Sunday Reflection:

Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Epiphany of the Lord (Solemnity)

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany. "The Lord and ruler is coming; kingship is his, and government and power." With these words the Church proclaims that today's feast brings to a perfect fulfillment all the purposes of Advent. Epiphany, therefore, marks the liturgical zenith of the Advent-Christmas season. — Pius Parsch

The Solemnity of the Epiphany is celebrated either on January 6 or, according to the decision of the episcopal conference, on the Sunday between January 2 and January 8. The young Messiah is revealed as the light of the nations. Yet, as the antiphon for the Magnificat at Second Vespers reminds us, three mysteries are encompassed in this solemnity: the adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi, the Baptism of Christ and the wedding feast at Cana. Extra candles and/or lamps may be placed around the sanctuary and in other parts of the church to honor Christ revealed as the Light of the Gentiles (Ceremonial of Bishops). It is customary to replace the images of the shepherds at the crib with the three Magi and their gifts. — Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year, Msgr. Peter J. Elliott, Ignatius Press.

According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, today is the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus which is kept on the First Sunday in the year; but if this Sunday falls on January 1, 6, or 7, the feast is kept on January 2.

The Eleventh Day of Christmas

Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany
Many traditions and genuine manifestations of popular piety have been developed in relation to the Solemnity of the Lord's Epiphany, which is of ancient origin and rich in spiritual content. Among such forms of popular piety, mention may be made of:

• the solemn proclamation of Easter and the principal dominical feasts; its revival in many places would be opportune since it served to make the connection between the Epiphany and Easter, and orientate all feasts towards the greatest Christian solemnity;
• the exchange of "Epiphany gifts", which derives from the gifts offered to Jesus by the three kings (cf. Mt 2,11) and more radically from the gift made to mankind by God in the birth of Emmanuel amongst us (cf. Is 7, 14; 9, 16; Mt 1, 23). It is important, however, to ensure that the exchange of gifts on the solemnity of the Epiphany retain a Christian character, indicating that its meaning is evangelical: hence the gifts offered should be a genuine expression of popular piety and free from extravagance, luxury, and waste, all of which are extraneous to the Christian origins of this practice;
• the blessing of homes, on whose lentils are inscribed the Cross of salvation, together with the indication of the year and the initials of the three wise men (C+M+B), which can also be interpreted to mean Christus Mansionem Benedicat, written in blessed chalk; this custom, often accompanied by processions of children accompanied by their parents, expresses the blessing of Christ through the intercession of the three wise men and is an occasion for gathering offerings for charitable and missionary purposes;
• initiatives in solidarity with those who come from afar; whether Christian or not, popular piety has encouraged a sense of solidarity and openness;
• assistance to the work of evangelization; the strong missionary character of the Epiphany has been well understood by popular piety and many initiatives in support of the missions flourish on 6 January, especially the "Missionary work of the Holy Child", promoted by the Apostolic See;
• the assignation of Patrons; in many religious communities and confraternities, patron saints are assigned to the members for the coming year.

  —#118 Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy

Things to Do:

• Read about the Epiphany, or the Manifestation of the Lord.
• For family activities please see the Blessing of Water and Chalk and the Blessing of the Home on Epiphany.

Christmas Message: His Eminence Gaudencio Card. Rosales, D.D.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2008

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth Peace for those He favors” (Luke 2:14).

Again and again the message of Christmas must be repeated in order to allow it to sink deep into human hearts. The news of great joy is brought to us in order to be shared by all. This hopeful message is the reason why nearly everyone hums a little tune or sings a carol at Christmas season. Christians are a cheerful people. Only Christians have the ability to hope in times of great need and even in paralyzing disasters.

Peace may be wished for, but God saves it only for those He favors. Humans long for peace, but they have to deserve it. Peace belongs to those who sincerely long and work for it and on whom God’s favor rests.

Peace is not the achievement of one struggle; it is built up by a day-by-day effort. It is not simply sung with the angels. Peace is built on justice among humans. It is born of a relationship where honest people are just to each other and respect one another. It is a world of kind relationships, where neighbors love and help each other, where business traders do not cheat customers, where leaders, and especially government leaders, are not proud and do not defraud their subjects, and where everyone sees the other as friend or brother/sister to serve or to help.

In the simplest level of life where rich and poor breathe the same free and healthy air, Peace is known by the practice of sharing. No one feels at ease (or sometimes safe) with an extra bowl of rice to eat, while just across their fence are brothers and sisters who are hungry.

Crises may come and crises may go, but for as long as humans know how and love to share what they have, there will be both Peace and Joy in our land. This is what Christmas reminds us to do. Just remember were Filipinos who love Jesus Christ and are sincere in following Him. That makes the great difference! But do not forget to work for Peace!

A Blessed Christmas to all!

(Signed)
+ GAUDENCIO B. CARDINAL ROSALES
Archbishop of Manila

Solemnity of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, 25th December

A PAULINE CHRISTMAS: Reflecting upon the Body of Christ as Infant

Introduction

A Blessed and Merry Christmas to all Let this be sign to you: in
a manger you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes (from
our Gospel according to Luke). Also, since this year is the Year of Saint
Paul, I greet you a Pauline Christmas to all! St. Paul rewrites tonight’s
Christmas narrative. The Christmas story is of the Holy Family in a stable
of animals, with the angels singing the Gloria in heaven and the shepherds
adoring. Saint Paul adds the visit of the magi. Instead of the names of
the wise men being Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar, the names given by
Paul are: Timothy, Titus and Philimon after his letters. And instead of
the gifts given being gold, frankincense and myrrh, the gifts offered are:
faith, hope and love. Saint Paul explains why. The essence of Christmas
is not material gifts of a consumerist and commercialized environment.
Christmas is about giving gifts truly from the heart, things that truly last
and endures: faith, hope and love which is the greatest.

