Dr. John Alipit's Homily
SMSSAFF Sunday Morning Service
19 June 2005
Sierra Mia, West Virginia

WORK, PRAY and GIVE ! ! ! THREE Basic Christian Duties that we all have been called upon to follow since our Baptism. TIME, TALENTS and TREASURES ! ! ! Another THREE important words. All these 6 words add up to one BIG WORD - STEWARDSHIP ! ! !   But then comes the powerful short word and challenge called ACTION ! ! !   The Scriptures tell us about the disproportion or imbalance between the TASK AT HAND and the Available LABORERS to finish the Jobs or in biblical parlance: "The Harvest is Plentiful but the Laborers are Few".  At least we know that this is not a modern phenomenon. However, it is not a valid excuse that since people during the time of Christ fell short of their duties that we will do likewise. This is the challenge before us.

I am fully aware that the Alumni and Friends gathered this weekend are perhaps not the people I should be talking to, knowing that you are here due to your commitment and dedication to the CAUSE for which we are all striving to SUPPORT. The same sentiment goes to the Alumni and Friends who are supportive but for various reasons cannot be with us today.

It is obvious that the folks I see this morning can be the CORE GROUP, who can act as catalysts and messengers to motivate the rest of the Alumni and Friends through direct personal contacts and not to forget the POWER of UNCEASING PRAYERS invoking the Holy Spirit to reach and touch the hearts of those not yet committed including the folks in Sagada to understand what we are trying to accomplish.

We have come a long way, Baby!  It is now more than 100 years since the first missionaries planted the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and in our dear Sagada. I do not believe that we are who we are today and be here this morning if not for their sacrifices and dedication. Forget their mischiefs [they were only human] as chronicled in the History of the Philippine Episcopal Church. How about us, the beneficiaries of their missionary efforts. We can ask ourselves if we have the necessary spark and ingredients to IGNITE any missionary zeal in us!

St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians on the Day of Pentecost clearly innumerate the various gifts and talents given to each individual. We were given exactly the same number of hours a day to develop whatever Talents we have without time limits and by utilizing our talents we accumulate our treasures. Now, it is PAYBACK time not only to God but to others for The Lord says: "Whatever we do for someone, we are likewise doing it for HIM.

Edwin and Mia have shared their TIME, TALENTS AND TREASURES in this beautiful home on top of God's mountain. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts and may this Morning Prayer in their abode serve as a blessing to them and their family and that they stay well in order to continue their service to God and others.

As we all head home today, may God's protection and blessings abide with us always so that we can continue to serve Him and others especially our beloved St. Mary's School. Amen.