Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate

Summer2006 when WABI journeyed to Dagupan, Pangasinan in order to give better accessto the dioceses of Urdaneta, Lingayen-Dagupan, and Alaminus to the richness ofthe WORD via WABI. After all JPIBC is the service arm of the Bishops inNorthern Luzon for the Biblical-Pastoral Ministry. For three years then WABIwas offered at the Lay Formation Center at Bonoan, Dagupan, Pangasinan training96 ministers of the Word in level I, 30 in level II, 32 in updating courses,and 36 in modular courses.

Thejourney was not easy for material needs were transported from computer units tobooks and others which were basic in running the program and to mention too theadjustment needed in the change of venue. For the WABI staff, this was not aburden, it’s a part of the mission and to count the fruits of the journey iselating. Praise the Lord!

Thechange of management from SVD to the ICST and eventually in the directorship ofJPIBC just after the journey gave opportune time to the staff to pause a whileand do some merit audit in the courses offered in WABI, and other programofferings of JPIBC. The review and revisions were done in three years butwithout dropping other concerns which confront the centre.  In the early days of 2010, when courseofferings were already polished and thoroughly prepared, invitations to WABI2011 were floated.  Pre registrationswere solicited and towards the midyear, WABI 2011 was officially scheduled andannounced to be held at its home base, at the Immaculate Conception School ofTheology, Vigan City.

In its comeback, WABI 2011 has enrolled 37 participantsin Level I, 18 in Level II, and 60 in Verbum Domini, a whole day session.  Comparing with the past, WABI 2011 has goodturnout in its initial comeback. This gives better opportunities and betterchances to JPIBC to blossomand flourish.  So be it

April 25, 2011. . . . WABI2011 started with an Orientation/levelling off session at 4 pm. Fr. ChristianJesse Taliping, director of JPIBC explained the what, why, and how of WABI inwhich he gave in detail the richness of the WORD if only pastoral workers are trainedand equipped with the approaches which are available in the church by now. 

This is followed by the welcome talk of Fr. Clarence B.Carta, procurator of ICST. He oriented the group with the topography of theplace and by his talk he made everyone feel at home with WABI and ICST, theirhome for two weeks. 

Eucharistic Celebration at 5:30 pm presided by BishopRenato Mayugba, chairman of the Board of Directors of Northern Luzon BiblicalApostolate. He welcomed the participants passionately and invited them to havea quality encounter with the Word who is Jesus Christ. WABI is an opportunityfor them to have relationship with their God. They should not only listen tothe Word but feel the presence of Christ in their midst and write their owngospel about this encounter. He further encouraged the group to live as acommunity, sharing their concern about one another the way they feel Christ intheir lives.

There were some gesturesthat might have enhanced the group’s awareness about the EucharisticCelebration like the burning of incense, offering of grains, and dancing aroundthe altar while the SANCTUS was sung. The participants remained around thealtar until the communion time. They returned only to their seats afterreceiving the Body of Christ. The mass ended with the Pilgrim Dance. SisterFely told the group to continue their journey only that this time; they will doit with a dance. Despues La Misa es La Mesa. The group retired early.

April 26, 2011 . . . Daytwo started with the Eucharistic Celebration at 6:15 in the morning with BishopRene Mayugba presiding. However the homily was given by   Fr. Jesse. His reference WORD is an antiphonfrom the book of Sirach: “If men desires Wisdom, she will give them the waterof knowledge to drink. They will never waver from the truth; they will standfirm forever. “

Fr. JessE explained that the noblest ambition of aChristian starts with desire. If one wants to be saint which is the greatestambition of a Christian, he has to desire it or in stronger words, he has towill it. He also differentiated wisdom from knowledge by emphasizing thatknowledge is basic to be learned but there is no assurance that this knowledgetransforms people. There are many that know many but they are not changing intheir lives. 

He also said that to become old is not to become wiser.There are young people who are wiser that the old ones. According to Fr. Jessthe sure way to wisdom is to be in deeper relationship with God. This wisdom isJesus and our personal relationship with him makes us wiser. It is only inbecoming wise that conversion effects in us. It is wisdom that makestransformation possible in us. May the Word make us wise. Amen.

VerbumDomini is the topic of the day. The unexpected turnout of participants to thePost Synod Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God and in the Life and Missionof the Church by Pope Benedict XVI is a manifestation that Catholics are inneed of latest updates on the WORD. Why not? The super active brothers andsisters in other faith groups drown us in their worship mania which they do inbig places and even in backdoors.

I was amazed with the inspiration Bishop Rene had thatmoment. He arranged the participants in four groups which he called CAVISA,ILOCANDIA, PANGASINAN, and CORDILLERA and instructed them to dance the BodyPrayer called “The River is flowing.” The four groups danced in unison until they encircled the Bible held upby Bishop Rene while dancing too. What an icon of people coming from differentplaces and of varied culture but unite to respond to the call of the WORD.

BishopRene presented his topic by giving the meaning of Verbum Domini as “the Word ofGod”. He explained the shift of “this is the Word of the Lord” to “the Word ofthe Lord” after reading a Biblical Text in a liturgical gathering in thechurch. The Word is not merely read and listened to but is proclaimed to reachthe hearts of the hearers. According to him it is a serious responsibility ofthe lector to read well so that the Word who is Jesus will reach and stay inthe hearts of the people and later make the Word alive in the community.

Bishop Rene mentioned that Pope Benedict is known tohim to be professional and theological person but after reading his book VerbumDomini he discovered that the pope is very pastoral in his approach. Accordingto the good bishop he might had been influenced by Ms Elvira Go, the sponsor ofthe Family Bible Encounter for he mentioned that Christianity is not much of adoctrine but more of our encounter with the living Word, Jesus Christ. MissElvira Go was present in the Synod.

