First Meeting and Gathering

We had our first gathering on February 7, 2022 via Zoom. 

An abridged form of the opening sermon by Dr. Anna May Say Pa:

You Are The Light Of The World

Matthew 5:14

Myanmar Institute of Theology was opened in 1927 and its motto was “You are the light of the world,” (Matthew 5:14).  From the first alumni, Mooler, Peter Hla, and John Thet Gyi to its newest, all have strived to bring light into darkness. Mooler was an enthusiastic evangelist, Peter was a pastor who developed Christian Home programs for the churches and John was the General Secretary of the Myanmar Council of Churches.

The world we live in today is very different from the world of the early graduates.  There have been advances in the technical field like the Internet, breakthrough in medical sciences, and travel into space.

Yet we still face the same challenges they faced then.

The First Challenge is Mission to the Peoples.  The world more than ever needs the light that only Jesus Christ can bring.  People need to hear the Gospel message of love and reconciliation.  Developments in transportation and communication make proclaiming the Gospel easier than before.  Yet there are still many hardships and barriers to overcome in mission. We are called to obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).

The Second Challenge is Poverty.  With the rise of science and technology we would expect to see poverty eradicated.  But though the rich grow richer, the poor grow poorer still. Inequality in distribution of income and natural causes like global warming heighten the problem. More so with the appearance of COVID-19 which adversely affected so many millions of people.  In Myanmar with the army coup on February 1, 2021, hundreds have been killed, and thousands have become jobless, homeless, refugees, and asylum seekers. Unlike the priest and Levite, we cannot walk on the other side. Like the Good Samaritan we have to have compassion (Luke 10: 25-37). We are called to heal and serve the broken people.

 

The Third Challenge is Divisiveness.  There is discrimination in the world because of skin color, religion, sex, class and disability.  White Supremacy movements like the Proud Boys and Aryan Nation think only Whites are true Americans.  In Myanmar, racial strife and conflicts have been ongoing for decades.  The discrimination of the Rohingyas illustrates the racism inherent in Myanmar society.  We are called to unite people and bridge differences.

The Fourth Challenge is Ecology.  The world we are living in is facing ecological damage because of human greed and exploitation of the earth, our home. Human activity has led to the disappearance of many forms of wild life, forests and natural resources.  We have to join in and speak up for eco-justice.

Yes, as the MITAA motto says “Go Ye, Serve Ye,” we must answer these challenges with courage, solidarity and commitment.

Here are some photos of the attendees.