Body

With Paul, we reflect upon the Body of Christ as a cute babe, a
lovable infant, a tender child. From Paul’s experience in his conversion
at Damascus, there is oneness between Christ and the Church being
persecuted by Saul. In Paul’s letter, there is a constant refrain of the Body
of Christ with Christ as Head and the Church members making up the
different organs of the Body.

Paul urges unity and the resolution of differences as the Church
members partake of the one Body of Christ whenever they break bread
and receive communion. The Body of Christ is Christ born in the manger
at Christmas midnight and the Body of Christ is also the Church. As we
partake of communion tonight, Christ is born in our hearts on His very
birthday.
Paul challenges us to grow in grace, mature in love as a community.
The Pauline literature is all about building communities, reconciling
groups within the Church, correcting those who stray, all about Church
growth and development. We are toddlers in eth faith, we stumble, we
are babies that are dependent upon others for wisdom, we are children
who need to be taught and guided along the path of righteousness and
holiness.

The acronym CHILD best summarizes who Paul is:

C Conversion His conversion on eth road to Damascus is a sign
that we need to return to the Lord always.

H Hardships Paul enumerates his crosses, trials, tribulations
in his journeys. All these hardships are his
participation in eth Paschal Mystery.

I Inclusion Paul fought that Gentiles be included in the Church,
that they need not become Jesus first.
L Love Love is the essence of God and the reason
for Christmas and is the highest lasting virtue
according to Paul.

D Determination Determination, zeal, fervor, indefatigable drive
are the marks of Paul the missionary.

“The grace of God has appeared, offering salvation to all” (from
our second reading, Paul’s letter to Titus)
“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder,
dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-
Forever, Prince of Peace” (from our first reading from the Prophet
Isaiah)
Conclusion

On this Christmas night, let us offer gifts, not material gifts brought
from the mall but the gifts of our total loving selves. Paul’s Christian
communities lead us in this procession of gifts.

The Thessalonians offer their “breastplate of faith and love and
a helmet as a symbol of hope salvation”.

The Corinthians offer their “bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit”.
They acknowledge they are “God’s field, His building”.

The Ephesians offer themselves as “the whole armor of God, the
shield of God”.

The Romans offer themselves as “a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God”.

Once more, we renew our commitment to follow, love and serve
Christ on this birthday of His.

Merry Christmas! Happy birthday Jesus!


REV. MSGR. HERNANDO CORONEL
Rector
San Carlos Seminary

9th day Simbang Gabi Reflection, 24th December

In God’s Graciousness

Introduction

Joy fills the airwaves of Christmas season.

Malls are jam-packed with shoppers to buy new things to wear and
funny gifts for their loved ones and godchildren. Houses are decorated
with various Christmas designs and lights. At home, family is busy in
preparing special meals and special gifts. On the streets, Christmas carols
are rendered by the young and adults while gift giving is centered on the
poor. Parishes display different versions of crib where baby Jesus was
likely borne. With all of these material manifestations, we cannot but
celebrate. Christmas is a big celebration, a festivity.
And today marks the 9th day of “Simbang Gabi”. All the efforts
of waking up at dawn, shaking the cobwebs of sleep while at Mass and
trying to complete the novena for a wish to come true are now drawing
to a close. It is worth an effort. We should be rejoicing because we are
able to go beyond our limitation and self-comfort.

These external and internal preparations move our heart into joy.
This is timely and proper as we remember the birth of Jesus, the Savior.

Body
God’s graciousness is beyond measure and imagining; its fruition
to men is nothing else but joy.

David, in the first reading, is blessed with two privileges: he has
chosen by God to be the King of Israel and from his throne, the everlasting
dynasty will reign.

In the gospel reading, the old barren wife gives birth to a child.
Elizabeth’s giving birth to a boy is a source of great joy to all- herself,
Zacharias, relatives and friends. They cannot help but affirm the
miraculous deed of their God Zacharias, meanwhile, rejoices because the long-waited Messiah
has now come in their midst and his very son, John is the one who would
prepare the way for Messiah’s coming.

This is what his Benedictus, a song of praise and thanksgiving to God, highlighted; a song that expresses the overflowing joy of an old man who is both a priest and a father.
The name John means God is gracious; the name that God has
ordered to be given to the child and able to describe the gratitude of
John’s parents for an unexpected joy. It reveals who God really is and
what He wants for us. A personal God, He wants his people to be happy
and fully alive. This divine graciousness has made flesh; God’s gift to
the world is himself. The Son of God entered into the world and became
one with us. Through a baby borne in the crib in Bethlehem, man is not
only redeemed but also elevated to divinity. God in man and Man in
God. This is what we commemorate, celebrate.

Joy and divine graciousness are inseparable. Joy is from God
and for us. Like God, let us share the joy received to others.

Conclusion

Let us imitate Him for he is the source and model of joy. Joy to
the world the Lord has come!

Question

How do I find joy in my life?


Fernando L. Sabado, Jr

8th day Simbang Gabi Reflection, 23rd December

TO PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

Introduction

Jesus Christ’s advent into the world was prepared for
by various prophets in the Old Testament and by a big cast in
the New Testament. His coming in the life of any believer is preceded
by many and sundry characters and events. His real presence to us this
Christmas requires not only our own personal cooperation but the crucial
participation too of a multiplicity of persons. One such major character
was and is John the Baptizer, the Lord’s precursor.

