Patience is a Virtue

Third Sunday of Advent

14 December 2025

 

First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

Second Reading: James 5:7-10

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

My late father-in-law Felix was a farmer. In my first visit to him in Romblon, he showed me vast rice fields that he was looking after. I was amazed and had the impression that he must have been diligent and patient looking after his rice fields. Reading Saint James’ Letter, reminded me quite well of him: “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth…until it receives the early and the late rains” (Jm 5:7).

In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist seemed getting impatient while in prison. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He is the long-awaited Messiah. Instead of simply saying yes, Jesus gave some signs "the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them” (Mt 11:5).

We can sometimes be like John. We could have been discerning for a vocation in life, praying for an urgent need, or are having second thoughts if this person is the right individual we would like to be our companion for life. We could have been eager to get results quickly. Perhaps, we could have been searching for God amidst the chaos in this world. Whatever (or whoever) causes us to be impatient, Jesus reminds us gently of the signs of His coming. Be still.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You came to save us. Grant us the grace to be patient and work together so that all people may experience the salvation You bring. Filled with Your Spirit, help us to bring sight to those blinded by wealth, power, and ambition; to enable those who have been lamed by falsehood to walk again in Your truth; to cleanse those whose minds and hearts have been rendered impure by vice; to regain hearing to those who have become deaf to the cries of the oppressed; to raise those who have become dead to sin; and to proclaim Your Good News to the poor. Amen.

St John the Baptist, pray for us.

Taking Responsibility

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

08 December 2025

 

First Reading: Genesis 3:9-15, 20

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

It would have been my father’s 75th birthday today. One of the lessons he inculcated in my mind as a boy was to be responsible for my younger siblings. I learnt this the hard way when he punished me and my younger brother for failing to look after one of our sisters who fell from the stairs. Fast forward, when he had his first grandchild, he sent me an e-mail: “Look after yourself, your mother, your brother and sisters, and my grandson”. Our family has grown ever since and that message continues to resonate, especially now that he is gone.

In our First Reading, Adam and Eve shunned responsibility when God confronted them for their disobedience. Contrast that with today’s Gospel where Mary responded to God’s call: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38). No wonder, Mary is called the new Eve!

Papa was a devotee of the Rosary. This became evident when our clan organised a daily online Rosary during the Covid lockdown in 2020. The devotion continues up to this time. When he was still alive, he religiously attended these devotions and would lead every week with my younger brother. Through the Rosary, we could readily see how Mary took responsibility, first as Mother of God and later as Mother of the Church. Did she fully understand what these roles are? Absolutely not! Yet she trusted because she was “in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will” (Eph 1:11).

Today’s feast recalls how Mary was conceived without original sin in the womb of her mother Saint Anne. This glorious occasion gives us hope because like Mary, we too have been chosen by God “before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him” (Eph 1:4). The call to holiness is addressed to all of us regardless of our status in life. Are we going to shun or take responsibility?

Prayer

Loving Father, You willed that Mary be immaculately conceived to prepare her to be the Mother of Your only begotten Son. Through her example and prayers, grant us the grace to lead holy lives so that we too may welcome Jesus in our hearts. In His Mighty Name we pray. Amen.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.

May the soul of Mario and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Producing Good Fruit

Second Sunday of Advent

07 December 2025

 

First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

Second Reading: Romans 15:4-9

Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

It’s this time of year when parishes across the world organise the Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for Christmas. I remember the late Fr. Larry Faraon, OP once complained that some people just go to confession to remove their guilt and then repeat the same sins all over again.

In today’s Gospel, we read that John the Baptist had a great following from “Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan”. It was a great sign that a large group of people wanted to be baptised as a sign of their repentance. John welcomed them all, however he did not mince his words when he saw Pharisees and Sadducees falling in line: “You brood of vipers!” (Mt 12:34). Imagine yourself being called as such! He challenged these people to go beyond the ritual by showing that they are sorry for their sins. 

John’s harsh words are also addressed to us. If we are serious of being reconciled with God, we must not just get rid of our guilt every time we go to confession. We must “produce good fruit” (Mt 3:8) as proof of our repentance. Otherwise, we “will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Mt 3:10). 

