Thank you very much for all your generous support. Maraming salamat po!
In its first week the book was #1 in Hot New Releases in New Testament Criticism and #11 in the 100 Bestselling Books in New Testament Criticism. After 30 days the book was #2 in Hot New Releases in New Testament Criticism. And #5 in Hot New Releases in Jesus, Gospels, and Acts.
During its Holy Week Sale last March 22-26, the book went back to #1 in New Testament Criticism, #4 in Biblical History and Culture, and #7 in Jesus, the Gospels, and Acts.
2 comments:
Beverly C. Marveda
Prof. Revelation Velunta
Bachelor of Theology
Biblical Writings
The Parables of Jesus Inside the Jeepney
As we all know our jeepney came from jeeps which were being used by Americans during war. We beat and improve it to become jeepney were many people can make use of it. A jeepney as we can see and observe it, it is a type of transportation where I can say, “The more, the merrier”. Why? Because in that simple thing and action it shows the Filipino culture the so-called hospitality. In the jeepney everyone knows and learn how to give way for the other people to come in and take a seat. And it will not go until it will be full of passengers. It shows the teamwork of each one inside when relaying the fare from one-person relay to another. We reach out our hand to help anyone who needs it. And sometimes when it is really full, and there’s no free seat, we offer our lap for others, so that no one will left behind.
As I read The Parables of Jesus Inside the Jeepney. I found out some new learnings for me. It is the list of selected parables in the bible that we find confusing or difficult to understand. And we view it all the time as it was God but its not. We overthink the text the way it is, which is wrong. As I go through it I find myself that I was wrong in interpreting it and the more worst is I teach the wrong interpretation of parables into the youth in our church during Sunday school. As I remember The Parable of the Talents, I’ve thought and interpret it, as the talent which can be figured out through dancing, singing, teaching and any other talents which is really wrong. And I always identify the king/landowner in the parables as God, in which it shouldn’t be and it needs to be stopped with the wrong interpretation. Because parables are subversive speech in which it is the reason why Jesus executed. The parables are a kind of speech that contradict to the issues and laws of the land that violates human rights during Jesus time. Just like the writings of Jose Rizal towards the Spaniard colonizers, during Spaniards colonization. With the goal to make the Filipinos free from slavery. The writings of Jesus stand for the poor and marginalized type of people.
So as of now, as followers of Jesus we need also to imitate and follow His teachings. The jeepney is a good example of unity and integrity with each other, teamwork and cooperation, the act of equality inside of it, there is no discrimination between people inside the jeepney, and lastly the act of being hospitable with an outstretched arm willing to help and hold anyone in need. How can we be like jeepney in this world that is full private cars? Can we still do it? If we can do it into the least of our brothers and sisters, we also do it to our heavenly fathers. Soar high but keep your feet planted on the same ground. Learn to look back from where you came from.
Thank you and God Bless…
Review on RPJIJ
The book Reading the Parables of Jesus inside a Jeepney is a book which gave new meaning and perspective to the parables of Jesus. A parable composes of fictional characters and stories which Jesus used to reach out to the people who are listening. It uses the characters and situations as symbolism of God the Father, the Kingdom of heaven, and the people. It is a way Jesus chose to make the people be able to relate and understand who God is and what is God’s message for humanity. It is based on the situation of the people during the time of Jesus. The book Reading the Parable of Jesus inside a Jeepney made the characters and story real during our time. The reflections made the story current and relatable to people who are reading it.
The reflections start with explaining the characters and stories as they are written, and how was it relatable by the people during the time of Jesus. The reflections usually show no bias on either character, like with the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. They both sinned and both needed mercy. It also looks at the parables as it is, not focusing on the symbolisms of God, heaven and humanity. After looking at the literal meaning and scope of the story, the reflections make the story relatable to the person reading it, by placing the story in the now context. The book makes the story current and relatable to Filipinos. It sights current social issues and situations Filipinos experience, like the fishermen, farmers, widows and the marginalized groups.
Reading it taught me a new way of looking at the parables. It taught me to be part of the story, and showed me the importance of bringing the message into the context of the current listener, wherein people will be able to see themselves in, and be able to introduce Christ from their perspective. Like Christ, we need to know our listeners, and consider them when teaching and preaching the Word of God and introducing who God is. In this way, we make God real to them.
by: Maria Romina Panlilio
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