Body

THE MESSENGER. The prophet Malachi (the Hebrew name
means “my messenger”) is well-known for his messianic proclamation of
the divine purpose: “I am sending my messenger to clear the way before
Me.” The pun on his name underscores his role in the long history of the
waiting for the advent of the Messiah. Rounding off the Twelve Prophets,
the book tried to persuade its readership to follow the Law and be faithful
to God and to be strong in their resolve to do so, for the messenger in
preparation for the final development is there.

For the purpose of keeping the covenant with God, so that God
may finally come and be in fact in His temple in the midst of his people,
the messenger sent by Him would be clearing the way before Him. And
he would be like “a smelter’s fire and a fuller’s lye” a purifying, caustic
treatment. This zealous, powerful enforcer of the covenant would make
his appearance to purify the descendants of Levi like a smelter and a
refiner of silver and gold. Thus the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem in
righteousness would be pleasing to the Lord.

THE ANGEL OF THE COVENANT. This angel of the
covenant desired and needed by the people would test them in his coming.
Who could hold out when he appears, and endure the day of his coming?
Elijah, the herald of the messianic era, seemed to have been understood
in Jewish prophetic tradition to be this messenger of the Lord and the
angel of the covenant. Since Elijah did not die but ascended to heaven
in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11), he could return in preparation for the
day of the Lord.

“The awesome, fearful day of the Lord” refers not only to
the travails of the Messiah but also to the rigorous actions the people
would be summoned to undertake in order to be acceptable to God.
The prophet Elijah would bring about intergenerational reconciliation,
reconciling parents with their children, and children with their parents.
This restoration of the family which mirrors the covenant would deflect
the utter destruction due to the entire land.

THE PRECURSOR OF THE MESSIAH. Jesus Christ himself
declared that the foretold return of Elijah to restore things for the final
manifestation of the kingdom of God was fulfilled already in the coming
of John the Baptizer (Matthew 11:14; 17:10-13). Matthew intentionally
portrayed John wearing clothing made of camel’s hair to recall the austere
dress of the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8). Luke narrated the birth and
circumcision of John to emphasize his incorporation into the people of
God by the sign of the covenant (Genesis 17:1-12). And his naming meant
his identity; his name John (“God is gracious”) given by the angel meant
he was a gift to his people, a heavenly destiny. What his name indicated
for the people was that vital, his father would remain speechless until he
had proclaimed it to others. The people’s reaction to the entire happening
showed that not only the parents had a stake in the child’s birth.

John was a promise of future blessings to God’s chosen people for
the establishment of the reign of God. Neighbors and relatives rejoiced
that God had shown great mercy to everyone by the birth of the child.
Clearly, John was a sign of divine presence and power, accompanied by
the marvels that his father Zechariah blessed God for and which inspired
fear in the hearts of the neighbors. They might not know exactly what
to make out of the events, but they were certain God had great design
for the child.

Conclusion

God, to save us, willed that we cooperate with Him. Not only in
the sense that each of us must personally submit to His divine will, but
also in the imperative that we assume active role and responsibility for
the salvation of others. God calls messengers to deliver His word to the
people, and angels of the covenant to focus the attention of the public to
the particular demands of our union with Him, and precursors to challenge
the believers to renew their lives. Christmas, as a celebration of God’s
coming in Jesus Christ here and now, needs servants of God too to prepare
the way of the Lord. Not only priests and teachers tell the people of
the mystery that happens in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, but parents,
friends and individuals can likewise remind and assist those immediately
around them so that all can welcome the One Who Comes. Today we
still need a Malachi, an Elijah or a John the Baptizer to challenge the
people to prepare and to clear the way of the Lord.

Questions

In all the flurry of activities surrounding the approach of Christmas,
have we done anything yet to ensure that God who longs to be present
in our hearts finds us open and welcoming? Have we helped anyone so
far to be ready spiritually for Christmas?


MSGR. SABINO A. VENGCO, JR.
President
Kadiwa sa Pagkapari Foundation

7th day Simbang Gabi Reflection , 22nd December

MAGNIFICAT

Introduction

At times we are so focused in an image of Mary who is
always well-composed, stress-free and a very calm person. We
forget that she is also human like us. When the angel Gabriel announced
God’s plan for her, she was greatly troubled. “Hail full of grace, the
Lord is with you… You shall bear a child and will name him Jesus.” I
guess Mary’s response could be “DAH!!! Why me? Don’t you think I’m
bit too young for that big responsibility.” Anyways, who could ever say
No… I mean here you are faced with an Angel, “shinning, shimmering,
splendid.” I guess to her shocked she said, “Ok… whatever!” Yup, not
very clear in her mind… but one thing is crystal clear… “I trust you,
because you said God wants me.”

Afterwards, she went to Elizabeth. She took this opportunity to
reflect. What have I done? I guess, it was along the journey that she
realized the gravity of her saying “Yes”. And so she was all the more
troubled. She was very much scared. How could my parents understand
and accept this? What will my fiancée do in case he discovers I’m
pregnant? How will my country men receive me, they thought I’m a
very modest girl and now I’m pregnant out-of-wedlock?

When she saw Elizabeth, it was there she realized that indeed
what the angel told her was true. The impossible became a reality. When
Elizabeth saw her, she did not asked why but she already understood.
Elizabeth envelops Mary in her arms and she felt safe, warm, and began
to feel that maybe she can do this. Elizabeth reminds her of her mission
and gave her the courage to do what she is called to do. In her embrace,
she felt the arms of God holding her close. With that Mary felt secured,
Mary felt so happy and so in outburst she sang this beautiful song of
“Magnificat” in praise to God.

