GOOD SHEPHERD SPIRITUALITY – A Filipino Theology
 

By  Dr. Jose de Mesa - A Filipino Lay Theologian



Joe is a family man and lay theologian married to Yvonne Fuentes, a chemist graduate, who joined him in Belgium also to study and teach Theology. Theirs is a family of educators and artists: Niel, the eldest and only son, had his own theater and continue to have scholars. He is now the director of Virgin-Lab Fest for aspiring writers, an experimental project of CCP. He has scripted about  25 one-act plays, is a stage and sound manager, twice won the Palanca Award, music and stage director all rolled into one. Dotie, the 2nd child is now Asst. Principal of Summit School in Fort Bonifacio. Rissa, the bunso, takes on all their works and acts as promoter, communicator, secretary, etc.

For the not so young, remember him at SFI for classes and assemblies on Inculturation and Doing Theology, the first to do Chalk Talk in the early 70’s and the Alternative Evaluation of PCPII in the 90’s. He is a University Fellow at De La Salle University, Manila and Professor of Applied Systematic Theology at the Inter-Congregational Theological Center in Quezon City, as well as currently the Visiting Luzbetak Professor of Gospel and Culture at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, USA. Dr. de Mesa was formerly Dean at Mayhill School of Theology and resident faculty at the EAPI. He holds an MA and PhD in Religious Studies from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

Among his main publications are, In Solidarity with the Culture and Marriage is Discipleship. He has recently published Why Theology Is Never Far Away from Hom, Mga Aral sa Daan, and The Prayer Our Lord Taught Us whichis in CD. Just published jointly by DLSU Publications and Anvil Press is Bakas: Retrieving the Sense of Sacramentality in the Ordinary, 2008.

 Without much ado, let us be witnesses to the person: mind, heart, soul nad spirit of our very own Filipino lay theologian, DR. JOSE DE MESA.
 

 


 

THEME:        Paghahabi ng Habag at Pagbabalik-loob na nakauga sa Diwa ng Pastol na may Magandang Kalooban sa Pakikiisa sa Mundo.

 

 

I.        A) “Understanding the Spirituality of e Good Shepherd from resources of Filipino Culture.

 

·        Making sense of RGS Spirituality with Indigenous Categories

·        Filipino World of “LOOB”

Loob – as a relational concept

         – represents the most authentic self

·        “Kapwa” and “Utang na Loob” in relation to Global Solidarity

·        Filipino Hermeneutics of Experience

 

B)  Jesus, the Good Shepherd – Si Hesus ang Pastol na may Magandang Kalooban

 

·        Intepreting the Lord’s Prayer from the Perspective of “Loob” instead of God’s Will.

·        God is “Kagandahang – loob”

ganda – may dating at may talab

·        Conversion (Pagbabalik-loob) – return to the most authentic self

·        Zeal – sigla ng loob

 II.     Theology and Spirituality of the Good Shepherd

 

“To name Jesus is to name our lives”

 

1.      Phases in Christological Process

2.      Workshop – 9 groups according to their ministries

 

III.   Group Reflection

 

Guide Questions:

 

1.      Describe the context which you have been chosen to deal with: the poor, abused women, youth at risk.

2.      Determine the contextual notion of “conversion/salvation” for this group.

3.      Choose a contextual name or title equivalent to the meaning of the Good Shepherd.

4.      Assess the appropriateness of this contextual name or title vis-à-vis the Gospel.

5.      Create an original image of Jesus on the basis of the name or title.

6.      On the basis of the  regauged name or title, formulate a prayer or compose a hymn.