Tips for our journey

Can you recognize what appears once in a minute, twice in a moment, and never in a thousand years?

In today’s Gospel (Lk. 2, 22-40), Simeon recognizes the Child Jesus as the Savior of the world when He is presented by His parents, Joseph and Mary, at the temple. May we, too, recognize Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior and thank Him for His presence in our lives.

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. Let us welcome Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in our homes and families. Let us consecrate all our family members, living or dead, present or absent, especially those who need healing, enlightenment, conversion, or provisions.

The answer to our opening question is, of course, the letter “m.” Our minds are often so busy with so many thoughts and concerns that we fail to recognize and appreciate the seemingly small and unimportant matters, which in the end are the ones that really matter.

Let us recognize the presence of God in our journey this 2017. He was with us every single day of this year. Let us thank the Lord for everything that happened this year, good or bad, happy or sad. For all that has been, we say “Thank You, Lord,” and leave the past in God’s heart.

Let us likewise recognize the mighty presence of God in the new year ahead of us. He will be with us every single day of 2018. Let us entrust everything and everyone to Him and say “I trust in You, Lord!” and leave the future in God’s hands. Let us lay before the Lord’s feet all our plans, concerns, fears, hopes, and dreams.

Let us also gratefully recognize that we are still alive because we still have a mission in life. As the Child Jesus was presented to the temple, let us also present ourselves to the Lord, and humbly put ourselves again at His service for whatever mission He wants us to do.

May we not fail to recognize the face of God in the many people who are hurting or suffering around us. May we sustain the Christmas spirit of hope, peace, joy, and love the whole year through.

May we recognize God’s reminders of His presence and love in simple, ordinary moments every day. Last Dec. 27, again I saw a beautiful rainbow at about 4 p.m. as I was traveling on the South Luzon Expressway. Not just a rainbow, but two, and full at that! Yes, let us be sensitive to the stirrings and reminders of the Divine as we journey on in 2018.

Happy New Year, everyone! But more than that, I wish you all a joyful year, for joy is deeper than happiness, especially that joy which this world cannot give or take away. Here’s wishing you all a better New Year, in all aspects, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Let us check the wheels that will help us move on. The first wheel is “koinonia”—our prayer life and our relationships. The second wheel is “diakonia”—our service and outreach to other people. The third wheel, “kerygma,” is our evangelization and spreading of our faith. And the fourth wheel is “Eucharistia,” our personal encounter with the Lord, and becoming living Eucharists. Check also the spare tire—“Maria”—who is always there to help us on. Check if these wheels are present in your journey, or if they are flat and need to be inflated. Happy trip, and a meaningful journey!

A timely reminder as we start our journey this 2018: “There’s no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen in the right time, with the right person(s), and for the best reason.”

Think about this: We do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future in His hands, and that is enough to give us the assurance we need in our journey, and the confidence to face whatever lies ahead of us.

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to recognize Your presence in everything, and in everyone we will encounter in our journey in 2018. Amen.