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Although it may seem like it is a very long time in between the

establishment of God’s covenant with King David until its fulfillment


in the Incarnation of Christ Jesus, we must bear in mind that although
a 1000 years may seem long to us humans, scripture says that a thousand
years are like a day to God, and a day like a thousand years. Time is
insignificant to God; time is man’s invention.

With the coming of God in the person of Jesus Christ, which we


celebrate at Christmas, holiness itself had come to live within the
human condition, and humanity itself became a holy space. This wonder
is related in today’s gospel as we heard how through the power of God,
the very Spirit of God overshadowed Mary, and she became what the early
church referred to as the Living Ark of the Covenant; a holy place, a
sacred space by virtue of the child she conceived and carried in her
womb.

It was because Mary welcomed the Spirit of God and brought


forth Jesus, thereby becoming a holy place that God fully occupied,
that she showed herself to be an authentic disciple. Her discipleship
continues to show us how to make room in our lives for God, for Jesus,
for the Spirit, and thereby to become holy places and sacred spaces, of
which this world is in so much need.

We as Christians have a special role as living sanctuaries


where God chooses to dwell and through whom God chooses to be revealed.
During this Advent season, as we await the Coming One at Christmas, we
often prepare symbols of welcome, such as the manager, the crèche, the
cave, etc. But in reality, we are the empty crèche or manager awaiting
the presence of God. Individually, and collectively as church, we are
the living place made holy by God’s presence.

Unfortunately, however, some times we are like the Inn, at


which there was no room, and from which Mary and Joseph were turned
away, because we have too many worries, too many parties, too much
shopping, too many gifts, too many bills, all of which can crowd their
way into the empty place where God wishes to enter and dwell in divine
fullness. Thus, during the remaining time of Advent let us empty and
get rid of all the clutter that crowds our lives and create a true
welcome for God within us.

More than two thousand years ago Mary was asked if she would be
willing to house the Holy One in her body; and she made her momentous
“yes,” and said: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done to me
according to your word.” The word “amen” means yes, and we say it every
time we come forward and receive the Eucharist. When the minister
holds up the host and says to us: “The Body of Christ,” We say “amen;”
yes, we will be the house of God. We will take divine life into our
bodies, the real flesh and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist, and make it
our flesh and blood. It is at that moment that we echo Mary’s words and
say, Yes, I believe. “Let it be done to me, according to your word.” By
so doing we give God our permission to change us to be more perfectly
like God; to surrender our will to God’s will; to fulfill our baptismal
call to become the adopted sons and daughters of God.
LUKE 1:39-45
Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of
Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice
and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of
your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord
should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting
reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you
who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be
fulfilled."

REFLECTION
The Gospel reading says that on hearing Mary's greeting to Elizabeth,
the child in Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy. Mary and Elizabeth's
encounter was a sharing of joy. Each had her own reason for a great
happiness but thought of the other's happiness. Joy that is shared is
doubled. It was a special joy because it found its source in God.
Wherever Mary goes, she provokes an explosion of joy like at the
wedding in Cana. In today's Gospel, the baby leaps for joy. Elizabeth
shouts her joy at being visited by the Lord in Mary's womb, and in
Mary's Magnificat the poor exult for joy because their liberation is
close at hand.

Mary is proclaimed blessed by Elizabeth because she believed that the


promise made to her by the Lord would be fulfilled. God made so many
promises to the chosen people of Israel through the prophets. But when
their fulfillment was delayed, the people doubted the word of the
Lord. They preferred to place their trust in themselves and in their
plans and it ended in total failure. Mary instead is blessed because
she trusted God. She was sure that in spite of all appearances to the
contrary, the word of the Lord would be fulfilled.

Maybe our communities and all of us today could be called blessed


because we have believed the word of the Lord. Let us try to question
ourselves, for instance, if we are really convinced that the promises
God made in the Beatitudes to the peacemakers, the non-violent, those
who offer the other cheek, those who do not seek vengeance, will
really be fulfilled. Perhaps we do believe in God but maybe only to a
certain point especially when God asks us to do something that goes
against human common sense. Mary is teaching us that it is worthwhile
to place our trust in the Lord; not just when it suits us or
occasionally but always. Perhaps in these next few days before
Christmas, we need to ask ourselves: "Where are we going to find him,
the Messiah, the expected Savior? Is it on the surface of life?

As one family, let us prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord in
faith, in simplicity, in humility and in availability. Christmas is a
family feast. Let us learn to give up our inflexibility and
stubbornness and be good to one another. Forgive one another and do
our share in creating a hearty atmosphere in our home. Give God all
the chances of becoming human in our home, in our family, in the union
of our married partnership, in the oneness between parents and
children. So many things can become signs of our availability and of
God's graciousness. All these signs combine to become the sacrament of
our Christmas this year: God becomes man and He becomes human among
us, in our homes, our hearts, our community and in our world.
Gospel, Lk 1:39-45
39 Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in
Judah.
40 She went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.
41 Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leapt in her womb
and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 She gave a loud cry and said, 'Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit
of your womb.
43 Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?
44 Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.
45 Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.'

Catholic.net
First Reading
2 Samuel 7: 1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

When King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from his enemies on
every side,
he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells
in a tent!”
Nathan answered the king, “Go, do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.” But that
night the Lord spoke to Nathan and said: “Go, tell my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: Should
you build me a house to dwell in?’

“It was I who took you from the pasture and from the care of the flock to be commander of my
people Israel.
I have been with you wherever you went, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. And I
will make you famous like the great ones of the earth. I will fix a place for my people Israel; I will
plant them so that they may dwell in their place without further disturbance. Neither shall the
wicked continue to afflict them as they did of old, since the time I first appointed judges over my
people Israel. I will give you rest from all your enemies.
The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes
and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I
will make his kingdom firm. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. Your house and
your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.”

