Sunday Reflections for December 2002

Here are reflections are based on the Sunday readings from Father Erick. 
We hope that it can be of help to the Catholics out there who attend the Sunday masses. 
They are simple and down-to-earth reflections for the "masa" who comprises majority of the faithful in the Archdiocese of Manila.

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Year B
December 1, 2002
Is 63: 16-17; 64: 2-7 / 1 Cor 1: 3-9 / Mk 13: 33-37
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>    HINTAYAN BLUES
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The season of advent is one occasion that we always look forward to.  The
moment we see the beautiful advent wreath already fixed at the altar, we
feel some sense of excitement in anticipation of some greater things to
come.  It is the season of joyful waiting.

From this Sunday until the fourth week of advent, we would see the candles
being lighted one by one.  It may seem slow . . . yet it's worth all the
waiting.   We patiently await the unfolding of events until it reaches a
dramatic climax:  the coming of Christmas.

The gospel today comes very straight-forward.  It is also about waiting .
. . while remaining awake.  "Ang sinasabi ko sa inyo'y sinasabi ko sa
lahat: Maging handa kayo!"

It comes like more of a warning.   For one can anticipate the coming of
the Lord without really preparing for it.  We have our own preoccupations.
Sometimes, the waiting can be boring especially when it takes too long.  We
lose the enthusiasm.  The excitement is gone. 

Once a man shared his sentiment: " Dati-rati pag umuuwi ako galling sa
trabaho, sumasalubong sa akin ang misis ko . . . nakangiti.  Dala-dala na
niya tsinelas ko habang kasunod niya ang aso . . . tumatahol.  Ngayon,
nag-iba na lahat.  Kapag dumarating na ako galling sa trabaho,
sumasalubong na sa aking ang aso . . . nakangiti.  Dala-dala niya ang
tsinelas ko habang kasunod ang misis ko . . . tumatahol."  Nakakapagod din
kasi minsan ang paulit-ulit na paghihintay.  It becomes a routine.

Marahil ay naging kaini-inip sa misis ang paghihintay dahil wala na siyang
ginawa kundi ang maghintay lamang.  It could have been a productive day if
she has made herself busy . . . doing her household chores, cooking food,
cleaning the bathroom, doing some cross-stitches, etc.  By the time the
husband came, there could have been that feeling of having a great day
while waiting for the him to come home.

Waiting can be a difficult thing to do.  But when we realize that it's the
coming of the Lord that we await, the task becomes a source of joyful
anticipation.  We make sure that we are always ready.  Subalit ang
paghihintay na inilalarawan sa ebanghelyo ay hindi lamang basta
paghihintay.  Inaasahan ng taong umalis na ang kanyang mga katiwala ay
gumagawa ng atas na ibinigay sa kanila sa kanyang pagdating habang ang
bantay-pinto naman ay matamang nakasubaybay kung kailan siya darating.

In the same way, we go through our usual routine.  We continually make use
of the gifts that God has given us while waiting for His return.  We do our
work conscientiously. We carry out the task that He has entrusted to us . .
. we fulfill our individual missions with a sense of dedication.  We
continue to grow and allow God's grace to nourish us.  Paul puts it very
clearly in the second reading, "Sapagkat sa inyong pakikipag-isa sa kanya,
kayo'y umunlad sa lahat ng paraan, maging sa pananalita at kaalaman . . ."
Ang patuloy na pag-unlad na ito sa pananalita at kaalaman ay susukatin sa
ating mabungang paggawa at pagtugon sa mga atas na sa ati'y ipinagkaloob. 

Ito ang pinakamabuting paraan ng paghihintay kay Kristo. . . ito ang tunay
na paghahanda sa kanyang pagdating.

>       Fr. Erick Y. Santos
 
 

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Year B
December 8, 2002
Is 40: 1-5. 9-11 / 2 Pt 3: 8-14 / Mk 1: 1-8
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> PREPARE AND REPAIR:  A TOTAL MAKEOVER
>
As early as when the "ber months" started,  preparations for Christmas
came overflowing.  Malls and other business establishments have long been
preparing the decorations with Christmas motif.  Homes and buildings are
brightly illuminated with lights big and small.   Indeed, the country which
boasts of the longest Christmas season in the world could readily prepare
for the yuletide with so much pomp and pageantry.  In some department
stores, it takes almost a year to conceptualize their Christmas
decorations.  They have to carefully plan for it. 