Body

The Magnificat is a song of surrender and trust in the Lord. It is
also a song of humility for how God looks with favor on his lowly servant.
Her lowliness is not an obstacle but rather a strength so that God’s power
may reign and not hers. Mary made herself available for whatever God’s
purpose is. This song says it all. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
I entrust my whole life to you!”

Like Mary, God needs our “yes” so that His will may reign in
our hearts and in this world. Often times we look at our lowliness in a
different light. We see it as a hindrance, an inadequacy, and/or incapacity.
But at times it becomes false humility when we would shun ourselves from
something we can do and beg-off because of our being shy or timid. At
times we say, “No I’m not fit for the job, somebody else will do it better,
I’m unworthy, I can’t do that.” Today’s Gospel challenges us to look at
the ways God is inviting us to be instruments in his plan, in the midst of
our own less-than-perfect situations. When God calls you, He is calling
you in your entireness. You think God doesn’t know your limitations?
God is God, therefore He is All-Knowing. He knows you through and
through. Thus, inspite and despite of all, He still calls you because He
believes in you… He needs you.

Conclusion

Advent is a wonderful time to make ourselves available for
whatever it is God calls us to be. This advent is a time for us to discover
that in our lowliness we can give glory to God. Perhaps this is a time to
realize that I can be an instrument of God and be grateful for that. Like
Mary, may we be able to give praise to God and sing our own Magnificat.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!”

Question

How do i say my yes to God?

REV. FR. JOSELITO BUENAFE
Spiritual Director
San Carlos Seminary

6th day Simbang Gabi Reflection, 21st December

IT IS NO MORE I WHO LIVES IN ME BUT CHRIST

Introduction

Today’s Mass is known as the “Golden Mass” the Misa Aurea,
commemorating the annunciation and the actual beginning of the Godmade-
man. This is the start too of man’s participation in the life-stream of
God. St Athanasius went further by saying “He indeed, assumed humanity
that we might become God” Another more contemporary theologian said
“Immanuel, God with us in our nature, in our sorrow, in our lifework, in
our punishment, in our grace, and now with us or rather we with Him, in
resurrection, ascencion, triumph and Second Advent splendour.” Thus,
this means our total oneness with God.

Pope Benedict XVI announced that the universal Church would
celebrate a special Jubilee Year of the Apostle Paul from June 28, 2008
to June 29, 2009 on the occasion of the bi-millennium of his birth. This
was to give greater importance to the life, teachings and spiritually of Saul
who became a Paul. This took place on his way to Damascus while riding
on a horse with letters of authority in his hand to arrest all the Christians
living there. Suddenly the Lord appeared to him. He fell to the ground
and heard a voice calling him “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
He replied,” Who are you, sir?” And the Lord said to him, “I am Jesus
whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:4-5)

What must have struck Paul at this theophany? It must have
been the statement of Christ, identifying Himself completely with every
Christian whom Paul was persecuting then. Through this statement
therefore, Christ is not alone. He is always with every Christian. And for
that matter every Christian is also in Him. From here Paul develops his
theology of the mystical body of Christ (1 Cor. 12-14)

Body

- Christianity is a religion of joy. Christianity is what it is because
of Christ. Christ who is the Son of God has become man. Humanity and
Divinity has become one in Christ. Thus the angel says to Mary: “Rejoice,
O highly favored (daughter). The Lord is with you” (Lk.1:28). In the
same manner Zephaniah told the people of Israel (Zeph.3:14-15) “Shout
for joy, O daughter Zion, Sing joyfully, O Israel: Be glad and exult with
all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem…. The king of Israel, the Lord is
in your midst…” God is now with His people Israel.

- This is the glad message of Christmas which we are preparing
for this simbang gabi. This too is the same good tidings Paul got on the
road to Damascus. The Lord can be one with. But how?

- By faith in Christ, is his answer. Faith joined with baptism is that
which renders a man righteous. It is the life which St. Paul lived since his
conversion. But it is a life of crucifixion with Christ so that Christ lives
in him (Rom.6:8) and of course he in Christ. By this he can truly say that
union between Christ and-himself is complete because it is through faith
that Christians becomes sons of God in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26), Hence
the Christian is saved by grace. The result is a symbiosis between man
and Christ, the glorified Kyrios who has become as of the resurrection a
“Vivifying Spirit. (1 Cor. 15:45)

- St Paul shows that it is only through faith in Christ, that personal
connectedness and that individual identity can be saved. It is the opposite
of autonomy.” I have been crucified with Christ. I live no longer I, but
Christ lives in me.” The presence of Jesus Christ does not suppress Paul’s
identity but save it. How? By that theophany Paul wants to be one with
Christ. Why does he want Christ?” “I live by faith in the Son of God who
has loved me and given himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20). For Paul faith is
always connected with love. “For in Christ Jesus; neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through
love.

Conclusion

Is this not what we all want specially this coming Christmas? Yes,
we all want that precious gift of being one with Christ who is the very
love of the Father. We want that God-made-man may be one in each of
us. This is what we all are trying to prepare ourselves during these nine
days of our simbang-gabi also in the company of Mary who was found
praying when the Word was made flesh in her womb. To be perfectly
loved by Christ by His death on the cross and by recognizing in faith the
presence of Jesus who loves him, is Paul’s identity. So shall this be our
identity.