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.


The promises of the Lord I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
“He shall say of me, ‘You are my father,
my God, the Rock, my savior.’
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.”
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Second Reading
Romans 16: 25-27

Brothers and sisters: To him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the
proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages
but now manifested through the prophetic writings and, according to the command of the eternal
God, made known to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith, to the only wise God,
through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Holy Gospel
Luke 1: 26-38

The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to
a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her,
he said,
“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and
pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.

“Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will
be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of
David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be
no end.” But Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The
Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore
the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son
in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be
impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.

Daily Reading & Meditation


Monday (12/21): "For with God nothing will be impossible"

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 (alternate reading: Luke 1:39-45)

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's
name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this
might be. 30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with
God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name
Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give
to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of
his kingdom there will be no end." 34 And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have
no husband?" 35 And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of
the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of
God. 36 And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this
is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible."38
And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
And the angel departed from her.
Old Testament Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5,8-12,14,16

1 Now when the king dwelt in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies
round about, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the
ark of God dwells in a tent." 3 And Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart; for the
LORD is with you." 4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan, 5 "Go and tell
my servant David, `Thus says the LORD: Would you build me a house to dwell in? 6 I have not
dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have
been moving about in a tent for my dwelling. 7 In all places where I have moved with all the
people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to
shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?"' 8 Now
therefore thus you shall say to my servant David, `Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from
the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I
have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I
will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint
a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be
disturbed no more; and violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I
appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover
the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled
and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth
from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will
establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. When
he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men; 15
but I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before
you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne
shall be established for ever.'"

Meditation: God uses signs to communicate his purposes, his presence, his righteousness, his
favor to his people (Psalm 86:17), and his assurance that he is speaking to them and that he will
keep his promises. God also performed mighty signs to demonstrate his saving deeds when he
delivered his people from bondage in Egypt (Psalm 78:43). When God offered King Ahaz a sign,
the king refused. God, nonetheless, gave Israel a sign to assure his people that he would indeed
give them a Savior who would rule with peace and righteousness (Is. 7:11ff). The greatest sign
God has given us is his Son Jesus Christ who took on flesh for our sake and for our salvation.

We see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy and the unfolding of God's plan of redemption in the
events leading up to the Incarnation, the birth of the Messiah. The new era of salvation begins
with the conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary. This child to be born is conceived by the
gracious action of the Holy Spirit upon Mary, who finds favor with God. As Eve was the mother of
all humanity doomed to sin, now Mary becomes the mother of the new Adam who will father a
new humanity by his grace (Romans 5:12-21). This child to be conceived in her womb is the
fulfillment of all God’s promises. He will be “great” and “Son of the Most High” and “King” (Luke
1:32-33), and his name shall be called “Jesus”, which means “the Lord saves”. “He will save his
people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The promise of an everlasting kingdom to the house of
David (Isaiah 9:6-7) is fulfilled in the King to be born in Mary’s womb.

Last night I began a bit of light housekeeping and came across a letter from a dear friend that had
dropped behind a chair. In the letter she wrote about so many meaningful memories embedded in
old friendships and her desire to share life again. I smiled as I read that part of her letter, because
I disclosed important parts of my youthful heart to her when we both were in formation as young
Sisters. That friendship has endured for nearly forty years now. How much I would love to sit
down with her over a cup of coffee and discuss what is happening in our lives now, but, that
cannot happen because she lives over 6000 miles away on mission! So, we are left to
communicating through letters and it feels like a very unsatisfactory way of sharing deeply what is
going in our lives and hearts.

Today’s gospel recalls an episode from our Blessed Mother’s young life after she learned that she
was expecting the long-awaited Messiah and that her elderly cousin was pregnant with John the
Baptist. Scripture scholars tell us that Luke included this story in his gospel even though it
probably never happened in the literal sense. I have no doubt about why Luke chose to tell this
story: the reality of our human need to share our hearts is universal. When something wonderful
happens (or something tragic, or confusing, for that matter,) we need to have someone else
share what we are going through.

In today’s gospel passage, we hear about two women who trusted the word of God. Mary learns
from an angel that God has chosen her to be the mother of the Christ-child and Elizabeth hears
that an angel has announced to her husband that they will conceive John the Baptist. The news
was truly astounding. In fact, it was so amazing that neither Elizabeth’s husband nor Mary’s
fiancé believed the news. In that atmosphere of amazement and disbelief, two women placed
their faith, their trust, in God’s word and found themselves pregnant. They were full of life and had
to share their experience with someone who understood what they were going through. Mary
makes a four day journey just to talk with the one other person who would understand what this
faith experience meant to her. They can share the joy of impending motherhood, the amazement
in God’s choice, the disappointment in their husband’s and fiancé’s response to the news. They
can be confirmed in their faith through one another.

When Mary enters Elizabeth’s neighborhood and calls out to her, Elizabeth is filled with the Holy
Spirit and exclaims: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And
why has this happened to me that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard
the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy! Blessed is she who believed that
what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled, and so started their sharing of the heart. I
suspect that each of us has had the experience of sharing our faith deeply with another person.
Whether we are sharing with a good friend or with a spiritual director, we need confirmation that
understanding of God in our life and the direction that we are taking is right. Otherwise, we need
someone we trust to let us know when we are off course. I believe this is why Luke included this
story in the gospel. When two women had no one to turn to who shared their unique experience
with God, they found each other and shared the journey together. Finding such a friend, one who
understands our hearts, is a rare gift. When you and I find a soul friend who understands our
hearts, we can know that we are, like Mary, blessed among people.