Bishop Rene mentioned the most salient points in thebook and told the group that Verbum Domini is the handbook of Biblical andPastoral ministry. He explained said salient points very patiently, citingexamples in the Philippine Setting.

Afterlunch, Fr. Nick Vaquilar had his share of the Verbum Domini by telling thegroup that the Word must be read in the perspective of human conditions. TheWord must be studied not only to know its meaning but to know the meaning ofour life in the context of the Word. In stronger words, our study of the Biblemust lead into our self transformation and later into community transformation.

He presented modern methods of Bible Study butaccording to him old approaches of studying the Bible should not be discardedbut be complemented by the new approaches. He ended his talk by telling thatthe World is complicated and influenced by selfish motives and greed but wemust keep praying. We must keep seeking for the truth. The Word supplies usthis truth together with tradition. Keep grounded in the church and we willnever be lost. Amen. 

Bishop Mayugba summed up his topic by using key wordswhich the participants easily remember Verbum Domini. Getting one of theparticipants he started walking while he explains that one must have an encounterwith the Word and this Word accompanies him in his journey and thistogetherness should be celebrated and shared into the world. The good Bishopcalled these four moments of Verbum Domini: ENCOUNTER, ACCOMPANIMENT,CELEBRATION, AND MISSION.

Bishop Rene, in passing mentioned practical pointswhich could be done immediately by the ministers of the WORD:

1.    During the EucharisticCelebration, INSERT SILENCE

·       After the first readingbefore the responsorial psalm

·       After communion, singingmust stop to allow people feel the presence of God

2.    Lay people must also praythe Liturgy of the hours even during Sundays only before the mass.

3.    Catechists could starthelping the children memorize biblical text.

4.    Introduction to theliturgy helps the people feel the Word of God.

5.    Lectors should be trainedwell before they are commissioned to do the work.

6.    Priests/Lay leaders mustmake themselves visible in the BEC to prevent “break away” from the Catholicfaith.

April 27, 2011, the third day

 WABI participants split in 3 groups. 37reported in Level I, 11 in Level II, and 8 in Bibliodrama Facilitators’Seminar.

Level I will learnIntroduction to Sacred Scriptures with Sister Miriam Alejandrino, OSB toguiding them. At the start when Sister Miriam asked the expectations of thegroup, 3 main concerns surfaced. First concern of the group is to fillthemselves with the basic knowledge about the Word. Second, the group wants toequip themselves with approaches and guides that could help them in theirpastoral work. Third, they want to have visible transformation about theirperson and their relationship with God.

The session went on so smoothly that at the end of theday, many were convinced that most Catholics do not really know the Bible.

Level II started their session in Social Teachings ofthe Church with Fr. Christian Jesse Taliping, the director of JPIBC. Theytackled 2 urgent concerns of the Philippines today: Nature is on siege, and theReproductive Health Bill. They finished the day discussing probable solutionsabout said problems in the light of the Word as interpreted by the church.

The other group which is aget away from Level II is a group of those who already finished the BibliodramaWorkshop. They will undergo Bibliodrama Facilitators’ seminar this time. Duringsupper, Sister Leonora Llabore, HDW shared her joy in undergoing the training.According to her, she has now a tool that will draw the young ager to the WORD.She is hopeful that the Body Prayers which they are learning will replace the plaintalk- listen approach which she was using in the past.

The third WABI day ended with a Eucharistic Celebrationwith Fr. Christian Jesse Taliping presiding. The Gospel of the day is thenarrative on the Road to Emmaus. Fr. Jesse started his homily by showing theWABI t-shirt with JPIBC logo. The logo highlights the instance when the twodisciples realized that it was like that a fire was burning in them while Jesuswas talking to them in their walk to EMMAUS.

Afterexplaining the meaning of the logo, he started giving his analysis into thegospel of the day, John 5-6, and the Eucharistic celebrations. According tohim, all the three situations are pointing out into the connection of the Word tothe breaking of the bread. Jesus explained the Scriptures to the two disciplesbefore they ended their encounter with the breaking of the bread. In John 5-6,Jesus explained those that concerned him before he mentioned that his bodyshall become food and his blood shall become drink. In the Eucharisticcelebration, the liturgy of the WORD precedes the liturgy of the Eucharist. FrJesse explained that the Word sheds light to the Eucharist just like the firstand second situations.

Towards the end of his homily, Fr. Jesse sang “Staywith us Lord” where later he made his audience sang too. What an innovation tothe usual talk-listen routine of the homily.

April 28, 2011, the fourth day

The day started with theEucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Julius Cuison of the diocese ofLingayen-Dagupan. The gospel of the day narrates the appearance of Jesus to theapostles after his resurrection and Fr. Cuison used the part of the gospel whenJesus asked them if there was fish to eat as a springboard of his homily. Jesusis surely alive! He ate with them and besides he told them so.

What is the significance of this Easter Event for ustoday? Fr. Cuison reminded his audience what Jesus told Mary Magdalene, thefirst disciple who saw that Jesus was alive. “Go to my brothers, proclaim thegood news!” He also mentioned what the two disciples on the road to Emmaus didafter recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread. They immediately told theother disciples that Jesus was alive. He also mentioned our brothers in othergroups their boldness in proclaiming the good news.

We ought to proclaim the good news! We have to. We mustnot wait for big events to do it. We can do it in the ordinary moments of ourlife. Fr. Cuison mentioned 3 ways in which we can proclaim the good news.