May the Good Lord be seen in all of us this coming Christmas.


REV. MSGR. EMMANUEL SUNGA
Parish Priest St. Andrew The Apostle
Parish Bel-Air 2, Makati City

5th day Simbang Gabi Reflection, 20th December

FREE TO DO GOD’S WILL

Introduction

If we look closely at what we want to do in life 4
especially those that involve the direction we want to take, or even just
how we do things on a daily basis, we find that there’s often that clash
of wills that confront us, what we know to be God’s call and our own
desires. Very often there’s a conflict between doing things God’s way or
my way. As St. Paul tells us in his Letter to the Romans 7, 15, “I do not
do the good I want to do; instead I do the evil that I do not want to do.”

Body

In our Gospel reading, we saw how Mary, despite her not being
able to understand in terms of human reckoning how she could conceive
without having a human father, she nevertheless submits to the angel
Gabriel’s message to her when he tells her “you will conceive in your
womb and bear son, and you shall name him Jesus” who will be great and
will be called the Son of the Most High”. Against the odd of understanding
the angel’s message to her in human terms she surrenders her own will
when she gave her response, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be
done to me according to your word?”

What made Mary accede to God’s plan for her even if it was
beyond her to comprehend the mystery of God’s plan for the world? It
was her unquestioning trust that whatever God was about to accomplish
through her cooperation was surely for the good of humankind. Her trust
in God’s goodness and wisdom was such that she didn’t for one moment
think of holding on to any human security that her family or relatives
could give her. As a result of her total surrender to the Lord’s bidding and
with her readiness to accept even suffering in the course of her obedience
to God she never doubted even for a moment that God would one day
exult her so that she would later sing in her Canticle, “From this day all
generations will call me blessed; the Almighty has done great things for
me.” (Lk. 1, 47) And as a result of her total surrender to God’s will she
was free from any kind of attachment to human and material desires that
made her to allow God to do as He wished with her to accomplish His
plan.

In our consumerist society we live in today, if there’s one thing
we need to realize it’s our need to constantly strive to be free from our
many worldly attachments so that we will have that inner freedom to allow
God to accomplish in us whatever that He wills for us and make us His
instruments for His purpose. Saying ‘yes’ to God implies letting go of
whatever we hold dear in terms of our ideas, relationships, positions of
influence. This is the most difficult to do especially if we have held on to
them for so long because we considered them as important values in life.
Yet we have to take the first step towards letting go of any attachment,
material or otherwise, that impedes us from saying with Mary “Let it
be done to me according to your word.” For many of us it will take a
lifetime of striving but most importantly what God wants to see in us
is our continuing struggle, no matter how difficult it is in overcoming
our selfishness, to allow Him free reign over our life.

When Paul wrote to his followers in Corinth, “Be imitators of
me as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11, 1) he was inviting his disciples to look
at the way he had been obedient to the Word of God he had received in
Christ. Obedience to God’s word would be the consequence of our total
trust in God’s loving care. Having put her entire being under God’s care
Mary became our model of obedience to God’s Word as she spent her
life following in the footsteps of her Son, Jesus. The same would now
be true with us if we adopt that attitude of total trust and detachment. We
can now be imitators of the life of St. Paul as he gave witness to his faith
in Christ as an apostle. Imitating the life of St. Paul as he was an imitator
of Christ is like a father telling his son about to get married, “Son, love
your wife just I have loved your mother. Follow the example I have set
for you.”

A favorite theme of the Apostle Paul in his letters is his constant
exhortation to love one another in Christ. “Let your love be genuine.”
(Rom. 12,9); “Make love your aim.” (I Cor 14,1); “Walk in love.” (Eph.
5, 2); “The fruit of the Spirit is love.” (Gal. 5,22); “May the Lord make
you increase and abound in love.” (1 Thess, 3,5); “Above all these, put
on love, which binds everything together.” (Col. 3,14). However we can
only make our love genuine as St. Paul exhorts us if we are not chained
by anything which hinders us from loving God as we should and reaching
out to our neighbor in need in genuine love.

Conclusion

This Christmas, may the birth of the Infant Jesus give us the
grace to be reborn in a way that, as Mary gave her Fiat in total trust in
God’s goodness, we are also able to entrust ourselves totally to God so
as to have that inner freedom to do whatever that pleases Him. May we
become His instruments of salvation?

MOST REV. MARLO PERALTA, D.D. Bishop of Alaminos

4th day Simbang Gabi Reflection, 19th December

Sign of God’s Love

Introduction

Our first reading talks about sign. It is human nature
to look for a sign. “It is this: the maiden is with child and will
soon give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel.”
This is a sign of God’s intervention in human history. Our salvation
and all the other things that lead to it are God’s initiative. It is not through
our own efforts that we can be saved. Our salvation solely depends on
God who enters into our lives because of his infinite love for us. It is not
through our own efforts that we can acquire the grace of God. We acquire
His grace because of His mercy and the merits of Jesus Christ.

Body

It is the nature of things to be represented by some signs in one
way or another. Christianity to be authentic must also have some signs.
Where there is a Christian, there must be a sign of Christianity. In ancient
times, the pagans upon seeing a community of Christians exclaimed: “See
how they love each other.” Love is a sign of the presence of Christ. This
love is demonstrated on the cross, the unequivocal sign of Jesus Christ.
The same sign is asked of us by non-believers in our time.

God Himself made this sign manifest by the very nature of the
name of the messiah, that is, Immanuel which means God is with us. This
is the essence of the love of God to be present with the beloved. To give
Himself to us and to be present with us.

