Did I Come Close?

   

Second Sunday of Advent

08 December 2024

 

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: Grace B. Madrinan

 

In the recent Feast Conference I attended, Jonathan Roumie, the actor who portrayed Jesus in the TV series "The Chosen" was asked, "If you will see Jesus face to face, what will you say to Him?"

Jonathan answered, "Was I close? Did I come close to how You want people to see You through me?"

I believe that should also be our state of mind everyday. At the end of the day, did we make Jesus proud? The intention is not to make us feel distressed but more of repentant with the intention to do better the next day.

Today's Gospel says, "A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths' (Luke 3:4)." In the same line of thought, are we preparing the way of the Lord? Or are we the burden to His path?

Preparing the way of the Lord seems to be a daunting task. But we can start with the little gestures that can mean more to the receiver. A practical example would be controlling our temper, practicing patience while driving or commuting to work, and being kind to an erring staff. As Mother Teresa said, "We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love."

Prayer

Father teaches us how to prepare the way of the Lord. May we not be the cause of our brother to stumble away from His path but instead a beacon of Your love. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

(* Feast Conference is the yearly gathering organized by the Light of Jesus, a Catholic Charismatic community)

"Testi"

    

Third Sunday of Advent

17 December 2023

 

First Reading: Is 61:1-2A, 10-11

Responsorial Psalm: Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54

Second Reading: 1 Thes 5:16-24

Gospel: Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

 

Reflection

By: Bernard C. Borja

Friendster, anyone? Yes, I am probably one of those “people growing in wisdom” who once enjoyed reading testimonials in one of the first social media ever existed. “Pa-testi naman dyan!” A friend asked me to write something about him on his online profile where people in his friends list can read it. Not thinking much about it, I only wrote “Mabuting kaibigan.” I told him that I already wrote and posted a testimonial and asked him to also write one for me. The next day, his post came up. It was something more like a short biography. He wrote things that I used to do from our elementary days that I could barely remember especially weird things like, “Kumakain ng chalk”. Okay, I do remember munching on a piece of chalk during third grade, but I could have chosen the blackboard eraser for a soft chewy texture, right? Anyway, from the weird things during elementary, to dreams of being a rockstar musician that I once dreamed of during high school, my friend wrote like a five-page life-excerpt-thesis Friendster testimonial. It is obvious that he really enjoys writing testimonials for his friends. Most of my friends during college who read it laughed and somehow had an idea of how weird I can be. But some of them read through on how passionate and eager I was to dream of something that does not reflect my quiet and timid image. I did not even realize that, and I only looked at how weird I was and how I looked like a lizard because of being too skinny. Today, I remember how in that moment my old friend somehow shed light for me to glance at something I rarely see about myself.

Testimonials are based on truth. If it is not, then it’s just hearsay or “tsismis”. It can also be known as Feedback or Review in today’s term. Feedback or Reviews, like the ones in products being sold online, can help other people have an idea of something if it is good or bad. In short, it can make or break a person as some of his or her character is revealed. In today’s Gospel, we are reintroduced on John the Baptist’s humility, and his gladness in having the honor to testify to Jesus.

John knew that he was sent to prepare the way of the Lord. He was not the light, but somehow shed light to those who are preparing the way by repentance and baptism. The Gospel tells us how curious the people are about John that they sent Priests and Pharisees just to know more about him. Maybe they already heard some testimony from those who were baptized, but they still want to ask him themselves. Throughout his ministry, he redirects their curiosity and constantly points to the Messiah who is to come after him. All his life, I believe he never felt inferior for being a “shadow”, but he rejoices for testifying for the Lord. He knew he was not worthy, but he gladly proclaimed that the Lord God has anointed him.

If anyone today can read the Friendster testimonials I have written for my friends, they would probably just read it plainly, or scroll to the next, because it’s very short and generic. I realize now that giving testimony to someone, especially a friend, is an honor. My old friend somehow taught me about it as I reflect on those times. He took the opportunity to shed light on people’s hopeful trait despite the weirdness, and really enjoyed writing about it. Like John the Baptist, my old friend knew his assignment when giving testimonials – to take delight in having the honor to testify and shed light for others to see the good about the person he is testifying to. Today, let us rejoice in our testimony to Jesus as we prepare to share in God’s mission of bringing His light this Christmas.

Prayer

Dearest Lord, we thank You for granting us the grace of Your light for us to see ourselves in Your image. We take delight in sharing to the world all the blessings that You continue to pour unto us. We pray that in honor of being anointed to testify, may we remain humble in being generous to others and rejoice in knowing that we do Your holy will. In Jesus’ Name we pray, AMEN.

Dear Lord Jesus, as we prepare for Your birth,

Amplifiers!

 

Third Sunday of Advent 

13 December 2020

First Reading IS 61:1-2A, 10-11

The spirit of the LORD God is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,

to heal the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives

and release to the prisoners,

to announce a year of favor from the LORD

and a day of vindication by our God.

 

I rejoice heartily in the LORD,

in my God is the joy of my soul;

for her has clothed me with a robe of salvation

and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,

like a bridegroom adorned with a diadem,

like a bride bedecked with her jewels.

As the earth brings forth its plants,

and a garden makes its growth springs up,

so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise

spring up before all the nations.

 

Second Reading 1 THES 5:16-24

 

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.

In all circumstances give thanks,

for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise prophetic utterances.

Test everything; retain what is good.

Refrain from every kind of evil.

 

May the God of peace make you perfectly holy

and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body,

be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The one who calls you is faithful,

and he will also accomplish it. 

 

Gospel JN 1:6-8, 19-28

 

A man named John was sent from God.

He came for testimony, to testify the light,

so that all might believe through him.

He was not the light,

but came to testify the light.

 

And this is the testimony of John.

When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests

and Levites to him to ask him,

"Who are you?"

He admitted and did not deny it,

but admitted, "I am not the Christ."
So they asked him,

"What are you then? Are you Elijah?"

And he said, "I am not."
"Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No."

So they said to him,

"Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?

What do you have to say for yourself?"

He said:

"I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,

'make straight the way of the Lord,'"

as Isaiah the prophet said."

Some Pharisees were also sent.

They asked him,

"Why then you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?"

John answered them,

"I baptized with water;

but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,

the one who is coming after me,

whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie."

This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,

where  John was baptizing.

Reflection

By: Anabelle Payod-Balla

 

We love listening to a variety of songs - rock, old, country, religious, anime, love songs, etc. And we like it loud and clear specially when it sparks some dancing or when most of us are singing along with  the music. Amplifiers help us increase the volume and allow us to hear the voicing and instruments clearly.

 

John is singing beautiful song. He is inviting us to help prepare the way of the Lord. We can help amplify his message. Come and help straighten the path for Jesus. Come and help proclaim the Word of God.

 

Come and sing God's message to the world!

 

Like John, may God also send us as witnesses. To bear witness to the Light, so that everyone might believe through us.

 

May we begin the courage to seize opportunities to bear witness to God's light and love for all of us this Advent season.

 

Prayer

 

Father, You are the reason of our existence. Help us to do better in serving You. Make us worthy to help straighten the path that leads to You. Please grant us steadfast faith and the determination to proclaim Your words this Advent season. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.