Gospel Reflection

December 20, 2012

Thursday – Advent – Year of Faith

Fifth Day – Misa de Gallo

by Rev. Fr. William M. Parde (Rector, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, Naga City)

8:00PM Anticipated Misa de Gallo Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt, Makati

Reading 1 Is 7:10-14

The LORD spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, "I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!" Then Isaiah said: Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 24:1-2, 3-4ab, 5-6

R. (see 7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; He is the King of Glory.
The LORD's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
R. Let the Lord enter; He is the King of Glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?
or who may stand in his holy place?
He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
R. Let the Lord enter; He is the King of Glory.
He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,
a reward from God his savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
R. Let the Lord enter; He is the King of Glory.

Gospel Lk 1:26-38

In the sixth month, 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.

HOMILY

Galing po kami ng probinsiya, syempre tinitignan po natin ang galaw ng mga tao sa Metro Manila, especially here in Makati. Nakita namin, napakabilis ng buhay. People keep on running and running and running, and perhaps they want to accomplish everything. 

 

 

Pero ang natutunan po namin, activity is not an accomplishment. Kahit na marami po tayong ginagawa, marami naman sa mga ginagawa mo ang hindi mo naman talaga kailangan. Halimbawa, huwag po kayong magagalit po ano, 'yong shopping po ano, it may temporarily relieve you of stress, pero pagkatapos noon, napapagod din kayo. Or when you want to compete with others in the office, when you want to be promoted, when you want to become the president of your company, napakahirap din, nakakapagod din, stressful. Kaya sinasabi natin, activity is not always an accomplishment.

Naalala ko po ang sinabi ng superior general ng mga Jesuits. Ngayon daw panahon, mayroong tinatawag na superficiality. 

Lahat mababaw lang ang mga nakikita ng mga tao.

Unang una, ang superficiality ay makikita in terms of relationships. Napakadali nating alisin ang mga taong ayaw natin sa ating buhay. Sometimes, we are tempted to manipulate people. Most of the time, we do not want to reach out. Kung galit ka, huwag na, marami pa namang kaibigan diyan eh. Kung ayaw mo na, di huwag. So 'yong forgiveness, patience, self-control, 'yong being generous, etc., nawawala na 'yon sa mga relationships. Tingnan nyo ngayon natalo pa 'yong simbahan sa RH Bill. Ang sunod po noon, divorce, abortion, same-sex marriage, sunod-sunod na po 'yan. Therefore, people do not care so much about relationships. Ang superficiliaty ay nakikita kung paano natin pinahahalagahan ang bawat isa.

Pangalawa, there is superficiliaty in our thoughts, sa ating mga iniisip. Anu-ano ba ang mga nasa isip mo na nandiyan sa iyong puso? Maybe ang sinasabi sa atin, we need to compete with ourselves, that we should break our own records, rather than compete with other people. Kasi pag ikaw ay nakipagkumpitensiya sa ibang tao, you will always find other people better than you, wealthier than you, prettier than you, more handsome than you, etc.

Ano ang mga bagay na gumagalaw sa iyong isipan at this point? Do you just want to earn money and to buy things? Most of the time, we have plenty to live on, but nothing to live for. Marami ka ngang pera, pero pag-uwi mo sa bahay, pagod ka, malungkot ka, wala kang maisip na gawin, maraming gumagalaw sa iyong isip.

Pangatlo, sinasabi din pong ang superficiality ay nakikita sa ating mga dreams. Do you have a plan for your life? Do you have a plan for your being a Christian or being a Catholic? Minsan, ang plano mo lang ay magkaroon ng malaking bahay, magkaroon ng malaking bank account, magkaroon ng bagong condo unit kung saan diyan. Pero alam nyo po, kung ganyan ang mga dreams n'yo, lahat nang 'yan maiiwan n'yo rin eh. Ang makikinabang niyan, 'yong mga manugang ninyo. Pag patay na kayo, ibebenta nila lahat 'yan, wala rin, lahat nang nakinabang ay 'yong mga naiwan. Kasi po ang dream ay mababaw, walang nagagawa sa iyong pagkatao.

Do you dream to be identified with Jesus? Do you dream to serve in the church? Do you dream of trying to transform yourself into someone worthy to be called a Catholic? Ano ba ang mga pangarap mo sa buhay? 

