capacity made unavailable because of unplanned outages and deration totaled 3,362.3MW. With NGCP’s implementation of rapid assessment on grid stability, optimization of remaining available power, and continuous real-time monitoring and coordination with affected plants, the power situation did not escalate into a red alert. The yellow alert was lifted by 7:49PM on the same day.
A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet generation’s contingency requirement, putting the grid at risk with the available contingency reserve less than the required operating margin. A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the grid’s contingency requirement.
"As in the past years, NGCP cautions the public that while power supply seems sufficient on paper, over the years, unplanned outages of critical plants are a major factor in the power situation and have been the primary cause of power interruptions. While NGCP has complied with the DOE directive on the procurement of ancillary services (AS) through competitive selection process (CSP) and payment of AS procured through the AS Reserve Market (AS RM), the unplanned outages cause all power dispatched through the transmission system to be used for energy consumption. The contingency and dispatchable ancillary services will have been depleted and already running and dispatched as "energy" for use by the consumers, and no longer reserved for ancillary services, since the contingency for which they were procured has already occurred. A shortfall in supply, should that occur, means that while all available generators are running, including those contracted by NGCP for ancillary services, the existing supply is still insufficient to meet demand,” NGCP stated.
The procurement and scheduling of ancillary services through the AS RM is the responsibility of the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP).
NGCP reiterates the need for additional, non-intermittent baseload power sources to ensure the stability of power supply. As the transmission service provider and grid operator, NGCP can only provide an overview of the current supply and demand situation and dispatch any and all available power. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Republic Act 9511) prohibits NGCP from owning or operating power generating facilities.
To alleviate possible power shortages, NGCP advises the public to exercise prudence in its consumption of power. **

17/03/2025

Why frozen when you can have fresh?
By Penelope A. Domogo, MD

One of the saddest sights I ever saw in our traditional pristine barangays is the sign “Frozen foods available here.” Because this meant that big business has invaded even the remotest barangay (sigh). As long as there’s a road, you can be sure the delivery trucks peddling these unhealthy foods from the factory have reached that place. So these roads are factory or market to farm roads, not farm to market roads as they are supposed to be.
What’s the problem with frozen foods? Well, frozen foods have lost some of their vitamins, especially Vitamin C and some Vitamin Bs. For frozen fruits and veggies, these were harvested days or weeks or even years ago, then frozen. For meat and meat products, the animals were killed much earlier then the meat was frozen or processed. Taste of course, is altered. Those who have grown in the traditional Igorot village would know the flavorful (almost succulent) taste of plain boiled meat of just butchered meat, and seasoning is just rock salt. Compare that to the taste of frozen meat. Now you understand why food nowadays, especially in restaurants, are smothered with ketchup or artificial flavors.
Aside from the loss of nutrients in frozen foods, there are added artificial chemicals in frozen foods like hotdogs or ham or bacon other processed frozen meat. These pose unnecessary risks to our health especially children because they have more years to accumulate these toxic chemicals and they have small bodies.
Moreover, frozen foods gets you out of sync with Mother Nature. The best food is what God gave in season. With refrigeration and other unnatural preservation, we can eat out-of-season foods and can be in excess, to the detriment of our health and well-being. Di ba, if hotdogs and meat are in your refrigerator, then you run the risk of eating these everyday and even three times a day. Of course, this is unhealthy.
Aside from the immediate dangerous effects of frozen foods in our bodies, they also adversely impact the environment. Food processing itself creates a lot of waste, add the plastic packaging of hotdogs and ham and bacon, and the cost of transportation of these goods. The farther your food comes from, the bigger your carbon footprint. The bigger your carbon footprint, the more destructive you are to the environment. And if you destroy the environment that sustains your life, ultimately, you are harming yourself, whether you are conscious of it or not.
Eating fresh foods also means eating locally produced foods. This means you are helping our local farmers. If we help one another and we lift each other up financially and spiritually, then we create a happy, healthy community! It’s our choice. By the way, when we buy from local farmers, let us not haggle. We can’t eat the coins or bills.***
====
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied gifts.” 1 Peter 4:10