Love is expressed in the time spent with the beloved. For according
to a popular song, “What is love without time, and what is “time” without
love?”

In our contemporary times, when we have parents working
abroad just to send their children to school, we have problematic school
children as a result. How can absentee parents demonstrate their love for
their children with the money they send minus their presence? We in the
Church do not recommend this situation. If possible the whole family
must always be together for better and for worse. Husband and wife on
their wedding day so aptly put it: “For better and for worse, for richer and
poorer until death do us part.” But with one spouse working abroad and
one left, what happens is that one is in a better situation than the other.
It has been the observation that husband and wife, through the
years, begin to look alike. They begin to imbibe one another’s mannerisms,
ways of talking and even eccentricities. It is because of the long time they
spend with each other.

If we spend time listening to God in His words by reading
the Scriptures, celebrating the Eucharist, adoring God in the Blessed
Sacrament, doing acts of charity and penance, we will certainly acquire
the values of the Gospel by the grace and merits of our Lord. By the
grace of God, we will begin to love our enemies and do good to those
who persecute us. And with St. Paul, we say’ “It is no longer I, but Christ
who lives in me.”

But to be able to do the above-mentioned spiritual activities would
require some degree of faith. Hence, it is necessary that we preach the
gospel that others may also acquire faith. That was what St. Paul did. He
preached the Gospel to the Gentiles.

In today’s Gospel, the Angel promised to Mary that the Holy Spirit
will overshadow her. To the announcement of the Angel of the good news
that she would become the Mother of the Redeemer, she replied, “I am
the handmaid of the Lord, let what you have said be done to me.” These
were the words of complete surrender and submission to God. We can
submit to God and we can do His will if there is humility in our hearts.
According to St. Paul, “Wives must submit to their husbands.”
With the advent of feminism, it is difficult for the wives to obey their
husbands, especially if the wives are the breadwinners, if they are more
intelligent and if they earning more than their husbands. It is only when
the wives have faith in Jesus who obeys the will of the Father until death,
that wives can obey their husbands.
To the husbands, St. Paul says, “Husbands, love your wives as
Christ loves the Church.” This is loving in the dimension of the cross.
If husbands would want to go out at night with their friends and their
wives are in need of them, they would not go out because their feet are
crucified like Jesus. If husbands, in anger because of nagging wives, they
want to slap their wives, they cannot because their hands are nailed on
the cross.

Conclusion

The closest thing we have here on earth to the love of God is the
love between husband and wife. God’s plan in marriage will be fulfilled
if and when there is faith in God who is with us, Immanuel. Wives can
obey their husbands if and when there is humility. Husbands can love
their wives if and when there is faith in Jesus Christ. Question
How am i a sign of God’s love for others?


Rev. Fr. Isidro T. Marinay
Parish Priest, St. Maria Goretti Parish Manila

3rd day SImbang Gabi Reflection, 18th December

Do miracles still happen?

Introduction

Though they were devoted to the temple and the
service of God, this old couple seemed condemned to be childless. God
seemed neglected their dogged fidelity to Him. On every level, this was
certainly a disaster, that in every Jewish family, a child can be a full proof
of special blessing. Elizabeth was barren and they were both advanced
in years. We could never really blame them, old and barren, yet can still
conceive? What could be your reaction upon seeing a lola walking along
in her maternity dress? How would you feel, if one day, you will see your
Granny, having stomach pains in the morning and suddenly telling you,
“Apo, I am pregnant!”

Body

The announcement of the birth of John by the Angel Gabriel
shows us that nothing is impossible with God. It is true!
After long years of waiting for a child, the announcement came
as a surprise especially for Zechariah, nodding his head in disbelief, as
if telling the angel: “Do not add up to our misery. This must have been
a joke!”

For longs years, they prayed for a baby, they longed to fill-up the
empty womb. Perhaps, they might have sought help just to figure it out
how to have a baby that probably cost them so much, even their lives!
It must have been a very painful experience for both of them; no words
can explain the anguish and unhappiness of the state of their married life,
for long years, they wept a thousand tears.

Luke’s infancy stories are built on a comparison: John the Baptist
is compared to Jesus. First, John is the climax of all the hopes of the
Old Testament, and then we see Jesus, even greater than John. Second,
there are two annunciations in the Gospel, which we have heard today,
that is to Zechariah, and later on to Mary, by the same Angel Gabriel.
In both cases, the Angel comes to tell that a son will be born against all
hope and all natural means.We can also remember in our first reading
about the appearance of an angel to the mother of Samson. She was also
barren, when an angel of the Lord Yahweh appeared to her and told her
she would conceive and give birth to a son. Our father in faith, Abraham,
also received a similar visit from the angel to promise that his barren wife
Sarah would bear him Isaac. (Gen 18)

What could be the purpose of these stories? It is not merely to
relate miraculous happenings. It is not just a simple birth of babies. That
is not the only reason to celebrate. It is celebration of faith, that It is not
only reasons to celebrate, it is celebration of faith, that indeed, miracles
still do happen!

Perhaps, at the start of the Simbang-gabi, most of us, brought
with us, certain longings of our hearts: that for a long time, we have
been praying on bended knees, asking the Lord to grant us our petitions.
Perhaps, for healing, for a new job, finding the perfect partner in life,
passing board exam, or just like Zechariah and Elizabeth, praying for
a child. Let me share with you, three things
as we all continue to present to God our “special requests.”