The Jubilee Year calls us to hope. One of the threats to this virtue is presumption. John warned the Pharisees and Sadducees not to be presumptuous that they are Abraham’s children: “God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones” (Mt 3:9). We therefore need to be on guard lest we rely on ourselves to be saved or obtain forgiveness from God without conversion (CCC 2092). Being a Christian in name is not enough to be welcomed into God’s Kingdom. We need to be fruitful!

   

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You sent prophets to remind Your people of Your Son’s Coming and our need for repentance. Grant us the grace to be truly sorry for our sins, make a good confession, and do concrete actions to make amends. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

St John the Baptist, pray for us.

Destructive Backer System

    

Second Sunday of Advent

10 December 2023

 

First Reading: Is 40:1-5, 9-11

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14

Second Reading: 2 Pt 3:8-14

Gospel: Mk 1:1-8

 

Reflection

By: Bernard C. Borja

 

A driver was flagged by a traffic enforcer for using a lane in the highway which is exclusively for buses. As the vehicle stopped, the window rolled down with the driver shouting at the enforcer, “Why did you stop me? Don’t you know who I am? I am the nephew of Admiral Lieutenant five star over-the-moon under-the-bridge Officer General Juansim P. Le (fictional name, of course)! My uncle is a high-ranking official of this country, and he will fire you for not letting me pass!” He caused a scene by trying to hurt the traffic enforcer and left immediately. The day after, a video went viral on social media which was a recording of the incident. Two days after the incident, the driver was in a press conference publicly apologizing. He never got a reprimand or a violation ticket.

A manager was interviewing an applicant for a vacant position in the company. When the applicant introduced himself, he added and emphasized that his family is a friend of the vice president of the company. The applicant demanded a supervisory position and a higher salary, even though he does not have the skills required. The manager was ready to turn down the applicant, but the senior manager gave in to the applicant’s terms and hired him. A year after, the company dissolved the department where the hired supervisor worked because of too many problems that occurred since he was hired. He was transferred to another department, but the manager was fired.

How many times have we seen people resort to the backer system just to get ahead? Are we also guilty of mentioning famous people or those with high authority to be able to go through some procedures? Sometimes, people let the pride of being in the circle of someone higher go to their heads. They have the tendency of using someone to selfishly benefit in their own ways. In the Gospel, we are reminded that one person has all the humility to be worthy of preparing the way of someone mightier than him.

John the Baptist is the cousin of Jesus Christ. He preached repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People come to him to be baptized and they recognize him as a prophet. Yet, he never introduced himself having the same privilege as the Messiah. With a humble heart, he never lifts himself higher than the people whom he baptized just because he is a relative of Jesus. As he baptizes with water, he believes that this is a way of purifying the hearts of the people who repent and seek forgiveness, to be ready to receive the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ.

Many of us may be guilty of a destructive backer system even when we serve in the church. As we learn to know God deeper, we tend to develop a spiritual pride. This pride can either lead us to seek God more for us to be able to share His love to others or make us look at ourselves as more deserving of God’s love than others. Sinners that we are, we are not worthy of God’s love, and we never deserve the saving grace of God. It is only through repentance, and the love of Jesus Christ that we are able to receive God’s love fully, even though we are not worthy of it. There are also many times that we tend to use God as our backer and forget that we ought to prepare the way of bringing God to other people. One example of this is to take literally and out of context what the Apostle Paul said in one of his letters: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…” A strength that harms other people can never come from a loving person, especially if it’s used only for self-gain. If we are not bringing Christ to others, or even preparing His way for others to receive Him, such strength is shallow and is only self-focused.

As we continue our journey this advent season, may we humble and remind ourselves that we need to prepare the way of the Lord and make His paths straight for those who need most of God’s love and mercy.

We also ask Our Lady of Loreto to pray for us today.  One of the most revered relics within the Christian world is the Holy House of Loreto. This small house, which measures 31×13 feet, rests today in Loreto, Italy, inside the Basilica of the Holy House. In the first century, the Apostles revered the Holy House when it was attached to the opening of a cave that completed the home of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in Nazareth. It is also believed to have been the place where the Annunciation took place, making it the location where the Word became flesh within the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary (source: Our Lady of Loreto — My Catholic Life!).

