8th Day Simbang Gabi – A Gospel: Lk. 1:57-66 (December 23, 2014) “My Name, My Mission - I am a Christian” Tomorrow night we will be ending the 2nd part of our two fold character in our advent preparations. Let us remember that one of the main ingredients of Advent is “preparing and waiting” for the Lord Jesus. The twofold character points to the two (2) kinds of the coming of Christ. From December 2, 2012 the 1st Sunday of Advent until December 16, 2012 the start of our Simbang Gabi, the liturgy reminded and invited us to reflect on the second coming of Christ. While from December 17, 2012 until the Christmas Eve, the emphasis of our Liturgy and of our “preparing and waiting” is focused on the fist coming of Jesus Christ which is his birth, we contemplate and reflect on the “mystery of the Incarnation which is God becoming man”. Because of the mystery of Incarnation which is God becoming man, we received our real name and identity which is “Christian” from the root word “Christ”. The term “Christian” was used 3 times in the New Testament specifically in Acts 11:26 which states that Christians are people “whose behavior, activity, and speech are like Christ” – “ang kanilang mga pagkilos, gawain at pananalita ay KATULAD ni HESUS”. Iyan din dapat ang pangalan at pagkakakilanlan sa atin ng mundo. In our gospel today we hear the discussion on what name will be given to the newborn child of Elizabeth . There was a clamor that he be named Zechariah his father. But the name chosen was “John” in Hebrew it is “Yehohanan – which means “Yahweh is gracious or Yahweh has shown favor.” John is the name of the gift of God to Elizabeth and Zechariah. John is likewise a gift to the world, for he is the herald of our “waiting and preparing” preparing us and teaching us how to prepare for the coming of the fulfillment of the promise which is Jesus Christ. John the Baptist was a name that fulfilled the promise of the Lord. He was so faithful to his mission that he accomplished it even at the expense of his own life. Naging tapat si San Juan Bautista di lang sa kanyang pangalan pero maging sa kanyang misyon. Siya ay naging buhay na pagpapala at biyaya ng Diyos, di lamang sa kanyang mga magulang pero maging sa buong sangnilikha. Sa ating paghahanda sa pag-gunita natin sa kapanganakan ng ating Panginoong Hesus at maging sa kanyang muling pagdating, ating alalahanin ang mga tulad ni “Juan sa ating buhay – Who are the John’s in our life journey?”. These are the people whose love and care, support and concern, courage and determination influenced and helped us become who we are right now. They are the reason why we are ready to become gifts to others. To name some, they are our parents, brothers, sisters, relative, friends, and even our pastors and teachers as well. Sila ay mga buhay na Juan sa ating buhay, na patuloy na gumagabay, nakikilakbay at nagpapa-alala sa atin kung gaano tayo kahalaga, dahil una sa lahat tayo ay buhay na biyaya ng Diyos sa kanilang buhay. Dahilan sa pagpapahalagang ito sa atin, tayo ngayon ay unti-unting nagiging regalo o gift din sa iba. Our name and mission is “Christian”, this is our identity and duty. As Christians, may our “behavior, activity, and speech be like Christ’s”. Masaksihan at makilala nawa ng ibang tao na tayo ay Kristiyano at mkanilang masambit “ang kanilang mga pagkilos, gawain at pananalita ay KATULAD ni HESUS”. Let us continue to reflect on the Word, unfold its meaning in order for us to live out and share it into fulfillment. Amen. Short Prayer: Amang Mapagmahal, nagpapasalamat kami sa maraming biyayang ipinagkaloob mo sa amin, lalot higt ang biyaya ng buhay. Patuloy mong pag-alabin ang aming masidhing kahilingang maging biyaya din sa bawat isa dito sa mundo. Dahilan sa iyong biyaya ng pagmamahal natuto kaming magmahal at magpatawad, at dahil din sa biyayang kaloob mo kami at naging kaaya-ayang mahalin. Patuloy mo kaming gabayan at turuan sa tumpak na landas ng kabanalan tungo sa kaligtasan. Amang Makapangyarihan, iniaalay namin sa Iyo ang lahat ng aming pangamba, pag-aalinlangan at samut-saring takot sa buhay. Itong lahat ay nasa isipan namin Panginoon, burahin mo po at palitan ng bagong pananaw. Minsan ang mga ito ay nasa puso namin, burahin mo po ito Panginoon at itanim sa bawat puso namin ang bagong pag-asa at biyaya mula sa iyo. Upang ang aming puso at isipan ay mag-alab ng malalim na pananampalataya at pag-ibig sa Iyo. Naway ang takot na manaig sa aming puso at isipan ay ang takot na magkasala sa Iyo. Kasama ng Inang Maria, itong lahat ay aming hinihiling at pinapasalamatan, sa pamamagitan ni Kristong Panginoon namin. Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 22:43:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015