4th Sunday of Advent (A) - Emmanuel

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Mt. 1:18-24

December 22, 2013

GOSPEL READING: The Birth of Jesus

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly.  Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.

REFLECTION: Emmanuel

“What’s in a name?,” Shakespeare asked, “a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet.” But names are utterly important. They convey a story, even a mission.

Some names tell a love story. Here in the Philippines, there are names that are a combination of the names of their parents, for instance, “Jezebel” is daughter of “Jess” and “Bella”. In the child, the mother and father truly become one. May mga pangalang nakakabit sa mga popular na tao. Sa talaan ng mga nag-aral sa Faculty of Theology ng UST mababasa natin ang mga pangalang: Jose Rizal, Joseph Estrada, Arturo Tolentino at Fernando Poe. Naging classmate ko pa si Joseph Estrada noong 1994. May mga family name naman na mukhang bagay sa isa’t-isa. Meron kaming Brother na ang apelyido ay “Granada”, at may isang madre naman na ang family name ay “Bala”. Minsan, tumawag si Brother Granada sa kumbento ng mga madre. Sabi ni brother, “Si Fray Granada po ito, sino po sila sister?” “Si Sr. Bala naman po ito, what can I do for you”? Wala namang pagsabog na nangyari sapagkat, taliwas sa kanilang apelyido, pareho silang huwaran ng kabaitan at kahinahunan. Meron kaming teacher sa High School, si Ms. Calajate; favorite student niya si Ms. Boo. May mga pangalang pinoy naman na nagbabago kapag nangingibang-bayan: si Rogelio Dagdag naging Roger Moore; si Topacio Mamaril naging Top Gun; si Maria Pascua naging Merry Christmas; si Ligaya Añonuevo, naging Happy New Year.

Names are important. We begin the Eucharistic and every prayer with in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. God’s name gathers us together as a community. In the Gospel, we heard from the angel the two names of the promised Messiah: JESUS and EMMANUEL. Jesus means savior. It is the name that is above all names. It is so powerful. Peter even made a lame walk just by uttering: in the name of Jesus, walk! And the lame began to walk. If the name “Jesus” signifies what Christ did and continues to do, the name Emmanuel tells us WHERE JESUS IS. Nasaan nga ba si Jesus? Jesus is the God- who-is-with-us --- Emmanuel.

The book of Genesis proclaims the truth that we are made god-like, we were created unto the image of God. St. Paul reminds us that we are “temples of the Holy Spirit”. One huge Dominican priest told us, “I am not a temple, I am a cathedral of the Spirit!” God revealed Himself as the One who dwells with us, even in us --- Emmanuel.

I grew up in Daet and were brought up receiving gifts, not on Christmas day, but on the Solemnity of the Epiphany. We grew up believing that we received gifts not from Santa Claus (St. Nicholas) but from the Magi. It was a thoughtful custom, for as we beheld the Belen and marveled at how the Magi brought their gifts before the Christ-Child, we were gradually being taught that we received gifts from the same Magi because they see Jesus in us!

Mahalaga ang pangalan. Jesus, Emmanuel. The very name Jesus should make us thankful for Christmas. Jesus came to save us. Emmanuel reminds us that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, that God dwells in us, that God is with us all the time. And because of Jesus, there is one name that we all bear --- we call ourselves Christians. Iisa ang ating pangalan, tayong lahat --- KRISTIYANO, magkakapatid kay Kristo!

Feel nyo na ba ang Pasko?! When we do not yet seem to feel Christmas, it is because we equate Christmas with abundant food, expensive gifts and extravagant parties. But Christmas is more than any of these. Christmas is not about the abundance of food but the sharing of food that nourishes our bodily hunger as well as our hunger for fellowship and friendship like our gathering together in the Eucharist, in the breaking of bread. Christmas is not about expensive gifts but the priceless gifts of quality time we share with family and friends. More than just going to stores in search of fine gifts or looking at your closet for last year’s gifts to be recycled (ingat kayo at baka umikot at bumalik sa nagbigay sa iyo ang kanyang regalo), don’t look anywhere else but look into your heart. May mga tao bang hindi ninyo iniimikan sa loob ng napakahabang panahon? May mga tao bang nagpapabigat sa iyong kalooban? One of the greatest gifts we can give is forgiveness. Remember, the root word of forgiveness is give. It is a gift. Asking for forgiveness from those we have wronged and forgiving those who have wronged us are priceless Christmas gifts. Try it and I am sure you will feel profound joy and peace and then you can truly say: Pasko na nga! Maligayang Pasko po!

ABOUT THE SHARER:

Very Rev. Fr.  Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, OP is the Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.