While finding such a soul friend is a rare blessing, I also know that whole areas of my life, my
interests, my passions, my concerns are understood and shared by many people. For example, I
can find great support in groups of people who share my care for the environment. Today’s
gospel reminds me that mutuality and support in the green movement is important for sustaining
the long effort to heal the earth. Each day that I open my e-mail and find a letter from the Union of
Concerned Scientists or the Nature Conservancy, I find my commitment strengthened and my
vision of a healthier, more beautiful world confirmed by our mutual dedication. I also have
individual friends who share my desire for a healed and whole earth, who understand the deep
longing that I have for a world restored to the beauty of God’s vision for the planet. So, the
message from today’s gospel to find and retain relationships with others who share our vision for
a better world is mirrored in Mary and Elizabeth’s lives.

Even as I speak about soul friends I understand that in some ways, each of us has a unique
journey. Even though you and I share so much in common, we find that our personal journey is
exclusively our own. We see the meaning of events through our distinct perspectives. We
experience life through a myriad of feelings that are entirely our own. Sometimes we experience a
deep loneliness when we realize that we are, at a very essential level, alone. That is when further
reflection on the Incarnation is helpful to me.

As we approach Christmas and reflect on today’s gospel, we appreciate that beyond finding such
a soul friend, there is Someone else who really does understand and appreciate our journey. The
God who fills the universe and from Whom everything has its existence, reads our hearts and
appreciates our life experiences. Our God goes even further than understanding us from a
separate and discreet existence. Our God has chosen to live fully our human experience so that
we know we are never alone in our questions, never alone in our joys, our sufferings and our
hopes. Christmas is the day of the year that we celebrate the intimate way that God joined our
experience of life. In Jesus, we have the truest soul friend, and it is to Him that we can turn for
complete understanding and support. Perhaps in these final days before Christmas, we would
profit from time spent appreciating those who do share our hearts and our journeys. And when we
gaze on the manger, we can deepen our love and appreciation for the lengths to which our God
goes to let us know how fully we are loved. This is what Mary did when she pondered all these
things in her heart. And experiencing God’s love and Word, she shared her joy with Elizabeth.

December 21, 2009

St. Peter Canisius


Late Advent Weekday
VIOLET

Sg 2:8-14 [or Zep 3:14-18a]


Ps 33
Lk 1:39-45
Mary Visits Elizabeth

39During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,
40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard
Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42cried
out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of
your womb. 43And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped
for joy. 45Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be
fulfilled.”
Reflection

The mother of my Lord: Luke, who wrote sometime between 70-80 AD, exhibits a “high
Mariology” when compared with the other two Synoptic evangelists: Mark and Matthew. He
presents Mary as Mother and Disciple, the reason for Mary’s praise.
In the Gospel, Luke has Elizabeth address Mary as “the mother of my Lord.” In the court protocol
of the ancient near East, “the mother of the Lord” is the honorific title reserved for the queen-
mother, the most influential personage after the king. We have eloquent examples of the
influence of the queen-mothers like Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon (1 Kgs 2:19), and the
mother of Belshazzar (Dn 5:10-12).
Obviously, Luke is not interested in the position of Mary. His concern is to point out the dignity of
the son Mary carries in her womb. Jesus is Kyrios (“Lord”)—not because he is some earthly
royalty, but because he is holy, the Son of God (Lk 1:37). Jesus will clearly be manifested as
divine by virtue of his resurrection from the dead (Rom 1:4), but Luke anticipates this glory at his
conception and birth. By applying the title “the mother of my Lord,” Elizabeth praises Mary for “the
fruit of her womb.” But the title may as well be an acknowledgment of Mary as the person most
closely associated with Jesus. Does this not imbue her with “the power of intercession,” not unlike
that of queen-mothers of old?

Fourth Sunday of Advent


Please read
Luke 1:26-38
Read also
2 Samuel 7:1-11
2 Samuel 7:16
Romans 16:25-27

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a
virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was
Mary.

And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you
will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and
will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his
ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no
end."

Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will
overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And
now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month
for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God."

Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.

. Let it Be….. .

Cultures collide at Christmas:

Christ and consumerism in conflict --

The shopping mall vs. the worship center.

The shopping mall becomes the worship center

and the dollar, and what the dollar buys,

become a pantheon of gods.

The crèche in the park,

uncomfortably, reluctantly,

in tandem with the menorah,


is now countered with an atheist’s diatribe

exercising “First Amendment rights”.

and of course the ceaseless, senseless, needless

competition of Santa and Jesus.

And at Christmas,

there’s no biz like Showbiz.

Madonna competes with The Madonna

Lennon and McCartney quote Mother Mary

out of context:

“Let is be” vs.

“Let it be with me according to your word.”

What the Maid of Nazareth

declared as joyous affirmation

of God’s will

becomes in Beatle hands

a sad sob of resignation

at the moment of their parting:

Just “Let it be.”

Well, like Mary,

I’m not content to

just “let it be.”

Like Mary,

I want my Christmas wish

to be an affirmation,

an awe-filled moment

of wonder and delight


at what God can do,

what God will do,

when I, like the teenage bride,

resolving the conflict and the doubt.

yield myself to the Divine

for whatever purpose God has for me.

Here am I,

the servant of the Lord.

Let it be with me according to God’s word.

