Therefore, we fix our gaze on Jesus in our spiritual retreats and other religious activities.However, it is not enough to keep going back to the same Jesus time after time, simply taking a second look at Jesus. We need a third look. There are at least three ways of fixing our gaze on Jesus. The first look is how Jesus looks at Himself; the second look is how the Western theology has looked at Jesus; lastly, the third look that is how the poor look at Jesus. He also added some further information about the Three Looks.
He explained that: the First Look at Jesus was the way Jesus understood himself, his own life and his own work. It was the look at Jesus through Jesus’ own eyes.Moreover, many of the first generation Christians, not yet influenced by at later Western outlook, also possessed the First Look at Jesus. The Second Look at Jesus was the way Greco-Roman and Western eyes later regarded Jesus, his life and his work. This Second Look lasted approximately 50 C.
E. 1 to the 1960s. A very long segment of Church history.And even today, as we enter the third millennium, the Second Look is still the way many Filipino Christians see Jesus.
It is the view which early missionaries from Europe and North America, with much good will, taught us. We in turn pass it on to our children, parishioners, students, retreatants. Lastly, the Third Look, which Mr. Jimmy expounded deeply. Ang Ikatulong Pagsud-ong: Pinaagi sa mga Mata sa mga Kabus.
The Third Look is the view of the Third World peoples. It is a look at Jesus, his life and his work—by and through the eyes of the poor peoples of the Third World. It is the look at Jesus by the poor and oppressed, the awakened, struggling and selfless poor, who want to create a just, humane and sustainable world. It is also the view of people who themselves are not poor but are in genuine solidarity with the poor.
Ang Una ug Ikatulong Pagsud-ong Ig-agaw. The Third Look is verysimilar to the First. The third look Jesus says He wants to see us freed from hunger.This is the way Jesus sees himself. The Jesus who wants to feed rather than the Jesus who wants to inflict pain is the First Look Jesus. The First and Third Looks are first cousins.
The Second Look is a distant relative. Si Hesus ug ang mga Kabus Nag-ambit og Susamang Panglantaw. Jesus and the poor stand on the same ground and view life from a similar vantage point. Langit o Bag-ong Yuta? Here are the questions that concern us: “Where are we finally going? What is our ultimate destiny?” The Second Look would answer, “Heaven.”Third and first looks would say, “New heaven and new earth.” There is a difference between the two goals.
The second look wants souls to go to heaven above. The third and first looks invite people to journey toward a new world on earth. Pag-ambitanay uban sa Simbahan sa Pilipinas. The Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II) is a cause for celebration in Philippine Church history.The First and Third Looks are echoed in PCP II.
None of the desiccated Jesus, abstracted from real life, preserved in immobile theological formulas, but rather a Jesus that has life and motion and story. PCP II was more interested in telling Jesus’ story than drafting formulas and definitions about Jesus and his nature.Pakigsandurot sa mga Kabus. We need to see Jesus through the eyes of the poor in struggle. Without living contact with the poor, knowing Jesus is a most difficult task, even for people who have given much thought and study to Jesus.
Contact with the poor is not the same as concept of the poor.Once this difficult task is faced and done, however, rediscovering Jesus is easy, even pleasant. After all, Jesus was an unsophisticated person, not a metaphysical puzzle. It was only later that followers spun a complex theology around him. Himan sa Paghubad sa Bibliya.
Biblical scholars use a supermarket of instruments—historical, archaeological, linguistic, literary, form-critical, redactional, structural, and sociological.This book makes sober and discerning use of these instruments. Nevertheless, it adds another: the Third Look. Yes, the Third Look is a ‘tool’ for biblical interpretation. One’s world-view, perspective, standpoint—all this makes a difference in one’s interpretation of Jesus, of the Scripture, in fact, of life itself.
Ang Sentrong Himan. The main tool is the Third Look, a set of eyeglasses, that looks at Jesus through the prism of the Third World poor and thus hopefully through the eyes of Jesus himself.This prism is indispensable for rediscovering the original Jesus. This, of all the instruments for biblical interpretation, is by far the most important and the most neglected.
In its simplest form, it can take the form of asking: “what questions or concerns would the poor put to Jesus and to the gospel text?” Dili Untop nga Paghubad sa Bibliya.The First and Third Looks also question certain inaccurate translations of the Bible. The Good News Bible, a translation by middle class Americans for middle class Americans, renders “Happy are those who are humble for they shall receive what God has promised” (Mt 5:5).This Second Look mistranslation is shy about telling us what it is.
Jesus’ original version is unequivocal and unmistakable: “… for they shall inherit the land” or “… they shall possess the earth!” The salvation promised here is the good solid earth. This is Jesus’ First Look, and the safest access to it is through Third Look eyeglasses or the eyes of the poor.Ang cosmic nga Kristo. One of the significant re-discoveries of the Third Look, especially in Asia, is the Christ of whom it is said, “in him all things hold together” (Col 1:17). This Christ is hardly discernible in Second Look spirituality. The oneness of all things in Christ is the Christian equivalent to the inter-connectedness of all reality attested to by oriental and indigenous religions and by contemporary physics.