09/03/2025

Ash Wednesday: You are Dust, Repent
by Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy

8“The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.
12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
pistle: Romans 10:8b-13

From Dust You shall return: Repent!
“Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.” With this exhortation, the holy season of Lent begins during the imposition of last Wednesday – Ash Wednesday in the Christian church calendar. The priest utters this reminder while imposing ashes in the sign of the cross on the foreheads of the faithful. It is but fitting words and rite to begin the observance of the Lenten season. This season is a season of penitence, abstinence, and a more purposeful devotion and prayer.
***
“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.” Thus goes the Collect prayer for Ash Wednesday in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church. I am very sure that the same tenor is with other Christian churches that observes this episode in the life cycle of the church. This prayer encapsulates the meaning of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent that it prepares.
***
While our human nature seeks and loves to dwell on the happy and easy sides of life, God’s way for us is of balance. This means, that He wants us to be reminded of our human-ness, our true nature. God wants to put us to where we really belong: that we are fallen creatures needing to be saved even as we aspire for the best we think is.
***
The imposition of ashes in Ash Wednesday is a very appropriate reminder of this wretched human condition: that we have “fallen short to the glory of God”. And that we can do nothing to alleviate this situation if we do not humbly submit and return to our God by admission of guilt, continual repentance and faith. Easy said than done but is a daily call which is underscored this Lenten Season.
***
Repentance. I believe that this is the key to understanding and internalizing the message and meaning of Ash Wednesday and Lent. This reminds me of what I wrote many years ago about repentance relative to the “GARCI tape” hullabaloo (remember this political scandal during Gloria Arroyo’s administration?) The admission of guilt is clear when the president said “I am sorry” because of “lapse of judgment”. As per the culpability of parties involved on this anomaly, the Filipino people except of a few have already made their verdict. Yet, as of this time nobody is convicted on that irregularity which we call “cheating”. This may be a timely reminder since election is two months away. Let us look deep and serious to the backgrounds of those vying for a position this coming mid-term election. Of past deeds they have committed which need reparation and repentance from these candidates and for us to base our decisions and choice come election time.
***
Repentance does not end by saying SORRY to whatever sin or wrong doings committed. I also wrote back then about the same topic, “repentance- in the Biblical sense is more than having a change of heart or a feeling of regret. It is more than a new Year’s resolution to do better. Repentance is a turning away and a turning back. A turning away from sin and turning back to God.” There is no glorious resurrection without the agony of the crucifixion. We can not receive forgiveness if we do not repent from our sins and this is the most painful part of the process of receiving God’s forgiveness, it is very hard for humans to say sorry much more to ask forgiveness or repent from our transgressions our pride hardens our hearts making difficult for us to admit our failures or mistakes.
“When a man undertakes to repent towards his fellowmen. It is repenting straight up a precipice; when he repents towards law, it is repenting into the crocodile jaws; when he repents toward public sentiments, it is throwing himself into a thicket of brambles and thorns , but when he repents towards God, he repents towards all love and delicacy . God receives the soul as the sea the bather, to return it again, purer and whiter than he took it .” – Henry Ward Breecher.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.( Collect for Lent 1, BCP)
“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.” ( Ash Wednesday, Collect BCP).
Prayer of Confession and Absolution
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you,
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
The Priest alone, or the Bishop, when present, stands and says
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.**

