Generous Gift and Giver

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

04 January 2026

 

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

 

Reflection

By: Ma. Rosalina S. Flores

 

What gifts did you receive and give this Christmas?

In today's Gospel as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, we heard how the Magi (Wise Men) brought gifts to the infant Jesus as they paid him homage. Each gift had meaning: gold symbolized Jesus as King, frankincense pointed to His priesthood, and myrrh foretold His suffering and death.

The Epiphany, however, is not only about the gifts. It is about the revelation of Jesus to the world. The Magi were Gentiles, showing us that Jesus came not just for a chosen few, but for everyone. His kingship, priesthood, and saving love are offered to all, without exception.

In the same way, Christmas is more than presents, food, and decorations. It is a celebration of relationships and encounters. As we continue this Christmas season, let us focus more on the relationships in our lives, those that are “organic,” as we might call them today, rather than the things that are carefully curated.

May we offer our presence more than presents, our genuine care more than gift cards, and our love beyond fleeting laughter, especially this new year.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the greatest gift, Your Son, our Savior. Help us to follow Your example by giving generously, not only in material things, but also in our time, kindness, and love. Amen.

Journeying With Hope

   

The Epiphany of the Lord

05 January 2025

 

First Reading: Is 60:1-6

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

Second Reading: Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6

Gospel: Mt 2:1-12

 

Reflection

By: Anton B. Ocampo

 

The Sunday after the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God is dedicated to the very special celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord (although some places like Rome still celebrate it on its traditional date, January 6, regardless of what day the said date falls). This solemn celebration highlights the very long journey of the Wise Men, also known as the Magi, in search of the one true King who is none other than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Wise Men followed the Christmas Star, the Star of Bethlehem, as they journeyed in search of the Lord Jesus. 

The Wise Men did not need to make the lengthy journey from their place of origin in the East. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they went to ask Herod about the whereabouts of the newborn King, only to find out that he knew nothing about the Divine Child's whereabouts. In fact, Herod needed the chief priests and scribes to learn about it. At that point, the Wise Men could have just given up and returned to their country of origin. Everything was just a waste of time and effort for them. 

However, the reason why the Wise Men continued was because of hope. If we could ask them why they decided to continue on their journey, they would have probably said that they were still clinging to the remaining hope that they had in their hearts, even though it was little and fading at that point, for the Star of Bethlehem to appear once again to guide them to wish to the Child Jesus. If another group were in their place, they would have just given up, even if the Star of Bethlehem would show up once again to guide them. But not the Wise Men. The Wise Men were heavily motivated by the little hope that they had left.

Hoping in the Lord God is the theme of the readings for today's Solemnity. The promise of the Lord God to Israel featured in the First Reading are words of hope. The light of the Lord will shine through Israel, letting everyone know that He is the one true God who everyone must hope in and worship. Saint Paul the Apostle in the Second Reading stressed that God has fulfilled His promise in the Old Testament through Christ Jesus. By sending Christ Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise He made in the Old Testament, God has given hope to everyone. The Responsorial Psalm stresses our response to God should be - adoration and worship. By doing so, we strongly proclaim that God is our only hope, enabling us to completely trust Him.

Like the Wise Men, let us continue journeying our lives with hope. Let us allow the hope the Lord brings to fill our hearts to live according to God's will and calling - a life of holiness. 

Prayer

O Most Divine Child Jesus, we thank You for willingly filling our hearts with hope, even though we do not deserve it. Help us to accept this gift that You freely give us wholeheartedly. Amen.

What Talents Do You Have?

   

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

19 November 2023

 

First Reading: Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5

Second Reading: 1 Thes 5:1-6

Gospel: Mt 25:14-30

 

Reflection

By: Carlo Alexis Malaluan

 

The Gospel for today is a continuation of the parables told by Jesus. Last Sunday, we saw the parable of the ten virgins who waited for the Bridegroom with their lamps. Today, we are presented with the parables of the talents. The parable tells us that each servant is given a different amount, according to their ability. It is a wonderful lesson of how we are called to use God’s gifts for His glory. It’s also a firm reminder of God’s expectations of His children and how His expectations vary according to our ability.

