This is the time of year for us to reflect on who Jesus really is in our lives. Sino nga ba ang ating Mesiyas na isinilang sa mundo sa araw ng Pasko?
by Fr. Paul Glynn
The traditional Filipino Christmas Parol – or Lantern- is a reminder of the Bright Star that the wise men followed as they traveled in search of the newborn infant Jesus that first Christmas night. How joyfully they knelt down, worshipping him, and offering gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Like the wise men, Saint Columban left his home country of Ireland and travelled across many countries by foot, trekking over mountains, crossing rivers and lakes, and living in tents and caves, staying close to nature in order to be close to Christ. He taught us that if we really want to be happy, we should ‘live for Christ rather than merely for ourselves’.
This is the time of year for us to reflect on who Jesus really is in our lives. Sino nga ba ang ating Mesiyas na isinilang sa mundo sa araw ng Pasko?
Our Emmanuel, the God who lives among us, what difference does he make in our lives? How does he show us how to live? How does he show us how to love?
Remember Jesus chooses to be with those who are poor, the sick and the abandoned, and those regarded as worthless by the powerful in society.
We pray for all the people who are affected by the coronavirus, the millions of people who have been infected, the vast numbers of people who have died, as well those whose lives have been disrupted because of Covid-19 and the terrible natural disasters of 2020, typhoons Ulysses and Rolly.
This year, we thank God for the medical workers, the front-liners, the rescue teams and the countless others who dedicate their lives, their skills and their time so selflessly, so that others might survive Covid 19, and these deadly typhoons we have been experiencing.
We remember the scientists who are developing vaccines to combat Covid-19, and those who are teaching us how to take care of our Planet Earth.
May we never lose hope – because we believe that Jesus, our Emmanuel lives among us!