The door that opens to this cosmic Christ is internal silence rather than rational religiosity.Ang Kaaway: Kahadlok. A Third Look reading has one big enemy, fear. We have grown up with a certain tradition in our homes or in the seminary.
We are secure and comfortable in it. We fear something that does not look quite like that tradition, even if it has shown to be inadequate. Mr. Cabag discussed all of these on that day. With him were the visual aids he presented that helped us in visualizing and understanding more about the topic.
He explained that Heaven and the Kingdom of God are two realities; shared some stories that are also related to the topic like the father and son, the handkerchief and the necktie, the jealous son, and a man who wants to see God. Also, there was a sharing of thoughts and ideas from the participants, explaining Bible verses written on the visual aids and sharing some of Mr. Jimmy’s experiences, learning, stories, etc.*** End ***Reflection:I have observed that our country today faces many great and challenging problems specifically poverty.
This is not a joke, but a very serious problem all of us must pay serious attention to, seek and find effective ways to solve it.Many people all around the globe suffer from extreme poverty and scarcity but then others had still survived. Too much poverty will result in famine or the extreme scarcity especially of food. The less privileged are the usual victims of this crisis that affects the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspect of a man. Therefore we need an urgent action regarding these matters.
If famine continuously escalates up to the highest level here in our society, crime incidents will most likely to standout. This question keeps rolling on my mind, “Is there a possibility of destroying this crisis?” The answer is God! For me, God means Yes! All we have to do is to have faith in Him. He never turns His people down. We must not lose hope. Losing hope means giving in and, we should resist all of the challenges that may block our way.
The statement of Jesus saying, “I want to see you freed from hunger,” implies that Jesus Himself wants us to be untied from starvation; He wants to feed His people rather than to inflict pain. I always bear in mind that God is always there for my family and me; He loves us and will not ever leave us in times of crisis. I believe in this Bible quote that says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” found in Romans chapter six verse twenty-three (Romans 6:23).Every day there are lots of people worldwide die in so many ways.
Whether we like it or not, we can’t escape from this reality. We often question ourselves: “Why did it happen?” and to the extent we question God: “Why him? Why her? Why not me? Jesus, what have we done wrong?” These are the questions we often throw or say when we lose someone we love.This might be due to the sudden burst of strong emotion. But it should not be like this. We must not question God for what happened! We know that everything that happens in our lives has its chief purpose and reason.
Let us broaden and open our minds to be able to understand and accept any negative scenario and consequences that may occur anytime.All of us will perish in this world in different ways that is why we should cherish every minute of our existence and must do things that is favorable to God while we live. I have reflected from the story the discussant had shared to us during the seminar which is about a Father and his Son longing each other.The father and his son were supposed to meet one day. On that day, the both of them were so much excited to get close once again.
Supposedly the father will reach out to his son on the opposite side of the road but unfortunately, the son eagerly crossed the road coming to his dad when a car accidentally hit him.Then the father came rushing to his child. At that moment, the father instead of blaming God to what had happened to his son rather he was thanking Him wholeheartedly. Because of the father’s broad and open mind, he accepted the incident right away for he know our life is just a borrowed entity, a temporary gift from God that only Him has the authority of taking it back. I know it’s quite hard to accept a situation like this but we don’t have a choice.It’s always God’s will! As of today, there are still many people who are devoted to our Almighty God.
They believe in God and they show it through going to Church every Sunday, everyday rosary, attending prayer meetings and bible studies, etc. For me, this is not enough to prove that you are a true believer of God. If you really believe in Him, you will follow all His teachings and commandments.Though they were termed “religious” but actually they act differently and contradictory to God’s second commandment which is “Love your neighbors as you love yourself.” We make God believe that we sincerely follow His words but we treat some of our fellowmen roughly.
Rejection, discrimination, crime, destructive criticism and faulty accusation are the usual activities man exhibits. We reject and discriminate others if we find out that person have not reached our level based either on their physical, mental, educational, or financial standings. Misunderstanding often results to crime.We criticize others negatively without knowing the background or history of that person, as if the one who critiques is righteous.
We must first face the mirror before throwing negative thoughts to our fellows. We also make false accusations to our neighbors that are destructive on their part. I think this is the nature of man! We do bad things frequently than offering and showing kindness to others. We can’t avoid doing such things due to our imperfection but when love prevails in our hearts all of these bad practices will fade away and will turn out good things.
After all, when we die our salvation depends on our deeds and acts when we are still living. Doing things that is in favor to the commandments of God will be our greatest key in entering His Kingdom.For I know now the difference between Heaven and the Kingdom of God, that these are two realities. Good deeds must always be accompanied by sincerity and willingness.
While we live, we should not ignore those who are in need. As long as we have something to offer, let us not hesitate to share it to them.The way we see and treat the poor is also reflected to God. Just like the story of a man who wants to see God.
God disguised in three different personas but of the same needs and purpose, all begging help to the man. The man refused to give what they wanted because his preparation is only intended for God without knowing that the persons who reached out to him whom he refused were Jesus.This story is very reflecting because we sometimes do this to those who beg us. But now I learned not to be greedy anymore. Therefore, we must always put in our mind all these learning and apply in the real life so that we will be departed from evil and be closer to our Almighty God.
And also, let’s always pray to strengthen our bond with Him! *** End ***