The Parable of the Talents taught by Jesus is urging us to be ready for the master’s return. Jesus is that master who went on a journey when He ascended to heaven. After a long time, the master, Jesus, will return which is either at the moment of our death or at His Second Coming. Whenever He comes again, we will stand before Him with our talents. The talents were not distributed to each servant equally in the parable. However, we have to understand that what we have received from God is not something small but is gigantic. A talent as well, as being a unit of weight, was also currency, and its value was 6,000 day’s wages, twenty years wages. The servants are receiving something that is gigantic in their times. What God gives us is equally colossal and priceless. We have received so much from God that we take for granted.

We are asked to make most of the “talents” we have received from the goodness of God. How so? Through sharing. The talents given to the three servants are not so much monetary gifts or personal capacities; they are a share in the goodness of God, a participation in His divine love. They are meant to be shared. In fact, they will increase precisely in the measure that they are given to others. Most of the time, we have failed to see and cultivate the gifts that were given to us. It is because we are afraid to explore our capacities or worse, unwilling to share the grace we have received. The problem with the timid servant who buried his talent is not that he was an ineffective venture capitalist but that he fundamentally misunderstood the nature of what he had been given. The Divine Mercy—received as a pure gift—is meant to be given to others as a pure gift. Buried in the ground, that is to say, hugged tightly to oneself as one’s own possession. Burying it or keeping to oneself loses the very essence of the gift we have received—it fails to grow, it remains stagnant and futile. How often we are paralyzed by fear or false prudence into doing nothing, into trying to preserve ourselves! Sometimes, we don’t take God’s gifts seriously or think we have been given very little, and we use that as a rationalization for making no effort or producing little for God. We blame circumstances or others, but the fact is we are neglecting to produce the fruits God wants. The servants who invest their talents and make a return on them have understood the purpose of their lives and the time they have at their disposal. These servants were generous with everything their master had given them, making it bear fruit, and they received from him the reward of greater intimacy and more responsibility.

There is no difference between those who have received more and those who have received less. All have their gift according to their capacity. What is important is that this gift be placed at the service of the Kingdom and make the goods of the Kingdom grow. These gifts are love, fraternal spirit, sharing.

Prayer

God, Our Father, help us to see the gigantic talents that You have given to each of us so we can cultivate it, share it to others, and bear fruit when You return. All these we ask through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Joyful Preparation

Second Sunday of Advent

05 December 2021 

 

First Reading: BAR 5:1-9

Responsorial Psalm: PS 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: PHIL 1:4-6, 8-11

Gospel: LK 3:1-6

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle Payod-Balla

 

"Preparation can put us at ease and helps us enjoy a better experience" - Anabelle Balla

It's 20 days before Christmas! Are you ready for the celebration?

You may have seen Jose Mari Chan's images or "memes" as they call it, popped up in various social media channels back in August, before we entered the Ber months. There was probably a smile in your face when you saw one no matter what you are going through.

Those who posted the "memes" and funny messages may have worked on them early on, hopefully, with an intention to spread happiness. An indication that preparations for Christmas is being done as early as August or maybe even before that?

Seeing those funny posts made me feel excited to prepare Christmas decorations and to do an inventory of available Christmas gifts that I already have on hand. In my case, Christmas is an all-year round preparation. When I shop, I always consider buying and storing gifts even on the month of January. 😊 It gives me joy to think about Christmas, the gifts that I will give, the happy anticipation that something beautiful will be celebrated later on.

I pray that this habit of mine is also helping me prepare internally as I gladly wait for the Lord to be reborn in me, to celebrate His birth "in" me - in my heart, in my mind, in my soul - not just during Christmas day, but everyday, For when He is in me, I know I will be well. 😊

Prayer

Father, help us to take off the garment of our sorrow and affliction and put on forever the beauty of the glory coming from You and from Your Son, Jesus. Help us to prepare to celebrate His birth in a manner that is pleasing to You. Amen.

