KUYA TONY EXHORTS EVERYONE TO ENGAGE IN BATTLE

During his closing remarks at the 2009 Feast of the Covenant, Kuya Tony Panajon, Senior Head Coordinator of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon, led the Community in welcoming 54 new covenant members into the Community.  “They are a new wave of reinforcements to the ranks of the covenant members of the Community.  Gifted, eager and on fire.  With their addition, an infusion of renewed energy and a feeling of vibrancy will hopefully refresh our community life,” he said.

"Gifted, eager and on fire," Tony Panajon says about the 2009 batch of Covenant members.

Focusing his message on the 6^th week meditation reading (“ENTER THE WARFARE! ENGAGE IN THE MISSION!”) for the 40 days of preparation leading to this Feast day, Tony Panajon addressed not just the new covenant members, but all members of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon:

“These 54 men and women have agreed to be formed, trained, pastored so that they can be sent on mission as disciples.  And like Isaiah, they also said, ‘Behold, here I am, send me.’  (Isa 6:8)  Yes, it is a mission we all share with them as covenanted members: namely, to be sent to convert the hearts of people, to announce God’s promises of salvation, and to bring His word to all men.  God sent His Son in the fullness of time in order to redeem us.  The mission of Jesus was continued by the 12 apostles.  We, as members of this community, are part of that (army) of God’s messengers who have been sent … for our mission is intimately bound with those of the apostles, and ultimately with Jesus’ mission.  ‘As my Father has sent me, I also send you.’ John 20:21.  … As disciples on mission, we cannot avoid conflicts … As the prophecy exhorts, ‘I did not call you to this life so that you can be comfortable but so that you could be a help for many.  Enter the warfare.  Reach out.  Engage in the Mission.’”

Addressing the covenanted members, he said, “Being Covenanted members means more than wearing our mantles and veils.  It demands more than attending men’s and women’s group meetings and assemblies.  It is more than perfect attendance.  They are all essential in our way of life but active participation in mission is what has been commanded of us.  It is not even an option … We don’t spend all our life preparing.  Neither is it about playing safe and avoiding the struggles that accompany the pursuit of the mission … As disciples on mission, all (of us) are enlisted to be engaged, no one should be left out.  No one should abandon the mission and betray their co-messengers.  More than any time in the course of our community life, the urgency to enter the warfare and engage in the mission is (great).  We are fast losing the hearts and minds of our young to the lure of the material world that is tempting them daily … The current global economic crisis shows that capitalism without ethical grounding doesn’t work.  Clearly there is erosion of moral values as evidenced by corruption in the bureaucracy, thus the common good and the poor are ignored in favor of self interest.”

Reinforcing the theme of the Feast, he said, “We are called (precisely) for such a time as this.  Part of the warfare we are being called to enter into is the political exercise that the country will be undergoing.  If truly, we have been formed, we share common values as members of this Community.  We believe in the Kingdom values, we are a people gifted with wisdom and knowledge to distinguish between right and wrong.  We should be able to make the right choices without being directed by anyone.”

Finally, he concluded by saying, “Let’s take the prophecy to heart, ‘You are a nation at war … what use is there in building an island of peaceful ease while all around you war rages?  Either I will take your ease from you and give you in exchange for it a place in the battle and with it my everlasting favor, or the enemy will take you from your ease, and give you in return for it, punishment and terror.  There is no alternative.  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, let us enter the warfare! Engage in the Mission!”

Stories related to the 2009 Feast of the Covenant:

• My Boat, My Anchor, And My Seashore – sharing by Bobby Quitain
• This Is Where God Wants Me to Be – sharing by Enee Abrenica
• Being a Silent Witness Is Not Enough – sharing by Charmz Bautista
• Ligaya Elects Sector Coordinators