IMMORTAL’S LONGGANISA

Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast. – Isaiah 25:6

Since we’re from the Quezon province, a favorite breakfast fare in our home is the Lucban longganisa (native sausage). My elder son loves this so much; it’s the only longganisa he eats. He’s actually very particular about food and has funny descriptions for things he doesn’t like.

       Once I cooked another kind of longganisa. He asked, “Mom, why do we have immortal’s longganisa?” “What is immortal’s longganisa?” I wondered.

       “It’s the one that unfortunate people eat,” he replied, feeling privileged to always eat the Lucban longganisa. As a mother, I want to give my children the best, so I’ve since removed the other kinds of longganisa from my grocery list.   Our Father God also delights in giving us the best. He prepares a feast with His choicest blessings and finest graces every day — better than ambrosia or immortal’s longganisa. His most precious offering is something we celebrate this month: the gift of His Son, Jesus.

       Before we get drowned by the holiday frenzy, let’s pause to thank God for the blessings He put on our table this year. Let’s make Jesus the center of all our festivities. Lella M. Santiago (mirellasantiago@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Is there a more meaningful way to celebrate Christmas this year?

Father God, thank You for Your lavish gifts, especially for sending Your only Son to save us.

This is why Jesus has come into the world — to destroy sin and death forever! Do you believe that? So much of the Christian life is dependent upon this belief. If we do not believe in the victory of God over sin and death, then there is very little point in becoming a disciple of Jesus. Yes, there will be times when we doubt our faith but let us choose to reject these doubts, in favor of the truth Jesus has revealed to us through His life.

6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; 8 he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken. 9 On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!” 10 For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.     

R: I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; 3 he refreshes my soul. (R) He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. (R) 5 You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (R) 6 Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (R)

The healing miracles of Jesus are signs that He is the Messiah. This is what came to be expected of the Messiah and Jesus delivers on this belief. There were many other signs that Jesus fulfilled as well. It is difficult to understand how so many of the Jews and, in particular, their leaders, failed to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

Behold, the Lord comes to save his people; blessed are those prepared to meet him.

29 At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. 30 Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. 31 The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. 32 Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” 33 The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” 34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” 35 He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves andthe fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over — seven baskets full.

think:  If we do not believe in the victory of God over sin and death, then there is very little point in becoming a disciple of Jesus.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Proverbs 1-4

JESUS HAS COMPASSION FOR THE CROWD

One of the important qualities of a good leader is his capacity for compassion. This simply means that a good leader is able, or at least does his best to try and understand the individual situations of the people around them. It is a great trait to have as it will never fail to endear people to you as you lead them. It also has a way of encouraging loyalty and commitment to the projects you share in life.

       Many leaders often wonder why people do not warm up to them in their ministry and the simple answer is that they, the leaders, fail to warm up to the people they lead. This can be expressed in being over-demanding and expecting too much of individuals. A good leader will take into account the various needs of his flock and be attentive to them. The only danger here is that if this aspect of leadership is overdone, then the leader will eventually become ineffective as the people he leads will become too softhearted.

       The trick is to know how to understand the people one leads and, at the same time, instill a certain steeliness of resolve within them to get the necessary things done. This is a hard balance to find, but we can see it easily in the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus is not afraid to call people to conversion and a life of holiness and service; He is also able to exercise compassion and reach out to the needs of those who follow Him.

       Today, we focus on the latter aspect as He miraculously provides a meal for those who gathered to listen to Him. Jesus cares about the things we all care about — a decent meal, a roof over our heads, good friends. He also calls us to account for our sins and challenges us to do better the next time. He has found the right balance of a Good Shepherd. Fr. Steve Tynan, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Who do you look up to for leadership in your life? What inspires you to follow them?

Holy Spirit, open my heart to the graces You desire to give me to make me both a good leader of those whom I lead and a good follower of those who lead me.