'Yon namang iba, walang pangarap, paikot-ikot lang ang buhay, wala naman talagang patutunguhan. Sabi nga sa Bible, 'without vision, people die'. Pabalik-balik lang ang ating buhay. Kung minsan nga, hindi mo alam kung ano ang gusto mo sa buhay. Pagpunta mo sa restaurant, kasama mo ang kaibigan mo, 'sige na mag-order ka na lang ng kahit ano'. Kahit ano, pwede na. Mag-aasawa ka, tinatanong ka kung ano ang gusto mo sa lalaki, sasabihin mo, 'kahit ano'. So nakapag-asawa ka tuloy nang kahit ano, hindi mo na maisasauli 'yon.

Do you really know what you want in life?

Tayong mga Pilipino - siguro pang-probinsiya lang ang example na ito - di po ba kapag tayo ay nagwawalis, palagi po tayong nakatingin sa sahig. We do not, at all, look at the ceiling, that we don't notice that the ceiling is already gathering cobwebs. Ang sinasabi sa atin - mayroon ka bang mga pangarap? Ano ba ang mga pangarap mo? Do you plan for yourself? What is sad is, perhaps after five years or after ten years, you still have the same excuses, the same sins, the same ambitions, the same problems, walang nangyayari sa buhay, paikot-ikot.

Finally, ang superficiality daw ay nakikita in terms of our convictions. Ano ba ang mga pinaniniwalaan mo? Totoo ba talagang naniniwala ka sa Diyos? Most of the time, our convictions affect how we conduct our daily lives. Depende 'yan sa ating mga pinaniniwalaan. And if you are so opinionated, wala nang papasok na bagong idea sa buhay mo, kasi nakasarado na. You believe that you possess all the truths, you think that you have the answers to all the questions, and you think that you have the solutions to all problems. So, wala nang makakapasok. Mababaw.

Pero napakaganda ng Gospel ngayon - the Annunciation. It is allowing God to enter into our lives. Mary allowed God to enter her life. In our busyness, the life that we have every day - friends to call, deadlines to meet, projects to accomplish - ang dami nating iniisip - do we have space for God, like Mary? Meron bang puwang ang Diyos sa iyong buhay? Do you find time to pray to God every day, even for five minutes? Konti lamang na puwang o lugar para sa Diyos sa ating pang-araw-araw na buhay. 

Tingnan po natin si Maria sa araw na ito. Bakit ba siya nagkaroon ng ganoong napakalaking privilege - she became the mother of God, and then she was glorified in heaven. Bakit? Kasi, she was obedient to God. We may never be able to imitate Mother Mary in her innocence, kasi alam natin na mayroon na tayong mga nagawang kasalanan. But certainly, we can imitate her obedience to God. Alam po natin 'yan.

Bakit ang dami po nating problema araw-araw? Because we have not learned to obey God. We have to pray to know the will of God for us. Father, ano po ba ang will of God every day? Ay napakasimple lang. Hindi bababa ang Diyos para sabihin ang gusto Niya araw-araw. The will of God is doing what is pleasing to God every day. Make it your goal to make people happy at nang makagawa ka ng kabutihan araw-araw.

Today, as we continue to celebrate this mass, this Advent season, let us ask the Lord to allow us to create a space for Him in our lives. Ang mahalaga po ay mayroong puwang ang Diyos sa buhay mo. And once you allow God to give that space in your life, then everything will fall into place. Tamang tama ang lahat. Makikita mong magaan na magaan na tumatakbo ang iyong buhay, hindi 'yong sunod-sunod 'yong problema. You know that you can draw strength, because God is in your life. 

Gospel Reflection

December 19, 2012

Wednesday – Advent – Year of Faith

Fourth Day – Misa de Gallo

by Monsignor Bong Lo, Chaplain, Chapel of the Eucharistic Lord, Megamall 4:30AM Mass at Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace (Our Lady of EDSA)

Reading 1 Jgs 13:2-7, 24-25a

There was a certain man from Zorah, of the clan of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren and had borne no children. An angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, "Though you are barren and have had no children, yet you will conceive and bear a son. Now, then, be careful to take no wine or strong drink and to eat nothing unclean. As for the son you will conceive and bear, no razor shall touch his head, for this boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb. It is he who will begin the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines."

