SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS

COMMUNION WITH GOD 

Br. Reginald Zamora, OP

Have you surrendered yourself to God?

Every time I attend funerals there is always a question that lingers in my mind. Was this person able to have a communion with God when he was still alive? On one hand, if the person disregarded God in his lifetime, it is really a pity that such thing had happened. There is a possibility that his soul is bound for eternal damnation. On the other hand, if the person lived a full life of serving God then the pain of loss should be overcome by joy. Surely that person is at peace and is enjoying eternal happiness with our Creator. 

The same goes with people of terminal diseases who only have weeks or months to live. For me it is a question whether the person lived a full life with God or not. If not, then blessed he is for he is given one last opportunity to be united with God. The salvation of the soul is far more important than the body. Should we be in that situation, we have to use those remaining moments of our lives to say our apology and gratitude to God, and finally to surrender ourselves completely to God. 

Everybody dreams of a happy ending in their lives. A happy ending can only be attained through a genuine communion with God. By surrendering and uniting ourselves with God, everything in our lives will be in their proper perspective, in their proper place. And at the end of our lives, together with Simeon we can sing:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all peoples...”

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

It is HOW, not WHY! 

Br. Mark Philip Goroza, OP

"Why me Lord?" This is the common phrase we often ask to the Lord every time we find ourselves in a situation we did not expect. May it be positive or negative that question always echoes on our minds and our hearts. We always look and search for the reasons behind the things or experiences that happen to us. Asking the question "WHY" every time we encounter something is part of our being an intellectual being. We desire to know the reasons behind everything. We must remember, however, that aside from being a sign of curiosity or a sign of the desire to know, the question "WHY" would also suggest a kind of hesitancy or doubt on the part of the person asking the question. 

In the gospel, it is not "WHY" that Mary asked when the angel announced to her that she would give birth to a son. She asked "HOW." Her question shows her great desire to submit herself to the will of God. Her “HOW” also would suggest that whatever reason there may be for choosing her to be the mother of God, it is not any more important, for she trusted the wisdom of God. What is more important is how she can fulfill the will of God. 

Perhaps, "WHY" is also in the mind of Mary during the Annunciation. Her willingness and desire to do the will of God, however, surpassed that desire to know the reason why God chose her. She cannot but ask "HOW" and not "WHY". Her "HOW" made her understood the "WHY" of the plan of God.

Like Mary, let us first desire to do the will of God. Surely understanding His will shall follow. Try to ask God “HOW” instead of WHY.”

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Ang Kuwento ng Diyos sa Kuwento ng Buhay Mo
Br. Francis Borre, OP

Mahilig ka bang makinig sa kuwento ng pari?

Sa isang seminar na aking dinaluhan, may isang babaeng nagpahayag ng kanyang pagka-dismaya sa homiliya ng isang pari. Para sa babae, ang kuwento ng buhay ng Diyos at ang mga Salita lamang Niya na matatagpuan sa Banal na Kasulatan ang kanyang nais marinig. Hindi siya interisado sa kung anumang kuwento meron ang pari lalo na kung tungkol lang naman ito sa personal na buhay ng pari. 

Ang pagpapahayag ng buhay ng tao ay hindi lamang isang simpleng kuwento patungkol sa sarili. Ito ay pagpapahayag ng araw-araw na karanasan ng isang tao kasama ang Diyos; ang Diyos na nararanasan. Hindi ba’t tayo ay inaanyayahan ng Diyos na mamuhay kasama Siya sa tuwina? Hindi ba’t tayo ay inaanyayahan ng simbahan na bumuo at pagyamanin ang isang personal na relasyon sa Diyos? 

 

Ang totoo nito, hindi lang kuwento ng pari ang kanais-nais pakinggan. Maging sino ka man, ang kuwento mong kasama ang Diyos ay kaayaaya ding pakinggan. Ang pagkukuwento mo tungkol sa iyong buhay kasama ang Diyos; ang pagtawag mo sa Kanyang pangalan sa tuwing ikaw ay nahihirapan; ang mga nakakatuwa mong karanasan sa buhay, ay nagdudulot ng labis na tuwa sa Diyos sapagkat laman Siya ng kwento mo. Ang iyong kuwento kasama ang Diyos ay maari ding maging isang inspirasyon para sa iba sapagkat nakapaloob sa kuwento mo ang kuwento ng Diyos.

2nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT

LESS IS THE NEW GREAT

Br. Cyr Stephen Magbanua, OP 

The Gospel presents to us the great John the Baptist. He is considered great because of his important role in God’s work of salvation. His greatness depends neither on his self-righteousness nor on grandiose lifestyle but on lesser things. He does not claim to be the Messiah when everybody does. He wears neither costly clothing nor feeds on sumptuous foods. His preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ is through a humble and simple way of life. 

In this season of preparation for the coming and birth of our Lord, we can have as our model the great John the Baptist. We can prepare ourselves and be great Catholics by having less. We can lessen our complaining and focus more on giving thanks. We can lessen our harsh criticisms and give more affirmations; less bickering, more forgiving; less pettiness, more maturity; less gossiping, more praying; less discouragement, more hopefulness; less anger, more patience; less hatred and more loving. It is by being less that we can be great!