Sounds of Hope: A Biblico-Theological Reflection
By the Rev. James Kollin

[Delivered during the concert dubbed “Sounds of Hope:
A Cantata for Recovery"   at St. Luke and All Saints Church, Dec. 5, 2009.]

Jesus said: “I came that you may have life, life to the fullest”. 

The reason, the cause and purpose of this Cantata is to make concrete these words, “I came that you have life, life to the fullest.” We learned about lives that were broken and devastated by the onslaught of Typhoon Pepeng in the Northern Philippines. People around the world like we are tonight have been emotionally and spiritually devastated as well. We lamented, cried, we questioned nature and even God why such things can happen to innocent lives. Yet, we did not end up just whining and complaining, and grieving. We tried and did something we can do to help. The affected persons needed not only our prayers but also our “dollars”, our clothing and other tangible instruments to help them to either recover or start life once again. Different kinds of big and small fund raising activities popped up here and there. One of which is this CANTATA entitled, Sounds of Hope. We are doing this because we care. We are doing this because we want to share. We are doing this because we are mindful to the needs and wants of others. We are doing this because we love God and our neighbor the way we love ourselves. We are doing this because we are blessed and we wanted to bless others. We are doing this because we offered ourselves as channels of God’s love and hope to the victims of Pepeng.  

As the performers stand and sing songs of hope and as we sit and listen, let us remember that those whom our proceeds are to be given are with us in spirit - also listening and maybe singing the same or more songs of hope. Their songs are maybe with different tunes or words or even without lyrics but of the same sound. The sound of recovery, sound of relief, sound of rehabilitation, and sound of light in the tunnel. 

So, through MUSIC we are re-connected with the God of hope, with one another who believe in hope, and with those our less fortunate brothers and sisters hoping for help.
 

Picture above depicts adult choir members performing under the baton of choir director
 Mary Ann Dalde and organist Marjorie Laoyan Longid. 
Children choir members await their turn to share their singing talents towards helping
raise funds for  typhoon victims. May their tribe increase.

The next Concert is scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009
at St. John's Episcopal Church, Flushing, Queens, New York.
The Concert will start at 6:30 PM.
A reception will follow at the St. John's social hall. which includes:
"chibugan" (snacks) hosted by BIBAK-NY and other kind-hearted food and drink donors; 
guitar/song renditions courtesy of Raul Taganas and company;
line and ballroom dancing led by the incomparable DJ tandem, Tony and Ching Trinidad ,
and of course the usual cultural dances.
For more information please go to: Concert For A Cause
http://www.stjohnsecfq.com/concert_for_a_cause.htm

Note: to help raise funds for this humanitarian fund-raising efforts, favorite drinks -  other than water, soft drinks and coffee -  will be sold at very reasonable costs. So bring your favorite drinks and share them with the typhoon victims, albeit indirectly.

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