· Continue hoping- there is absolutely nothing is impossible with
God. God will always be true to His promise, God fulfills His
promise. The Lord is true to His words. That inspite our infidelity,
God continues to be a God of second chances, He continuously
allows us to feel His loving concern. That even if seemingly it is
only hope that we can cling to.

· Do whatever you can- and God will do His part. We can
have the most fulfilling battle of our lives if only we have given all
our best. Do not give up. Moreover, after trying and doing all the
means and ways for our problems, it is then we allow God to do
His part, ultimately surrendering everything to God.

· Allow God to surprise you- miracles still do happen. You
may not receive the answers to the longings of your heart and
the greatest need of your soul, but still in one way or another, the
grace of God will always be there to surprise us, if only we have
the eyes of faith. Just when we begin to think it’s going to be the
end , the Lord pulls the rug from under our feet to tell us that it
isn’t exactly quite over yet. Through faith, we can have the eyes
to see the blessings that come our ways. Through faith, we believe
that God will never abandon us, even in our need.

Conclusion

There would be times in our lives that God seems to have left
us in a situation where we can see no way out. Let us keep on trusting
in His love. No matter how dark the horizon may be, with the help and
grace of faith, we know that He is always by our side.


Question

What surprise have you receive from God recently?


Rev. Msgr. Geronimo F. Reyes, JCD
Judicial Vicar

2nd day Simbang Gabi Reflection, 17th December

Man’s Greatness

Introduction

The genealogy of Jesus proves that the whole human
race is wounded yet redeemed, sinful yet grace-filled.

Body

The genealogy in Matthew’s Gospel insinuates three stages.

· First, man was created in the image and likeness. It means that
man resembles God but he is aware of his own identity that was
not equal to God. In other words, man can enjoy all the privileges
that God gave him like intelligence, freedom and capacity to love.
However, he must have to recognize also his nothingness before
God because without God, he can lose everything he enjoys in
life.

· Second, man gave in to his selfish desires that destroyed his
original closeness to God. Even though God has provided
everything for him, he still desires for more to the extent of
wanting to be greater than God. As a result, God allowed him to
suffer the consequences of his folly actions. He became a slave
of his passion and death becomes the ****** of his sinfulness.

· Third, man can regain his greatness. With God’s mercy and love,
man is never abandoned to be totally destroyed by his sinfulness.
After the prophets, God has sent his only Son with the plan of
rescuing man from the slavery of sin so that man will be reunited
to Him again. Jesus Becoming Man returns man’s status as created
in God’s image and likeness.

Conclusion

Man is great because God created him in his own image and
likeness. There is no way for man not to exemplify this greatness by his
faithfulness and goodness to others.

Question:

Am I convinced that I am great since I was created in God’s image
and likeness?

How do I exemplify that greatness?


Caster K. Gonsadan
Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe

1st Day Simbang Gabi Reflection, December 16

COMMITMENT TO LOVE

Introduction

Some people find it hard to commit. They are either
afraid to surrender or see themselves incapable of commitment.
No wonder some people are half-hearted with regard to their respective
commitments. Commitment is an active word. We must live it out. We
must show it. We must manifest it. Today’s gospel reading on the First day
of Simbang Gabi invites us to renew our commitment TO LOVE.…

Body

LOVING ALL

The Love of Jesus is an inclusive way of loving. It includes
everyone… the poor unlovable, the marginalized, the sinners, those
who can not reciprocate your love to and for whom He was sent. We are
invited to love all who belong to Jesus’ embrace.

LOVING ALL THE TIME

The Love of Jesus chooses no time. Every time is the best time
to love. He was borne and loved at time when there was persecution,
denial, betrayal and hatred. We are invited to love all the time even if we
are hurting and we find it difficult to love.

LOVING ALL THE WAY

The Love of Jesus never ends. It never gets empty. He gave His all,
from Mary’s womb to His tomb. We are invited to love all the way… not
to hesitate to love over and over again… not to be afraid to be empty of
love for the more we give love, the more we receive love from Jesus.

LOVING ALL FOR GOD

The Love of Jesus for us is a fulfillment of His Father’s Will.
He was sent to proclaim God’s kingdom that we may start experiencing
heaven here on earth. We are invited to love all for God who calls us to
love… who Himself is Love.

Conclusion

To become the living presence of Jesus to others not only through
words but through actions. In this season, we must concretely manifest
our Love for Jesus through our little ways of showing love to others.
Christmas is a perfect time to translate love into actions.
To sincerely and humbly acknowledge our unworthiness to be
called brothers and sisters of Jesus, who dwelt amongst us, by allowing
Him to restore our dignity as children of God. We must constantly and
consistently go back to Jesus’ embrace through reconciling with him in
the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

To start and end this Novena with enthusiasm and excitement
for the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Staying late at night or waking
up early in the morning for one simple reason: We love Jesus! And as a
concrete manifestation of our love, we prepare ourselves spiritually for
His Birth through this simple and sincere sacrifice.

Question

How can I concretize my commitment to love all the time......?


REV. FR. MAXELL LOWELL C. ARANILLA
Principal
Our Lady of Gudalupe Minor Seminary

Sunday Reading Reflections:

Sunday Readings

The first reading is taken from the book of Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11:

They were uttered to the exiles in Babylon as consolation and promise which were fully and truly realized only when Christ the Messiah came. Christ applied the first two verses of this text to himself when he first preached in the synagogue of Nazareth.

The second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians 5:16-24:

He exhorts his converts to thank God always for the gift of faith which they have received. They must respect, while testing, the gifts of the Spirit.

