Marriage is for Forever

    

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

06 October 2024

 

First Reading: Gn 2:18-24

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: Heb 2:9-11

Gospel: Mk 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

 

Reflection

By: Fely C. Santiago

 

"What God has joined together, no human being must separate."

My husband and I will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary this year! Praise God! I must say that if we did not have God in the center of our marriage, we have long been separated! There is no perfect marriage. Every marriage goes through different stages. How the couple handle it will determine if they will come out bitter or better. Do not be disappointed if you go through the unpleasant stages in marriage. It is just a phase and will surely end.

My husband and I are also blessed that we attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend early on in our marriage. It really improved our communication, our relationship and even raising our children in a Christian way. I truly believe that marriage is from the Lord and meant to be forever. It is not without many challenges and trials but it offers a unique opportunity to grow and learn together. Isn't it that if we want to follow Christ we have to take up our cross and follow Him. And in our marriage we must have the courage and strength to carry our daily crosses. Yes, our spouse can be our cross. We have a lot of differences. We have our flaws. We are not really perfect. We have our moods especially now that we are seniors. But we have resolved that no matter what, we just enjoy life and not anymore sweat on the small stuff. We have increased our patience, compassion, and kindness to each other. A good marriage is the foundation of a happy family where children can grow in a nurturing and loving relationships. Regardless of external circumstances, the commitment to love each unconditionally can create a powerful, enduring bond.

Prayer

Lord, I pray for all the couples out there, especially those facing many challenges in their marriage. Give them the strength and the courage to keep the love for each other burning. I also pray that You give them a forgiving and humble heart to accept each other's weaknesses. May all couples be a living witness of Your compassion, love, and mercy. All this I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Beautiful Things in the End

   

  Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

06 November 2022 

 

First Reading: 2 Mc 7:1-2, 9-14

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15

Second Reading: 2 Thes 2:16-3:5

Gospel: Lk 20:27-38

 

Reflection

By: Bernard Borja

 

I love my wife. Even before I decided to court her, I prayed that she will be the one that God would let me spend my lifetime with. I cannot imagine a life without her. I feel a sting in my heart just a thought of losing her, or even leaving her. If God would call me home before her, I could not even fathom the thought of her being married again to another. No words from earth would ever describe the sorrow I would feel in purgatory if that happened. But how would I know if I would be sorrowful if I'm already a few steps getting to heaven? And if ever God would call her home, how would I know if we cannot re-live in heaven the happiness of being married to each other, even if she got married again after I left? Would it be awkward if we all see each other in heaven and she has two husbands? I hope God would not send me down again if ever I feel bitterness. Now I'm breaking my heart with just these thoughts.

Ardy Roberto, one of whom I consider my mentors, got married twice after his first wife dies. I also have friends who got married after their spouse was called to heaven. I can say that during their first marriage, they are blissful. They had a taste or glimpse of heaven even for a part of their lifetime. They had experienced one of the most beautiful things that God created. It's hard to imagine that the beautiful won't be carried on in the end.

One of our family dogs, Mint, died last year. He was ten years old. Days after he died, I was researching about dogs going to heaven, or somewhere he can "run free" as we say after a pet passes away. But most of the things I read was not in my favor, because some say that dogs do not go to heaven. During those ten years of Mint, our family has somehow given a glimpse of heaven through the emotions that the dog brings. I cried when he died not only because of having attached to a pet, but because those consoling memories just being with Mint, have somehow taught me how to look forward to more beautiful things in the end. I somehow refuse to believe that pets will not be in heaven in the end, nor they are not included in the Resurrection.

There was a legend about St. Augustine having taught by a child at the seashore. The story goes with Augustine took a walk along the beach having taken a break from frustration of studying The Holy Trinity. There was a little boy at the beach running back and forth to fill a tiny hole in the ground with seawater. Augustine asked, "What are you doing there?" The boy held up a shell he was using to scoop water and said, "I'm trying to fit that great big ocean into this tiny hole!" Augustine smiled, charmed by the little boy's innocence. After a few more attempts of the boy, Augustine said to him, "My child, you could never fit this great, magnificent ocean in that tiny hole!" The child did not flinch as he responded quickly, "And you could never possibly understand The Holy Trinity". Then in a flash, the boy disappeared.

