Who is your subject?

The story is told about a man who said to his friend: “My pastor is so good he can talk on any subject for an hour.” His friend responded: “That’s nothing! My pastor can talk for an hour without a subject.”

In today’s Gospel (Mt. 11, 2-11), we hear how focused John the Baptist was. He had a subject—Jesus. He had a mission—Jesus. We too, more and more, must be clear and tenacious in making Jesus our subject and mission in life amid so many distractions and confusions.

Today is called the “Gaudete” Sunday, to remind us to be joyful in our waiting and preparing for the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we joyfully spread the joyful message of our joyful God! Our lonely and busy, cynical world needs so much to hear the Gospel, the Good News, the joyful news of a God who loved the world so much that He sent His only begotten Son!

When Jesus was asked by John’s disciples “Are you the one who is to come?,” his answer was: “Go and tell 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 Gospel preached to them.” Indeed, a tree is known by its fruits. More than our words, it is our deeds that show our love for God and neighbor.

John the Baptist was a remarkable person. Why? Because he pointed to Someone greater than himself, and he lived for Something greater than his personal agenda. He could have grabbed the limelight, or caused dissent and division, but he just accomplished humbly his mission to prepare the way of the Lord. He stuck to his subject. He did not play the game of self-aggrandizement.

Tomorrow we begin the novena Masses for Christmas. The nine-day “Aguinaldo” Masses are precisely that—gifts which we gratefully and lovingly offer to God which include sacrifice, along with change of heart and good deeds.

When we were growing up in Bani, Pangasinan, the most prized and awaited Christmas commodity was the apple which came out then only in December. Having an apple made one an instant celebrity in school—what with your classmates smelling the apple together with you, and following you wherever you go! The simple joys of Christmas then. Please stay focused on the subject of Christmas—Christ, and not the many complicated, worldly concerns that go along with it.

Why is it that the smell of apples was stronger then? Is it because they were not coated with wax preservatives then? Or is it because my sense of smell is weaker now? Or is it because there are so many distracting different Christmas scents now? I wonder…

This Advent—Christmas season, may our sense of smell for God become stronger than our sense of smell for money, for food, for festivities and good time. And may we also smell the filth, the poverty and the helplessness of so many people around us.

Along with a heightened sense of smell for God and for the poor and suffering, may our sense of smile be also heightened. May we become more joyful, peaceful and kind especially this time of the year. Let’s have a happy Christmas, and make so many people so happy this Christmas. And don’t forget the subject—to make God so happy this Christmas.

Think about this: “You know why you are not happy? Because you are too focused on yourself. See the big picture! There is a God, and there are people around you who need your kindness and love.”

A moment with the Lord:Lord, may You be my constant and unending subject. Amen.

[[email protected]]