First, we proclaim therisen Christ through our good life. We must have a healthy life. Kailangan nating maging mabait. But itis not enough to live good life according to Fr. Cuison. We have to do goodworks. This is the second way to proclaim the risen Christ. He mentioned abouta person who would hardly share a coin to a beggar but gives openly in thechurch. What is the sense of this? But good life and good works are not stillenough. We must have good faith. Good faith is to be in fellowship with others.The greatest instance to do this is to attend Eucharistic Celebrations.

He mentioned about the mandate of Archbishop Villegasin the diocese of Lingayen- Dagupan. Daily masses must be said in all theparishes in the diocese. Fr Cuison told the group that in his parish, less than50 parishioners are in attendance and mostly the old ones. Where are the otherCatholics especially the young?

The good priest left a challenge to the WABINS. We needto intensify our ways of proclaiming the Resurrected Christ, the Messiah. How?This is an open ended question which everyone needs to find a good answer. Fr.Cuison gave the group the 3 basic ways. To make them work, it’s in everyone’ssincerity to become a true witness of the GOOD NEWS. 

In the classrooms, everyone seems to be engrossed withtheir work. Level I are observed to be busy reading different materials thatare related to the Word. They have projects to do. One task given to them is toprepare a creative presentation of the Exile in Babylon which will be presentedfirst hour the following day.

Level two were silenced by the challenges of the socialteachings. They were confronted with the split opinions of people even thosewho seem to know the WORD. Fr Jesse gave reading materials which willcomplement their learning in the classroom.

The Bibliodrama Facilitators’ group was tasked tofacilitate themselves elements which they could use in proclaiming the WORD.This is yet the third day but it seems that the participants are doing lot ofthings about the TOPIC offered to them as ministers of the WORD.

Aftertheir classroom work, Level I participants were instructed to assemble at thechapel for their first Bible Sharing experience at WABI. Ms. Fely Gines orientedthem on the what, why, and how of Bible sharing. 

Using one of the methods of Bible Sharing, the PrayerResponse Method, the participants will be drawn to feel the presence of theRisen Lord in their midst; to put themselves in the context of Acts 4:1-12;  encounter themselves the messiahwho is alive; and accompanying them in times of difficulty like what theapostles experienced in the text.

As they pray to celebrate the encounter, newcommitments will surely come out direct from the hearts of the participants.

Towards the end of the day, the WABI staff tried toobserve the participants’ mood in doing the work assigned to them like washingthe dishes, cleaning the dining hall, preparing the liturgy, and cleaning thechapel. All the groups were doing their chores happily and well. This isaccounted to their home values and love to the Word.

April 29, 2011, the fifth day

AEucharistic celebration started the fifth day with Fr. Jesse Talipingpresiding. The Bibliodrama and Liturgy group planned to make the celebrationtoday different from the Eucharistic Celebrations in the past days. Theyplanned to have the responsorial Psalm be sung and the Sanctus be danced.

As the mass was in progress, those in attendance wereso inspired in chanting the responsorial Psalm and engrossed in the homily of FrJesse. He related his homily with his topic Social Doctrine in Level II. Thegospel of the day narrates the miracle of the catch after the frustrating zerocatch the night before. This is a manifestation of Jesus’ power to make thingshappen. How inspiring!

Will the message of theEaster event in the Gospel solve what is going on now in the world? Fr. Jesseemphasized the contrast made by Pope Benedict into the joy of the angels andsaints in heaven and the lament and cry of the suffering humanity. The chaoticwar in the Middle East needs diplomacy and dialogue among the leaders. Thefrustrating poverty of Northern Africa needs the quest for the common good ofthe young. The hopelessness of Japan needs the healing power and consolation ofthe church. Will these happen?

But even Christians who hope in the Saving Power of Godare arrested and put into prison. Will our worship make sense? Fr. Jesse encouragedhis audience to have faith in the WORD. After all, this is assured in the firstreading. “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; ithas become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else…”  This was explained by Fr. Jesse.

Healso mentioned the boldness of Peter when he plunged into the water uponknowing that Jesus is around and supporting his encouragement with the verywords of Jesus...” Be not afraid….; and remember, I am with you always, to theend of the age.”

So after all, the Easter Event gives hope to all of usdespite the catastrophes. The Resurrected Christ will not fail us. Our strongfaith keeps us alive! Let’s keep singing Halleluiah!

The mass went on. During the Sanctus, the WABINS wentaround the altar for the dance. The music went on smoothly at the start butstopped after the group has done two steps. The decision making of the groupwas tested a while but Fr Jesse kept dancing and singing at the same time. Thegroup danced and sang too as if nothing wrong took place. Halleluiah! The planwas accomplished as it was desired by Bibliodrama and Liturgy group. It was avery solemn celebration.

At8:00 am, the 3 groups went into their classrooms. Level I had a review of theirpassed lessons before tackling the Gospels. Sister Miriam told the group that thoughthe Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are synoptic, there are differences dueto variation of their purpose and audience.

Level II continued their session in Social Teachings ofthe Church and to make their learning suit the need of the times, Fr. Jesseintroduced to the group   different BibleSharing Methods especially the Amos Programme which is a very appropriatemethod in tackling the social concerns of the people. They tried Amos Programme2.

The Bibliodrama group started with their actual facilitatingactivities. The members were enjoying their work. They went through the EasterMap.  After the break in the afternoonthe group had to split into 6 smaller groups and prepared the Easter stations.They went through the Easter Stations too, praying and singing what theyprepared ahead.

The WABINS took their supper at 6:30 to be prepared forthe penitential service at 7:30 in the evening. Before the activity, some weretelling me they had their confession in their parishes during the holy week andthey don’t need the sacrament so soon. I told them to join the group and watchwhat will be done. They did as told and to my surprise, they did not onlywatch, they participated actively into the process. Why not? The penitentialservice appeared new to them. They asked for some copies of the service whichthey will introduce according to them in their respective parishes.