The Gospel is from St. John 1:6-8, 19-28:

"There was a man sent from God." In this man we see perhaps the only outstanding example among a multitude, of the workings of God's providence among men. The conception, birth, hermitical life in the desert, and the role of precursor of the Messiah, are all the effects of God's intervention in our behalf. John the Baptist was sent by God: "to bear witness to the Light" of the world, to tell the remnant of the Chosen People (and through them the world) that God's eternal plan for man was being implemented; that the incarnation of his divine Son had taken place. John's testimony was surely world-shaking news. Weak, mortal men were to be changed into sons of God by adoption. Pardon for their many sins would be earned by the bodily sufferings of the Incarnate One. His resurrection would conquer death. Men would rise again and enter into the everlasting life of the divine Trinity.

Down through two thousand years or so, God had been preparing the world of man for this staggering event. As a special people, he chose Abraham and his descendants. He revealed to them something of his eternal nature and especially his fatherly interest in the human beings he had created. Through his prophets he gave them some fairly clear indications of the culmination of his eternal plan for men, namely, the fact of the incarnation.

John was the last of the great line of prophets and he was the greatest of them all. It was his privilege to point out to his audience the Son of God in human nature, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," and also to hear God's voice from heaven proclaiming Christ to be his "beloved Son." He was surely a man sent from God.

John was sent not only for his contemporaries, for the Jews of his day, but for men of all time. Over the past two thousand years the good news of the incarnation, of our redemption and exaltation, has reached the greater part of mankind. But like the delegates who came down from Jerusalem that day in the year 30 A.D., there have been, in all generations, those who will not hear. These are men who, like the leaders of the Jews in the Baptist's day, are so self-centered and proud that they think they have no need for God or his providence in their lives.

Let those of us who believe in God and who know what he has done to give our life on earth its true purpose and meaning, show him by a faithful service how grateful we are for his infinite mercy and kindness. Let us listen to the call of John the Baptist, and from our hearts to repent of our sins. Let us prepare for Christmas, the anniversary of Christ's human appearance on earth, by cleansing ourselves of all sinful attachments, by making a firm resolution to follow the Lamb through life. By so doing we too shall "bear witness to the light." Our living faith will illumine the darkness for others and they, too, will hear the call of God. In that way, each one of us can be another John the Baptist, by giving testimony to God's fatherly interest in all men. Thus can we lead our careless or indifferent brothers back on to the path of salvation, the road to heaven.

SUNDAY READING REFLECTIONS:

Sunday, December 7, 2008
Second Sunday of Advent


The first reading is taken from the book of Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11:


These words of consolation and comfort were spoken to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The end of their exile was near. The people would be brought back to Judea and Jerusalem by the power of God. Following the New Testament writers, the Church has seen in these words of the prophet much more than the liberation of the Babylonian exiles, namely, the true and final liberation of all mankind, brought about by the coming of the Son of God as Messiah and Redeemer.

The second reading is from the second Letter of St. Peter 3:8-14:

The twofold purpose of this letter is to warn against false teachers and to dispel some anxiety the Christians of that day felt because of the apparent delay of Christ's second coming as Judge.

The Gospel is from Mark 1:1-8:

"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." In twelve words St. Mark sums up the initiation of the greatest event that ever occurred in our human history, an event whose culmination would be not on earth but in heaven. God fulfilled the plan he had for us when creation began. He raised us up to the dignity of divine sonship by the incarnation. The eternal Son of God "humbled himself" and joined our human nature to his divinity, thus making us his brothers and capable of sharing with him the eternal kingdom of his Father.

Mark's story was, in fact, the greatest "good news" that man had ever received on earth. It is still the greatest, most astounding and, at the same time, most consoling news for us today. But just as there were those in Palestine who did not accept Christ's claim to be what he manifested himself to be — "he came unto his own but his own received him not" (Jn. I : 12) — so today, there are many, too many alas, who do not receive him. The causes for rejecting Christ and his message, and his promise of everlasting happiness are the same today as they were for the Scribes and Pharisees of the first century A.D.

It was their stubborn pride and self-centeredness, the exaggerated sense of their own dignity and perfection, which blinded the eyes of their intellects. The result was that they could not see their Messiah, their Savior, in Christ: He had brought himself down to the level of man, by assuming man's human nature. The Son of God assumed our human nature in order to live amongst us, to teach us how valuable God made us. He did so in order to die for us in that nature and to atone for all the sins of the human race.

The same stubborn pride, that same exaggerated sense of their own dignity, blinds the intellects of many today who not only refuse to accept Christ and his good tidings, but seem impelled also to prevent others from accepting him. The mad rush for earthly possessions and pleasures, the casting-off of all reasonable restraints and restrictions, which are so necessary for human society to survive, the rejection of all things spiritual in man's make-up and life-purpose, the general incitement to the animal instincts in man — all these, and many more, are the evident signs of the rejection of Christ which are so actively propagated by many in our world now.

Let each one of us ask himself today am I for Christ or against him? Am I on the road to heaven or am I facing in the opposite direction? A brief examination of conscience will give the answer. How Christian is my daily conduct in my home, and in my place of work and recreation? Do I love God? Do I appreciate all he has done for me by sending his Son to raise me up, one day, to heaven? Do I really have my own best interests at heart, by striving always to be ready for Christ's second coming when I breathe my last? Christmas recalls to us his first appearance on earth. Let us use these days of preparation for Christmas to prepare ourselves for his second coming. This will occur for each one of us on the day of our death.

— Excerpted from The Sunday Readings by Fr. Kevin O'Sullivan, O.F.M.