Proverb 16:1-6

16 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,  but the Lord weighs the spirit.

3 Commit your work to the Lord,  and your plans will be established.

4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6 By steadfast love and faithfulness, iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.

Proverbs 16:1-6 (ESV) teaches that while humans make plans, God is completely SOVEREIGN OVER the outcomes, our motivations, and ultimate human history. It highlights our need for HUMILITY and TOTAL RELIANCE on God. 

Breakdown of the Verses

Verse 1: "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord."

Suggested Meaning (SM)

SM: While you are completely free to brainstorm and prepare what you want to say or do, it is ultimately God who controls the actual outcome and determines your words.

Verse 2: "All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives."

SM: We are naturally biased and tend to justify our own actions. However, God sees through human rationalization and perfectly judges our true intentions and spirit.

Verse 3: "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."

SM: This is a call to surrender. When you entrust your daily tasks and overarching life goals entirely to God, He aligns our path with His Will and brings about true success.

Verse 4: "The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble."

SM: God is the ultimate Creator and is in control of "absolutely everything", including evil and suffering. Even the wicked ultimately serve His sovereign, overarching purposes and will face justice on the day of judgment.

Verse 5: The Danger of Pride". Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished."

SM:

* Arrogant in heart: This refers to a person who trusts in their own wisdom, elevates their desires above God's commands, or looks down on others.

* Abomination: It is deeply detestable to God because it represents a fundamental rebellion against the Creator.

*Will not go unpunished: God’s justice is absolute; no proud person will ultimately evade accountability.

Verse 6: The Path to Forgiveness and Wisdom". By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil."

SM:

* Steadfast love and faithfulness: These twin (2)virtues refer to how sins are covered. Theologically, this points to God's own covenantal love and loyalty (which finds ultimate fulfillment God through  Christ ALONE), and on a human level, it reflects a life characterized by mercy and truth.

* Fear of the Lord: This isn't terror, but rather a profound, respectful awe of God. It produces a deep hatred for sin and results in action: actually turning away from evil.

/MM/ July 1, 2026

Bishop Francisco S. Aviso, Jr.

Scripture Readings: Zechariah 7:9–10; Luke 4:18–19; Matthew 25:40

Grace and peace to you from God our Creator, from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, and from the Holy Spirit who continues to empower the Church for mission and ministry.

Today, we gather not merely for a turnover of responsibilities but for a sacred act of thanksgiving, recommitment, and commissioning. We thank God for the faithful service of our outgoing officers whose dedication, sacrifices, and leadership have strengthened the witness and ministry of the United Church Men (UCM) and the Christian Women’s Association (CWA). At the same time, we welcome and commission those whom God has called to lead these organizations in the coming quadrennium.

This gathering is especially meaningful because it takes place as the entire United Church of Christ in the Philippines journeys under the theme, “Walking with Jesus: Journeying with the Anawim.” This is far more than a denominational slogan. It is an invitation to rediscover the very heart of Christian discipleship.

Following Jesus is not simply about maintaining organizations, conducting meetings, implementing projects, or fulfilling institutional requirements. It is about walking where Jesus walks, loving whom Jesus loves, and participating in God’s transforming mission in the world.

Our reflection today enjoins us to three points: 1) See What Jesus Sees; 2) Go Where Jesus Goes, and 3) Do What Jesus Does. Our reflection is anchored also on three powerful biblical witnesses. Through the prophet Zechariah, God commands His people to practice justice, mercy, and compassion toward the widow, the orphan, the stranger, and the poor. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus announces that He has been anointed to proclaim good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. Finally, in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus identifies Himself with “the least of these,” declaring that whatever we do for them, we do for Him.

These Scriptures remind us that to walk with Jesus is to journey with the Anawim.

Allow me to reflect on this calling through three invitations.

I. SEE WHAT JESUS SEES

Seeing the Anawim Through Christ’s Eyes

Everything begins with how we see.

The prophet Zechariah declares:

“Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the stranger, or the poor.”

These words remind us that authentic worship can never be separated from justice. Faith that ignores the suffering of others ceases to reflect the heart of God.

Jeremiah echoes this same truth when he declares that defending the cause of the poor and needy is the very essence of knowing God. Knowing God is not merely believing correct doctrines or performing religious rituals. To know God is to participate in God’s compassion for those who suffer poverty, exclusion, oppression, and injustice.

When Jesus stood in the synagogue at Nazareth, He announced His mission:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”

This declaration reveals the character of God’s Kingdom. Jesus deliberately chose to center His ministry among those whom society ignored—the poor, the brokenhearted, the sick, the oppressed, and the forgotten.

Throughout Scripture these people are called the Anawim—the poor, the humble, the powerless, and those whose only security is God.

If we desire to walk faithfully with Jesus, we must first learn to see the Anawim through His eyes.

Too often we reduce poverty to statistics, suffering to headlines, and marginalized communities to beneficiaries of church programs. Jesus never saw categories. He saw persons. He saw dignity where others saw disgrace. He saw hope where others saw despair. He saw beloved children of God where society saw burdens.

The Anawim are not simply recipients of our ministry.

They are bearers of God’s image.

They are members of God’s household.

They are often our teachers.

They teach us perseverance in hardship, faith amid uncertainty, and hope despite suffering. As we accompany them, we frequently discover that God has already been at work among them long before we arrived.

The Gospel also speaks lovingly to those blessed with wealth, influence, and privilege. Jesus’ encounter with the Rich Young Ruler, the transformation of Zacchaeus, Paul’s instruction to the wealthy, and James’ warning against favoritism remind us that discipleship calls every person into faithful stewardship. God’s concern for the poor is never meant to exclude the rich but to invite them into lives marked by generosity, justice, humility, and responsible stewardship.

In God’s Kingdom, both the poor and the rich are called to walk together under the lordship of Christ.