Mystery and Ministry

"How can this be?" has often been the first reaction when we encounter a mystery. Even the saints have a similar way of behaving. Mary asked the Archangel Gabriel "How can this be?" when told that she would be God's Mother. Elizabeth asked the same thing when her Lord's Mother came to visit her.

"How can this be?" has also been the question when young people from across religious organisations in Gagalangin Parish came together to form Anluwage 18 years ago. Some asked in disbelief (i.e. eyebrows raised), others in sheer wonder, while still others in hope.

Mysteries have always been part of our lives. As Christians we have 20 mysteries in the life of Our Lord and Our Blessed Lady that we reflect on everytime we recite the rosary whose devotion we promote and practice more fervently this month.

However mysteries remain as such if we don't move on after asking the question "How can this be?". For Mary, she accepted God's invite to be His Mother and therefore her whole life became forever united with the Lord. For us who welcomed Anluwage in our community then, our lives too were changed: actively taking part in a new way of serving for God and His people, be it in theater or print or both.

"Amen!" is the best word we could utter once we accept these God-given mysteries.

If we accept God-given mysteries, if we live them, I believe they become ministries. You cannot and should not keep the experience to yourself. You have to share it for the glory of God and the good of others. On the other hand, if we decline these, we end up experiencing miseries.

We thank the Lord for allowing us to experience the Anluwage mystery and enabling us by His Spirit to respond to that experience through ministry. Another year has been given to Anluwage for which we are so grateful for. Another year to keep that ministry aflame and ever responsive. Thanks too goes to you, our dear readers for staying tuned to us through the years.

Have you too experienced that Anluwage mystery? Would you like to put that experience forward? Then join us in taking on the challenge! Be with us in saying "Amen!"

Happy 18th birthday, Anluwage!

Pietro S. Albano
Editor-in-Chief