A Vespers Like No Other
When we talk about Vespers, we immediately think of the typical program that we have every Friday night - the one where a speaker shares a message to the entire congregation. But that Friday, June 22, the education department was asked to handle the Vespers, and they had something else in mind.
Prof. Gemini Asok was appointed to plan the vesper program. She used her skills in writing to come up with a play that tells of the weaknesses and flaws of some of the most well-known characters in the Bible. Together with Asst. Prof. Carthy Joy Aguillion, the amazing parts of the program were prepared to give the audience a dynamic night that materialized into a theatrical play with the title “Bible Characters and Their Flaws.”
One might wonder, why flaws? Why not the good things that they have done? The producers of the play wanted us to learn from their flaws and the consequences if we follow them. Here are some of the highlighted lessons and lines from the play.
The life of Eve, portrayed by Katrina Polinio, stated “dangerous grounds seem safe if you have others with you who stand on it, too.”
Christian Retubada, through the lens of the rebellious Absalom, tells on how he wanted to be king that he rebelled against his father David. This selfish ambition caused his death. He wanted more even if he already had things he can be thankful for.
The story of the idolatrous Solomon, given merit by Camillo Valmorida, shows that though he had witnessed and experienced the love and power of God, he still went astray and started to worship idols. Never should we forsake God for He stated “ "I COME FIRST! BE SURE TO GIVE ME FIRST PLACE IN YOUR LIFE!".
The story of the pagan Ruth, brought to life by Lian Shain Huay, points out that she had no character flaws. Her only conceivable flaw was because she was a pagan - a Moabite. Let us learn from her that God loves us all no matter what or where we came from. He will surely bless us if we obey him and love him.
The story of the scheming Jacob, portrayed by Charles Dave Negre, reminds us that what you sow is what you reap. Jacob sowed the seeds of lies and deception. He then reaped the fruits of it. The once deceiver, now became the deceived.
Lastly, Kelly Jayme conveyed the story of Mary Magdalene, the prostitute. This story prompts us that we all have the capacity and ability to change for the good. If we just want it and believe that we can, then we shall.
That Vesper program was truly a night to remember. The stories were not about heroes and saints, but of people who made mistakes and learned from it. It gives us the perspective that even famous bible characters have weaknesses. God showed them what went wrong and they learned from those mistakes.
The participants of the said program are from the Seminar class of Prof. Gemini Asok.
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