Inhale Grace: God’s Living Word

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” – Matthew 4:4.

Recently, the Archdiocesan Bible Apostolate of Davao (ABAD) together with the Davao Archdiocesan Youth Coordinating Apostolate (DAYCA) held a Youth Bible Symposium last January 20, 2024 at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (OLLP), Bangkal with the theme “God’s Word: The Breath of New Life”.

Different youths together with their Parish Bible Coordinators attended the said event. The program started with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. OLLP Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Henry Campeon presided over the Holy Mass together with Rev. Fr. Ritsche Gamaya and Rev. Fr. Fernando Ingente, SM. Fr. Henry welcomed the participants of the Bible Symposium and he wished that the participants may be able to also share the Word of God towards other people.

After the Holy Mass, everyone proceeded to the parish gym wherein the Pilgrim Dance and Bible Enthronement followed. Fr. Ritsche Gamaya, ABAD Spiritual Director shared the statement of Pope Francis saying: “The Youth are the NOW of the Church”.

The participants had the opportunity to meet one another through a getting to know activity. Just after that, two of the main highlights of the symposium followed, namely: the Bible Quiz Bee and the Poster Making Competition. For the Quiz Bee there were two (2) participants per parish and for the Poster Making there was one (1) participant per vicariate. The knowledge and creativity of the participants of these events were then put into the test.

Lunch break followed and then the afternoon session began with the presentation of cheers and yells per vicariate. The Youth showed their talent and energy by cheering for their own vicariates. A Bible Talk followed and was given by Rev. Fr. Marbendear Morallas. Fr. Dear highlighted that the Word of God is God’s self-communication and revelation. It is the encounter between God and his people. He mentioned that the first encounter with God is through creation wherein God gave the breath of life.

Fr. Marbendear also expressed that there are two reasons of having an encounter with God: first is to see the essence of God and secondly to see God’s plan for us. Man can only see the fullness of the Word And you can only interpret the Word if you have a communal experience in the ecclesial community in the church. He also said that the purpose of the Bible is to see the face of God and that the Bible tells us not to be defined by the world for the world will never tell us who we are.

A brief sharing between the youth followed wherein everyone reflected on this guide question provided by Fr. Marbendear: In your effort to live the Word of God what challenges or difficulties do you encounter and where do you draw strength to persevere? The youth expressed their thoughts and insights showing how the short talk resonated with them. Bro. Kim Amparo, one of the members of the Youth Bible Apostolate Core Group shared that the Youth are gifted with different talents from God and that they should be able to share these gifts towards other people.

Everyone was thrilled when the awarding ceremony followed. The youth of Sto. Rosario Parish was hailed as Champion for the Bible Quiz Bee meanwhile St. James Vicariate was declared as the Poster Making Champion. The closing remarks was then given by ABAD Lay Coordinator, Concordio Pondias thanking everyone who gave their time and efforts to join this Bible Symposium.

The theme of the symposium, gives importance to the Word of God. That through the Word, our soul becomes whole, becomes rejuvenated and becomes complete. It is the reason why we are able to feel and see the full and loving presence of God. The youth who are not only torchbearers of the Catholic Christian faith in the future but now enlightened by the Sacred Scriptures and guided by the Holy Spirit becomes part of the synodal journey, bringing everyone closer to God receiving the breath of New Life. (Allyza Hope Tabigue | GKK SoCCom of St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Parish)