Advent signals the coming of the Lord and paves the way for the
celebration of Christmas.  It's not yet Christmas.  It's still advent.  The
call for a thorough preparation is echoed in the gospel.  He is coming.  We
have to prepare His way.

Technically, it's a calling for us to REPAIR the way of the Lord. 

People talk about "makeovers."  It's an in thing among the rich and
famous.   The most popular of which is the liposuction.   Some overweight
people go through the painful process to attain their desired weight.
Entertainers have their eye bags removed.  Those who have peculiar Filipino
noses (like me) turn to nose lift and ask surgeons to implant nose bridge
to look more western.  (Me, I'm proud of my nose.  At least, sa laki nito,
mas nasasagap ko ang hangin kaysa sa ibang tao. At may remedyo naman diyan
kahit di magpa-nose-lift.  Evertime a picture of mine is taken, nagsa- side
view ako para at least, pormang profile ang dating ko.)

And yes, how can I forget this widow who have had several facelifts
already.  When her husband died,  her tears were flowing while her face was
forever smiling.  Di na makuhang malukot ng mukha niya dahil halos
magkadugtong na ang kanyang bibig at tenga sa kababanat.

>Repairing the way of the Lord is also about "makeovers" in the spiritual,
emotional and attitudinal planes. 

We need to have a bigger  heart in order not to  refuses to love; we need
more focused eyes so that we may see the suffering of others ; we need to
have a more receptive ear to hear the cries of the poor and to be able to
capture the essence of God's words;  we need to have a bigger  mouth in
order to be able to speak of and proclaim God's love and goodness and  a
complete body and soul makeover for the mediocre people who choose  to be
indifferent.  Indeed, we need a total makeover of the entire life system in
order to repair our relationship with others, with ourselves and with God.

The Lord is coming.  Let us repair His way.   Time for a spiritual makeover!

>     Fr. Erick Y. Santos
 
 

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Year B
December 15, 2002
Is 61: 1-2. 10-11 / 1 Thess 5: 16-24 / Jn 1: 6-8. 19-28
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>    THE BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
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Sa mga nakakaalala pa sa teleseryeng  "Pangako sa 'Yo,"  natitiyak nating
di nila malilimot ang bagsik ni Claudia na nagpahirap sa buhay ni Amor at
lalo na ni Yna na siyang tunay na bida sa nasabing drama.  Si Jean Garcia
ang gumanap na Claudia.  Sa isang interview, inamin niyang maraming tao ang
nagtangkang dumugin siya sa galit dahil sa kanyang epektibong pagganap
bilang knotrabida.  She played her role perfectly and won for herself a
Best Actress Award for T.V. ('though she played a supporting role).  The
more she became cruel, the more that the people loved and pitied the lead
actress playing Yna.  Indeed ,  a good supporting actor should make the
lead role player shine.

Sa buhay ng isang pari ay hindi puro sarap ang nararanasan.  Nagkalat din
ang mga Bella Flores, Dick Israel,  Odette Khan, Rez Cortez at Claudia na
nagpapahirap sa buhay-parokya. (Although the artists I've mentioned are all
good people in real life.  Bella, Dick and Rez are members of the Oasis of
Love.)  Mayroon ding mga supporting actors na nakikiramay naman.  Marami
ring mga Amor Powers, mga Alicia Alonzo na nakikiyak sa iyong kalungkutan,
mga Gloria Romero at Nida Blanca.  All of them are known to play supporting
roles.  People like them in the parish brings out the best in the pastor. 

The high priests and the Levites were looking for "Mr. Right."  And so
they thought it could be John the Baptizer.  "Ikaw ba ang propetang
hinihintay naming?" was their question to which John replied, "Hindi po."
He is merely playing a supporting role to the Messiah who was to come.  He
is the realization of Isaiah"s "voice in the wilderness asking people to
make straight the path of the Lord."  But he did his role so convincingly
and effectively that he actually mirrored Christ and was almost mistaken by
the Jews to be the Real McCoy.  He is not a pretender to the throne . . .
no, his humility would say otherwise.   He regards himself as a mere
servant whose baptism would pale in comparison with the baptism to be given
by Him who is to come.  His submission to Christ's authority is mirrored in
his words, ". . . ni hindi ako karapatdapat magkalag man lamang ng tali sa
kanyang panyapak."