26/02/2025

From PSA Benguet

16/02/2025

Blessed-ness and Cursed-ness?
By Rev. Canon David B. Tabo-oy

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. (Luke 6:21)
It’s been almost a week ago since I was discharged from the hospital due to CVD (Stroke) but my thoughts are still cluttered, I think my brain has not rewired itself yet to its former and better form. I decided to not to put pressure on it since it’s still tender and suffered a lesion in the part where sensory functions are wired after that nasty stroke and the medications it received. So, I decided to rummage from my old files to see if there are worth sharing thoughts relative to the gospel for this 6th Sunday after The Epiphany. And voila! I found this article written 18 years ago and saw publication in one local weekly paper published by the family of a politician during those years. Of course, the paper stopped coming out of the press just several years after its birth. The message of the article just like the gospel where it was based is still relevant today and always.
***
The above verses are part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain as recorded by St Luke. The verses that complete this account coincide with or parallel to Matthew’s version of this story which we now know as the Beatitudes. If we are familiar of the beatitudes or have read them, I am sure that they will affect us with mixed feelings. But these are supposed to be the source of consummate bliss – or shall I say the beautiful attitudes that we should have for us to have the highest degree of fulfillment and happiness. But why the depressing conditions need to be a prerequisite of the consummate bliss? Let us first establish the context of these teachings. A large crowd of people was there from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from the coast cities of Tyre and Sidon; v18they had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those who were troubled by evil spirits also came and were healed. v19All the people tried to touch him, for power was going out from him and healing them all. In the earlier part of this chapter, Jesus has just chosen his first apostles. Hence, the earthly ministry of Jesus was prefaced with teaching and healing. I can identify myself as one in that large crowd of people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from the coast cities of Tyre and Sidon; v18they had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases.
****
Examining closer Jesus’ teachings in the Beatitudes, we cannot help but ask: “But why the depressing conditions need to be a prerequisite of the consummate bliss?” This query reminds me of a story about a man who went to a book store to return a purchase: a Bible. At the counter, he told the clerk that he is returning the Bible which he purchased for himself. He told the clerk that he made a mistake. When the clerk asked if it was the translation or the format of the Bible, the man told him that the translation and format are clear and good. When the clerk asked him for the specific reason so that he can write it down and forward it to the publisher, the man said, “write down that there is a lot in that book which is tough to swallow. ”There are some passages in the Bible that are tough to swallow. This is one of them. The burden on us is not to believe some astonishing miracle. There are events described in the Bible which stretch our credulity, moments which provoke us to scratch our heads in curiosity; but this text does not speak about any of them.
The burden on us is not to accept some rigorous demand. In many other places in Scripture, Jesus frequently demands that we do some actions that are difficult to do. Immediately after this passage, for instance, Jesus says, “Love your enemy.” Elsewhere he challenges somebody to unload all of his possessions. Here he makes no such demand. No, this week’s text is downright difficult to comprehend. The Lord describes the world in ways quite different from the ways we are accustomed to seeing it. “Blessed are the poor, woe to the rich. Blessed are the hungry, woe to those who stuff their stomachs. Blessed are those who weep, woe to those who laugh. Blessed are those who are hated, woe to those with a good reputation.”
What a strange way to look at reality! The ones whom the world ignores are the ones who receive God’s blessing. The ones whom the world honors are the ones who are cursed. It is a complete reversal of the way we usually see things. Passages like this can be found throughout the Bible. When they appear, a lot of people will do whatever they can to soften them a bit and make them more applicable to the world as we know it. As far as this passage goes, there have been attempts to remove these words from the realities of every-day life, perhaps even to lift them to a more exalted realm. How can this be? Do we not ask with bewilderment, “What in the world is going on here? Doesn't Jesus have it all up side down? If the poor, the hungry, the grieving, the hated, the excluded, and the reviled are the happy ones, how are we to understand this? How can we long to be poor? How can we see being hated as a positive value?
