What Did You Go Out to See?

3rd Sunday of Advent Dec. 12, 2010 (Mt 11:2-11)

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.

Today, we hear Jesus asking the people, "What did you go out to the desert to see?" As the celebration of the Lord's birth is nearing, we celebrate today the Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy. And today, Jesus, through the Gospel, invites us to reflect on what we go out to see.

Simbang Gabi is coming. What do we go out to see, especially at such an early hour? Do we go out to see the church all decorated for the season? Do we go out to see if there are any puto bumbong or bibingka sold near the church? Or maybe we go out to see our special someone and to chat with him or her near or even inside the church? Do we not go out to see Jesus and to receive Him in the Eucharist?

Christmas parties are happening everywhere. Do we see people start these parties by praying? Having a Christmas party without prayer is like holding a birthday party without inviting the celebrant.

Everytime we celebrate Christmas, we see a lot of things. We see decorations, attend parties, and watch commercials that try their best to get the audience' attention using Christmas as a theme. But are these things really what we go out to see? Do we really know it's Christmas because of ham or fruit salad? Shouldn't Jesus be the cause of our joy this Christmas? After all, you can spell Christmas without ham or fruit salad, but you just can't spell it without Christ.

Gaudete Sunday invites us to rejoice in the coming of our Savior. This joy is often preceded or accompanied by sorrow. But at the end of every sorrow, there is always joy. When we do not refuse challenges but face them courageously, in the end joy is our reward. In the same way, when we take the Advent journey of repentance and preparation, our joy will be complete on Christmas day, not because of anything or anyone else, but because of Jesus.

If only we see the joy that Jesus brings, the healing that He brings about in our lives, we would not mind carrying all the sorrow in the world, so long as Jesus will be our reward in the end. Jesus' light can outshine even the brightest Christmas light or parol.

This coming Christmas, may we all go out to see Jesus.

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!