The "Emmanuel Family"

Feast of the Holy Family Dec. 28, 2008 (Lk 2:22-40)

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord", and to offer the sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons", in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.

He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel."

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted - and you yourself a sword will pierce - so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.

She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

On the Sunday immediately after Christmas, the Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family into which the baby Jesus was born. The image of the Holy Family is a model of family life for all. It depicts a family wherein God is present and is not cast out of the picture. After all, it is the family of the Emmanuel, "the God-with-us".

Many families in the world today are faced with so many problems and threats to family life. The Holy Family was not alien to these threats. True, God did protect the Holy Family. But He did not shield them with a force field, an all-weather umbrella or any other supernatural protection. The Holy Family had to endure their problems in the natural way. Often, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus are depicted as fleeing from place to place to escape those who threatened the child's life.

Mary and Joseph are both excellent parents. They offered their child in the temple as was required by the law. They treated Jesus as a gift from God. They offered Him back to God and did not prevent Him from fulfilling His mission. This serves as a reminder for parents. Often, they forget that their child is a gift from God. Many infants today are found dead or abandoned. Others are more unfortunate, for they are killed while still inside the womb. Then there are those who are fortunate enough to be welcomed and loved by their parents. But so much so that their parents control wish to control their whole lives. Many parents dictate what they want their child to be in the future. They do not give their child the opportunity to be what God called them to be. They do not offer their child back to God, unlike Mary and Joseph. One can imagine how much more priests we would have right now if some parents didn't hold back their beloved children from their vocation. It's not just in the priesthood, it could be in other courses. Many parents would force their children to take up courses with the sole purpose of earning money or perpetuating the family business, thus preventing their children to be happy and to use their God-given abilities.

Mary and Joseph were never selfish. They shared Jesus to others and offered Him back to God. Imagine how painful it was for Mary to know that a "sword shall pierce her heart" (Lk 2:35). And how much more painful it was to see her son dying on the cross. It was the greatest act of sacrifice for a mother. Why couldn't the parents of those who wish to enter the seminary do this?

As Mary and Joseph are model parents, so their son Jesus is a model for children. Jesus was God and had authority as such. But He chose to be obedient to Mary and Joseph. He probably helped Joseph in carpentry. Jesus was also very obedient to His real Father which is God. In fact, His obedience is the very reason He was born. He obeyed His Father's plan of salvation.

Amidst the threats against family life in our modern times, let us look again to the Holy Family to be our model and source of strength. Let us remember that they too, as a normal human family, had many difficulties. But these were all overcome. The secret of this blessed family is very simple: God was present in them. They are the "Emmanuel Family". They were obedient to the Father's will.

Our family life should be patterned after the Holy Family. We must let God enter the family and reign in it. We should pray and attend Mass as a family. As the popular saying goes, "The family that prays together, stays together." And indeed, it shall not only stay together; it shall be blessed by God.

Welcoming Jesus: A Challenge to Bring Him to Our Neighbor

Fourth Sunday of Advent Dec. 21, 2008 (Lk 1:26-38)

The Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

"And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

As we celebrate the last Sunday of Advent, the Gospel invites us to reflect on Mary and on her noble submission to the will of God. The Gospel narrates to us how the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary the news that she was to be the mother of the Son of God and how Mary responded to the announcement.

In the Old Testament, God made a promise to David through the prophet Nathan, saying, "The Lord also reveals to you that he will establish a house for you. And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm.... Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever." (2 Sm 7:11-12, 16). Angel Gabriel's announcement is the fulfillment of this promise: "He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." (Lk 1:32-33).

Mary was very much confused with this announcement and had no idea how she could bear a son when she was still a virgin. She also faced a big problem since being found pregnant without a husband could cost her her life. Nevertheless, knowing that the news given her was from God, she humbly accepted God's will. With this great act of saying yes to God, she welcomed Jesus in her womb and in her heart.

As we await Christmas, we are challenged by the Gospel to accept Jesus like Mary did. We should always be ready to accept God's will even if we cannot understand it completely. As a priest from the Ministers of the Infirm said in his homily, we are all called to "magdalang-Jesus" or to "bear Jesus". Indeed, we bear Jesus and bring them to others when we show our love to our neighbor, especially to those in great need.

Let us not be afraid to do God's will even if the consequences threaten our very lives. Let us trust in God for He does not leave us. He guides everyone who travels the path that He prepared for them. He equips us with everything we need to follow him.

Mary was privileged to bear Jesus in her womb. And she brought Jesus to humanity. As she allowed God to open her womb, let us open our hearts to welcome Jesus and bring him to others. Let us give joy, hope and love to our brethren. Everyone needs to feel Jesus' presence in their lives. Often, suffering and deprivation of the good things in life hinder our neighbors from feeling Jesus. It is, therefore, up to us to bring Jesus to them. Let us remind them that there is a God who is at work in their lives. Let us bring them the joy that only Jesus can cause this Christmas.