How does Mary respond to the word of God delivered by the angel Gabriel? She knows she is
hearing something beyond human capability. It will surely take a miracle which surpasses all that
God has done previously. Her question, “how shall this be, since I have no husband” is not
prompted by doubt or skepticism, but by wonderment! She is a true hearer of the Word and she
immediately responds with faith and trust. Mary's prompt response of "yes" to the divine message
is a model of faith for all believers. Mary believed God's promises even when they seemed
impossible. She was full of grace because she trusted that what God said was true and would be
fulfilled. She was willing and eager to do God's will, even if it seemed difficult or costly. Mary is
the “mother of God” because God becomes incarnate when he takes on flesh in her womb.
When we pray the Nicene Creed we state our confession of faith in this great mystery: “For us
men and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit, he
became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man”. God gives us grace and he expects
us to respond with the same willingness, obedience, and heart?felt trust as Mary did. When God
commands he also gives the help, strength, and means to respond. We can either yield to his
grace or resist and go our own way. Do you believe in God's promises and do you yield to his
grace?

"Heavenly Father, you offer us abundant grace, mercy, and forgiveness through your Son, Our
Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to live a grace?filled life as Mary did by believing in your promises
and by giving you my unqualified "yes" to your will and plan for my life."

Meditation by Daniel Patrick O'Reilly

Today’s scripture readings seem to be about waiting and rejoicing. In Song of Solomon, the two
lovers call to each other in anticipation of their meeting. Zephaniah tells Israel to sing joyfully for
the Lord is in your midst. The psalmist proclaims, for in him our hearts rejoice. In the story from
Luke, the pregnant Mary and Elizabeth greet each other, and the infant in Elizabeth ’s womb
leaps for joy.

Well, here we are in the home stretch of Advent. Christmas is almost here. We wait in
anticipation. Waiting to rejoice. Advent seems to be about waiting. I love the Advent season.
Which is weird, because I have to admit, I hate waiting. I’m just not very patient. If I walk into a
restaurant and there is a line, I don’t even ask how long the wait is. I just leave. I’m influenced
way too much by our immediate gratification world. And yet life has taught me that waiting can
produce the most wonderful rewards. In fact, sometimes waiting seems to make the thing we are
waiting for more important and of more value. Strange, eh?

This time of year the days are short and the nights are long. The mornings are darker and darker.
In fact, when I get up it is pitch black. I miss watching the sun rise. The other morning I realized
the moon was trying to peak through the clouds. I waited a moment to see if the moon would
come out. I thought I should be making coffee or checking the news and weather. Instead I
decided to wait a little longer. The clouds parted and I was rewarded by a breathtaking view. A
bright moon, surrounded by silvery clouds, lighting up the entire neighborhood. A tapestry that
even Michelangelo would have envied. A gift from God to start my day.

I love the story of Mary and Elizabeth. Pregnancy is all about waiting. I know, I know. I’m sure all
the women reading this are rolling their eyes and saying, "oh yeah, he knows all about pregnancy
and waiting." And of course, you are right. I have to admit to the general male ignorance when it
comes to pregnancy. However, I have partnered with my wife through seven pregnancies and I
do understand the waiting and anticipation of the incredible, joyous moment of a new life coming
into the world. Waiting for a miraculous moment.

One wonders how Mary felt so many years ago. Anticipating. Wondering. Anxious. Obedient to
God’s will. Waiting to rejoice. As we do. Waiting to rejoice and celebrate the most important event
in human history. God coming into the world as a child. What an incredible miracle. What a
wonderful gift. Truly something worthy of rejoicing. And, until then, we wait.

I know that for some, Christmas is not a time of joy. The commercialization of Christmas can
breed cynicism. The holiday preparations can be overwhelming. In fact, for some, Christmas can
be a sad, lonely time. My prayer this day is for those of us who rejoice to share our joy. Share a
smile, a moment, a meal, a gift. And especially share the reason we rejoice with someone who
needs to hear some good news. Merry Christmas.

Pregnancy, delicate yet demanding, is also a time of promise. From the earliest days in
pregnancy, an expectant mother wonders what the future might hold for her child. Will he
or she be strong enough cope with the pressures and pitfalls, the joys and sorrows of life?

How then must Mary have felt when her unborn child was proclaimed by Elizabeth as Lord
and she herself as blessed? No ordinary life for Mary’s child, but an extraordinary life of
service and sacrifice! Mary’s unborn child fulfils a long-held promise: Christ who comes to
save and to give life.

Mary heard and followed the will of God to bring his son into the world. In line with the
psalm Paul quotes today, Jesus also heard and was obedient to the Father’s will, even unto
death. How do I hear and follow the will of God today, tomorrow and every day?

PROYOUTH2
Gospel Reflections for Young People and the Young at Heart
← PREPARE THE WAY: Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Advent - C, December 10, 2006
CHA-CHA TAYO! : Reflection for 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B, December 17, 2006 →

MISA DE GALLO : Reflection for the 1st Day of Christmas Novena, Year C - December 16,
2006
Cat1036
Misa de Gallo na naman!
Mag-uusukan na naman ang putobumbong at bibingka sa labas ng Simbahan.
Makikita na naman natin ang naggagaraang jackets at sweaters na marahil
ay sinusuot lang sa ganitong uri ng panahon (kahit na mainit! hehehe).
Maririnig na naman natin ang mga Christmas Carols sa loob ng
Simbahan… malapit na talaga ang Pasko! Sakripisyong malaki ito
para sa mga gigising ng maaga! Sakripisyo rin para sa mga dadalo sa
misa ng gabi… sapagkat mamimiss nila ang mga telenovela at
tele-fantasyang kanilang sinusundan sa TV! Ito naman talaga ang kakaiba
sa Simbang gabi… malaki ang sakripisyo! At tama lang
sapagkat malaki rin ang sakripisyong inialay ng Diyos para atin… ang
Kanyang bugtong na Anak! Ito ang sinasabi ni Jesus sa Ebanghelyo para
sa unang araw ng Simbang Gabi: na Siya ang tunay na isinugo ng Ama! "The works that I
perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me…" Malinaw ang mensahe sa unang
araw pa lamang ng ating siyam na araw ng Simbang Gabi: Manalig tayo sa patotoo ni Jesus!
Na Siya ang isinugong Mesiyas! Sana hindi lang mauwi sa ritwal na
pagdiriwang ang darating pang mga araw ng Simbang Gabi. Sana hindi
lang pakitang-tao ang ating pagsisimba. Sana hindi lang upang ibida
ang ating kasuotan. Sana hindi lang upang makasabay ang ating "crush"
sa simbahan… Sana… sapagkat nananalig tayong tunay sa bugtong na
Anak ng Diyos na isinugo ng Ama sa atin dahil sa laki ng kanyang
pagmamahal sa tao….

