By Astroval Aquino of Roxas, Philippines

Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom, invites all people to come and receive divine peace in the midst of the difficult questions and struggles of life. Follow Christ in the way that leads to God’s peace and discover the blessings of all of the dimensions of salvation.

I grew up as a young Catholic boy. Going to Mass every Saturday evening had been a habit with Mother, sometimes with my siblings and more often with neighbors and friends, but I cannot remember attending Mass with my father.

Even at my early age I had the longing to learn more about Christianity and to find and be part of the true church. Attending the Catholic church became less and less encouraging to me when my classmates and friends from a known “born-again” church teased and told me that the church where I was is not the true church because of the false teaching and traditions. This caused me to explore other faith denominations.

In my youth, my understanding about faith quickly changed when out of curiosity I began to join the gathering of people at the home of Felix De Guzman with some foreign youth volunteers, then at worship service and Bible studies. For the very first time I felt like I belonged to a true church which has freedom to explore and study the scripture.

As I deepened my connection to Community of Christ, I learned that Felix is actually my godfather when I was blessed in the Catholic church. At that time I felt more belonging and became more interested in how to officially join the church. I started attending not only the church services and Sunday schools but also youth camps and retreats. I even enjoyed the time when Felix asked me to go with him to places for church mission.

On summer of 1997, I was invited to a church youth camp in Dingading congregation. There was no hesitation because I knew it would be enjoyable and fun. I never thought it would be the perfect moment and perfect place for me to be baptized. I remembered how I was seemingly walking in the clouds as I walked in the muddy bottom of the pond.

Being the only member of Community of Christ in the family was difficult especially with my father who was born Catholic and has a closed door in understanding other faith traditions.

Today, I am grateful that God let me experience his miracle and blessings not only on the day of my baptism but in every single soul from my family who are joining this movement. I found not only the true church and belongingness, but also the joy in ministry.

Prayer Phrase

“Let us work for the good of all” (Galatians 6:10).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.