We can never understand the mysteries of God all at once. Though God reveals it to us bit by bit, our wisdom of Resurrection and Heaven will still be limited in earthly words. But I believe that deep faith and love help us look forward to the beautiful things in the end. That the beautiful things here on earth shall be made more beautiful in heaven through God's way. I believe that when we all see each other in heaven, when we finally come to be raised again, all those joyful memories that we had on earth shall be re-lived, but more heavenly. Just like the Sadducees, I may continue to ask questions or look for assurance that Resurrection is much better, but I pray that I don't dwell on the thoughts that desolate and lessen my faith in God, who is the God of the living. I pray to keep my faith that in heaven, all of God's beautiful mysteries will be revealed to each of His children.

Prayer

Dear God, we thank You for letting us experience heaven here on earth. Despite our unbelief because of our limited knowledge, we pray that we may never lose sight of the Resurrection that has promised to us. That we may hold on to this without the doubts brought about by our own desire to seek Your wisdom. We also pray for those who have gone before us, our dearly departed that they may be consoled as they also look forward to more beautiful mysteries to be revealed. We ask these through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever, Amen.

The True Meaning of Marriage

Twenty-seventh Sunday

in Ordinary Time

03 October 2021 

 

First Reading: GN 2:18-24

Responsorial Psalm: PS 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: HEB 2:9-11

Gospel: MK 10:2-16 or 10:2-12

 

Reflection

By: Bernard Borja

 

When God created the earth, He gave man the freedom to decide the names of the animals. "Whatever the man called each of them would be its name." This is one of the first manifestations of co-creation when God lets man take a big part in His creation. God always listens to what man has to say, and let man use his freedom to decide things for the good of the whole creation. But even with this, only God knows what is good for His creation. When none of the creatures proved to be the suitable partner for the man, God created the woman out of the man's flesh. This is how the very first marriage came to be.

God Himself is the author of marriage. It is a natural law created ever since the beginning when man was created according to the image and likeness of God. Marriage has always been indissoluble, and in accordance with procreation. While marriage has always been one of the most beautiful creations of God, it has also been tainted with sin ever since Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Humankind took the freedom to decide on its own, even though it will break the natural law. But even though man continues to choose to "cross the line", God will always pursue us to bring back the beauty and sacredness of marriage, just like in the beginning.

During the time of Moses, divorce was permitted because of the hardness of the Israelites' hearts. Even today, there is still hardness in the hearts of humankind that continues to stain and even change the true meaning of marriage.

Divorce did not come from God. It was only allowed since the time of Moses because of couples are not anymore able to "work out" their relationship. But the rule of divorce has always been the same - one cannot divorce his or her spouse for the purpose of marrying another. In today's generation, it seems this rule does not matter. Divorce became an option, even when one is not yet married, for the reason that "the couple may find out that they are not meant for each other." This perception takes away one of the most important things that marriage requires - commitment. I remember a part of the homily during my friend's wedding when the priest shared, "There is something about commitment that changes the consistency of relationships, and that is not simply at the mercy of uncertain things yet to come." This commitment is affirmed during the exchange of vows when the couple promises "to be true to each other, in sickness and in health, to love and honor each other for the rest of their lives." But why is it that these words are easily overtaken by setting an option to "bail out" whenever one realizes that they are not meant to be? The perception of marriage, and the value of it, has evolved into something like a goal for couples when things are blissful but easily set aside in difficult times.

Jesus healed the tainted meaning of marriage. He continues to restore in us the value of this sacrament by reminding us that no human being must separate what God has joined together. Jesus also explained that divorce is only a physical separation of spouses, but they will remain husband and wife before the church. Marriage will always be indissoluble and commitment is one of the essential things needed to preserve it. People may think that this is difficult to achieve, and this maybe the reason why some are open to divorce. But by the grace of God, who for a little while was made lower than the angels and understands everything about being human, marriage is a wonderful journey that is worth every moment of a couple's life. Through Jesus Christ who consecrates, those being consecrated are constantly reminded and brought back to the true meaning of marriage.