 

Stay Grateful!

Second Sunday of Easter

Sunday of Divine Mercy

11 April 2021 

 

First Reading:  ACTS 4:32-35

Responsorial Psalm:  PS 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24

Second Reading:  1 JN 5:1-6

Gospel:  JN 20:19-31

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting."

 

At this time of the pandemic when people are losing their jobs, businesses are closing down, families are losing their loved ones to CoVid-19, there is just so much uncertainty and anxiety. How long will this pandemic last? How long, O Lord? This is the question of so many of us.

And it can be overwhelming. And today we are reminded to give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting in whatever circumstances we may have.

Can we pause for a while and be present for the moment? This is the Second Sunday of Easter and we should be thankful that we are still alive! Start writing down the things that you are thankful for and you will be surprised! Start it right now. Thank God for  a new life every morning, for the sunshine, for the rain, for the trees, for the flowers, the plants, the mountains, the sea, your eyes to see, your ears to hear, there is food on the table, you still have your feet to walk, you have friends, you can still meet people online, the gift of technology, you can connect and browse the internet, you have your phone, the comfort of your bed, the air-conditioner, the electric fan, your kitchen, your home, and on and on and on. How many were you able to list down?

 

Yes, we may be filled with dark clouds but the Lord is here. Let us keep the faith and hope in the Lord. Let us thank Him for His continued presence and unconditional love. We just have to believe that. The Lord is our only refuge at this time of the pandemic and for that we should already give thanks. We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. We strive for the grand spiritual adventure, which we haven't had, and neglect the many gifts from God that we do have. Let us be satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is everlasting!

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus for whatever life may bring I say THANK YOU! Give me the grace of a grateful heart all the time. Because when there is gratitude and humility, there is peace. Thank You for everything You have given me Lord including the gift of life that I sometimes take for granted. All this I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

 

 

 

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.

 

God’s Light Can Shine Through You

" Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh "

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the LORD shines, and over you appears his glory. Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance. Raise your eyes and look about; they all gather and come to you: Your sons come from afar, and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. Then you shall be radiant at what you see, your heart shall throb and overflow, For the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you, the wealth of nations shall be brought to you. Caravans of camels shall fill you, dromedaries from Midian and Ephah; All from Sheba shall come bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Resp. Psalm: Psalms: 72:1-2,7-8,10-11, 12-13

Second Reading: Ephesians: 3:2-3, 5-6

If, as I suppose, you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for your benefit,  (namely, that) the mystery  was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly earlier. Which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod,  behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star  at its rising and have come to do him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.   They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it has been written through the prophet:

'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of the star's appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and do him homage. After their audience with the king they set out. And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country by another way.

Reflection:

By Fely Santiago

“Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you”

On this Feast of the Three Kings or Epiphany Sunday, our normal reflection would be to ask -- “What gifts can I offer to the Lord, our new born King?”  The three wise men offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. What can I offer to God?

For me it is not anymore to ask what gifts can I offer to the Lord because God has everything already. He created everything so He needs nothing. The question would rather be what gifts have I received from God that I can offer to others?

Every new year most people do all kinds of rituals to attract material prosperity – wearing polka dots, hanging coins in the window, putting coins in their pockets, putting “round” fruits on the table to attract more “money”. Then what? When they receive materials blessings what do they do with it? Have we asked these questions? Why would God want to prosper us?

Let us remember that we are only stewards of the many gifts God has entrusted to us including our wealth. The money in our bank accounts or the investments we have in our many businesses, or mutual fund or stock market is not really ours, they are still God’s entrusted to us and are meant to be shared, to be used to serve God’s people! Your wealth is merely one of the many tools by which the Lord allows you to love others and to glorify Him. Let God’s Light shine through you. You and I, were after all, created to love, serve and to honor God.

That’s why I want to be truly rich. I want to use the blessings and gifts I receive from God to be a blessing to others. Be Jesus for others! Be the star that will bring others to the child Jesus.