The woman went and told her husband, "A man of God came to me; he had the appearance of an angel of God, terrible indeed. I did not ask him where he came from, nor did he tell me his name. But he said to me, 'You will be with child and will bear a son. So take neither wine nor strong drink, and eat nothing unclean. For the boy shall be consecrated to God from the womb, until the day of his death.'"

The woman bore a son and named him Samson. The boy grew up and the LORD blessed him; the Spirit of the LORD stirred him.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 71:3-4a, 5-6ab, 16-17

R. (see 8) My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to give me safety,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
O my God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
For you are my hope, O LORD;
my trust, O God, from my youth.
On you I depend from birth;
from my mother's womb you are my strength.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!
I will treat of the mighty works of the LORD;
O God, I will tell of your singular justice.
O God, you have taught me from my youth,
and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.
R. My mouth shall be filled with your praise, and I will sing your glory!

Gospel Lk 1:5-25

In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest in his division's turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers toward children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord."

Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." And the angel said to him in reply, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time." Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she went into seclusion for five months, saying, "So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit to take away my disgrace before others."

HOMILY

Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.

Today is December 19. How many days to go? (people say 6) Ilan po? 2 days more to go, December 21 na po. (laughs) Ayon sa Mayan calendar, bye-bye. (laughs) Bye-bye na.

When people ask me, "Father, bakit ayon sa Mayan calendar, mag-e-end of the world na sa December 21?" Sabi ko, "Hindi. Matatapos ang Mayan calendar sa December 21, 2012 kasi naubusan sila ng ink., ng tinta." (laughs) But my dear sisters and brothers, according to experts of the Mayan culture, the Mayan calendar ends on December 21, 2012, but it does not mean it is the end of the world. Rather, it is the end of an era. It is the end of an epoch. The end of a cycle. 

But you and I know that the end of a cycle heralds the beginning of a new cycle. The end of an era is the advent of a new era. Hindi ho ba noong nag-graduate tayo sa school, ano ho ba ang nakasulat sa likod ng stage? Commencement exercises. Why commencement? End na nga eh. Bakit commencement, which means beginning? Kasi ho pala, the end of one phase means the beginning of another phase. Graduate na tayo sa elementary, we are about to start high school. Graduate na tayo ng high school, we are about to begin college. Tapos na tayo ng college, magsisimula ka na ng iyong professional life. Sabi nga nila, pag ikaw ay young professional, ano'ng tawag nila sa iyo? Yuppie. Kapag mga 30 years old ka na, ang tawag sa iyo, yummy. (laughs) At pag may edad ka na tulad ko, ang tawag sa iyo, yucky. (more laughs)
My sisters and brothers, we are now in the season of Advent. And after the season of Advent is the season of Christmas. After Christmas, it will already be Ordinary time in the Liturgical calendar. Then after a few weeks of Ordinary time, we will have the season of Lent, and after the season of Lent, we will have the season of Easter. Then Ordinary time again, that will culminate on the Solemnity of Christ the King. And after Christ the King will again be the season of Advent. Then Christmas again, Ordinary Time, and Lent, and Easter, and so on and so forth. 

"Eh Father, ang buhay pala natin, kahit sa simbahan, ang liturgical life natin, ang church calendar natin, paulit-ulit lang. Para palang sirang plaka ano po? Parang 'yong asawa ko, Father (laughs), paulit-ulit lang, parang sirang plaka." Correct? Wrong....wrong. Hindi dapat parang sirang plaka, na paulit-ulit lang, na walang patutunguhan na maganda. Dapat ho pala ay para tayong drill. 'Yong electric drill. Ano po sa Tagalog ang drill? Barena. Sa amin sa Bacolod, matigas 'yan - barina (laughs). Sa inyo malambot, barena.
Alam naman po natin na ang barena ay paikot-ikot din, hindi ho ba? Ngunit ang barena po ay hindi parang sirang plaka, na paikot-ikot, paulit-ulit, walang patutunguhan. Mayroon pong patutunguhan ang barena. With each turn, papasok nang papasok. With each turn, palalim nang palalim. Nawa po ang ating liturgical life, ang ating church life, ang ating Christian life, hindi parang sirang plakang paikot-ikot, paulit-ulit, walang patutunguhan, kundi sana, ito ay parang barena. Spiritual drill kumbaga, na habang tumatagal, with each turn, papasok nang papasok sa plano ng Diyos. Ikaw at ako, papasok nang papasok sa plano ng Diyos, hindi palayo nang palayo sa plano ng Diyos. Sana ang relasyon natin sa Diyos at sa kapwa, palalim nang palalim. May our relationship with God and with each other deepen with the passage of time.

