Written by: Ma. Antonnette Gilos | The Josephinian
Photos: Prince Evan Gellago | The Josephinian
The second day of Intramurals 2024 commenced with a Holy Mass, presided over by Rev. Fr. Johnrey B. Sibi, at Saint Joseph Garden, Main Campus, on October 17, 2024.
Students from different departments filled the grounds, reflecting on the homily, which focused on the concept of the “Other,” relevant to this year’s intramurals theme. In his homily, based on the Gospel of Saint Luke, Fr. Sibi mentioned that the “Other” is given meaning by Jesus in many ways. Firstly, it appears in the parable of the Good Samaritan, where the Other needs help. Secondly, the Other is presented as a friend to Jesus. Thirdly, the Other represents those who seek Jesus’ healing power. Lastly, the Other is depicted as the multitudes who were Jesus’ friends.
He emphasized that Jesus’ greatest understanding of the Other is “the One who gives His life even in the midst of death or dies for the sake of others.” This highlights that Jesus, who sacrificed His life for our redemption, is also the Other who is our “friend.”
Fr. Sibi commended both teams for their great sense of sportsmanship and camaraderie, noting that both teams respect one another. Even though the event was a competition between Josephus and Marianus, there is still a common thread that connects us all. He added, “If we try to understand the theme, we see that we are not solely competing with one another; rather, we understand the Other as a person, and that person, who is the Other, is a friend.” The context of the Other as a person and as a friend emphasizes that one cannot exist without the other, just as we need Jesus Christ to save us from our sins and redirect us towards holiness. The first to acknowledge the “Other” is our greatest God Himself, as exemplified in the first reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, where the greatest Other considers us beloved, as a person who is a friend to Him, reflecting His relationship with us and His friends.
As Josephinians and one educative family, we are reminded this Family Day II to focus not only on our skills and talents but also on recognizing the Other as a person and as a friend, fostering good relationships with the “Other.” Photos: Prince Evan Gellago