Does Jesus really mean that hunger and grief will improve our lot? Why would we honor being poor? Don’t we use our wealth to serve God’s purposes? Could we not do more for our neighbors if we had more with which to help them? ”How do we answer these inevitable questions? Let’s begin by understanding that in using these sayings, these “blessed”s and “woe”s, Jesus is not glamorizing poverty and suffering. He is not calling us to go slumming or make ourselves sick or weak. No, there is something much deeper and more important in his message. Jesus doesn’t want us to see disability of one sort or another as a magical cure for what ails us. Surely he knew as well as we know that poverty can lead to despair and su***de, to crime and violence. But he also knew, as we must learn, that need can lead us to God. Poverty and hunger and despair can provide a beginning for one seeking unity with God. He added the “woe”s because he knew that most people like us would have a hard time imagining that being poor could help a person. Jesus focused on the very things that most of us work and hope and pray for. So he listed them as woeful and miserable to get our attention. He knew that being well-fed, happy, and well-thought-of is what we really seek –as we smile all the way to the shopping mall or bank.
Above all, he knew that purchasing material possessions, and buying insurance, and setting aside savings for retirement or rainy days would lead us to imagine ourselves as safe and secure and in control of our lives. He knew that people like us stand constantly in danger of assuming, consciously or subconsciously, that we can work our way into happiness or buy our way into joy and peace. It is far too easy for us to believe we are powerful enough or independent enough to provide everything we could ever need. With the kinds of resources and abilities most of us have, we are in danger of forgetting that we need anything – especially a savior. And in so forgetting, we fail to let God fully into our hearts. What Jesus knew is that the most likely way for us to turn to God is when we are in danger and difficulty. Then, we may knock on the door that God will open. Then, we may find a savior to befriend us. I still remember two years ago when I was lying spread-eagle in the operating table of the Cath-lab at BGH-MC with my cardiologist inserting stents (angioplasty) to my three blocked arteries. I felt so helpless with arms stretched out like crucified with all the IV inserts and various monitoring instruments connected to my body. I prayed, while on normal condition, I can pray extemporaneously using beautiful prose and words but at that moment the only words that come together in my mind are: “Lord, have mercy. Over and over again, with a post script; “not my will, Lord, but yours be done, Amen!” repeated many times in my mind.
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It is so much easier to welcome God into our lives when we know our sin and our spiritual bankruptcy. We will know our absolute need for what Christ can offer, and that we cannot produce for ourselves. How blessed – how enviable – how lucky are those who understandt heir urgent need for the resources that only God can provide and that they may have simply for the asking.
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Through these “blessed”s (Happy) and “woe”s, (sorrowful) Jesus calls us to join the spirit of the poor whom he addressed so long ago. Those have-nots of the first century of whom Jesus spoke had nothing to expectf rom the world, but they had everything to expect from God. It is through their need that Jesus shows us the way to look toward God, to turn to God for help in our lives and in our attitudes and in our values. If we can recognize our need we can begin to learn where God leads us. We can understand the necessity of seeking God. Our deep sense of helplessness brings us before God just as we are – not as we imagine ourselves to be. We can recognize the power of God that can transform us into the happy, complete, caring, and loving people Jesus calls us to be. The poor can help us get to that glorious day when we will give up on seeking personal resources of privilege or power as the path to true happiness. The poor of Jesus’ time turned to God who cared, who healed and uplifted – who, above all, loved them as they were. Their story can teach us that the love of God is gently close at hand and powerful far beyond those who rule this world. The poor can help us see the need for a power greater than ourselves to heal us and give us happiness and meaning.
They help us come to the day when we will see clearly the source of this power: Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. And, on that day, we will join with the saints of all ages as we “rejoice and leap for joy.” As someone observes: Jesus is making the official proclamation of the way life is inside and outside the reign of God. These are not suggestions about how to be happy or warnings lest one become miserable; blessings and woes as words of Jesus are to be heard with the assurance that they are God’s word to us and that God’s word is not empty. If these blessings and woes present a strategy, it is God’s strategy, not ours. That is why all of this is so tough to swallow. God refuses to leave the world in the same way we found it. God makes decisions and choices. God establishes a set of values. When you hear it, you have to decide, “Is God on my side, or is God on somebody else’s side?” That’s troubling.
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Taken as they are, the blessings and the woes are perfectly matched — poor or rich, hungry or full, weeping or laughing, defamed or honored. For every blessing, there is an equal and opposite woe. Most of us would like to choose whether we will be blessed or cursed, but it’s not our choice. It is God’s decision.
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The point seems to be that God will win over all the forces that take away a person’s humanity. That was the message of the sermon a few chapters before when Jesus preached in Nazareth. He read a section from the prophet Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18). Jesus stood and said, “This is the day! God will win over poverty, captivity, blindness, and oppression.”
Let us pray. Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany. O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer)**