This is what we call to grow old gracefully. Matanda na ba kayo? Hindi pa naman. So ang tanong pa sa iyo, how young are you? Pero ang totoo, how old are you? Okay lang na tumanda tayo. Hindi naman talaga mapipigilan 'yan eh. Basta ang mahalaga, we grow old gracefully. What does it mean to grow old gracefully? To grow old gracefully is to grow old graciously - in the grace of God. Sana, habang lumilipas ang panahon, with each cycle, with each turn of the season, we grow old gracefully, we grow old in the grace of God, we grow old graciously.
Pakisabi po, "May I grow old gracefully." (people repeats) "May I grow old graciously." (people repeats) "May I grow old in the grace of God." (people repeats) Pakisabi ninyo sa inyong katabi, "May you grow old, period." (laughs) If you say that to your katabi, then you, yourselves, are not growing old gracefully. You, yourselves, are not growing old graciously. Hindi ka gracious. At kung wala kang grasya, ano ang mayroon? Disgrasya. (laughs) Opo. Malaking disgrasya na tumanda tayo na not in the grace of God. Malaking disgrasya na tumanda tayo na walang pinagkatandaan. Malaking disgrasya na tumanda tayo na hindi pumapasok sa plano ng Diyos, na hindi lumalalim ang ugnayan sa Diyos at sa kapwa.
My sisters and brothers, pang-49th Advent season ko na ito ngayon. Next week, pang 49th Christmas ko na. (looking at a young lady) Ikaw, pang-ilang Advent season mo na ito? (pause, then Father asks in a confused voice) Hindi mo alam? (laughs) Sa tingin ko, pang 65 mo na. (more laughs) Ay noong ipinanganak ka pala, 1965. Mga kapatid, pang-ilang Advent season n'yo na? Pag turn na po ng cycle, may nangyayari ho ba? Sana, mayroon. Sana ngayong taon, may mangyayaring maganda. 

In our First Reading for today, from the book of Judges, and the Gospel reading according to Luke, may dalawang babae. Sa First Reading, ito ang asawa ni Manoah, hindi nabanggit ang name, pero sigurado tayong ang tawag sa kanya ay si Mrs. Manoah. At sa Gospel Reading naman ay si Elizabeth na asawa ni Zechariah. Dalawang babae, na grabe ang pananalig sa Panginoon. Grabe ang pananampalataya sa Panginoon. Talagang hindi sila bumitaw, talagang humawak sila sa Panginoon. They did not give up. They did not give in to discouragement. Although tumatanda na sila na hindi napagbigyan ang hinihiling, hindi nabigay ang pangangailangan, they remained barren, their lives remained fruitless, naging fruitless ang relasyon nila sa kanilang asawa, talagang they were looked down, because at that time, not having a child is considered a curse. Sinumpa. Tingnan nyo kaming mga pari, mukhang isinumpa. (laughs) Lalo na ako. Wala nang anak, wala pang buhok (more laughs), parang isinumpa.
My sisters and brothers, these two women. Ilang cycles na ang dumaan sa buhay nila, parang tumatanda na sila disgraciously, tumatanda na sila na parang fruitless ang buhay. But these two women held on to their faith in God, held on to their prayers, held on to their trust in the Lord, and that is precisely what we mean by faith. We are in the Year of Faith, and faith, first and foremost, means a personal relationship with God. Sana po, sa pag-ikot ng cycle, 'yong ating personal relationship sa Panginoon, lumalalim at lumalapit. Sana po sa bawat cycle, lalo tayong pumapasok into that personal relationship with God.
Pero mga kapatid, kung gusto nating pumasok tayo sa ating personal relationship with God, at lumalim at tumatag ang ating personal relationship with God tulad nila Mrs. Manoah and Mrs. Zechariah, dapat, at the same time, ang ating relationship sa isa't isa ay lumalim din, tumatag. Bakit po? Kasi we only have one heart. Iisa lang po ang puso natin. Although may mga nag-iilusyon diyan, ano. Kapag dalawang babae ang nililigawan, sasabihin, 'sana dalawa ang puso ko'. Alam nyo po, pag dalawa ang puso nyo, patay kayo. (laughs) Dapat isa lang ho talaga ang puso. At dahil nag-iisa ang puso, that heart cannot be open to God and at the same time be closed to others. Dahil iisa lang ang puso, hindi pwede na sa isang dako, ito ay bukas sa Diyos, pero sa kabilang dako, ito ay sarado sa kapwa. Kung ang puso sarado sa kapwa, then that heart cannot but also be closed to God, sarado din sa Diyos. Kung ang puso na ito ay bukas sa Diyos, then it cannot but be, at the same time, open to others. 

