Samuel Caraballo

Special Olympics bring joy to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities who are often looked down upon by society. Winning in these competitions means helping others and celebrating camaraderie. Scripture uses sports metaphors to describe the Christian life, and we win by helping others reach the goal, which is Christ. Join the effort of All Ability ministry to encourage inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in faith communities. Let's run with patience, but above all, let's run to win!

In Matthew 22:15-22, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about whether or not it is allowed to pay taxes to Caesar. They wanted Jesus to say "no" because they believed that anyone sent by God would support the overthrow of the Roman occupation of Israel. However, Jesus responds by saying to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. This means that Jesus did not see any value in the coin because his responsibility was to do the will of the Father who sent him. The passage invites us to submit ourselves entirely to God's will without any hidden personal agendas. The author concludes with the lyrics of a hymn that expresses surrender to Christ.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 offers a warning and advice for young people. Firstly, it reminds them that God is sovereign over all stages of life, not just something to be turned to in old age. Secondly, it calls for caution and discernment when pursuing pleasure in youth, as all actions will be judged by God. The key to living a life according to God is discernment, which can be achieved by keeping the word of God, materialized and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Despite the judgment of God, forgiveness and transformation can be found in Jesus. Therefore, young people should rejoice in their youth, but keep in mind the direction offered by Jesus.

Jesus' pedagogical sagacity is impressive during his ministry in Galilee. In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus uses the parable of the good Samaritan to teach that it's not about identifying who our neighbor is, but rather being a neighbor to those in need. The priest and Levite identified who their neighbor was but didn't act on it, while the Samaritan was moved by compassion and took the risk of being a neighbor to the stranger. Jesus invites us to be the kind of neighbor he was, but it's only possible through the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit. We should focus on being a neighbor instead of identifying who our neighbor is.

Paul advises Timothy not to prioritize wealth and possessions, as it can lead to perpetual dissatisfaction and a neglect of God's precepts. This ideology also affects those who ignore the evils that affect vulnerable communities. The value of every human being is incalculable, regardless of their wealth. Paul presents justice, piety, faith, love, constancy, and humility as an antidote to the corrupt vision of the world towards human life. We are called to challenge the way in which the "world" assigns value to human life and strive for a more equitable future for all, especially the poor and marginalized. In doing so, we honor the limitless sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all humanity.

The author's son wanted Thomas the Train toys for his birthday, but they couldn't afford them due to financial struggles. However, his wife found a bag of 27 Thomas trains for $7 at a thrift store on her birthday. This small act of providence gave the family hope and courage to fight their other battles. The author encourages readers to have faith in God's sovereignty and not give up in difficult times.

The story of Jonah teaches us about the consequences of our decisions and actions. Jonah's disobedience had consequences for those around him, just as the collective decisions and actions of the people of Nineveh had consequences for everyone in the city. However, God's character is one of mercy and grace, and he offers redemption to all human beings through the sacrifice of Christ. To fulfill God's will for our lives, we must be willing to renew our minds and change our actions. This may be an individual or communal challenge, but we must allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to synchronize our decisions and actions with God's sovereignty.

The "Our Father" prayer is important in Christian faith as it was the model Jesus used to teach his disciples to pray. The prayer has an invocation and seven requests, three focused on God and four on human nature. The invocation highlights the filial relationship between believers and God. The three requests focused on God highlight the importance of giving honor to God's name, committing to furthering God's kingdom on earth, and embracing God's plan for our lives. The four requests focused on human nature emphasize our dependence on God's provision, forgiveness, and guidance to avoid temptation and evil. It is important to take time to reflect on the implications of this prayer with other believers in our community.

The Magi sought a "king" in the palace but found Jesus in a manger, revealing the semantic transformation of the concept of "king" defined by humility, simplicity, marginalization, fragility, and vulnerability. Today, we must not make the same mistake and seek Jesus in the comforts and riches of the world. Christ is a king born in the "mangers" of this world, where the power of God is perfected in vulnerabilities and disabilities. We are called to live the example of our King and pay attention to the dispossessed and marginalized, honoring the example of Jesus.

In Luke 9:12-17, Jesus feeds more than 5000 people with just five loaves and two fish. This miracle shows that Jesus' ministry was not just about meeting spiritual needs, but also bodily needs. As Christians, we are called to follow this example and help mitigate the basic needs of our neighbors, such as providing adequate food, housing, health, and education. Even if we feel like we only have a little to offer, Christ can multiply our efforts to make a significant impact. We are called to proclaim a comprehensive gospel that meets all aspects of people's lives.

The shepherds in the Gospel of Luke made an important decision to move towards Bethlehem to see baby Jesus. They became co-participants in God's divine plan for humanity by taking the initiative to go to the manger. Every announcement and call from God can produce mishaps in our routine, but with faith and courage, we can participate in the message entrusted to us. The Holy Spirit is present and ready to give us strength to move forward in faith and courage. Let us move firmly and with determination towards Bethlehem.

The author recalls a funny incident with his uncle who repeated the word "BOA" in a funny tone. The author learns that "BOA" stood for Bible, Prayer, and Fasting, which was used in his uncle's faith community as an acronym to refer to the three essential components of the Pentecostal faith. The author realizes that these practices are still essential for Christians, especially pastors, and enrolls in the "BOA Institute" to reach new levels in his walk with God.

In the face of the uncertainty experienced by families of people with disabilities, the Church is called to reflect the light of Christ with empathy, not sorrow or pity. Empathy means sharing emotionally in our neighbors’ joys, sorrows, and needs; it moves us to walk alongside individuals and their caregivers. Because this care demands constant effort and may keep them away from the congregation, we need a proactive, intentional, and creative response from both pastors and laypeople. We can make it easier for them to attend, accompany them to appointments, visit them, ensure accessibility, and teach others how to interact with warmth and care. The goal is not to meet every need, but to build an inclusive community that walks alongside these families through the different stages of life.

At the age of twelve, I was diagnosed with a congenital kidney disease that had already caused the deaths of family members. During a prayer service in Puerto Rico, we prayed for healing, and twelve years later, I have no kidney problems whatsoever. This answer to prayer confirms that the Lord has plans for our lives beyond illness and that he can heal, break chains, and give us abundant life. He does not promise a life without pain or problems, but rather that he will walk beside us through every situation. Therefore, we can trust him and praise him at all times, both in sickness and in joy, recognizing him as the giver of life and the source of salvation, hope, and joy.