 

Prayer

 

Lord, help us to truly understand the meaning of marriage so that we may continue to give utmost importance to this sacrament. Seeking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

Dehins Pwedeng Paghiwalayin!

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

07 October 2018

First reading                                                                  Genesis 2:18-24
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” So out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner.
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken.”
Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Second reading                                                     Hebrews 2:9-11

We see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.

Gospel                                                                     Mark 10:2-12

Some Pharisees came to Jesus, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her.” But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery too.”

Reflection

By Nats Vibiesca

Sinimulan ang Ebanghelyo sa kayabangan ng mga Pariseo, gusto kasi nilang masilo si Jesus, pero sila ang napahiya, kaya’ t sa dulo ng Magandang Balita ay palalapitin ni Jesus ang mga bata na pinipigilan sana ng mga alagad Niya na makalapit. Malinaw na ang kababaan ng loob ang  paraan upang makalapit tayo sa Diyos tulad ng natural na taglay na kababaang loob ng mga bata; taliwas ito sa gustong patunayan ng mga Pariseo na pagmamataas sa kanilang sarili.

Kapag nilapitan ka nga ng mga bata at nakinig sa kanilang “wisdom", napapahiya tayong mga matatanda. Ang inosente at malinis na konsiyensiyang sangkap ng kababaan ng loob ng mga  bata ang naglalantad ng katigasan ng ulo at kahambugan nating  mga matatanda.

Ang pinag-uusapang diskurso ukol sa kayabangan ng mga Pariseo ay ang bitag nilang paghihiwalay ng mag-asawa ayon sa batas o ang pagkakalooban ng diborsiyo ng mag-asawa. Diretso  naman ang sagot ni Jesus, walang paliguy-ligoy, madaling unawain, kaya’t sila ang lumabas na kahiyahiya; kung batang millenials pa nga ang nagsabi sa kanila sa panahon natin at wika  nila ang gagamitin ay parang ganito: “Nakaka-stress kayo, ha! Pinagsama na nga ang dalawa, hindi na two, beh! One na sila. Gets?  Di pa rin? Slow, ha! Dehins pwedeng paghiwalayin ang petmalung mag-asawa, dahil ang loding Diyos na natin ang gumawa na pagsamahin sila.”

Baka lalong mawindang ang mga Pariseo kung mga batang  millenials mismo ang nagsabi sa kanila. Pero sa totoo lang, maraming batas na nga ang pinatutupad sa iba’t ibang bansa na  pinahihintulutan ang diborsiyo. Kaya’t kaliwa’t kanan ang banat sa Simbahan ngayon dahil mahigpit na tinututulan ito alinsunod  sa Ebanghelyo. Maging sa Pilipinas ay may mga gusto na ring isulong ang diborsiyo. Pero bago pa man ang isyu sa diborsyo, maraming sitwasyon na ang madalas na sumisilo ng relasyon ng mag-asawa upang paghiwalayin sila at tuluyang wasakin ang kanilang pamilya.