Kaya sa bawat cycle, sa bawat ikot ng cycle, lumalalim din sana, at tumatatag din ang relasyon natin sa ating kapwa. Lalo na ang mga kasama natin sa bahay, sa school, sa work, at lalo na sa church. Kung minsan sa church, ang daming chika at intriga. Dito pa nga nasisira ang mga relasyon. Sasabihin ng isa, "May sasabihin ako sa iyo." Sasabihin naman ng isa, "Ay hindi pwede ang chika dito." Sasabihin naman noong isa, "Ay hindi naman chika ito eh. Sharing ito eh." (laughs) My sisters and brothers, let us pray in this mass, in this season, na sana po talagang ang relationship natin sa Diyos at sa ating kapwa ay lumalim.
Finally, ano po ang effect, ano po ang bunga, paano po natin matanto na talagang we are growing old graciously - in the grace of God? Paano po natin matanto na talagang pumapasok tayo sa plano ng Diyos at lumalalim ang ugnayan sa Kanya, habang tumatatag naman ang ating ugnayan sa kapwa? What is the sign? The sign is - peace of heart. 'Yong peace, kapayapaan sa ating puso. 'Yan ang dinala ng Panginoong Hesus. Noong ipinanganak Siya, kumanta ang mga anghel ng, "Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth." Noong inutusan Ni Hesus ang Kanyang mga alagad, sabi Niya, "Whatever house you enter, the first thing you have to tell the owners of the house is to greet them with the word of 'peace'." 

I-try mo yan gawin mamaya, Pagdating mo sa bahay, sabihin mo sa iyong mga kasama, sa iyong mga anak, "Peace be with you." Ang sasabihin nila, "Ngyeh." (laughs) Di ba ano? But that is the first thing that we should say in the house. Hindi 'yong, "Uy may makakain ba tayo diyan?" Hindi 'yong pagpasok na pagpasok n'yo, 'Uy pautang naman". (laughs)
During the Last Supper, ano ang sinabi ni Hesus sa Kanyang mga alagad? "I give you My peace, the peace that the world cannot give." And after the Resurrection, the first time na nagpakita siya sa Kanyang mga alagad, ano ang first word na sinabi Niya sa kanila? "Peace." Because peace is total well-being. Hindi lang physical kundi spiritual. Hindi lang individual, kundi communal. Peace is total well-being. At 'yan ang dala sa atin ng Panginoon, 'yan ang hangad Niya para sa atin, at 'yan ang hinahanap natin, at ito ay mapapasa-atin kung sa bawat ikot ng cycle ay pumapasok tayo sa plano Niya, na matatag ang ugnayan natin sa Kanya at sa ating kapwa, and we grow graciously. Then we shall have peace.
Kaya sa misa, sinasabi ng pari before Communion, "Let us give each other the sign of.....peace." After the mass, sinasabi ng pari, "Go in....peace." At kung nasa bahay naman kayo at gusto ninyong sabihan ang inyong kasama na siya ay magpahinga, at gusto nyo na niyang matulog, sasabihin mo sa kanya, "May you rest in....." (laughs) O bakit? Hindi ba pwede 'yon? Eh oras ng pahinga eh. Hindi mo naman pwedeng sabihing, may you sleep full of troubles, or may you rest unpeacefully. May you rest in....peace. (laughs)
My dear sisters and brothers, peace is not the absence of problems. Peace is the presence of God. Ito po ang ating ipagdasal, sa misang ito, at sa bawat misa natin, sa ating bawat panalangin. May we grow old graciously, pumapasok sa plano ng Diyos, lumalalim ang relasyon sa Diyos at sa kapwa, and through Him, having that peace that the world cannot give, the peace that the world cannot understand. Amen. 