KEYWORDS:

Advent, Cycle A, OP Friars, Forgiveness, Sharing, Christmas, Name, Emmanuel

3rd Sunday of Advent (A) - Checking One’s Expectations

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Mt. 11:2-11

December 15, 2013

GOSPEL READING: The Messengers from John the Baptist

When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him with this question, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:  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. And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine clothing? Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way before you.’ Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

REFLECTION: Checking One’s Expectations

Every time I will start my learning sessions, I ask my participants to write down their expectations and later on, I encourage them to share it openly to the group as I take note of this one by one. What I do is to let them know that their expectations are all important to be covered but I also tell them some limitations just in case we cannot meet all their desired experience. I call this managing my participant’s expectations.

Much in life, our expectations are powerful because it creates the reality of what we want to happen. Let me put a contrast between the use of a thermometer and a thermostat. On one hand, a thermometer absorbs and measures the temperature, which is passive in nature while on the other hand, a thermostat has the power to adjust the temperature according to the needs of the user.

In the same manner, this is how our Gospel story unfolded today when the disciples of John asked Jesus about the fulfillment of the promise of the coming savior. All throughout in this Gospel passage, one could feel the hesitation and the unbelief of John’s messengers. In fact, Jesus used the following statements thrice and interchangeably to testify in behalf of John:

“What did you go out to the desert to see?”

“Then what did you go out to see?”

 “Then why did you go out?”

These disciples were expecting a different kind of prophet. They were expecting a different kind of Messiah and they were all judging according to what they see and they have forgotten to see in eyes of their faith. With all of these false expectations Jesus responded to them through this:

Go and tell John what you hear and see:

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.

And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.

Jesus’ way was not just to look and speak like a Messiah but He lives, loves and leads like one. It was shown in His life. His miracles and wonders were just a consequence of His mercy and compassion to the lost, the least and the last. It is actually an invitation and a challenge for us to partake in this mission of bringing glad tidings to the poor and sinners.

‘Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;

he will prepare your way before you.’

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Christ and now that John was in prison, it’s Jesus Who is testifying for him. We can also see here that both of them were speaking the TRUTH with LOVE or in latin, veritas cum caritate.

We are all called to be John the Baptist in our own way of preparing the way for others to know who Jesus is even if it entails suffering and persecution. And like this Gospel story, expect that Jesus will testify in our behalf as well. He will speak for us and He will be on our side most especially in times of trouble and when we are in need.

REFFLECTION: How can you prepare the way of the Lord in your life? How can you prepare people around you to receive the Lord in their lives?

a.  At home?

b.  In your workplace?

c.   At school?

d.  In your community?

PRAYER: “Lord Jesus, use me to testify for your love. Use my expectations to create great things for you and your people. Use my time, talent and treasure to bring glory to your name. Amen.”

ABOUT THE SHARER:

JC LIBIRAN is a lay-missionary, speaker, facilitator and author of “Byahe ni Juan: Life Lessons I Learned From Riding a Jeepney”. He is the Director for Campus Missions of the Light of Jesus Family (www.lightfam.com). You may contact him through his e-mail at JCLibiran@ymail.com or visit his website at www.JCLibiran.com

KEYWORDS:

Advent, Cycle A, OP Laity, Truth, Love, Expectation, Attestation, Testimony

2nd Sunday of Advent (A) - The Call to Repentance

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Mt. 3:1-12

December 8, 2013

GOSPEL READING: The Preaching of John the Baptist

In those days, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea [and] saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: “A voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’”

John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time, Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.

I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

REFLECTION: The Call to Repentance

The call of John the Baptist is always valid and relevant, as he prepares for the appearance of Jesus, the Messiah, and as we prepare for Christmas and the coming of the Lord at the end of time. 

Repentance is not just a feeling, though it is often accompanied by feelings of sorrow and regret. Repentance involves three things: (1) a change of mind — a new way of seeing, (2) a change of heart — a new direction in life, and (3) a change of behavior — a new way of acting. 

 

We prepare the way of the Lord in our lives and in our society by changing our way of thinking — the primacy of money, power, pleasure and popularity in our lives. We must change our attitude — "me first, me second, and me always" or "my family first, my family second, and my family always." And we must change our behavior: "Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance." 

We have even better reasons today for repentance. Not only is the kingdom of heaven near; it has come in Jesus Christ. And we have a better motive: not only that God will punish us if we do not change, but that God is so loving and has been so kind that we must change. 

Jesus truly loves us even we are sinners. He condemns our sins but not entirely ourselves because Jesus knows that we can change ourselves for the better and we can solemnly ask for repentance. Advent is the time to repent for our sins and embrace God's kindness. 

ABOUT THE SHARER:

ADRIAN L. SAN JUAN is a 24 year-old customer specialist associate in a well-known business process outsource industry. He is currently completing a degree in Human Resource Development Management at the Philippine School of Business Administration.

He loves singing, playing guitar and piano, and dancing. He has been serving the Lord at Sta. Perpetua Parish for 12 years (and counting). He has been a member of a church choir for 4 years.

KEYWORDS:

Advent, Cycle A, OP Youth, Repentance, Conversion, Change