Follow the light

The story is told about a little boy who was asked by his teacher: “Where are you from?” “From Tondo, Ma’am.” “And where is Tondo?” “In Manila, Ma’am.” “And where is Manila?” “In the Philippines, Ma’am.” “And where is the Philippines?” “In the world, Ma’am.” “And where in the world?” “In the hand of the Sto. Niño, Ma’am.”

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And where is the Sto. Niño? I hope we all can say: “In my heart and in my life. Amen.” The Lord has been revealed in the Epiphany, and the Lord has come into our world, but has He come into our hearts?

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Today is the Solemnity of the Epiphany. In today’s Gospel (Matthew 2:1-12) we hear how the Magi diligently searched for the newborn King, led by a star. How diligently are we searching for the Lord? Are we searching for the Lord at all?

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KNOW THE LORD. Do we take time to really get to know the Lord in the Scriptures, and get close and personal to Him in prayer? We are knowledgeable about many things and pursue passionately worldly events, issues, and concerns, but often we just take God for granted, and He is not on our radar at all.

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LOVE THE LORD. Do we love the Lord with all our hearts, with all our minds, and with all our strength? Many of us love money, fame, and worldly pleasures. Why do we not love God? It is because we love ourselves too much.

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SERVE THE LORD. What, whom do you serve? To whom, for what are you spending your time, talents, and treasures? Do you have a Master whom you serve? Many of us don’t serve God at all because we are so engrossed in serving ourselves.

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Fr. Algie Cantila, SVD, had a vehicular accident in February last year. He was 13 days a priest when it happened. He is now wheelchair-bound, but he continues to know, love, and serve his Master and Lord. He has accepted what has happened to him and has entrusted his future to God’s hands. He continues to be led by a star, and he generously spreads peace, joy, hope, and love as a victim soul, gaining grace for us all. His suffering is his joyful offering.

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Fr. JM Berme, SVD, classmate of Father Algie is leaving for his first mission assignment, this Jan. 11. He is 27 years old, 11 months a priest. He is from Calveria, Cagayan, the only child of Melissa and Jose Berme. I cannot imagine the pain of Father JM and his parents, but they are making this joyful sacrifice for the Lord and Master. What have you sacrificed, what are you offering to God for the rest of your life?

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“It is only bodies that are separated, but hearts remain united especially in Him, for whom the sacrifice is made of leaving all that is dearest” (Unknown). It is only with the Lord that we can see rightly, understand deeply, and live meaningfully. May the Lord bless our journey, our hellos, and goodbyes.

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As we journey through 2024, we will encounter blessings and challenges along the way. We will also encounter all kinds of people along the way. May we continue to follow the Lord, and journey with our brothers and sisters, with special mindfulness for the lost (“mga nawawala”), the disturbed and the troubled (“mga nagwawala”), and the poor (“mga walang wala”).

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Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and holy journey in 2024. Let us all travel light, and continue to follow the light. Let us not stay in the darkness. One with you in prayer for a better year ahead of us, in all aspects, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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A moment with the Lord.Lord, help us to travel light, and to keep on following You, our Light. Amen.—————–

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