Gospel Reflection

December 18, 2012

Tuesday – Advent – Year of Faith

Third Day – Misa de Gallo

by Rev. Fr. Ramon Jade L. Licuanan (Commissioner, Commission on Youth, Archdiocese of Manila)

8pm Anticipated Simbang Gabi Mass at Sto. Nino de Paz Chapel, Greenbelt, Makati

Reading 1 Jer 23:5-8

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: "The LORD our justice."

Therefore, the days will come, says the LORD, when they shall no longer say, "As the LORD lives, who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt"; but rather, "As the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of the house of Israel up from the land of the north"-- and from all the lands to which I banished them; they shall again live on their own land.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19

R. (see 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous deeds.
And blessed forever be his glorious name;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Gospel Mt 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.

HOMILY

Alam po ba ninyo ang history ng pangalan ninyo? Do you know why your name was given to you by your parents? How do parents usually find names for their babies? Iba-iba ano po? For example, my name is Ramon. Because I was born on August 31, I suppose it is connected to Ramon Magsaysay. And as my mother was in labor in the delivery room, my mother was asking that I be given another name other than Ramon. Napatingin daw si nanay sa kanyang singsing at nakita niya ang jade. Kaya ang sabi niya, "Jade, Jade." Kaya ako po ay naging Ramon Jade.

There are other ways of finding or creating names. For example, we get names from a significant someone. I was able to meet a very old dear friend to me, and I asked her, 'Uy, you already have a baby, what is the name of your baby?" And she said, "Ramon Jade." So ang sabi ko, "My God, please move on." (laughs)

Mayroon din tayong famous personalities, mayroon tayong mga artista at ipinapangalan din natin sa baby natin 'yan ano. Sino nga ang mga artista? Si Charice, di ba mga ganyan? Sino pa ba ang mga artista? Sino pa? (pauses; people laugh) Si Bentot. Kung kilala nyo pa si Bentot, pwede nyong ipangalan 'yan. Another one is 'yong parents' name ay pinagsasama. Sino ho dito 'yong pinagsama ang pangalan ng nanay at tatay niya? (some people raise their hands) O di ba? Mayroon ang pangalan ng tatay ay Dennis, at ang pangalan ng nanay ay Dory. So ano ang pangalan ng anak nila? Dedo. (laughs) Ganda di ba?

Why do I say this? If you remember, yesterday's Gospel is a series of names. Today's Gospel is a continuation of yesterday's Gospel. And if you notice, there is a particular name that is outstanding in the Gospel for today. And that name was given to the Messiah who was to be born in Mary. And what is that name? Emmanuel. Ano po ang ibig sabihin ng Emmanuel? God is with us.

Have we ever asked why? Among the many names that can be available for God, why Emmanuel? Why? Why God with us, to this baby who is to be born in the Blessed Virgin Mary? Why Emmanuel?

We go back to the Scriptures, particularly to the creation story. What is the one thing that Adam and Eve enjoyed the most in paradise? What? The Garden, the fruits? Yes, yes. But if you notice the one thing that Adam and Eve enjoyed the most, it was the presence of God. God was with them. They enjoyed it. They could not ask for more. The presence of God completed them. Now, what happened when God was away? It was the tragic moment, when they sinned, right? So you can imagine right now how essential, how vital God's presence is in our lives. 

 

If you look at the Gospel today, it talks about the presence of God that will complete us, that will fill our lives, more than the wealth, more than the power and possessions. That is why if you look at Scriptures from the Old Testament, it was all a search for the presence of God, a constant struggle for the presence of God.

Moses led the Israelites through the desert for a number of years, constantly in search for God's presence. And what did God do? He sent a lot of signs - the column of fire, the wind, the manna, the division of the Red Sea, instant food in the middle of the desert. These were all glimpses of God's presence. God sustained the Israelites with His truth, His presence that completes us and fills us more than anything else.

And then came the prophets, Moses and Joshua, and the others. The people were looking up to these prophets because for them, they are glimpses of God's presence. We can feel God in their words, in their directions, their instructions. St. John the Baptist, the last prophet, also had his disciples who followed him. Why? Because for them, John the Baptist represented God. He was a glimpse of God's presence. All along, my brothers and sisters, there was a search for God's presence.