Hindi siya ang tunay na hinihintay subalit ginawa niya ang lahat upang
maitampok ang tunay na bida.

Our Christian mission is a call to become good supporting actors to
Christ.  Sa ating ginagawang paghahanda sa Kanyang pagdating, mahalagang
"magalak kayong lagi; maging matiyaga sa pananalangin." (From the second
reading.)  Indeed, we await His coming with joy and enthusiasm.  John could
have been perceived to be too serious as he wore the garment of a penitent
and stayed on fasting and offering sacrifices.  Yet, he was at peace with
himself and found immeasurable joy in being the herald of the Lord.  Ang
kanyang kagalakan ay nag-uugat hindi lamang sa kanyang matapat na pagganap
sa kanyang papel kundi dahil  si Kristo ang kanyang itinatampok at
ipinakikilala.

We do our share not to seek praise and achieve self-glorification.
Ginagawa lamang natin ang dapat nating gawin:  ang "manatiling walang
kapintasan ang buong katauhan - ang espiritu, kaluluwa at katawan -
hanggang sa pagparito ng ating Panginong Hesukristo."  Sa bawat gawa ng
kabutihan ay di tayo naghahangad ng pagkilala sapagkat sapat nang madama
nating napakasaya pala ng damdamin ng isang gumaganap sa kanyang papel
bilang tagasunod ni Kristo ng walang halong pagkukunwari, buong katapatan
at kababaang-loob.  Sapagkat pagsama-samahin man ang lahat ng ating mga
dakilang gawa ay hindi ito kailan man makapapantay sa kadakilaan ni
Kristong ating hinihintay.

Indeed, we play supporting roles to Jesus.  We try to come up with
award-winning performances not to glorify ourselves but to let Jesus shine.
 He is our trophy . . . our just reward.

>       Fr. Erick Y. Santos
 
 

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Year B
December 22, 2002
2 Sam 7: 1-5. 8-12. 14-16 / Rom 16: 25-27 / Lk 1:26-38
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>    LEARNING FROM MARY
>
Was angel Gabriel's visit to Mary a case of bad timing?  Consider this:
she was engaged to tbe married to Joseph, an upright and dignified man from
the line of David;  she was a virgin and the angel was talking about her
giving birth to a son. Could be.  But for Mary, God's time is always the
right time.  No ifs and buts. 

It was the worst of times.  Mary could have been unprepared for all that
God has planned for her.   She had other plans.  She had an understanding
with Joseph.  She was an ideal girl who could not get pregnant out of
wedlock.   One could imagine the wagging tongues in Nazareth neighborhood
if they would see her pregnant.   She would be the toast of the gossipers.
She would be mocked and possibly be stoned to death.  It shouldn't happen.
It's like Aiza Seguera or Nora Aunor going bold in the movies.
Unimaginable. 

Yet, it was the best of times.  For Mary,  to do God's will is always a
privilege to which she would gladly oblige to with no questions asked.  She
is a woman of faith.  She is the woman of faith.  She believed that all he
plans could be shelved to give way to the greater plan of Him who knows
best.  He humility and faith inspires us to take every opportunity to obey
God as the best of times. What price could be sweeter than to be a part of
the unraveling of THE mystery which is described in the second reading.
"Ang Mabuting Balitang iyan ay isang hiwaga na nalihim sa loob ng mahabang
panahon, at sa utos ng walang hanggang Diyos ay nahayag ngayon sa mga
Hentil upang sila'y manalig at tumalima kay Kristo." 

Mary teaches us the best way to prepare for God's coming:  to remain
faithful and obedient to God's will.  Her life was her prayer.  Her prayer
takes on a new dictum:

When praying, don't give God instructions -- just report for duty.

In her is the constant readiness to cooperate with God and not to dictate.
 She gives us this appropriate opportunity to reflect on how we pray.  Most
of the time, we resist God's will.  We find it difficult to take the risk
when in fact, taking God's side is no risk at all.  It is the safest
direction.  God gave to David an assurance through Nathan, "Magiging payapa
ka sapagkat wala ng gagambala sa iyo."  It is a price given to all who obey
and joyfully cooperate with His plan. 