Three priests attended to the need of the evening sothe sacrament of reconciliation was through by 9:00 in the evening.

April 30, 2011, the sixth day

A Eucharistic celebration started the day with Fr.Jesse Taliping presiding it.  He startedhis homily with the courageous reply of Peter and John to the order of therulers and elders not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus, insteadthey said: “whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you rather thanGod, you be the judges. It is impossible for us not to speak about what we haveseen and heard.” ( Acts 4)

Whata courageous witnessing to what they encountered. Fr Jesse emphasized to theWABINS that our encounter with the Word who is Jesus should draw each of usinto the mission. The gospel today bears how Mary Magdalene and two of thedisciples responded to Jesus’ Word “Go tell my brothers” but the brothers didnot believe. He then appeared to the unbelieving disciples and said: “Go intothe whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.

Towards the end of his homily, Fr. Jesse emphasizedthat every Christian is sent into the mission of proclaiming the Good News.“The Good News is not only for me, nor for you only but for everyone.” As if hewas telling, if every WABIN encounters Jesus as it must be, then like Peter andJohn, it is impossible not to speak and teach Jesus to everyone.

LevelI started their session in Lectio Divina with Ms Fely Gines. Knowing Ate Fely’spassion to Lectio Divina as an approach of encountering the WORD, I know shewill be able to transfer the passion as always the case.

TheLevel II participants under Fr.  Jessestarted with their work of crafting a module on the Amos programme. This is anoffshoot of their lesson in Social Doctrine. Their knowledge of the topicshould not end in the mind of the participants but must reach and transform thecommunity 

The members of the Bibliodrama Facilitators’ group weretasked to make their own module with the use of Bibliodrama elements which theycould use in their ministry. The whole day is given to them for the saidpurpose. The group is also assigned to prepare for the Sunday liturgy.

Just after supper, the group watched the movie of SaintPeter. In the movie, the fear, temper, and sincerity of Peter and all theapostles were featured. The staff included movie watching in WABI 2011 not justto make time pass by but to inspire the participants to appreciate theirexperiences (sorrows and joys they maybe) in their mission of sharing the goodnews to the people.

May 1, 2011

Itis a Sunday. The night before, the WABI staff was worried about what time theywill have the Eucharistic Celebration. Fr. Jesse could not make it early because of the early commitments in othercommunities and the same with the ICST priests. The only possible time would beat 11 am.

The staff took the available schedule and to thesurprise of everyone it came out to be an alive and solemn mass. TheBIbliodrama elements used in the celebration made the difference. Theparticipants entered with the “The river is flowing” with the altar boys,seminarian and the priest to enter last. During the offertory, “Navidadau” wasused. Those who offered danced so beautifully and very solemnly despite theburning heat of the pots they were holding. 

Duringthe Gospel reading, the Bibliodrama participants choreographed it meaningfully.The setting was so real and the non believing Thomas was caught realisticallyin the way Mang Mar Vistro did it. The participants were not aware of the time.They were engrossed with what is happening in the chapel.

Inhis homily, Fr Jesse mentioned once more the triple celebration of theday:  the second Sunday of Easter; thefeast of the Divine Mercy; and the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Hefeatured the DEVOTION to the DIVINE MERCY by mentioning a priest who made athesis on the Divine Mercy. Before Sister Faustina, 2 sisters one from Italyand another from France were already revealing about God as Divine Mercy butnobody believed them.

Until one time a sister from Poland named SisterFaustina started to talk again about God as Divine mercy. Nobody paid attentionand to her in the beginning until a priest who became a bishop, later anarchbishop, and later a pope, believed in what Sister Faustina was talkingabout. He even wrote an encyclical he named VIVES In Misericordia which meansGreat in Mercy. It talks about our loving and forgiving God. This man is noother than Pope John Paul II whose beatification is done today, May 1 at the StPeter Square, Rome.

Fr.  Jesse mentioned how the pope became amerciful man even when he was still a lad. The greatest manifestation of hismerciful heart is when he visited and forgave the man who hated and shut himwhen he talked so vocal against communism.

The message of his Beatification which is done on thefeast of the Divine Mercy according to Fr Jesse is for us to remember that ourGod is a merciful God and that God waits for the return of those who astrayfrom him like what the father in the “Parable of the Prodigal Son” has done.

Fr.  Jesseconcluded his homily by telling that if we want God to be happy, lets convertpeople, “ hanapin natin sila at ibalik sa ating ama. “ He also said: “today weask the intercession of Sister Faustina to help us convert people and to askPope John Paul II to help us become merciful. So be it.

As early as 6:15 today, Level I had an actual LectioDivina. Ms. Fely Gines explained thoroughly the steps of Lectio Divina usingthe responsorial psalm of the day (Ps 118). For their group prayer of praise,they read verses 1-9 together for several times until

thetext sunk into their hearts. For their individual meditation they read verses21 to 29 silently applying the steps by themselves.

Enteringinto the text, they tried to find their straight and broken lines and allowedthemselves to be drawn deeper until the text comes to them as their own. Aftersometime, the participants were asked to share their reflection by Ms Fely andthe fruit of lectio divina flowed spontaneously with the sharing of fourparticipants. They opened their lives into the group without inhibitions. Thepower of the WORD was felt by the group not only by level one but by themembers of level two who were there even before the lectio divina started. Thesacred reading was ended by the body prayer “O Signore, Fa di Me”.

The WABINS were informedof the HANDWRITTEN UNITY BIBLE which will take place at 2:30 pm at theArchbishop’s Residence There were those who were chosen to write and otherswere invited to witness the event.

