HIS WILL ABOVE ALL

“So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” – Matthew 18:14

When we had the first group of seminarians sent to our parish for a month’s immersion, we made it a point to pray for them even after they’d gone — that they may stay on to become priests. For every BEC (Basic Ecclesial Community) bukluran (cell group), we were to pray regularly for the one assigned to them. Yet, we heard of fallouts — one, two, then three… or perhaps more as of this writing.

       With the second batch of seminarians assigned to our parish, in spite of our prayers, there were fallouts again. Some left barely a month after they had finished their immersion.

       By the third group, I was no longer as optimistic that all of them would become priests. Oh yes, we continued to pray, but I accepted deep inside that some may still have a change of heart. I reminded myself that they will not “perish” if they do not continue on to priesthood. There are many ways to serve the Lord and being a priest is just one of them.

       As long as we respond to God’s calling, we are doing His will. And that’s good enough for Him. Cristy Galang (cristy_cc@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Did you ever ask the Lord that His will be done in you? Or are you asking Him to bless your will every time you pray?

Lord Jesus, You know what’s best for me. Let my desires align with Your plans that I may pursue them.

St. Juan Diego, pray for us.

There will always be times in our lives when we need encouragement — times of struggle, when we are down on our luck, or simply not having a good day. It is then that our faith needs to kick in and inspire hope within us. Without hope, our Christian faith is powerless to move us to overcome difficulties; without hope, we would be left to contemplate our downfall, knowing that there is no redemption.

1 Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her service is at an end, her guilt is expiated; indeed, she has received from the hand of the Lord double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! 4 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 6 A voice says, “Cry out!” I answer, “What shall I cry out?” “All flesh is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it. So then, the people is the grass. 8 Though the grass withers and the flower wilts, the word of our God stands forever.” 9 Go up onto a high mountain, Zion, herald of glad tidings; cry out at the top of your voice, Jerusalem, herald of good news! Fear not to cry out and say to the cities of Judah: Here is your God! 10 Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; here is his reward with him, his recompense before him. 11 Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.

R: The Lord our God comes with power.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; announce his salvation, day after day. (R) 3 Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. 10 Say among the nations: the Lord is king; he governs the peoples with equity. (R) 11 Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; 12 let the plains be joyful and all that is in them! (R) They shall exult 13 before the Lord, for he comes; for he comes to rule the earth. He shall rule the world with justice and the peoples with his constancy. (R)

In this parable we begin to see the nature of the forgiving heart of God. God is not so concerned with those who are well — they are on the right path. However, He does not want to lose anyone to sin and, thus, He goes out to save those who have strayed from their faith and are lost in the world of sin and temptation. He will never give up on anyone. It is we who give up on Him.

The day of the Lord is near: Behold, he comes to save us.

12 Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? 13 And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. 14 In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”

think:  God will never give up on anyone. It is we who give up on Him.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Daniel 4-6

FOR YOU

I remember one time a newscaster reported on the story of a little girl who drowned after she decided to swim in a lake at the height of a strong rain. What caught my attention was the rather insensitive question of the reporter. The father had seven children and the one who drowned was the third among the siblings. The reporter said as a parting question, “Sa dami po ng anak ninyo eh mami-miss po ba ninyo siya?” (Will you still miss your child, given that you have so many other children?)

         Obviously the question was not well reflected on. And whether she knew it or not, the reporter seemed to imply that the six remaining children are more than enough to make up for the lost one.

         But I’m sure, in the heart of the father, no one among his children is replaceable. I believe that is true of every father. No matter how many children he has, each one is loved, each one is special. This is true with our heavenly Father. He is the shepherd who will leave the 99 sheep He still has and look for the one who goes astray. No one is dispensable before God. Each one of us is of value.

         In my many years as a priest, I have encountered countless individuals who dread the Christmas season. I remember one penitent who shared to me in confession: “Father, during the Christmas season, I feel most isolated because I feel Christ was born for everyone else but not for me because I am in sin right now.”

         Friend, it is precisely for you that Christ was born on Christmas! Do not forget the words of today’s Gospel: “If he succeeds in finding it, believe me he is happier about this one than about the ninety nine that did not wander away…”

         You matter to God. He is searching for you. Throw yourself into His embrace and allow yourself to be found! Fr. Joel Jason

REFLECTION QUESTION: Make God happy this Advent season. Allow yourself to be found by God. Visit Him in the sacrament of reconciliation. He is there waiting for you!

Unclutter my heart, O Jesus. Help me make room for You!