It’s the “ber” months again, and only in the Philippines do we start celebrating Christmas season as early as September. 

We hope that in this season, we feel God being with us the most—not only with the early Christmas carols and songs, but with the hope and love that is rekindled by the thought and spirit of Christmas.

We need to believe God is with us now more than ever, not only during the ber months but every day. In the morning sunrise and when the moon and stars shine at night. In our homes with our families. In our jobs and livelihood that help put food on the table. In our workmates, schoolmates, churchmates, and friends. In His Word and in the holy sacraments. God is so much present in all these.

And yes, when we Filipinos start celebrating the longest Christmas season in the world—God is truly with us.

Happy Ber Months! 

Alvin Barcelona (apb_ayo@yahoo.com)

reflect

Don’t let the commercial hype rob you of feeling God more during the ber months as we anticipate Christmas.

Dear Jesus, may You indeed be Emmanuel in my life—God with me, with us—not only during the ber months but all my life. Amen.

Saint Adrian, pray for us.

First Reading | Micah 5:1-4 (or Romans 8:28-30)

The remnant is a central theme in Old Testament theology, embodying the hope that a faithful few will always remain steadfast with God. Mary takes on the role of mother to that remnant when she offers herself as the mother of Jesus. In giving birth to the Son of God, she fulfills the deepest longing of the Jewish people—their hope brought to completion in Christ.

¹ The Lord says: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. ² (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.)  ³ He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; ⁴ he shall be peace.  

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 13:6, 6

R: With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

⁶ Though I trusted in your mercy, let my heart rejoice in your salvation. (R) Let me sing of the Lord, “He has been good to me.” (R)

Gospel | Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 (or Matthew 1:18-23)

Mary’s “yes” to God was the most pivotal moment of her life. Without it, the plan of salvation would not have unfolded as we know it. As our mother, she stands as the first disciple of Jesus and a model of unwavering faith. Let us heed her example and walk in her footsteps, just as she faithfully follows her Son.

Gospel Acclamation

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

¹ The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. ² Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. ³ Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, ⁴ Ram the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, ⁵ Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse, ⁶ Jesse the father of David the king. David became the father of Solomon, whose mother had been the wife of Uriah. ⁷ Solomon became the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asaph. ⁸ Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, Joram the father of Uzziah. ⁹ Uzziah became the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah. ¹⁰ Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amos, Amos the father of Josiah. ¹¹ Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the Babylonian exile. ¹² After the Babylonian exile, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, ¹³ Zerubbabel the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, ¹⁴ Azor the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim, Achim the father of Eliud, ¹⁵ Eliud the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, ¹⁶ Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ. ¹⁸ Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. ²⁰ Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. ²¹ She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” ²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”

Read the Bible in one year! Read PSALMS 71 - 75 today.

Blessed to Be a Blessing

A good friend of mine celebrated her birthday yesterday. For her birthday, she decided that instead of having a party and spending so much on food and other preparations, she would make cash offerings to some of her friends, especially those she felt were hard up. What a generous woman she is. Normally, since it is her birthday, she’s the one who’s supposed to receive presents, not the other way around.

Today, we celebrate the Nativity of Our Blessed Mother Mary. We remember her as a “person,” as one of us. We give thanks to the Lord for the gift of Mary’s person to all of us, Christians. As we recall with love and gratitude the birth of this poor girl from Nazareth, we realize that Mary was the first among us who taught us the joy of giving rather than receiving. Mary’s life was a testament to the outpouring generosity toward others. By saying “yes” to God’s will and, ultimately, by being pregnant out of wedlock, Mary put her name, her reputation, her entire life in a very difficult position. 

Based on the accounts about her in the Bible, Mary would always put other people’s needs before her own. She braved a dangerous path to visit and assist her cousin Elizabeth, even as she was already pregnant too. We remember as well how sensitive her heart was—how her heart listened and interceded to her Son, Jesus, about the unspoken need of the couple at the wedding in Cana. Indeed, Mary’s birth opened the door of salvation for all. Through Mary, we have been gifted the Son of God. Thus, we celebrate her through all generations for her “Blessed Yes” to bear Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Let us celebrate Mary’s birth with gratitude and a commitment to imitate her faith. Like Mary, may we also be bearers of God’s Greatest Gift—Jesus Christ—to all our brothers and sisters. 

Fr. Ricky Montañez, AA 

reflection question

Do your words and actions lead others to see you as a blessing in their lives?

Lord Jesus, through Mary’s intercession, help me become a true and generous disciple who brings Your love to others. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ______________________________________