Prayer

Dearest Lord, teach us to be generous and humble, for us to be able to serve You as we should. May we always remind ourselves that we are also sent ahead as messengers to be able to prepare the way of the Lord. We beg for the grace of humility that, like John the Baptist, we will be able to lead others to Christ, without being prideful of knowing that we continue to receive God’s love even though we are not worthy. We ask this in Jesus Mighty Name, AMEN.

We were on a Break

    

First Sunday of Advent

03 December 2023

 

First Reading: Is 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19

Second Reading: 1 Cor 1:3-9

Gospel: Mk 13:33-37

 

Reflection

By: Bernard M. Borja

 

Some TV shows have an impact in such a way that even part of a dialogue or script can make a core memory in a viewer’s heart and mind. It can be carried on to the next generation of viewers where it continues to be talked about and even debated. Perhaps one of the most famous examples of these is the 90’s TV show Friends. The famous dialogue, “We were on a break!” was from the character Ross addressing his love interest Rachel. For some context and for those who aren’t familiar with the show, Ross and Rachel were a dating couple. Their complicated feelings and desire for each other developed in the first two seasons of the show. Fast forward to the third season when they were about to celebrate their anniversary. Rachel’s job took away most of their time together, Ross became jealous of Rachel’s boss, then they had a huge fight that ended with “we should take a break”. That “break” would go on to mean differently to both, which lead to Ross getting drunk and sleeping with another woman on that same night. The reasoning of Ross “We were on a break!” would go on until the last season of the show.

Disclaimer: the recap was a very short detailing just for the context (for the fans, please don’t bash me). There are many factors other than job, time, or relationship with other people, that affect how people deal with relationships. Some may say that if Ross truly loves Rachel, he will understand the amount of time that her job takes. Others may also say that Rachel should have assured Ross and distanced herself from her boss.  But if we really think about it, were they mindful of each other often? And if we also ask ourselves, how are we being mindful of our loved ones when they are not around?

Jesus said to his disciples, “Be watchful! Be alert!” He instructed them of the need for watchfulness by also saying, “May he (the master) not come suddenly and find you sleeping.” What if the master caught a servant, whom he placed in charge, sleeping and failed to watch his coming? Will saying, “I was on a break.” excuse him from being watchful? What if the gatekeepers “took on a break” and failed to open the gate when the master returned? Are they still considered mindful of their master when he’s not around?

One of the verses in the first reading that struck me were, “Would that you might meet us doing right, that we might be mindful of you in our ways!” During the day, I do my best to make the house clean and orderly so that when my wife comes back home, she won’t have to worry about doing most chores (though she still redoes the cleaning sometimes). A small gesture of “I got this.” and doing what needs to be done so that our loved ones won’t have to worry about it, is being mindful of them.

Being mindful of Jesus’ ways should remind us to grow more like Him. That even in non-convenient situations or standing up for what is right should not make us bail from Him. When we stand up for justice which Jesus fought for, we should not “take a break” by being silent. When we witness oppression and cruelty, we should not put exceptions on who to be compassionate with. If one can say that he or she found Jesus in the church, surely, he or she can bring Jesus to wherever he or she goes. How would Jesus feel if I go someplace and do something that offends Him, and then say to Him when I go back to church, “We were on a break”? Jesus has ever been mindful of all of us, and He does not take a break in it. Saint Paul said, “In Him you were enriched in every way… so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We are being continually equipped as servants and gatekeepers to be watchful. May we remind ourselves always to be mindful of Jesus so we can remain vigilant in our ways.

We also remember Saint Francis Xavier (whose feast day is December 3), one of the greatest Roman Catholic missionaries of modern times who was instrumental in the establishment of Christianity in India, the Malay Archipelago, and Japan. His legacy involves that he always provided for the continuing pastoral care of the communities he founded and did not abandon them after baptism. The areas he evangelized in India have remained Catholic to the present day.

Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, our Lord and forever Redeemer, we thank You for keeping us in Your ways and letting us turn to You in our difficult times. May we always remind ourselves of the good deeds that we ought to do as we wait for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ. Teach us to be mindful to prepare ourselves and look forward to celebrating the Christmas season with grateful hearts. We pray with our dear Mother Mary, whom you have chosen for Your Son and be our inspiration in being mindful of Your ways, Amen.