Minsan, pinagawa ko ng creative non-fiction ang mga estudiyante ko, malikhaing pagkukuwento ito tungkol sa totoong sarili nilang karanasan kaugnay sa mga isyu sa kanilang  pamilya. Nadurog talaga ang puso ko nang mabasa ang mga  karanasan nila ukol sa paghihirap ng kanilang mga magulang  maisalba lamang ang kanilang pagsasama at manatiling buo ang  pamilya. Tulad ng isang estudiyante kong umiyak pa sa harap ko  dahil hindi na raw niya malaman kung ano pang gagawin sa nagkahiwalay na mga magulang niya.  Nagtatago raw sa probinsiya ang tatay niya dahil itotokhang na raw sa Maynila at hindi nila malaman kung saan na napunta. Ang isa nama’y ginugupo ng sakit na kanser ang ina habang nasa ibang bansa ang kanyang ama dahil naghahanapbuhay bilang OFW.  Nagkahiwalay na nga’t lahat dahil sa paghahanap ng  magandang ikabubuhay pero hindi pa rin pala sapat ang kinikita para lamang madugtungan ang buhay ng kanyang ina. Sa loob-loob ko’y kung fiction lamang sana ang lahat ng kanilang kuwento’y kaydaling masosolusyunan ang mga paghihiwalay ng mga mag-asawa. Sa fiction, ay kaya kong baguhin ang lahat ng kontradiksiyon sa buhay ng mag-asawa. Mapapaganda ko ang  takbo ng kuwento ng kanilang pamilya. Laging happy ending.Sana. Sana’y fiction na nga lang. 

Pero sa totoong buhay, samu’t sari na nga ang dahilan ng hiwalayan ng mga mag-asawa kahit labag sa kalooban nila ito o dala lamang ng mga sitwasyon na hindi rin nila ginusto.  Ano  nga naman ang laban ng mag-asawa kung mananatiling  magkasamang pisikal ngunit wala namang makitang magandang oportunidad para maitaguyod nang marangal ang pamilya? Makikipagsapalaran na nga lang sa ibayong dagat at pipiliting  kahit magkalayo’y magkalapit pa rin ang puso. Subali’t hindi lahat ay pinapalad at nauuwi nga sa wala o masaklap natuluyang paghihiwalay ng mag-asawa at pagkakawatak ng pamilya. Malaon na nga itong suliranin pero wala pa ring malinaw na kasagutan o kongkretong kilos ng pagbabago maging sa pamahalaan man o sa ating mga kababayan na nakaaangat na sa buhay.  Kaya’t siguradong papalalain pa ito ng mga panukalang batas na nagpapahintulot ng diborsiyo at sa dulo ay mauuwi sa pagkasira ng pamilya. 

Muli, balikan natin ang malinaw na solusyon ni Jesus sa lahat ng ito: hindi dapat paghiwalayin ng sinumang tao ang pinag-isa ng  Diyos; magpakumbaba tayong lumapit sa Kanya, tulad ng mga bata, ilatag natin sa Kanya ang matagal na nating pinoproblema sa pamilya, buong pagpapakumbabang idulog natin ang mga  pasanin natin sa buhay mag-asawa, at hayaan nating ang Diyos ang magpuno ng anumang kakulangan sa pamamalakad natin sa  ating pamilya. 

Prayer

Panginoong Ama sa langit, hiling namin ay manahan Ka sa aming pamilya. Patuloy Mo kaming bugkusin sa Iyong pagmamahal, pagpapakumbaba, pang-unawa, pagpapatawad, pagmamalasakit, at grasya. Sa ngalan ni Jesus. Amen.

Respect, Responsibility, Love and God

First Reading: Gn 2:18-24

The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said: "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman, ' for out of 'her man' this one has been taken. "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife

and the two of them become one flesh.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6

Second Reading: Heb 2:9-11

Brothers and sisters:

He "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels, " that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering. He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated all have one origin.

Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them 'brothers.'

Gospel: Mk 10:2-16

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" They were testing him. He said to them in reply, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce and dismiss her." But Jesus told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate." In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then he embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Reflection

by Mark Vertido

In the life of the Church, the month of October is one of the most colorful months aside from December. It is celebrated as the month of Mama Mary, the month of the Holy Rosary. But this year, October marks the start of the Year of Faith, celebrating fifty years of the Second Vatican Council. Thus, I will focus our Sunday reflections in the light of both celebrations.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus clearly states our doctrine on marriage and divorce. Simply, Jesus does not approve in any way the concept of divorce. And as such, the Church had stated its position on divorce ever since. In the Philippines, a number of groups are opening again the passing of a divorce bill with their arguments of giving a better life for the wife and her children since the marriage cannot be fixed already. The idea is noble in its own respect but I believe that there is a nobler way to address this problem that has affected many families in our society, leaving them broken.