Some of the named wabinsto write declined the task. They pleaded that it will be voluntary basis. Iremember what Fr. Chack told us in one of his lectures in Nemi. He told us thatdoing the mission to spread the Word is never voluntary. It is explicit in theBible he said that those who volunteered to follow Jesus were openlydiscouraged by him. Remember how Jesus called his

disciples.

The HUB, handwritten unity bible started with theregistration of those who will write after which they assembled at the LegioMaeria for the short catechesis about the activity. While waiting for the startof the short catechesis about the activity, Fr Jesse show a power point aboutthe able father and disabled son who together participated in a marathon andrunning race.

He also showed a manwithout hands and a very little abnormal foot attached into his bottom who didthose which could be done only of a normal person. I remember the word of thevery strong guy: “If I fall, I’ll try more and more, for if I’ll stop trying,it’s the end.” What a powerful word from one who is strengthened by theWORD.            

The short catechesisstarted by the singing of Thy Word followed by the welcome talk of Fr. NickVaquillar who mentioned about the importance of the activity. It is first inAsia and first in the Philippines. The activity is featuring the Bible as theunity force of all men. In his talk, Fr. Jesse explained Genesis 11: 1-32. Withpassion, he talked about the importance of unity. If God is absent, disunityarises. In the beginning, disunity started because of the boastfulness of men.Sin reigned in the hearts of men and they ignored reality. Unlike the saintswho united their mind with Christ, men’s intellect does not unite with thetruth who is Jesus. This is how Fr. Jesse explained the message of the textwhich is assigned to Nueva Segovia.

The representative of the Philippine Bible Societyoriented vividly about the HUB and explained all that relate to the activity.The PBS is hopeful that out of the inspired work, they will be able to generatemillion copies of the WORD of God. So be it.        

May 2, 2011

The day started with the Eucharistic celebrationpresided by Fr. Nick Vaquilar. He focused on the Gospel of the day which isabout the Pharisee named Nicodemus who went to Jesus during the night becausehe was afraid that the Jews might see him approaching Jesus.

He explained that after the death of Jesus, he came torealize that there is nothing to be afraid after all. He was no longer afraidto become follower of Jesus. According to Fr. Nick sometimes we are like Nicodemus who see the goodness of a persononly after his death. We come to realize only of the good deeds of the personwhen we are tasked to talk about the person. We give only his praises whenhe/she is already gone.

Fr. Nick told the WABINS to take the opportunity andpossibility in extending care, love, and concern for others now. This is ourtask, he emphasized. These are the very actions that will manifest that we arereally followers of Jesus.

Level I started their session in Liturgy and the Biblewith Msgr. David William Antonio, STD. The participants were very attentive inhis lecture because one of the reasons why their parish priests sent them toWABI is because they want their parish workers to know more about liturgy. ApoWilliam prepared handouts that will help them remember their lessons.

 Level II startedalso their session on the Gospel of Matthew. Fr. Jesse, their professor startedby giving the participants the Introduction, how the gospel is divided, andalso its parallelism to the gospels according to St Mark and St Luke.   

May 3, 2011

Theday started with a Eucharistic Celebration with Msgr. David William Antonio. Hestarted his homily with this statement. “It is a painful experience when weknow that “a friend do not trust in you.” He accounted this statement to thereply of Philip to Jesus when he requested Jesus to show the father despite theword of Jesus that buy knowing HIM, they already know the FATHER.

Apo Antonio explained that the incredibility of ourknowledge about a person sometimes discredits the man in our awareness. That bynot knowing and not believing in Jesus we have doubts about him and sometimesour trust is diminished.

Sometimes we are confronted with such situation.According to Apo William this is normal. Sometimes we do have dessertexperience too in our prayer life. Philip doubted because the Holy Spirit wasnot working in him yet. The situation changed after the Pentecost.

Apo Antonio advised that everyone to pay attention tothe promptings of the Holy Spirit and for everyone to understand and believeabout those concern Jesus. In allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us we willbecome bold in proclaiming the Good News. The Holy Spirit consoles us when weare down and eventually we become strong witnesses of Jesus who is the way, thetruth, and the life.

Fr. William said in Level I class (Liturgy & theBible) “everyone has a part, and every sinner has a future.” You do not trustthe Lord? Don’t you worry. When you experience the Spirit, you will becomebold. The words you speak is not from you but the Spirit who comes and moves usso we can be bold also to call Abba! to the Father.

Level I participants continued their session with ApoAntonio in Liturgy and the Bible, after which he discussed the Sacraments usingthe available time. He left handouts to be distributed to the WABINS which willserve as their guide in their future work.

Level II participants continued their session in theGospel of Matthew with Fr Jesse. They were very attentive to the discussionanticipating the value of knowing Jesus through said gospel and to extend thisknowing to their communities.

May 4, 2011

Once more the day started with a Eucharisticcelebration with Bishop Mayugba presiding and Fr Jesse co presiding. BishopRene inspired the wabins with his caressing words of “the Gospel is to be ourown. We have to live it out for others to see and imitate.”

He continued that the experiences of the earlydisciples should be enough encouragement to all workers of the church. Tosuffer the insult of the Sanhedrin was not easy for them and the worst of it,to be jailed. Bishop Mayugba explained that the Word of God can never be jailedbecause of our fear in the modern times. Like the apostles who did not mind theorder of the council to stop preaching the name of Jesus; who continued withtheir revelation about the risen Lord in the same place wherethey apprehended them, the Word of God must continue to be proclaimed by all ofus.