Christmas Light: Rejoicing for the Right Reason

Third Sunday of Advent Dec. 14, 2008 (Jn 1:6-8, 19-28)

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to 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 do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize 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.

The Third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday, a Sunday of joy. The presiders at Mass may wear rose or pink vestments to symbolize joy. We also light today the pink candle of the Advent Wreath.

Advent is a semi-penitential season. Nevertheless, this season invites us to rejoice. We should rejoice always (1 Thes 5:16) even if circumstances call for grief. This is because even if it seems like everything in our life is hopeless, God still gives us reasons to be happy. And this happiness from God is greater than all grief.

In the Gospel, John the Baptist is again presented. He is said to be the one who "came to testify to the light" (Jn 1:8). His identity was questioned. But he never claimed to be anyone other than who he was, the herald of the light. He proclaimed the coming of the one greater than he was. This light to which John gave testimony is from God.

The greatest gift of God is the little baby whose birth we are going to celebrate soon, the light whose coming was heralded by John. God gave Him to us for us to be happy. This happiness is not just because a birth of a child is joyful, for Jesus is no ordinary child. The happiness that God gives to us through the little baby Jesus is eternal happiness. This will be accomplished in the redemptive act of Jesus.

Jesus is the greatest evidence of God's love for us and of God's desire for us to be happy. This gift of love from God is the ultimate cause of our joy this Christmas. We celebrate God the Son whose birth makes our salvation nigh. Jesus laid on the manger is the deep well from which Christmas joy springs. This is something we often forget.

Often, we get too amused with the luminous Christmas lights and decorations around us. They cause us joy as we feast our eyes on them. Amidst this great multitude of lights, John the Baptist points us to the true light, the one who gives us eternal joy. He reminds us that it's not about these electricity-powered lights. It is about the light of the nations who was given by God for our salvation.

This coming Christmas, let us be joyful. But let us remember to rejoice for the right reasons. Let Christ be the center of our celebration. After all, it is HIS birthday!

A Clean Heart is the Greatest Gift

Second Sunday of Advent Dec. 7, 2008 (Mk 1:1-8)

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the desert: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths."

John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. People of the whole Judean countryside and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.

John was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He fed on locusts and wild honey.

And this is what he proclaimed: "One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

The Gospel today describes John the Baptist and how he prepared the people for the coming of Christ. He proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He was able to baptize many people, drawing their attention to heavenly things, reminding them of the coming of the Messiah, the one mightier than him.

John the Baptist is an important figure in the Advent Season. He shows us that preparing for Jesus' coming does not require meaningless joy. It does not require decorations whose deeper symbolism we have forgotten, nor attending the Simbang Gabi just because it's fun and challenging to attend Mass in such an unusual hour.

Preparing for Jesus' coming should be a spiritual preparation, as John the Baptist showed us. He did not prepare a feast for Jesus. Instead, he spent his days in the desert, wearing clothes from camel's hair and eating locusts and honey. He proclaimed repentance. Before Jesus comes, we are asked to "prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight in the wasteland, a highway for our God. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley." (Is 40:3-4). This signifies a complete change of heart.

The valleys should be filled in. This means that we need to have the things that we ought to have. We need to be good, be "filled in" with virtues and values that a Christian is expected to have.

Every mountain and hill should be made low. This signifies that we should do away with the "mountains of sins" that we have built in our hearts. The Advent Season invites us to return to God, to meet Him in the confessional where He is ready to forgive us through the priest.

If we make so many material preparations for Christmas, we could end up rejoicing for shallow reasons. We will be celebrating parties with our friends and family, eating joyfully and exchanging gifts. We will be lighting Christmas lights and sending Christmas cards. These things are not at all bad. Christmas is a joyful celebration. But oftentimes, our joy comes from these things, not from the good news that Christmas brings. We seem to be forgetting the nature of the celebration. It's Jesus' birthday, for goodness' sake! This should be the ultimate cause of our joy.

The only thing which we could prepare for Jesus is a place in the manger of our hearts. Even if our hearts are just humble mangers for the Lord, it would mean so much to Him if our hearts were clean, free from sins. He chooses to dwell in our hearts. And we should do Him the favor of preparing our hearts for His coming.

Let us follow the example of John the Baptist, the herald of Christ, who prepared for Jesus' coming with a baptism, an act which nourishes the spirit, not the stomach. Let us make this Christmas more special, not with a red ribbon, but with a proper preparation of our hearts for His coming. Let us also remember that Advent is not only a preparation for Christmas, it is also a reminder of Jesus' second coming. With these in mind, we should be ready. A clean and charitable heart will be our ticket to God's Kingdom and our greatest gift for Jesus' birthday.