No wonder, when God took the form of man, born by a virgin named Mary, the name given to this child who will be the Messiah is Emmanuel, which is 'God with us'. And if God is true yesterday, God is true even right now. Today. To us. You and me - we are in a constant struggle to find and feel God, to receive God's presence.

The thing is iba-iba nga lang ang nakikita nating presensiya ng Diyos. 'Yong iba, they are so much obsessed with their properties, 'yong hitsura, with relationships. Kasi these things also give us a glimpse of God's presence. But it is a misunderstanding, a misrepresentation, when in fact, God is with us already. More than our possessions, more than our relationships, God is already present. We don't have to look for him anywhere else. God is with us.

Kaya alam ninyo, dito sa mesang ito (puts his hand on the altar), the Eucharist is being offered here. No wonder this great sacrament given to us is known as a remembrance. This is the very presence of God in the form of bread and wine. So makikita natin ang connection. The Church gives so much value, so much reverence on the Holy Eucharist, because in here, we see Jesus and the fullness of His holiness. At hindi lang natin nakikita kundi natatanggap pa natin. That is why whenever we receive the Eucharist, it brings us so much joy that should give us a feeling of completeness, of fulfillment. It is to be able to see and even receive God, who, in history, ay napakailap, para doon sa mga nauna sa atin. Jesus's presence ended all the struggle in the history of salvation. 

We may, at times, misrepresent God through other possessions, but know that it is God who we are looking for and searching for. We may be so much attached with our position, with the power. We could not let go, when in fact, it is God whom we are looking for, and so much thirsting for. The presence of God. And this is the reason of the celebration of Christmas. We will celebrate, more than the gifts and the Christmas carols, the reunions. More than that. Christmas is celebrating God with us. God being with us, being present right here, right now. Napakahalaga niyan.

And that brings to us a challenge, to value and to put reverence to the Eucharist always, kahit saang simbahan tayo pumunta. Kahit hindi masyadong magaling ang choir. Kahit hindi masyadong pogi 'yong (pause) choir. (laughs) Ang mahalaga doon ay ang Eucharist - the presence of God, available for me for free. 

It also poses another challenge, and what is that? It is for us to be present also to others. I am sure we are already busy with our parties. But no - please do not forget, do not neglect the very important people to us. We must render our presence to them, to our families, to our loved ones. Ang daming nasalanta ngayon, may sunog, mayroon pang mga naghihikahos na biktima ng bagyong Pablo. In some form, we can let them feel that we are with them and that God is present in them. Huwag nating i-diet ang ating kapwa sa ating presensiya. Huwag nating sabihin "kailangan ma-miss nila ako". Meron tayong ganoong style eh. Let us be generous with our presence. 

I will share with you a story, when I was in college, I was in the College of Engineering in UST. We met an accident. We had a car accident. My face hit the wind shield of the car. I was rushed to the UST hospital. I learned during the travel to the hospital that I already had lots of lacerations on my face and blood flowed to my polo, to my pants. The emergency staff in the hospital did not want me to see myself in the mirror. I wanted to see, but nobody dared to give me a mirror, I don't know why. And I had my two classmates there. I could not open my eyes anymore. Ang sakit na ng mga mata ko because of the blood.

I realized during those moments, those crucial moments, my two classmates stayed with me. They were with me, sila ang nagtawid sa akin noong mga panahong 'yon. They were just holding my hands and from time to time, they would allow me to listen, to hear their voice. I was so afraid, but their presence was so enough for me. At talaga naman pong punit punit ang mukha ko, just imagine sa dami naman ng tatama sa wind shield, mukha ko pa. (laughs) And the doctors were so confused. How can we treat the face of this boy to its original form or appearance?

I remember they told me the story that the doctors had a magazine. And there in the middle, merong picture. Sino ba 'yong napangasawa ni Lucy? (loud laughs) Ah, Richard. I'm sorry medyo nalilimutan ko na. It was the picture of Richard Gomez. And you know what? That helped the doctors (laughs) bring back the pieces of my face. (laughs) Kaya ito na pala. See? (laughs) Ang layo di ba? (more laughs)

But you know my dear brothers and sisters, it is about the presence of God. In this mass, let us cherish this moment of being with Jesus in the Eucharist. This is the fulfillment, the completeness of who we are, of our existence. The presence of God - in its majesty and holiness - with us.