Many of us like escaping to mountainous areas like Baguio and Tagaytay to experience the cool breeze, fresh air and take lots of selfies to capture the beautiful view from above.

      Sometimes, though, when the journey to our destination is challenging and takes a lot of time, we forget why we’re going there. We focus more on our difficulties rather than the beauty that awaits us.

           I liken this to my experiences of serving the Lord in different events. People always ask me how I can stay so calm, even in times of trial. I always say that the secret is to focus on the bigger picture — “the view from above.” Doing so allows me to see the beauty of God’s plan. If I get upset or angry, will it help in sharing God’s love to others? There is no need to add to the negativity in the world.

             So if you’re feeling down now, or facing challenges, believe that God has a beautiful plan for your life. Once you reach the mountaintop — your dreams, your goals — you’ll see that all your struggles and challenges have a purpose. Anthony Rodriguez (anthony.r@svrtv.com)

Reflection:You may not see God’s great plan for you but surely His plans are better than yours.

Lord, use me and mold me according to Your vision for my life. I surrender to Your will.

A parent’s first work of evangelization is his family. The faith of a child depends on the witness of his parents and a strong faith environment at home. Let us foster faith in our homes and places of work and study so that we are constantly challenged to live and proclaim the Gospel every day.

1 In those days, like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace. 2 Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits; 3 by the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire. 4 How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Whose glory is equal to yours? 9 You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses. 10 You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob. 11 Blessed is he who shall have seen you and who falls asleep in your friendship.

Psalm 80:2, 3, 15-16, 18-19

R: Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

2 O shepherd of Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth. 3 Rouse your power. (R) 15 Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; take care of this vine, 16 and protect what your right hand has planted the son of man whom you yourself made strong. (R) 18 May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. 19 Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. (R)

The disciples begin to understand that Jesus is the Messiah. Unlike them, we are privileged to know the identity of Jesus from the beginning. It must have been a shock to them, especially when Jesus told them that He will die and be raised from the dead. Let us be grateful that we have 2,000 years of Christian reflection to guide us as we follow Jesus.

Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, 10 the disciples asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 He said in reply, “Elijah will indeed come and restore all things; 12 but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

think: The faith of a child is depends on the witness of his parents and a strong faith environment at home.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR  Proverbs 24-27

COMMUNICATING BETTER

John the Baptist is one biblical character linked to our Advent liturgy. We refer to him as the last prophet, the precursor who had been sent to prepare the way for his cousin, Jesus the Christ. John was likened to Elijah in the Old Testament. It is said that he dressed like Elijah, but more importantly, John’s style of preaching and his temper reminded people of the fiery character of Elijah. John was zealous about his mission to bring the children of Israel back to righteousness with God. These prophets were, through time, God’s  “mouthpiece,” or “nabi” in Hebrew.

   Communication, however, is not realized with the powerful communicator alone or achieved with a good message. It needs the receptivity and interactivity of the ones being communicated to. At the least, there must be connectivity of mind, of language — to have comprehension. This connectivity involves sharing a commonality of “real time.” Communicator and the one communicated to must be “really present” to and with one another. As my Jesuit professor Fr. Ruben Tanseco loves to put it, there must be “mutual empathy.”

       We live in a blessed age of communication. We have the gift of technologies and gadgets that enable us to shrink differences of time and distances, transcend seasons and weather systems, to be linked and connected with people. But we are not necessarily communicating better now than before. In fact, within the first circle of communication — that is, among family members — there are so many wants for better receptivity and interaction. We have efficient tools but we lack effective communication.

         Jesus’ words, dating to more than 2,000 years ago, explore the issue of divine communication with humanity. His birth as God-Man aimed to bring this divine communication to its peak and clearest level. He, however, points to the same crucial need in communication: receptivity, recognition, openness, empathy on the part of humanity to whom God loves to communicate with. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: How is your communication with God? How is your communication with your family? What are your struggles in being communicated to?

More than communicating with others, help me to connect better with You, O Lord. Amen.