Jesus Sparks Joy

   

  Third Sunday of Advent 

11 December 2022 

 

First Reading: Is 35:1-6a, 10

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

Second Reading: Jas 5:7-10

Gospel: Mt 11:2-11

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

 

Do you know Marie Kondo? She is a tidying expert helping people around the world to transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration. She always says to keep only those that spark joy.

This Third Sunday of Advent or Gaudete Sunday which means rejoice in Latin and expresses the joy of anticipation at the approach of Christmas, what Christmas preparation sparks joy in your lives?

You will see the countdown in Malls, restaurants, supermarkets, and media which says 14 days before Christmas. In turn, people rush to shopping, buying food for noche buena, eating in restaurants, and Christmas parties. These merry-making activities though spark joy will not bring true and lasting joy in our lives, only Jesus Christ can do that, our reason for the season.

This Advent season, aside from the call to rejoice in the Lord always, we are constantly invited to reconciled with God, to throw away our old selves addicted to sin. As we tidy up our houses in preparation of the holidays, may we also give time to clean ourselves, go to confession, and do penance.

We still have 14 days before Christmas, enough time to make straight our paths. Missa de Gallo will also start in a few days, may this lead us to know more Jesus so we may always find joy in Him.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for all the blessings You bestowed upon us. Help us to prepare for Your birth. As we know You more, may we see You always as our spark of joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Preparation More Than Anticipation

   

  First Sunday of Advent 

27 November 2022 

 

First Reading: Is 2:1-5

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Second Reading: Rom 13:11-14

Gospel: Mt 24:37-44

 

Reflection

By: Bernard Borja

 

One of the most common and biggest dreams of a person is to get rich. To be able to buy all 

the things they want without worrying about the price. If we are going to ask them, one of the 

most common ways they think they can achieve it is by winning the lottery. Many people can say that they will be able to help a lot of people when they get rich in an instant. However, if there are stories of people winning the lottery and being able to grow their fortune, some have not been successful. There were reported cases of people winning the lottery only to find themselves broke after only a few years. This is because they focused more on anticipating what their life could be, but set aside the thought if they are really ready for it.  While most people look forward to a dream and do the things they want to do, anticipation can only be best built through preparation.

I remember when I started courting my ex-girlfriend. That time, I promised to myself that I will work hard for the relationship for us to end up being married. Two years on our relationship, I thought of proposing to marry her. I consulted some friends and people around us about it and most of them told me to push for it. But only one of them asked two questions that made me delay my plans. The questions were, “Are you ready for it?” I answered the first question without a flinch, “Yes!!!”. But the second question struck through me, “Is the relationship ready for marriage?” I was quiet for a time and it haunted me for days. It made me realize how 

focused I am on “happily ever after” but not thinking if I am even prepared enough for it.

Before the first Christmas, the Jews were waiting for a long time for a king to be born and shepherd them to paradise. They were anticipating a king who will rise above the nations and make their people greater than conquerors and oppressors. While the promise of making the people greater through the king is true, the Jews literally thought that this king will be sent from the skies and tremble their enemies. The people never thought that this king will be born among them and be with them. The first Christmas is not really what the people who were waiting for salvation had anticipated. They looked forward to a "grand entrance of the king” and prepared themselves for a somehow selfish way to be saved. Salvation became only an amusement for the people. Today, we similarly anticipate Christmas as a grand celebration of a newborn king but we forget the real meaning of God’s ultimate saving grace that we set aside preparing ourselves to meet Him. We look forward to receiving gifts and celebrations but we find ourselves not growing in compassion and choosing not to uphold justice for the rest of the 

year. 

My ex-girlfriend married me after five years of being together. During those five years, I can say that we did not prepare ourselves on our own. It has always been through God’s grace that we were prepared to be together. When I remember my original plan of proposing for marriage, I did not really look into my preparation to be a good husband and a good father. Fast forward to today, after witnessing how God’s saving grace worked in me and my wife, I still cannot say that I am ready for all things to come. No one is ever ready, but we receive the grace of preparation to be who God wants us to be as we anticipate and look forward to His beautiful plans for us.