As I teach Filipino Family and Family Values System in college, my conviction that the condition of the family reflects that of society has become more concrete. Why is this so? Primarily, the family is the basic unit of our society. Now, as we try to observe the things that are happening in our society as reflected by main stream media, the concept of real family and marriage life has changed. Watching “telenovelas” will reveal how the media wants to manipulate the sanctity of marriage. It is interesting to note that the theme of some shows is that anyone can sacrifice the marriage just to follow what the heart dictates. I do not categorically include all shows but there are a majority of these.

These shows and other forms have promoted a mentality among the people of how to deal with unhappy relationships. But they fail to show the real meaning of being in a relationship and so as more in married life. We have seen stories of getting married because of what we call ‘love at first sight.’ Or that of young people who get into pre-marital sex then marries each other. There might be some who advocates a getting-to-know each other relationships or respecting each other relationships but never been the focus.

Media is one of the most powerful factors affecting the behavior of people nowadays because of the fact that many are extremely addicted and reliant to “telenovelas”. So it is not already surprising that many families experience being broken because of the order of our traditions have been modified already. This problem is likened to a grown tree that is very difficult to uproot because the roots are embedded deeply. And we know already the causes of unsuccessful marriage and the effects it brings to the couple and the child.

Reflecting from the experience of my own parents, although, I would also be open to say that my father had a past relationship but not legally bound and they had a son. So I was the first born of my father to my mother whom he wedded. Their story is like Romeo and Juliet also but because I was formed then they needed to be with each other for the rest of their lives. Yes, I am a product of that pre-marital thing but I thank them that they wanted me to live. I grew up in a normal family; we may not have everything but we are happy. What I observed is that my parents have respect and love for each other. They help each other to raise the family. There are times of misunderstanding but I never seen my father lifting a hand to hurt my mother. There is respect, responsibility and love between them and they continue that until today, passing 22 years now.

Jesus, Himself, was in danger of growing in a broken family when Joseph wanted to divorce Mary but when Joseph was enlightened he accepted everything and raised the Holy Family. This was because the Holy Family was guided by God. I cannot imagine a missing father in the Holy Family and Mama Mary as a single mother. The Holy Family is an example for every family.

Today, some couples do not recognize God as the third partner of the marriage that is why everything goes wrong. So I would conclude that the keys to successful marriage are respect, responsibility, love and God. Jesus sets the rules and we must follow. God has given an example to couples and they must imitate it. Our society needs to be fixed and the key to this is a healthy family but then the key to a healthy family lies with the couple.

The Year of Faith focuses on the New Evangelization which includes the use of media and technology in proclaiming the Gospel to the people of God. It is hard to stop the main stream media but it is possible. Each of us as part of the Church needs to work to bring back what was broken in our society. Let us start from our own families, and then let us evangelize others through media and technology.

Commitment: Be faithful in any relationship that we have.

Prayer

Lord, bless every family on earth. Guide couples to recognize You in their life. Give them the strength to surpass all conflicts and misunderstanding that may arise in married life. Strengthen families that we may proclaim Your Name to everyone as we try to revive the richness of faith in everyone. Make us one family in You and let the Holy Spirit animate us to live and love truly. Amen.

The One

3rd Sunday of Advent
12 December 2010



Come, let us worship the Lord, the King who is to come.


First reading Isaiah 35:1-6,10

Let the wilderness and the dry-lands exult,
let the wasteland rejoice and bloom,
let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil,
let it rejoice and sing for joy.
The glory of Lebanon is bestowed on it,
the splendour of Carmel and Sharon;
they shall see the glory of the Lord,
the splendour of our God.
Strengthen all weary hands,
steady all trembling knees
and say to all faint hearts,
‘Courage! Do not be afraid.
‘Look, your God is coming,
vengeance is coming,
the retribution of God;
he is coming to save you.’
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
the ears of the deaf unsealed,
then the lame shall leap like a deer
and the tongues of the dumb sing for joy.
They will come to Zion shouting for joy,
everlasting joy on their faces;
joy and gladness will go with them
and sorrow and lament be ended.