MISA DE GALLO : Reflection for the 1st Day of Christmas Novena, Year C - December 16,
2006
KAPAMILYA KA! : Reflection for the 2nd Day of Christmas Novena Year - B, December 17,
2006 →

CHA-CHA TAYO! : Reflection for 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B, December 17, 2006

May isang teacher na nagbigay ng jigzaw puzzle sa kanyang mga estudyante upang buuin.
"Ang unang matatapos… exempted sa periodical exam." May
kahirapan ang jigzaw puzzle dahil ito ay larawan ng mapa ng mundo at
wala pang alam ang mga bata sa geography. Laking pagkagulat niya na
pagkatapos ng limang minuto ay may batang nagtaas ng kamay at ipinakita
sa kanya ang nabuong puzzle. "Pano mo ito nagawa ng mabilis?" tanong ng guro. "Simple
lang po, alam po ninyo napansin ko na sa likod ng pira-pirasong papel
ay parang may image ng tao. Yun po ang aking binuo at lumabas na
lamang itong mapa sa likod!" sagot ng bata. Tama nga naman, i-solve mo muna ang problema
tao at masosolve na rin ang problema ng mundo. Ito ang sinabi ni Juan Bautista sa
Ebanghelyo sa mga nais na magbago: share with the person who has none, do not practice
extortion, stop illegal collecitions… lahat
ay pagtatanggal ng masamang pag-uugali at paggawa ng mabuti. Marahil
maganda itong paghahanda sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko. Tingnan natin ang
ating mga sarili kung ano ba ang dapat nating baguhin at pagbutihin.
Sabi nga ng mga obispo: CHA-CHA ang kailangan natin. Not charter-change but
CHARACTER CHANGE!

← CHA-CHA TAYO! : Reflection for 3rd Sunday of Advent Year B, December 17, 2006
PANAGINIP: Reflection for the 3rd Day of Christmas Novena Year C, December 18, 2006

KAPAMILYA KA! : Reflection for the 2nd Day of Christmas Novena Year - B, December 17,
2006

Kapag binabasa ko sa Simbang Gabi ang talaan ng angkan ni Jesus


(Genealogy of Jesus) ay sabik akong pagmasdan ang reaksyon ng mga tao.
Sa haba nga naman ng binasa at panay mga pangalang "out-of-this-world"
ang kanilang narinig ay asahan mo ng marinig sa kanila ang "Haaay… natapos din!"
pag nakarating na sa linya ni Jose na asawa ni Maria. hehehe… Di ko
kayo masisisi! Ngunit kung titingnan natin ay mahalaga ang bahaging ito
Banal na Kasulatan kaya isinama ito ni Mateo sa pagsisimula ng kanyang
Ebanghelyo. Ito ang nagpapatunay na si Jesus ay totoong nabuhay sa mundo natin sapagkat
mayroon siyang talaan ng kanyang mga naging ninuno. Tunay na ang Diyos ay naging tao at
nakipamuhay sa atin. Naging "kapamilya" natin Siya sa laki ng pagmamahal Niya sa atin. Paano
ko pinahahalagahan ang pagiging kabilang sa pamilya ng Diyos? Proud ba
ako na ako ay isang Kristiyano o ikinahihiya ko ang aking
pananampalataya?

KAPAMILYA KA! : Reflection for the 2nd Day of Christmas Novena Year - B, December 17,
2006
MILAGRO o MISTERYO? : Reflection for the 4th Day of Christmas Novena Year C,
December 19, 2006 →

PANAGINIP: Reflection for the 3rd Day of Christmas Novena Year C, December 18, 2006

Naniniwala ka ba sa panaginip? Ang sabi ng matatanda, kabaliktaran daw


ang panaginip. Ang tito ko naman pag may panaginip agad may katumbas
na numero at tataya agad sa lotto! hehe… Ano man ang sabihin nila
tungkol sa panaginip, sa Ebanghelyo ngayon ito ay ginamit ng Diyos
upang ipaalam kay Jose ang tunay na pangyayari tungkol kay Maria na
binabalak niyang hiwalayan ng tahimik sapagkat naratnan niya itong
nagdadalan-tao. Mabuting tao si Jose, sabi nga ng Bibliya "He was a
just man!" Isang mataas na papuri na maaring tanggapin ng isang
lalaking Hudyo. Ayaw niyang mapahiya at mapahamak si Maria. Ayaw
nyang magfile ng demanda! Ayaw niyang pahiyain ang kanyang asawa. Nakita
ng Diyos ang kabutihan ni Jose kaya’t binigyan niya nito ng mas mabigat
na responsibilidad: Ang maging ama-amahan ni Jesus. Hindi nabigo ang Diyos kay Jose.
Tinanggap niya ng bukal sa loob ang bagong plano ng Diyos. Ganito rin ba ang aking reaksiyon
kapag hindi nangyari ang gusto ko? O mabilis akong magtampo sa Kanya? May plano ang
Diyos para sa atin... ang ating dapat gawin… sundin ang Kanyang plano at siguradong di tayo
magkakamali!
MILAGRO o MISTERYO? : Reflection for the 4th Day of Christmas Novena Year C,
December 19, 2006
MALAYO MAN… MALAPIT DIN! : Reflection for the 6th Day of Simbang Gabi, Year C -
December 21, 2006 →