As of writing, me and my wife are still in the hospital with our newborn baby. God prepared us for three years for this but we still cannot say that we are ready for these overwhelming things before us right now. We anticipated the joy of building a family but we never did expect the things that we needed to be prepared for. Just like how our physical, emotional, and mental well-being have stretched during the past days. My wife was supposed to give birth on December 1st, but our baby was born a week earlier. We were not fully prepared for that. But we were amazed on how God has been with us during labor especially when my wife had excruciating pain for three days and when she was giving birth. We are there for each other. We have our families and friends, but there are also many people we did not even meet whose  presence we felt through prayers. There were also people in the hospital whom we just met and who guided us in our struggles. It made me realize how God prepared us to receive such graces.

As we enter into Advent season, may we be reminded that in our anticipation of the birth of our Lord, He is preparing us to receive the promised salvation. That we may be free from being captivated in our own understanding of God’s grace. Where we only see within the limits of human wisdom and not be able to see beyond. And that we may be able to open ourselves to God’s will and see how He works through the people around us, for us to be able to receive His graces.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, as we prepare for Your birth, grant that we may find the way to prepare each other to receive You into our hearts. We ask for guidance in seeing through each other Your saving grace so that we may also share it with one another. Help us in our journey to truly  anticipate Your salvation that has always been around us. We ask these with our dear Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, whom God has also prepared to receive the fullness of His grace.

Mary Mother of God, pray for us.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

AMEN.

Moment of Grace. Now.

First Sunday of Advent

28 November 2021 

 

First Reading: JER 33:14-16

Responsorial Psalm: PS 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14

Second Reading: 1 THES 3:12--4:2

Gospel: LK 21:25-28, 34-36

 

Reflection

By: Pietro S. Albano

 

"Beware that your hearts not become drowsy..."

The late Cardinal John O'Connor, former Archbishop of New York, once related a story when he went to confession to an elderly priest. The priest told him, "Now is a moment of grace. Something big is about to happen; something very big. And it's going to happen to you. We are about to begin Advent. God has become incarnate in human condition, for you, personally for you. God has become a little baby right in the middle of the sins you just told me about. You have reason for new and wonderful hope."

In today's Gospel, Jesus wants us to keep an eye on our hearts lest they become tired from "carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life." Such mundane activities often mark the forthcoming Christmas season. The Church sets aside for weeks of spiritual preparation called Advent to help us to slow down, listen to, and act upon the Lord's warning. Like what the elderly priest told Cardinal John, Advent is a moment of grace and hope for all of us. Let us then take advantage of what Advent offers us that we may stand straight before Jesus, our coming Messiah.

• How do you keep your heart from becoming drowsy due to the mad rush to Christmas?
• How can Advent be a season of "new and wonderful hope" for you?
• How will you stand if Jesus suddenly arrives at your doorstep?

Prayer

Lord, Jesus, thank You for Your word today. Awaken our hearts from the long night of sin and vice into the new day of hope and peace in Your presence. Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

 

Live Not by Fear, but by Faith

 

 

 

First Sunday of Advent 

29 November 2020

First Reading IS 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7

You, LORD, are our father,
our redeemer you are named forever.
Why do you let us wander, O LORD, from your ways,
and harden our hearts so that we fear you not?
Return for the sake of your servants,
the tribes of your heritage.
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,
with the mountains quaking before you,
while you wrought awesome deeds we could not hope for,
such as they had not heard of from of old.
No ear has ever heard, no eye ever seen, any God but you
doing such deeds for those who wait for him.
Would that you might meet us doing right,
that we were mindful of you in our ways!
Behold, you are angry, and we are sinful;
all of us have become like unclean people,
all our good deeds are like polluted rags;
we have all withered like leaves,
and our guilt carries us away like the wind.
There is none who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to cling to you;
for you have hidden your face from us
and have delivered us up to our guilt.
Yet, O LORD, you are our father;
we are the clay and you the potter:
we are all the work of your hands.

Second Reading 1 COR 1:3-9

Brothers and sisters:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God

always on your account for the grace

of God bestowed on you in Christ Jesus,
that in him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge,
as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you,
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift
as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He will keep you firm to the end,
irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful,
and by him you were called to fellowship with his Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gospel  MK 13:33-37

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

 

 

Reflection

By: Art Reyes

 

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. It is a Latin word that means approaching, coming, expecting. This is the time for preparation for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us of the need to be watchful and vigilant. "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come."

It is indeed frightening when we think about the quote as nobody knows when his time will come. Basically, nobody wants to see his death, much more unprepared. However, when we reflect upon it, we can realize that having  that "unknown" is perhaps a blessing.

