The story is told about a father who loved his first-born child and named him Amazing. But as the child was growing up he became so ashamed of his name because his friends kept teasing him. When he himself grew up, he told his children that when he dies they should not put his name at all on his tomb and that’s what they did. But what happened was every time people would pass by his tomb with no name (just date of birth and date of death) they would always end up saying, “That’s Amazing!”
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In today’s gospel (Lk. 2, 22-40), we hear of the mysterious and amazing prophecies that were foretold about the Baby Jesus. Simeon, to the amazement of Joseph and Mary, proclaimed the role of the child for the salvation of all peoples, along with the sufferings and contradictions that they will encounter. The prophetess, Anna, also said amazing things about the Child. Through it all, Mary and Joseph obeyed, trusted and believed in God’s word and promise.
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Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. Let us preserve the sanctity of marriage and the unity of family. As we honor Joseph and Mary, we honor parents who devoutly and diligently fulfill their role to raise God’s children in this difficult world. We can never really know how much love, hard work and sacrifices our parents have done for us. We also honor children who become a source of joy and pride to their parents—children who know in their hearts what “payback time” is all about.
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Dec. 28 is also traditionally the Feast of the Holy Innocents, reminding us adults of how we could hurt and even kill the innocent little ones in our midst because of our selfishness and pride. No less than Pope Francis has expressed his sadness for children who are victims of violence, terrorism, forced labor and child trafficking in his Christmas message when he said, “Truly, there are so many tears this Christmas.”
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Amazing this Pope we have! He is a prophet who is not afraid of anything or anyone, and who proclaims his Master’s message of repentance, beginning with the Church and the hierarchy.
Yet he proclaims, by his words and examples, the gentleness of the Good Shepherd with his message of mercy and compassion. The amazing thing is that we don’t know what he will say or do next. I wonder what he will say or do when he comes to visit the Philippines this January 2015. Abangan!
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An amazing Christmas moment happened last Dec. 21. I saw a father and his little boy walking in front of our Mission Center in San Jose, Batangas. They looked tired, haggard, and hungry, so I called them and invited them to come in. I found out that they were Mangyan from Mindoro. Though they were hungry, the father politely and gratefully declined, but the boy grabbed a chicken leg as soon as food was served. I later found out why the father declined. He asked to take out the food so that he could share it with his wife who was somewhere on the road, resting. As I saw the father and the child walk away with joy, with food in hand, I thought: Wow, maybe, just maybe, wasn’t that St. Joseph and the Boy Jesus who just dropped by?
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A depressing moment happened on Christmas Day. A man was hit by a car about 6:30 p.m. I had to stop to bless his lifeless body. As I knelt on the cold pavement amid the noise of cars passing by, and the wailing of his father and his relatives, the coziness of Christmas was shattered. But the reality of Christmas was also concretized. Precisely because there is Christmas, there is meaning and hope for us in this valley of tears called life.
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For us who miss a departed loved one especially this Christmas, allow me to share this consoling poem (author unknown) sent to me by my sister, Bing. It is titled “My First Christmas in Heaven.”
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below. With tiny lights like heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow; The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear. For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year; I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear. But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here; I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring. For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing; I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart. But I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart; So be happy for me, dear ones, you know I hold you dear. And be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year; I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above. I sent you each a memory of my undying love; After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold. It was always most important in the stories Jesus told; Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do. For I can’t count the blessing or love he has for each of you; So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
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Please remember that Christmas is a movable feast. It is not a fixed day, but a spirit we carry with us every single day. May all the days of 2015 be filled with joy, hope, giving and sharing. Praying that 2015 will be a better year for all of us, in all aspects, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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A moment with the Lord:
Lord, thank You. You are an amazing God, with an amazing love for all of us. Amen.