SUNDIN ANG LOOB MO : Reflection for the 5th Day of Christmas Novena, Year C -
December 20, 2006

Limang araw na lang… Pasko na! Nadarama mo na ba ang sakripisyo ng


Simbang Gabi? Puyat… pagod… gutom… Kakayanin mo pa ba ang
natitirang mga araw? Konting tiis na lang… malapit na! Kahit sa
ating liturhiya ngayon sa Misa ay madarama natin ang papalapit na
pagdiriwang ng Pasko. Sa katanuyan ang tawag sa Misa natin ngayon ay
"Misa Aurea" o Golden Mass, sapagkat ginugunita natin sa pagbasa ang
Pagbati ng Anghel sa Mahal na Birhen o ang pagsisimula ng buhay ni
Jesus. Ang plano ng Diyos ay naisakatuparan dahil sa kababang-loob at
kagandahang loob ng isang simpleng babae sa Nazareth… ang Mahal na
Birheng Maria! Sinurpresa ng Panginoon si Maria sa paanyayang maging
Ina ng Diyos. Ang Diyos… nanira na naman ng plano ng isang tao!
Kakaiba talaga Siya! Ngunit para sa Mahal na Birhen, ang plano ng
Diyos ay kanya na ring plano. Sa kanyang kababang-loob ay nakita niya ang kanyang abang
kalagayan at sino sya upang hindi sumunod sa kalooban ng Diyos?
Ganoon din ba tayo sa harapan ng Panginoon? Kung minsan ay nauunahan
tayo ng ating "pride" at hindi na maka-eksena ang Diyos sa ating
buhay. Hindi na "sundin ang loob Mo" ang ating dasal kundi "sundin ang loob ko…" Simulan
na nating maghari ang Diyos sa ating buhay. Katulad ni Maria sabihin natin: : "Ako’y alipin ng
Panginoon, maganap nawa sa akin ayon sa wika mo…"

SUNDIN ANG LOOB MO : Reflection for the 5th Day of Christmas Novena, Year C -
December 20, 2006
THANKSGIVING: Reflection for the 7th Day of Christmas Novena, Year C - December 22,
2006 →

MALAYO MAN… MALAPIT DIN! : Reflection for the 6th Day of Simbang Gabi, Year C -
December 21, 2006

Kung lalagyan natin ng theme song ang gospel ngayon ay


puwede ito: "Malayo man, malapit din pilit pa rin mararating, wag
lamang masabi mong…di kita ginigiliw!" Matuwa ka pag di ka makarelate sa kanta, ibig
sabihin ay nasa "new generation ka na!" hehehe… Luma na kasi yung
kanta. Isa sa mga kantang natutunan ko sa lola ko. Pero maganda yung
sinasabi ng lyrics… sa isang taong nagmamahal, walang malayo! Ito ang
nangyari sa Mahal na Birhen. Sa laki ng pagmamahal niya sa kanyang
pinsang si Elizabeth ay di niya inalintana ang hirap at pagod para lamang
mabisita siya. Karaniwan na sa atin ang ipagpabukas ang paggawa ng
mabuting bagay. Masyadong malakas sa atin ang "manyana
habit". Mamya na lang ako tutulong, mamya na lang ako gagawa ng
mabuti, mamya na lang ako… Si Maria ay di nag-atubiling tulungan ang
kanyang pinsan ng malaman niyang nagdadalantao ito sa pagbalita ng anghel. Sana
tayo rin, di nagdadalawang isip kapag paggawa ng kabutihan ang pinag-uusapan.
Sabi nga natin: "Kung gusto mo may paraan… kung ayaw mo may
dahilan!"

MALAYO MAN… MALAPIT DIN! : Reflection for the 6th Day of Simbang Gabi, Year C -
December 21, 2006
WHAT’S IN A NAME? : Reflection for the 8th Day of Christmas Novena, Year C -
December 23, 2006 →

THANKSGIVING: Reflection for the 7th Day of Christmas Novena, Year C - December
22, 2006

Sa ingles ang
salitang pasasalamat ay "thanksgiving". Kung
susuriin natin ay may dalawang salita: hindi lang "thanks"…
meron din dapat na "giving". Ito ang kalimitang
nakakaligtaan natin, na ang tunay na pasasalamat ay mayroong
"pagbibigay". Meron kang ibibigay sa sarili mo bilang
pagpapakaita ng iyong pasasalamat. Ganito ang ginawa ni Ana sa unang
pagbasa. Ibinigay niya si Samuel sa Panginoon pagkatapos na ipagkaloob
ito sa kanya. Hindi madali ang mawalan ng anak lalo pa’t
siya’y hiningi niya sa Panginoon. Ito rin ang ginawa ni Maria…
ibinigay niya ang kanyang buong sarili at itinalaga ito sa Panginoon pagkatapos
niyang tanggapin ang alok na maging ina ng Diyos. Kaya nga’t dapat na
isang awit ng papuri ang mamutawi sa kanyang bibig sapagkat gumawa sa kanya
ang
Panginoon ng mga dakilang bagay. Sana ito rin ang taglayin natin bilang
Kristiyano. Isang pusong puno ng pasasalamat ngunit pasasalamat na
mayroong ibibigay… ang pagtatalaga ng ating sarili sa Diyos. Totoo na
mahirap matularan ang katapatan ni Maria ngunit hindi ito dahilan upang hindi
magbigay ng ating sarili sa Diyos… Ihandog natin sa Kanya ang ating
kahinaan at karupukan bilang tao at Siya na ang bahala sa atin…