Psalm Psalm 145:6-10

Second reading James 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. Think of a farmer: how patiently he waits for the precious fruit of the ground until it has had the autumn rains and the spring rains! You too have to be patient; do not lose heart, because the Lord’s coming will be soon. Do not make complaints against one another, brothers, so as not to be brought to judgement yourselves; the Judge is already to be seen waiting at the gates. For your example, brothers, in submitting with patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Gospel Matthew 11:2-11

John in his prison had heard what Christ was doing and he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or have we got to wait for someone else?’ Jesus answered, ‘Go back and tell John what you hear and see; the blind see again, and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised to life and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor; and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me.’
As the messengers were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the people about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man wearing fine clothes? Oh no, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces. Then what did you go out for? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet: he is the one of whom scripture says:
Look, I am going to send my messenger before you;
he will prepare your way before you.
‘I tell you solemnly, of all the children born of women, a greater than John the Baptist has never been seen; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.’

Reflection
By Pietro S. Albano

December has been the month of weddings in the Philippines. Most couples would prefer this month because, it seems to be a more suitable month than June as the climate is much better and families and friends alike would have more time to reunite (and enjoy it!). Nidz and I tied the knot in December almost eight years ago because of those reasons (and many more!).

Settling down is and should never be taken lightly. That’s why anyone wishing to embrace a vocation such as marriage should really discern if this is the right course of action. (Who said that discernment is only for those aspiring for the priesthood or religious life?)

For those who have been in a relationship and would look forward to marry in the future (ditto those who are thinking of other vocations), there is one nagging question that they have to ask again and again as part of their discernment: Is he/she the one?

A similar question was asked by John the Baptist when He heard news about what was Jesus doing. It wasn’t because he doubted Jesus. John, who ardently exhorted his audience to repent in preparation for the Messiah’s coming, asked the question because, he wanted to be sure that Jesus is “the One”.

Jesus’ reply to John’s question wasn’t a direct “Yes”, but an elaborate response of what the Promised Messiah will do: the blind can see, the lame can walk, etc. Although “the One” that young ladies or gentlemen are looking for won’t be such a wonder worker like Jesus, I think they should still check if indeed the person they yearn for would have Christ-like features (not the likes of those who promise to pick the stars in the sky or pull the moon from its orbit). Here’s a checklist based on what Jesus' reply in this Gospel:

1. Does this person lead us to the light (i.e. Christ/truth) instead of darkness (i.e. vices/despair/evil)?
2. Does this person enable us more to rise up again from our failures and walk in Christ’s way than hinder us from walking in the light?
3. Does this person support us more in living a clean life than pull us down to the ground?
4. Does this person allow us to hear more clearly the truth than lies?
5. Does this person inspire us to live life to the full?

If your answer is “Yes” in all of these, then you are certain that he/she will continue to do so in married life. You are indeed on the right track! If not, “Be patient...Don’t lose heart!” as St James wrote in the Second Reading today. The right one will come soon. There is no rush to leave the SMC (Samahang Malamig ang Christmas) group!

It has been said that John became great because he didn’t settle for anything less. Although noting was written in the Gospels about John’s reaction to Jesus’ reply, I am very sure that he rejoiced that his patient waiting has bore fruit.

Young people aspiring to become husbands and wives soon: follow John’s example of not settling for anything less! Otherwise, your life would be in shambles! That’s not what God has in mind for you!

On a larger scale, as we continuously prepare for the Lord’s coming, let’s not settle for anything less! Didn’t Christ say that apart from Him we can’t do anything?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, Your coming has fulfilled the Father’s promise. May our hearts be always ready and focused to recognize Your presence in our midst. Strengthen us, especially the youth, that we may all discern patiently and choose wisely so as to gain life-long happiness in Your presence. Forgive us for the many times that we have settled for the wrong options. We ask these through the intercession of Mother Mary and of John the Baptist. Amen.


Next week on God-speak
The Dreamer, the Mover