02/05/2026
MEMORY VERSE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2026
"... the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do...." (John 14:12)
Our Gospel reading for this Sunday, John 14:1-14, is part of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse” in the Upper Room immediately after the Last Supper, offering comfort to the disciples before His crucifixion, addressing their fear, confusion, and anxiety regarding His imminent departure. Jesus calms the disciples' troubled hearts and reassures them that His departure is beneficial as He goes to prepare a place in His Father’s house and declares Himself as the exclusive path to God.
Our memory verse, taken from John 14:12, "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father", is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and the call to serve others in the name of Christ. Jesus is not saying that His disciples would do more amazing miracles – after all, raising the dead is about as amazing as we can get. Rather, the disciples, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, would carry the Gospel of God’s kingdom out of Palestine and into the whole world. The experiences of disciples and martyrs, known and unknown, are beautiful examples of how faith and service can intertwine to create a meaningful impact in the world.
Our community development work in the Philippines – a country where Christianity has deeply influenced our culture, values, and social structures aligns perfectly with this verse. The spread of Christianity to our country, which began in the 16th century through Spanish colonization and missionary efforts, has left a lasting legacy on the nation's identity, education, healthcare, and community life. Today, many churches and Christian organizations, like the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) continue to play a vital role in social development, education, healthcare, and community empowerment.
How our work reflects John 14:12:
1. Empowerment through service: Our Community-Based Development Program (CBDP) of the ECP, which is managed by The Episcopal CARE Foundation, Inc, involves initiatives that uplift communities, such as poverty alleviation through organizational capacity enhancement, livelihood programs, caring for the environment through the participation of carbon offsetting projects like clean-up drives, tree planting, tree growing, organic farming and solar energy utilization, and spiritual guidance. These efforts can be a mirror of the “greater works” mentioned, as they reflect the ongoing mission of Christ to bring hope, healing, and transformation.
2. Building communities: By helping communities we are fostering unity, resilience, and spiritual growth. We are very active in organizing associations and cooperatives to bind people together in communities from all walks of life, such as farmers, fisherfolk, laborers, entrepreneurs, and professionals, encouraging them to share what they have to build capital for their organizations to create projects and opportunities for its members. When the organizations that we are assisting are operating on their own, that will be our “crown jewel” in our community development work. This aligns with the idea that faith is not just about personal salvation but also about serving others and building up the Body of Christ, "... to equip the saints for the work of ministry" (Ephesians 4:12). We also collaborate and have partnerships with existing church groups and organization to ensure that the program is culturally relevant and sustainable.
In summary, our journey in our community development work is a powerful testimony of John 14:12. Sharing these experiences may inspire others to get involved and deepen our faith. This is a living expression of the Gospel. By helping communities through church development programs, we are not only fulfilling the call but also continuing the legacy of faith that has shaped the nation. May our efforts bring light, hope, and transformation to those we serve. This also teaches us to trust and believe in Jesus, rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and live in love for others. These lessons continue to be relevant for believers today, offering comfort, direction, spiritual growth, and hope amidst the things that are happening that we can’t control. Jesus promises that believers will do His work – and even greater works – because He is going to the Father, and encouraging prayer in His name.
A reflection on John 14:1-14 by Bro. Aldwin Visaya (Episcopal Diocese of Northern Luzon)
Image: "Hapag ng Pag-asa" (Table of Hope) by Mr. Joey A. Velasco (1967-2010), Philippines.
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