← MALAYO MAN… MALAPIT DIN! : Reflection for the 6th Day of Simbang Gabi, Year C
- December 21, 2006
WHAT’S IN A NAME? : Reflection for the 8th Day of Christmas Novena, Year C -
December 23, 2006 →

THANKSGIVING: Reflection for the 7th Day of Christmas Novena, Year C - December
22, 2006

Sa ingles ang
salitang pasasalamat ay "thanksgiving". Kung
susuriin natin ay may dalawang salita: hindi lang "thanks"…
meron din dapat na "giving". Ito ang kalimitang
nakakaligtaan natin, na ang tunay na pasasalamat ay mayroong
"pagbibigay". Meron kang ibibigay sa sarili mo bilang
pagpapakaita ng iyong pasasalamat. Ganito ang ginawa ni Ana sa unang
pagbasa. Ibinigay niya si Samuel sa Panginoon pagkatapos na ipagkaloob
ito sa kanya. Hindi madali ang mawalan ng anak lalo pa’t
siya’y hiningi niya sa Panginoon. Ito rin ang ginawa ni Maria…
ibinigay niya ang kanyang buong sarili at itinalaga ito sa Panginoon pagkatapos
niyang tanggapin ang alok na maging ina ng Diyos. Kaya nga’t dapat na
isang awit ng papuri ang mamutawi sa kanyang bibig sapagkat gumawa sa kanya
ang
Panginoon ng mga dakilang bagay. Sana ito rin ang taglayin natin bilang
Kristiyano. Isang pusong puno ng pasasalamat ngunit pasasalamat na
mayroong ibibigay… ang pagtatalaga ng ating sarili sa Diyos. Totoo na
mahirap matularan ang katapatan ni Maria ngunit hindi ito dahilan upang hindi
magbigay ng ating sarili sa Diyos… Ihandog natin sa Kanya ang ating
kahinaan at karupukan bilang tao at Siya na ang bahala sa atin…

"The essence of smell in life: lotion for the babies, cologne


for the twenties, Eau d Toilet for the thirties, perfume for the fourties,
Efficacent Oil for the fifties, bawang at Luya for the sixties, insenso for the
seventies and above! Anuman ang amoy mo… iisa lang ang amoy ng Pasko! Ano
ba ang naamoy mo sa paligid mo? Hindi ba’t bakas ang kaligayahan sa mukha
ng bawat isa? Maglakad ka sa mall,
makikita mo na nakangiti ang mga tao na parang marami silang pera! Pagmasdan
mo
ang mga ninong at ninang na hirap pagkasyahin ang budget sa dami ng kanilang
inaanak ay nakangiti pa rin. Ano ba ang nagbibigay ng tunay na kaligayahan sa
atin sa araw ng Pasko? Ang awit ni Zacharias ay awit ng masayang papuri
sa Panginoon. Bakas kay Zacharias ang kaligayahan sapagkat gumawa ang
Panginoon ng kahanga-hangang bagay sa kanilang mag-asawa. Nilangap ng
Panginoon ang kanilang abang kalagayan at pinagkalooban sila ng anak.
Ngunit higit ang kanyang kaligayahan sapagkat dumarating na ang kaliwanagan sa
mundong balot ng kadiliman… darating na ang Anak ng Kataas-asan! Lubos ang
kanyang kagalakan sapagkat ang Diyos ay naging tapat sa kanyang pangakong
kaligtasan. Pinahahalagahan ko ba ang katapatang ito ng Diyos?
Nagiging tapat din ba ako sa aking pakikipagtipan sa Kanya lalo na sa pagtupad
ng aking mga pangako sa binyag? Ang tunay na kaligayahan ng Pasko ay
nasa katapatan ng ating pagsunod sa Kanya!

December 22, 2008 : MARY CHRISTMAS!

Ilang tulog na lang ay Pasko na! Nasindihan na natin ang ikaapat na kandila ng
Adbiyento. Maraming mga tao ngayon ang nasa “panic mode” na at siguradong
punong-puno na naman ang mga department stores at supermarket para sa huling
sandali ng pamimili. Naitanong ko tuloy sa aking sarili kung alam ba natin ang ating
pinaghahandaan? Takbo tayo ng takbo, ikot tayo ng ikot, abalang-abala tayo sa
maraming bagay… ngunit para saan? Bakit nga ba may Pasko? Hindi natin
matatagpuan ang kasagutan sa ating pag-unawa bilang mga tao. Ang kasagutan ay
maibibigay lamang ng Diyos. May isang kuwento tungkol sa isang “bridge-master”.
Ang kanyang trabaho ay itaas at ibaba ang tulay tuwing daraan ang tren. Mayroon
siyang isang anak na lubos niyang minamahal na aliw na aliw na pinapanood ang
mga tren na dumaraan sa tulay. Minsang nagkaroon ng pagkakamali, may
dumarating na tren at nakataas pa ang tulay. Hindi ito napansin ng kanyang tatay
kaya’t tumakbo ang bata upang ibaba ang tulay sa pamamagitan ng isang “control
lever” na matatagpuan sa may ibaba ng tulay. Nadulas ang bata at naipit sa tulay.
Doon siya nakita ng tatay at laking pagkagulat nito ng makita ang tren na
paparating mula control tower. Sa mga sandaling iyon, kailangan niya ang
magdesisyon… hayaang nakataas ang tulay at masawi ang mga taong nasa loob ng
tren, o ibaba ito at hayaang mamatay ang kanyang anak! Ano kaya ang ang
kanyang desisyon? Abangan sa susunod na kabanata… hehe. Masakit mang
tanggapin ngunit ang naging desiyon n’ya ay ibaba ang tulay! Bakit tayo may
pagdiriwang ng Pasko? Sapagkat mayroong Diyos na nagsakripisyo ng Kanyang
Anak upang tayo ay maligtas! Ang pagkakatawang-tao ng Diyos ay isang malaking
sakripisyo para sa ating kaligtasan. Anong sakripisyo na ba ang nagawa ko bilang
aking tugon sa kagandahang loob ng Diyos? Si Maria ay nagpakita ng malaking
sakripisyo nang tumugon siya sa paanyaya ng anghel na maging ina ng Diyos.
“Ako’y alipin ng Panginoon. Mangyari sa akin ang iyong sinabi.” Kaya ko rin bang
isakripisyo ang aking kalooban sa kalooban ng Diyos tulad ni Maria? Kung minsan
masyadong mataas ang ating “pride”; ayaw nating magpakumbaba, ayaw nating
magpatawad, ayaw nating magpatalo… Ang Pasko ay nagpapahiwatig sa atin ng
pagpapakumbaba at pagsunod sa kalooban ng Diyos. Sana, sa ating abalang
paghahanda sa pagdiriwang ng Pasko ay hindi natin makalimutan ang malaking
sakripisyo ng Diyos at ang pagsunod na ginawa ng Mahal na Birhen. “MARY
Christmas!”