The Gospel reminds us of our responsibility. What happens to us after we die is determined by how we lead our lives each and every day. We are the ones who decide what our "afterlife" will be. If we live a good life and strive to be loving and kind every day and share our time, gifts, and talents with others, we will likely be rewarded when we finally see our Creator.

However, we can not just sit idly and wait until the last minute. We need to take action. Maybe we can ask ourselves of these questions - Do we share our time, talents, and attention with other people? Do we share and spread love with our family, the people in our offices, our neighbors, and even strangers? If we choose to do these things, we are on the right track! In our death, we will be in God's loving presence!

 

Again, our country experienced the onslaught of super typhoons, two in a row. And that is coupled with the lingering virus threats. These are exceptional times. It is the time for giving and sharing, especially to so many of our brothers and sisters in our country who are suffering. Let us remember that acts of goodness and charity on our part will never be left unnoticed by our God.

 

Life is short, and death is uncertain. Let us free our hearts of hate, selfishness, greed, and replace them with love, compassion, and empathy.

 

I know without a doubt that our country and world will survive this pandemic just like we survive the recent natural calamities. We are not living in fear. We are living in faith! Tuloy na tuloy pa rin ang Pasko!

Prayer

 

My God, in all humility we ask You for the grace so that we may live a meaningful life. May we not live a life that is vain and empty. When our life ends, may we be ready to face our living God. Amen.

 

Reassurance

Third Sunday of Advent
15 December 2019

First reading                                                                    Isaiah 11:1-10
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Second reading                                                    Romans 15:4-9

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God so that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles, and sing praises to your name.”

Gospel                                                                     Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'”

Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Reflection

By Theresa Ballo

In the Gospel, John’s disciples approached Jesus and asked him the question John had told them to ask Jesus in person: “Are you the one who is to come or should we expect someone else?” To which Jesus answered “Go back and report to John what you hear and see.  The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are healed, the dead are raised to life, and the poor have the good news preached to them.  Blest are the ones who find no stumbling block in me.”  In a very candid way, Jesus told John’s disciples that He was “The One” sent by God!

It is so amazing how marvellous Jesus is capable of doing miracles that only He can perform. However, in most times, we succumb to our own understanding of the events that are happening in our lives especially the negative and traumatic experiences. We lack patience to wait for the unfolding of the seemingly ugly events into an opportunity of growth and improvement. A chance to say to ourselves in awe, “I can actually bear this” (kaya ko naman pala).

I felt very sad when I read in the news this morning that one of my childhood crush in the cast of Tabing Ilog back in the 90s died of suicide. Even without me knowing his family, I prayed for them. I just can’t imagine how hard it is for his family especially this season of Christmas. I wonder how will this event change their view of Jesus’ birth and a promise of His Second Coming because of what happened.

Then, I thought of my friends who are clinically diagnosed of depression and other personality/mood disorders. In prayers, I recalled the faces of my students who resorted to cutting, suicidal attempts and other self-destructive behaviors. I say a prayer of thanks for sending people to inspire and save me during those times I experienced all these myself back then. Each time I am saved, relentlessly I asked Jesus in prayer, Is this you Jesus? What do you want me to do? Why do you keep on saving me over and over again? Even though I know that I am loved, still feelings of guilt and shame follow a thoughtless act of self-harm. Those feelings are even harder to deal with.

Having therapists or counselors as my colleagues and experiencing how to become a patient and a client as well made me more compassionate and kind to others. In most times, we don’t know what the person is going through. Behind a strong or sometimes a happy façade is a gentle person waiting to be cared for, asking for patience and assurance. Advent is not just a season of waiting but also a period of reassurance because all of us already know who it is yet to come. Our Messiah is with us. We have the ability to share it, live with it or conceal Jesus inside our being. Make him known. Be like Jesus. He helps almost anyone who needs help, without any expectations of fame and fortune, just authentic kindness and generosity. May we choose to always radiate Christ Jesus wherever we are.

Prayer

Loving Jesus,

We pray today for those who are confronted by the sadness, ambiguity, and confusions of mental and emotional illness, and for those upon whom they depend for attention and care. Give them the grace to fight over distress, confusion or isolation. Provide for them an environment of assurances and peace. Give them an understanding and willingness to seek and accepts help when necessary. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.