Mary's offering is total and unconditional.   Her FIAT speaks of a soul
longing to give God everything that is in her.   In the spirit of our
preparation for the coming of the Lord, we are called to imitate Mary who
gave her all.  As we go through our daily struggles,  we give our best
shot.  We cannot afford to be mediocre because God also deserves the best
from us.  After all, He also continues to give us the best.  Mary teaches
us another lesson:

Give God what's right -- not what's left.

May we continue to learn from her . . .

>       Fr. Erick Y. Santos
 
 

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - Year B
December 29, 2002
Sir 3-7. 14-17 / Col 3: 12-21 / Lk 2: 22-40
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>   GABAY NA NAGPAPAGABAY
>
To those who listened well to all the readings, there may not be any need
for a homily to be delivered.  The first reading from the Book of Sirach
speaks very well about honoring, respecting and taking care of one's
parents.  "Ang paglingap mo sa iyong ama ay di makakalimutan ng Panginoon,
iyan ang magiging kabayaran sa iyong mga kasalanan . . ."

Naaalala ko ang sinabi ng isang matanda: "Ang ating pagkatao ay nasusukat
sa uri ng ating pakikitungo at pagpapahalaga sa ating mga magulang."
Sapagkat paano nga ba naman mamamahal ng isang tao ang iba kung hindi naman
niya namamahal ng wasto at sapat ang kanyang mga magulang?    I was
particularly close to my mother.  And I loved her very dearly . . . in
fact, the more that I loved her after she died at the thought that she gave
me the best of her maternal vocation and mission.  Being the youngest in
the family for eleven years (until the unexpected coming of our youngest
sister).  Maraming mga bunso ang nakasanayang mangutong sa ina.  Maawat man
sa pagsuso, minsan ay di naaawat sa pangungutong.   Tumigil lang akong
m,angutong noong scond year high school na ako.  Yes, second year high
school.  And incident helped me outgrow the baby habit.  Nagkaroon kami ng
bisitang dalaga sa bahay namin at nakatalikod siya.  Sa pag-aakalang siya
si Nanay . . . mula sa likod ay yumakap ako sa kanya sabay hawak sa kanyang
dibdib upang mangutong.  Natrauma ang bisita.  Mas na-trauma ako!  Nula
noon, hindi na ako nangutong. 

To these days, whenever I see the said visitor,  I still feel ashamed.
Pero iba siya. Proud siya!  Sinasabi niya, "Ang paring iyan . . . nautungan
ako!"  After all, hindi lahat ng babae ay nakaranas na mautungan ng  isang...

Our ties with our parents speaks of  eternal bond.  They are God's gift to
us.  Up to now, I still cry whenever I visit my Nanay's grave.  Because
when I lost him, I felt that half of me was gone.  Maybe, mothers are
always special.  Sila ang nagdala sa atin sa sinapupunan . . . ang nagluwal
ay nagpalaki sa atin . . . ang nag-iwi at nagpadede sa atin noong tayo'y
sanggol.  Mayroon bang dumede sa tatay? 

On the other hand,  the father takes care of the family.  He is the
provider.  He is the protector.  Fathers may not be showy in terms of
affection and love . . . but if there is such a thing as a mother's heart .
. . there is the father's soul. It is the soul bruised by hard work but
with unstained dignity at the nobility of taking charge of an entire
household . . . making sure that the children's future is secured.  For he
is the family's security himself.

Joseph is the picture of an ideal father:  caring for his family and
protecting them from harm.   His fatherhood is tempered by constant
prayerful consultation with God and obedience to his will.  Just like Mary. 

Both Joseph and Mary were given the exceptional privilege of rearing the
Son of God.  And while every parent has his own way of forming his child,
the couple from Nazareth took their cues from God.  Sa atas na ibinigay sa
kanila upang maging gabay ni Hesus sa kanyang pagkabata hanggang sa Siya'y
dumating sa takdang panahon ng pagjhahatid ng Mabuting Balita,  sila rin ay
nagpagabay sa Diyos na pinagmumulan ng lahat ng biyaya, kabutihan at
matuwid na paglalakbay tungo sa magandang kinabukasan.

Sila'y mga gabay na nagpagabay sa tunay na Gabay.  Hindi katakatakang si
hesus ay umunlad sa biyaya at karunungan.

Dalhin natin ang diwa ng Nazareth sa ating mga sariling tahanan! 

>       Fr. Erick Y. Santos