He reminded the WABINSthat in their return in their workplace, there will be obstacles.“Marigatankayto a makabuelo”, he said. But he challenged them to go on sharingthe “God who is love” whom they encountered in WABI. Like the early disciples,they should not keep the Good News in them. They must not take it as theirpersonal but to share fearlessly to everywhere they go. So be it.

Level I continued theirwork in Bibliodrama while level II had their free time.        

The HANWRITTEN UNITY BIBLE participants were advised tobe ready with the actual writing activity which took place at 10 am. Otherswere encouraged to witness the HUB time.

As scheduled, the HUB started with the Bible Enthronement.Fr. _____________ presiding the para- liturgy. Many of those in attendanceobserved the solemnity of the moment. To them it seemed that the Holy Spirit(as we read in the Holy Scriptures) is continuously working among the writersand to those who have a hand in the proclamation of the Word is really true.The WABINS themselves realized that the moment was a time to praise and blessthe Lord for the presence of a LOVING GOD in the HUB event.

The reading of the text which has to be written by handwas another surprise at the moment. As if Ezra was there, reading personallythe text very slowly and very powerfully and the people crying at the strengthof every word uttered. That moment was really a history which will be writtenin the hearts of those who were present.

When the actual writingcame , names were called, tables were mentioned, text by text announced, thequeue was very orderly, moment by moment passing by so holy, until all theverses both in English and Ilokano were done. What a special moment with theWord. The writers were congratulated for the special task well done thougheveryone became nervous, afraid that they might commit mistakes.

 Thedocumentation of the event was anticipated so picture taking followed. It wasdone by table of the Ilocano and English verse writers. There were three tablesthen. The event is worth remembering. The zealous commitment of the organizerswas very evident though some of them belong to other denominations.  Sincerity in unison was evident.

In the afternoon, classes went on as usual. Level Icontinued with their Bibliodrama till supper and instructed to go to Aula at7:30 in the evening for the Bible enthronement. Level II continued theirsession about the gospel of Matthew with Fr. Jesse. Both levels were givenre-entry and evaluation forms just after the break so they will have more timein accomplishing them.

May 5, 2011

 The eleventh dayof WABI started as usual with a Eucharistic Celebration. The director of JohnPaul I Biblical Pastoral Center, Fr. Christian Jesse presiding it. The Liturgygroup prepared well for the celebration. This was very evident first  in the Liturgy of the Word where the lectorread well, the Responsorial Psalm was sung, the Prayers of the faithful wasdone with spontaneity. The good preparation was also evident in the choice ofsongs. They were related to the readings. The preparation might has beeninfluenced by their lesson in “Liturgy and the Bible”.

Fr Jesse told the group that the homily could be takenfrom the antiphon of the day, centred to the life of the church, or based fromthe liturgy itself. For his homily today, he featured thewords of Pope Benedict XVI during the Beatification of Pope John Pau IIparticularly the last part. He told to the group that this part of PopeBenedict’s homily is a very personal note about the gift of person of BlessedJohn Paul II, he being the prefect was always at the side of the pope.According to Pope Benedict, he had known all the more about the spiritual depthof JPII and also the richness of his insights. Fr. Jesse mentionedhow impressed Pope Benedict was because of the continuous prayers of  JPII. That despite of the demand of work of apope, Pope JPII find always time to pray. Here Fr. Jesse told an anecdote aboutthe prayerful life of the pope. There was a time when during his prayer, hissecretary went to him and said: “Holy father, urgent, please come”. The popemade a nod and continued praying. The second time, the pope’s secretary went tohim again and said, “Holy father, urgent, please come”. The pope made again anod and continued praying. For the third time, the secretary went to him againand said this time, “holy father very, very urgent, please come”. The pope toldhim,   “That is why I have to praybecause it is urgent.

“It’s not easy to be a pope and it’s not easy to be aminister of the Word. We need to pray always to be in focus of the work we arecalled for. In between hectic schedule, we should always connect ourselves tothe Lord through prayer. By being super active, we might forget to pray and belost on the way”. These are the strong words of Fr Jesse towards the end of hishomily.

Pope JPII did not live an easy life. He was stricken byan illness which made him suffer a lot but despite the suffering, he remained arock, a Petri. He lived so well as a priest, as a bishop and as a pope. FrJesse ended his homily with the prayer uttered by Pope Benedict:” Blessed areyou because you believed. We implore you Holy Father, Bless us again from thewindow where you used to bless people. Amen.

Many remained in the chapel after the mass. They kneltin prayer. I myself wanted to stay longer to pray. ”Thank you father for thehomily”.

Father Oscar Alunday, the father of WABI and executivesecretary of ECBA arrived at the ICST. He was invited as one of thefacilitators of the Bibliodrama Workshop inLevel I. Fr. Oscar however, even if not invited to teach in WABI always findtime to visit the group. The WABI Staff and participants always receive anambus message from him in words and in other ways.

The Bibliodrama Workshop participants had their journeywith the Word and in so doing lot of realizations surfaced during theirsharing. Entering into the WORD through the different Bibliodrama elements, theparticipants find themselves called, comforted, and even challenged. Thejourney made them cry out what was kept in their hearts and unload the heavybaggage which they were been carrying for a long time. The desire of oneparticipant to have a prayer partner came out in one of their body prayers 

Level II participants continued their session in thegospel of Matthew. They discussed the meaning of the parables and itsparallelism with the synoptic gospels. Some participants had time to sharetheir experiences in casual way during their free time.

During supper, the Bilbliodrama team suggested to theparticipants to have a prayer partner. This was been done in previous WABI andnow that it is sought, the activity had been revived.

The Bilbliodrama Workshop group had their assembly atthe aula, and with the help of the facilitators, they processed the day’activities.

