See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. – 1 John 3:1

       My dad became a pilot for two Asian airlines in his career. Whenever we would travel with him on his flights, the crew would of course find out that we were his children. We would be immediately upgraded to first class, space permitting. But even if we stayed in economy, we would still get first-class treatment from the flight attendants.

       I always cherished the feeling of flying with my dad. Aside from the security of knowing I’m in the hands of the best pilot in the world, I’m not just one of the faceless, nameless hundreds of passengers on board. I’m the child of the man on the helm.

       You, too, are the child of the Man on the Helm. He doesn’t fly a B747 that will bring you safely to your destination. He is the one Who commands the morning and shows the dawn its place (Job 38:11), and Who speaks and it becomes reality (Genesis 1:3). When you know who your Father is, come hell or high water, you can remain at peace and secure. Rissa Singson Kawpeng (justbreatherissa@gmail.com)

Reflection:“If one of us in life, having so much trust in man and in ourselves, we end up losing the name, losing this dignity, there is still a chance to say this word that is more than magic, it is more, it is strong: ‘Father.’ He always waits for us to open a door that we do not see and says to us: ‘Son.’” (Pope Francis)

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)

Most Holy Name of Jesus, pray for us.

We will see God face to face when He returns. Let us do our best to receive and live out God’s love for us through our relationships with one another. Jesus reminded His disciples that the true power of Christians is seen in their love for each other. Love is the answer to all the world’s problems. Violence and destruction will never build a just and humane society. Let us live a life of love and be ambassadors of Christ to the world.

29 If you consider that God is righteous, you also know that everyone who acts in righteousness is begotten by him. 3:1 See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure, as he is pure. 4 Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who remains in him sins; no one who sins has seen him or known him.

R: All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done wondrous deeds; His right hand has won victory for him, his holy arm. (R) 3 All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. 4 Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; break into song; sing praise. (R) 5 Sing praise to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and melodious song. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn sing joyfully before the King, the Lord. (R)

Humility is one of the pillars of holiness. John the Baptist knew his place within God’s plan and accepted that Jesus had a more important role. We must accept our talents and gifts, our roles and services within our Christian communities. We should rejoice in the gifts that God gives to others and celebrate everyone’s participation in the Church. We are a community of faith and not individuals competing for a place in heaven.

The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us. To those who accepted him he gave power to become the children of God. 

29 John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 30 He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ 31 I did not know him, but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” 32 John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky and remain upon him. 33 I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

think: What are your God-given talents? Do you use them to serve Him and His people?

Read the Bible in one year  John 7-9

TODAY’S BLESSING LIST

thank You, Lord, for: ______________________________________________________

HAVE YOU OPENED YOUR GIFT?

It is more than a week now after Christmas and I have not yet opened a great deal of the gifts I received. Friends have been asking me: “Did you like the gift, Father?” “Was it the right size?” “Did you like the color?” “I haven’t seen you using it, Father.” And so on.

       I purposely delay opening Christmas gifts. That is why friends who know me don’t gift me with perishable food. If they do, they give me instructions so I avoid having spoiling food in gift boxes. No, I am not under the psychological program of delayed gratification. Neither am I masochist finding pleasure in self-punishment. My reason is this.

       I delay opening the gifts I received from friends because I want to train my heart to savor first the best Gift I am given at Christmas: Jesus. Everything else is secondary. Everything else is icing on the cake.

       Today, we celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus. It is an ancient feast calling our attention to honor the Name above every other name, to value the Gift that is given to us 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. Today’s First Reading helps us see this in perspective. John writes: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:1-2). With the coming of Jesus, God became our Father and Jesus, our brother. Let’s admit it. The glitter of gifts from friends can sometimes overshadow the glory of the gift of that first silent night.

      So, have you opened your gifts? Have you thrown away the wrappers and ribbons? Most probably you have, and that’s fine. Just don’t forget to open THE gift we are all supposed to receive: Jesus! Fr. Joel Jason

----------- REFLECTION QUESTION ----------

Have you opened the best Gift ever given to you? Try visiting a church today, go to

confession, if needed, and receive Holy Communion to welcome the gift of Jesus.

Guide my heart to desire You, O Lord. Amen.