- December 7, 2008 : PRO CHA-CHA TAYO!

Umiinit na naman ang usapin ng “cha-cha.” Ngayong nalalapit na naman ang 2010
elections marami na namang personal na interes ang isinusulong sa ngalan ng pag-
unlad at paglago ng ekonomiya. Tama bang mag cha-cha? Iba-iba ang opinyon ng
mga tao dito depende sa kanilang panininidigan at prinsipyong pinanghahawakan.
Ngunit kung ako ang tatanungin PRO CHA-CHA ako! Pero hindi cha-cha for charter
change kundi CHA-CHA for CHARACTER CHANGE! Sapagkat kung titingnan natin ang
ugat ng problema sa ating lipunan ay matutukoy natin ang ating pagiging makasarili!
Tunay nga naman… the root of all sins is selfishness! May mga tao kasing ang iniisip
lang ang personal na interes at ikabubuti. Bahala na kung makasagasa ng iba!
Bahala na kung makasakit! Bahala na kung matatapakan ang karapatan ng iba!
Akmang-akma ang Ebanghelyo natin ngayon sa usaping pagbabago. Ang tunay na
“cha-cha” ay ipinahayag noong panahon pa lamang ng mga propeta. Sa bibig ni
Propeta Isaias: “Ihanda ninyo ang daraanan ng Panginoon, tuwirin ninyo ang
kanyang mga landas!” At anung uring paghahanda? Tambakan natin ang mga
lambak ng ating pagkukulang. Patagin natin ang mga bundok ng ating kayabangan.
Ituwid natin ang liku-likong daan ng ating pandaraya! Sa wika ni San Juan Bautista:
“Pagsisihan ninyo’t talikdan ang inyong mga kasalanan, at pabinyag kayo upang
kayo’y patawarin ng Diyos.” Ang binyag na tinutukoy dito ay binyag na tanda ng
pagsisisi at pagbabalik-loob. Ano na ba ang paghahandang nagawa ko para sa
Pasko? Baka naman nakatali pa rin ako sa mga panlabas na alalahanin? Dekorasyon,
aguinaldo, noche-buena, bagong damit… etc. Mahalaga ang lahat ng mga ito ngunit
may mas mahalaga pa sa kanila. Bakit di mo kaya naman pagtuunan ng pansin ang
espirituwal mong kapakanan? Bakit di mo subukang gumawa ng magandang
kumpisal bago mag Pasko? Bakit di ka magpakita ng pagkakawanggawa sa mga
taong nangangailangan? Bakit di mo subukang magpatawad sa mga taong nakagawa
sa iyo ng masama? Bakit di mo subukang kausapin ang mga taong iyong kinaiinisan?
Ito ang tunay CHA-CHA… pagbabago ng sarili! Sabayan mo ang indak ng
Kapaskuhan! Subukan mong magcha-cha at makikita mong magiging masaya at
makahulugan ang iyong Pasko!

December 25 daw ang pinakamasayang araw as kalendaryo… ang


pinaka-malungkot…. December 26! Bakit? Kasi me hang-over pa sa
party noong nakaraang gabi! Puyat at parang ayaw ng gumising dahil sa
magdamagang kwentuhan, kantahan at sayawan. Masakit ang tiyan dahil sa
mga di natunaw na pagkain nung noche buena. Butas ang bulsa dahil sa
dami ng inaanak na namasko… Maraming pinggan at kalderong
huhugasan… Maraming utang na dapat bayaran… kaya nga tama na 26
ang pinakamalungkot na araw sa ating kalendaryo! Yun ay kung hindi mo
na-gets ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit tayo nagdiriwang ng Pasko.
Kung ang ating Pasko ay panay panlabas na paghahanda at pagdiriwang at
hindi natin naalalang batiin ang "birthday celebrant" at pasalamatan
siya sa kanyang pagsilang ay talagang tapos na ang Pasko mo sa December
26. Sana hindi ganito ang nangyari sa ‘yo. Sana, hanggang ngayon,
buhay ang diwa ng Pasko sa iyo. Wala
ka mang tinanggap na regalo o aginaldo… wala ka mang bagong damit o
sapatos… wala ka mang umento sa trabaho… ay dama mo pa rin ang
Pasko… sapagkat si Kristo ang inilagay mo sa puso mo! MALIGAYANG PASKO SA
INYONG LAHAT!

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