May 6, 2011

The 12th day of WABI 2011 started with a EucharisticCelebration with Fr. Oscar Alunday as presider and co presided by Fr.Jesse.  The first reading of the gospelwas done by Fr Jesse. In the homily, Fr. Alunday used the Bibliologue approachwhere he engaged the participants to be in dialogue with the Word. In thegospel of the day where Jesus multiplied the bread and fish available, theparticipants were instructed to talk out in their words if they were the crowd,Philip, Andrew, the boy, or Jesus in the gospel.

AsFr. Alunday was reading the gospel for the second time, he had to cut on thatpart which had direct discourses. On the part where Philip had to talk, heasked one participant to give his version if he was Philip. The Philip in thegroup said’” saan ko kukunin ang ipapakain sa mga tao? Then one who actedAndrew said,” There is one boy here who has 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. When theboy of the crowd was asked as to who prepared the bread and fish, he answeredthat his mother prepared them.

Fr.Alunday expounded the answers of those who replied by telling that in problemslike lack of  fund or lack of support,Jesus is around waiting. Fr Alunday explained that  Jesus will say, “handa ka na ba?  Ako na ang bahala sa iba.”

When Fr. Oscar read that part when the crowd wanted tomake Jesus their king, he asked one of the WABINS what to do if as Jesus, thecrowd will rush to him. He answered, “I will meet, teach and feed them”.  Fr. Oscar inspired the WABINS by telling themthat they, upon returning to their parish, diocese, or workplace they must notbe afraid to do what the Word will direct them to do. Oneparticipant said, I’ll effect it immediately but I’ll see to it that I’ll do itfirst into my family. So be it.

The mass had Bibliodrama features like acting out thePrayers of the faithful, dancing around the altar during the Sanctus, andstaying where they were until communion time. It was a clear manifestation ofhow the liturgy is enhanced thru the elements of Billiodrama.

LevelI continued with their Bibliodrama Workshop in 2 groups. One group wasfacilitated by Fr. Oscar and Ms. Imelda Cordova while the other group wasfacilitated by Ms. Fely Gines and Ms. Melanie Ramos. This has to be donebecause of the number of participants who were undergoing the activity. Therewere 37 in attendance.  By dividing thegroup, the activities were done smoothly within time frame.

Level II continued with their session in the gospel ofMatthew. The participants were instructed to make their reflections on theparables and tasked to share their reflections in their afternoon session.

During lunch time, through the initiative of Ms. ZusanAsistin, Mr. And Mrs. Erberto Dy Quiangco renewed their marriage vows in a verycreative way. The couple celebrated their 38 wedding anniversary and accordingto those who know them personally, their family life is worth emulating. Bothof them are undergoing Level I Course of the Word Alive Biblical Apostolate.

Level I underwent their culminating activity as onegroup doing the Full Play of the Bibliodrama Workshop with the facilitatingteam. It was a”teamwork on the go”, which the WABINS may propagate as theyreturn to their workplace.

Fr. Jesse facilitated the sharing of reflections amongthe Level II participants. In their sharing, there were time of laughter andalso serious moments. This manifests the richness of the Word in the life ofmen in the modern time.

The Bibliodrama ended their session just after supperwith the celebration of the four altars. The altar of gathering was done infront of the statue of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Theparticipants gathered around the altar with objects that symbolize themselves;these they offered sincerely to God with their desire to share the gifts theyreceived from the God of bounty and mercy. This is a sign of their thankfulnessfor the WABI and for all the favour that God bestowed on them.

The group moved to the altar of sorrow with the pilgrimdance. In unison, the participant reached the 2nd altar after fewminutes. A member of the group explained that in the altar of sorrow, they willsurrender their limitations and imperfections, hopeful that the forgiving Fatherwill listen into their plea of help and mercy. A vessel of twigs was therewhere each will get one, break it into two pieces and put it into the vessel offire. This is a symbol of complete surrender to the afflicted God because ofmen’s stubbornness.

Again,with the pilgrim dance, the group moved to the 3rd altar, the altarof the Word. The chosen Gospel was read very slowly each to listen to themessage of God. After the prayer which was read by Fr Jesse, the group moved tothe altar of thanks and action. This time, a group was assigned to act out whatthey will do as a response to the Word of God. The long silence added to theurgency of the action that awaits the WABINs as they return to their workplace.The celebration was ended with the singing of the Lords Prayer. 

The awarding of certificates to Bibliodramaparticipants was done at the main gate of the ICST building. It was a happyevent for those who successfully completed the workshop. The event ended withthe dancing of “Talitha Kumi” body prayer.

May 7, 2011

Theday started with the breakfast. As the participants queue for the food, there-entry questionnaire and general evaluation forms were collected. It was ahappy morning for the WABINS. Why not? They have already accomplished theirassignments/projects. The recollection which they will undergo at 8:00 am withFr. Jesse was eyed to be a soothing moment to them.

The recollection took place in the chapel at 8 am. Fr.Jesse’s input was directed toward the healing of the community. The communitywill only grow if the people unite as one mind and one heart. According to FrJesse, this will only be realized  if thepeople will learn to forgive each one and their dealings with one another iscoupled with compassion and understanding.

Anycorrection done should be taken as fraternal in effect which means that all arechildren of only one father who is God. If we consider each one as a brotherand a sister, there will be no greed, impatience and others that will destroythe relationship of the community to the Father and the relationship amongpeople. The only desire of the one who wrote WABI 2011 journal is that thecommitment of the hour will last forever into the hearts of the WABINS and likethe river which flows should water all that it reaches and flows by. So beit.    