 Prayer

Lord again as I begin the new year, let me be more conscious of what I can become whether in the midst of trials and sufferings or in the midst of “plenty” rather than be anxious of what to acquire, achieve or possess. Let me not seek happiness in material possessions and wealth. May I “seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness” and give me many opportunities to share God’s blessings to others this year and build more treasures in Heaven. Let Your Light shine through me, in Jesus’ name. Amen

Not Over Yet!

Epiphany Sunday
02 January 2011






Come, let us worship Christ, who has appeared to us.


First reading Isaiah 60:1-6 

Arise, shine out, Jerusalem, for your light has come,

the glory of the Lord is rising on you,

though night still covers the earth

and darkness the peoples.

Above you the Lord now rises

and above you his glory appears.

The nations come to your light

and kings to your dawning brightness.

Lift up your eyes and look round:

all are assembling and coming towards you,

your sons from far away

and your daughters being tenderly carried.

At this sight you will grow radiant,

your heart throbbing and full;

since the riches of the sea will flow to you,

the wealth of the nations come to you;

camels in throngs will cover you,

and dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;

everyone in Sheba will come,

bringing gold and incense

and singing the praise of the Lord.

Psalm 71:1-2,7-8,10-13

Second reading Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6 
You have probably heard how I have been entrusted by God with the grace he meant for you, and that it was by a revelation that I was given the knowledge of the mystery. This mystery that has now been revealed through the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets was unknown to any men in past generations; it means that pagans now share the same inheritance, that they are parts of the same body, and that the same promise has been made to them, in Jesus Christ, through the gospel.

Gospel Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east. ‘Where is the infant king of the Jews?’ they asked. ‘We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.’ When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. ‘At Bethlehem in Judaea,’ they told him ‘for this is what the prophet wrote:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

you are by no means least among the leaders of Judah,

for out of you will come a leader

who will shepherd my people Israel.’

Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared, and sent them on to Bethlehem. ‘Go and find out all about the child,’ he said ‘and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.’ Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And there in front of them was the star they had seen rising; it went forward, and halted over the place where the child was. The sight of the star filled them with delight, and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. But they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.

Reflection
By Anabelle Balla

Merry Christmas! Yes, you read it right, Merry Christmas! Christmas is not over yet. Gift giving in the spirit of Christmas continues! Do you know how many gifts have you received last Christmas? How about, how many have you given? Looking at the pile of gifts I received, I feel so blessed, so loved by the people who gave them. But the most wonderful feeling I savored was when I was wrapping and distributing the gifts I have for people around me. Indeed, you are happier when you give than when you receive especially, when you cheerfully give with love.

How about your gifts for Jesus, our birthday celebrant? What did you give Him? I asked myself this same question and wondered if the gifts I have given Him are worthy for a King, for a Saviour, who gave His life so that we may become eligible to receive eternal life. The song “Little Drummer Boy” is conveying a very good message on this, with these lyrics…

I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
……………….

I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,
Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.


Oftentimes, we prepare more precious, more expensive gifts to more important people in our life and leave the simple and less costly gifts to those who are not so close to us. In which category did we put Jesus’ name in our gift list? Did we consider Him as more important and gave Him the best gift we can offer as He deserves? If not, it’s not yet too late. We can still offer Him our gifts. In fact, we can give Him gifts everyday or as often as we can!

The Magi in this Sunday’s Gospel, did not only offer their precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh but also their submission to the Child Jesus whom they acknowledged as their King. They deliberately sought out Jesus and when they found Him through the star, they were filled with happiness; “how happy they were, what joy was theirs!” (Mt 2:9-10) And then they bowed down and worshiped Him before giving Him the gifts!

Jesus, You are my King and my Saviour. I humbly submit myself to Your dominion as the Almighty Father’s only Son. I offer You every act of goodness I do everyday as gifts. May my daily humble offerings give You and the Father more honor and glory. Amen.



Christmas is not over yet. You can still offer your best gifts to Jesus!















Next week on God-speak
Not Good Enough