MillHill Missionaries
MILLHILL Newsletter RIDING-IN-TANDEM; The Relevance of TEAMWORK Glenn Bibero Diaz, MHM
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nd he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out by twos, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. Mark 6:7 The phrase“riding-in-tandem”often appears in the Philippines major daily newspapers and tabloids purportedly responsible for the series of criminalities in the Philippines. Out of curiosity to know more about this phrase, I went to browse for more information in google. In other countries, this word “tandem” is defined as a bike with front and back seats, and an arrangement where one is seated in front and one at the back. From other sources, the term suggests of team work or a team effort wherein the two riders complement each other. However, the “riding-intandem” has taken its own meaning in Filipino English: a noun to refer to crimes perpetrated by more than one person, usually two men on a motorbike. The alarming incident of killings prompted the local government units to pass measures that would stop such crimes like banning two males together riding in a motorbike. Reading through however, the word “tandem” had no negative connotation or implication when taken in another perspective as a team effort or a working relationship. I wonder if in the time of Jesus Christ, would He pursue by twos? - a team effort as narrated in the Gospel of Mark. What was clear was the working relationship of two disciples with passion as a team. Jesus created a support out two of His disciples as a travel companion. Sending the disciples by twos provided one to witness the preaching of Jesus - the miracles the disciples performed. It was a training exercise for the purpose of spreading the Good News and growing of the Kingdom. Two persons can provide as a valid eyewitness. So, in the midst of this social menace that this riding-in-tandem has created, we can look
at it in a mere positive way. We are called to be united and vigilant witnesses to the happenings around us. Let us not be pathetic observer but rather help one another, enjoy each others fellowship and strengthen our working relationship. If our fellowship is strong, Jesus is with us. I think one of the many reasons why some churches fail is they consciously disregard what Jesus taught. There is rivalry, jealousy, egocentredness to name a few. These behaviour are noticeably seen among church workers and even leaders today. That is why there is an urgency to develop the skills of people in support for one another and work together for the success of communities. A chaotic society is transformed to a loving, caring and sharing community. Our church in the Philippines have still a lot to work hard in restoring sense of unity, team-work and trust among the clergy and the lay communities. The process may take some time. It is not easy as it entails sacrifice, acceptance and edifying oneself. It is like the journey of a husband and wife in deepening their loving relationship. As the relationship prospers, the journey becomes less about reaching goal, but more on learning, loving and listening to the moment when words no longer mean for them, trust for one another, forgiveness for the inadequacies or deficiencies of each other, understanding the role of each other. Let us make them the wheels as we continue to journey in the spirituality of working in tandem.
Friends of Millhill 2018 | 1