The story is told about a wife who informed her husband that her stress level is very high. She quoted her doctor as saying that one option she should consider is to go abroad and spend some time shopping and sightseeing to lower her stress level. The husband responded: “Honey, another option is to see another doctor!”
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In today’s Gospel (Mt. 24, 37- 44), Jesus tells us that there are two options we can take in life: to live in comfort and sin, or to live in vigilance and righteousness. Jesus also warns us that we must not be complacent, “for you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” We do not know where, or when, or how we will exit from this life. We should be as the Boy Scouts: “laging handa” (always prepared).
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Today is the First Sunday of Advent. It is the first of days of preparation for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the acceptable time of salvation, and the time to prepare to welcome the Baby Jesus into our hearts and our lives. It is the time for peace and reconciliation. It is also the time for giving and sharing, especially to so many of our brothers and sisters in our country who are suffering.
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“Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko!” Definitely, Christmas will push through this year! But in view of the untold sufferings of our people affected by recent natural calamities, let us simplify our Christmas celebration and magnify the reason for the season. Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season! Love, repentance, forgiveness, and sharing should be emphasized and concretized, especially this season.
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It is so heartening to hear stories of love, sacrifice, generosity and sharing among different peoples here and abroad for our earthquake and typhoon survivors. Please remember that acts of goodness and charity on our part are never forgotten by our God. Please remember, too, that acts of greed and harm to the poor and marginalized do not go unnoticed by our God. These are exceptional times, calling all of us to do exceptional deeds of compassion and love.
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“They did not know until the flood came and carried them away.” This line in today’s Gospel best describes how many of our people perished in the path of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” It was the floodwaters that killed them. Many of them thought they could brave the wind and the rain, but they never thought that sea water would drown them. In life, in our foolishness and pride, we often think we can prepare for and control any eventuality. But the bottom line is that we can’t. Advent is the time for all of us to acknowledge our dire need for God.
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It’s December once again. It has been quite a year for many of us. Whether our 2013 journey has been good or bad, happy or sad, hey, we still made it to December! We all have our share of trials and pains, but we are still here, still alive, still awake, and still kicking! May the urgent call of the Advent season for vigilance and preparedness convince each one of us not to postpone our conversion, and not to postpone our loving. Let us resolve to make the rest of our lives the best of our lives!
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I said goodbye to two of my seminary classmates last week. Why them? Why am I still here? Lito and Tony experienced a lot of physical suffering in the last years of their lives, not to mention the loneliness they went through. In my heart, I believe that they have already spent their time in purgatory here on earth because of their suffering. They have already completed their journey to God’s heart. “Eternal rest grant unto them O, Lord… May they rest in peace.”
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Death is the final and total surrendering of our lives to God. In life, we often have many “gods.” For some of us, money is “god,” health is “god,” talents are “god,” good name is “god,” family is “god.” Sooner or later, we will realize that we have lost sight of our real God. All of our earthly “gods” will be gone or will fade away whether we like it or not. May we have little or no regrets that we loved God too little too late.
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Food for the journey: “Peace is yours when you have laid all things at His feet; when you have placed all things in His hands; when you have entrusted all things to His keeping; when you have released all things into His care; when you trust Him no matter what.”
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We said goodbye last week to June Keithley, considered as one of the heroes of the 1986 Edsa People Power Revolt, and one of the leading devotees of Mama Mary. In our Mass for June at St. Ignatius Chapel in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, last Nov. 27, I was struck by the big painting of Our Lady of Lipa, Mediatrix of All Grace, looking over her coffin from the choir loft. Yes, she whom she loved in her lifetime was right there blessing her who had done much for our country and for our Church. Until we meet again in the Resurrection, June, pray for us, as we pray for you!
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Think about this: “Life is full of uncertainties, and we’ll never know when our time on earth is up till it’s over, so share a lot, give much, take time to walk, see the stars, sing out loud, smile, forgive, reach out, smile at your God, because life is short, and every minute counts.”
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, help me to be ready and prepared for anything, for anyone, for anytime. Amen.