I have poor navigational skills. I am wrong 99 percent of the time, so my family doesn’t believe me when I give directions. Sometimes I turn right when it should have been left.

       Oftentimes, I find myself lost and frantically going in circles whether I’m driving or walking. Recently, I was in a strange place alone and had to return where I came from to meet my companions. Before me was an intersection with three streets. I tried each one but nothing looked familiar. After going back and forth to the intersection a few times, panic began to set in. That’s when I started to pray. Praying and panicking is not a good combination but I managed to do it.

       My heart beat with the words, “Be strong. Do not fear. Your God will come.” I calmed my fears as I repeated those words as a prayer. After what seemed like hours, I saw my family walking towards me, coming from the first street.

       It’s normal to feel afraid when we’re lost, uncertain of how to decide or beset by seemingly unsurmountable challenges. But let us not forget that we have a God who never abandons us. He is the True North, our ever reliable Compass in life whose Spirit we can always rely on to guide and lead us. With Him watching over us, we need no longer be afraid. Chelle Crisanto (ellehcmaria@gmail.com)

Reflection: When it seems like a dead end, know that God’s provision is never ending.

No one wants to be exiled from his homeland. One always longs for the past and pines for home. This prophecy is a promise of good things to come, but maybe not right away. In the Lord’s time, the people will return to their own land. And that time will be of rejoicing and gladness. We are all exiled from heaven because of our sins. Let us look forward to the day when we will return home.

1 The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. 2 They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. 3 Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, 4 say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; 6 then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. Streams will burst forth in the desert, and rivers in the steppe. 7 The burning sands will become pools, and the thirsty ground, springs of water; the abode where jackals lurk will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus. 8 A highway will be there, called the holy way; no one unclean may pass over it, nor fools go astray on it. 9 No lion will be there, nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it. It is for those with a journey to make, and on it the redeemed will walk. 10 Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee.

Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

R: Our God will come to save us!

8 [9] I will hear what God proclaims; the Lord — for he proclaims peace to his people. 9 [10] Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. (R) 10 [11] Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. 11 [12] Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. (R) 12 [13] The Lord himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. 13 [14] Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. (R)

How radical are you in embracing the call to follow Jesus? These men tore the roof off a house to get their paralyzed friend into the presence of Jesus. Will you go that far to get yourself into His presence? We need to become a people who do not know the meaning of the words, “That is impossible.” We are disciples of Jesus and with Him, all things are possible, no matter what others might say.

Behold the king will come, the Lord of the earth, and he himself will lift the yoke of our captivity.

17 One day as Jesus was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and  Jerusalem, were sitting there, and the power of the Lord was with him for healing. 18 And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set him in his presence. 19 But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” 21 Then the scribes and Pharisees began to ask themselves, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who but God alone can forgive sins?” 22 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them in reply, “What are you thinking in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” 25 He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. 26 Then astonishment seized them all and they glorified God, and, struck with awe, they said, “We have seen incredible things today.”

think: How radical are you in embracing the call to follow Jesus?

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  Proverbs 5-11

JESUS BLESSES THE HOME

One Christmas tradition that I have loved since I was young is putting up a “Belen” at home. I later found out that this practice originated from St. Francis of Assisi who made a Bethlehem scene using live animals and humans. He, who had been so touched by the humanity and poverty of the Word Incarnate, aimed to help people meditate on the great grace of God’s love for us that the humble birth of Jesus brought about.

       In our apartment in Paco, my mother prepared for the setting up of the “family Christmas crib” by having us all do a general house cleaning. Walls are scrubbed clean, corners are swept well, cobwebs on ceilings are removed, cabinets are revisited and their contents are systematically cleaned and sorted out. Then Mama would ask me and my sister to help arrange her treasured 15-piece nativity set, a gift from my very pious godmother. When I became older, setting up the family nativity scene became my much-awaited assignment every Christmas season. I would creatively use old newspapers to create a cave for the crib.

       Our Gospel today is a story about Jesus already in ministry, healing a paralytic who had been brought to Him by some men. Nonetheless, the story states something basic about the birth of Jesus as Man: Jesus enters the house. It is inside the house that He preaches. It is inside the house that the paralytic is lowered from the roof. It is inside the house that Jesus performs the miracle of forgiving the man’s sins and making him walk again. From this house, Jesus instructed the graced man to “take your mat and go home.”

       The story of Jesus Incarnate highlights how house and home, how family and domestic life — more than the majestic and impersonal Temple — is the primordial fount of divine presence and grace. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you setting up a nativity scene for Christmas? Make it a focal point of prayer and meditation for your family.

More than having a nativity set, may the Holy Family be our guide in our family life, Lord. Amen.