The graduation Mass which took place at 5 P.M. waspresided by Fr. Christian Jesse Taliping, director of John Paul I BiblicalPastoral Center. Fr. Clarence Carta, the procurator of Immaculate ConceptionSchool of Theology co-presided the mass. The mood of the moment was so solemnand full of joy especiallythat Fr. Jesse highlighted the word CONGRATULATIONS in his homily.Congratulations which means REJOICE TOGETHER according to Fr. Jesse is veryproper to be extended to the graduating WABINs for their responseWABI 2011 means that they did not neglect the WORD. The Word which is the primemover of all the ministries, the Word which is the soul of Theology, the Wordwhich is the source of life should not be neglected. Fr. Jesse emphasizedthat Bible Study is not only for exegets but for all the children of God. Wefind the Word in the internet, we hear it in the radio, and we see them in theTV. However, this WORD must be seen in our lives. We should not only read norobserve the WORD, but we must bring it everywhere we go. However, this becomespossible only if we live the WORD.

Fr. Clarence mentioned inthe mass that WABINS should always ask the intercession of St. Arnold Janssen& St. Joseph Frenademitz and pray for the SVD which made the creation ofthe John Paul I Biblical Center, now John Paul I Biblical Pastoral Centerpossible. He mentioned Fr. Ludger, the very man behind the JPIBPC, Fr. Wim Wijjten,Fr. Oscar Alunday, and all the rest who had a hand for the sustenance of JPIBC.

As an acknowledgement, Fr. Clarence told the group thattogether with the ICST a billboard of the JPIBPC should be made available atthe gate of the seminary. After all JPIBPC is the first biblical centerestablished in the Philippines and is the only center which has the Word AliveBiblical Institute program all throughout the nation. Congratulations JPIBPC!May the Lord bless you with people, organizations, and ministries that willsupport your cause. Amen.

Bishop Rene Mayugba sent message to be read during thegraduation program of WABI 2011. This is the message:

May7, 2011

“Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked tous on the road and explained the scriptures to us?” (Lk 24:31)

BelovedWABIns,

You conclude today a two-week journey.  Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, youhave listened to the Scriptures explained to you.  The various courses you attended wereoccasions for your encounter with the living Word.  You have been introduced to the Faith of ourliving Tradition.  You have reflected andmeditated on the Scriptures in the Faith community you made up at ICST.  It is our hope that like the disciples on theroad to Emmaus your eyes have also been opened and have recognized the Lord inyour midst these two weeks so that now you can also say “Were not our heartsburning inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scripturesto us?”

Like the disciples of Emmaus also you are to rush backto your “Jerusalem” – your arena for witnessing!  What you have learned you are now toshare.  You go back to your own Faithcommunities, to the community of “apostles” – your bishops and theircollaborators, your pastors.  Go withthat burning desire you now have to share your encounter with the Christ andyour experience of community!  Go,empowered with the new knowledge and skills you have acquired! 

Go and tell to the worldthe good news – that Jesus is truly alive! Go and tell the world that Jesus has conquered sin and death.  Like Peter in the first reading go and tellthe world that sin and death cannot keep the Lord of life entombed.  No! Christ and his Gospel of love and mercy overcome sin and death.  Go and be witnesses by your very lives thatwe conquer evil in the world through our practice of love and mercy.  Be bold like Peter and the apostles intestifying to the truths you have come to know during your WABI.  The world may not like what we preach for theworld today tends to follow and abide by what the majority, the “crowd,” shoutrather than what the Gospel proclaims. Beware, brothers and sisters, of following the “crowd,” for the Son ofMan was condemned by the crowd that shouted

“crucify him!”

Now we live by the light of the Gospel.  So we sing “thy word is a lamp unto my feetand a light unto my path.”  May we allthen let the light of Christ lead us in our journey.  May we not fear for “even if we should walkin the valley of death, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is there to guard and guideus.  Be not afraid, nor be disheartenedwhen as you become witnesses and servants of the Word you are made tosuffer.   Christ Jesus, who poured out hisprecious blood on the cross, has paved the way for us.  We need but follow the Christ. 

Go beloved brothers and sisters in the Risen Christ andbe His witnesses! God bless you all!

MOSTREV. RENATO P. MAYUGBA, DD

Chairman– Biblical Apostolate for Northern Luzon

May8, 2011

There was still a scheduled Eucharistic Celebration forthe WABINS who opted to go home today. They were benefitted with the homily ofFr. Jesse who made emphasis on the inability of the two disciples on the roadto recognize Jesus. He also mentioned Mary Magdalene who saw Jesus as agardener, and the non recognition of the apostles when Jesus appeared to themat the seashore.

Thisis to tell the WABINS that a question about this non-recognition may prop uplike what Fr. Jesse’s mother posted to her priest son. He said that thenon-recognition is due to our weak faith. Fr. Jesse said many times we don’trecognize Jesus even in the Eucharist and also in the Word which we read. Hesaid that this non-recognition is due to our weak faith. We need to strengthenour faith, he emphasized by praying and by reading the WORD constantly.

May WABI 2011 help us recognize Jesus not only in theEucharist nor in the Word but in everyone who come to us.

This journal is prepared asrequested by Fr. Oscar Alunday, the father of WABI and the executive secretaryof the Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate (ECBA) as one of thedocuments to be made available at the JPIBPC and to furnish the same ECBA.

Preparedby: 

Mrs. Grace R. Fiesta,

Diocese of Ilagan

Layout in Charge:

Miss. Zusan G. Asistin,

Diocese of San Fernando de La Union

Supervision: Miss Felicidad Perpetua J. Gines

                    Exec. Secretary – JPIBPC

                                     And

                   Rev.Fr. Christian Jesse M. Taliping

                   Director- JPIBPC