Simbang Gabi 2018

If the topic is about pregnancy, we can hear many stories about it. Stories such as when a husband learns his wife is pregnant, he is happy. If it is his querida, it is a problem. If a teenager son brings home a pregnant girl, it is ok but if it is a teenager daughter who gets pregnant, it is a big no –no! If it is the awaited firstborn, the husband is excited, but if it is the tenth child already, he is disappointed. If it is his first baby boy he cuddles him, but if his children are all boys, then he looks for a daughter. If a wife is naglilihi, the husband should give his attention to her. If she likes balut, it will produce a hairy child. If she likes dinuguan dish, it will cause one’s baby to be dark. If she likes lanzones, it will bring a fair and smooth-skinned baby. Members of the family also would watch the shape of a woman’s stomach; for a pointed tummy it means it is a boy. But if it is rounded then it is a girl. If the mother is pretty during pregnancy, she will have a daughter. If the mother looks gross and her armpits dark, she will most definitely produce a son.

My dear friends in Christ, in talking about pregnancy, Joseph and Mary had their own story. We know from the Bible that Joseph was about to abandon Mary in secret upon knowing she was already pregnant before their marriage. Mary’s life was exposed to dangers when she accepted God’s will to bear His only Son Jesus and was about to be left alone by Joseph. In addition, Jesus, the son of God who became man was born in a place where animals lived. Yet, the drama of pregnancy finally closed with a happy ending. Mary and Joseph found happiness after all. First, happiness for Mary and Joseph could be found in ordinary things like in giving birth to a child. One does not need to look for some spectacular events in order to be happy. It is enough to see God in ordinary things and be happy with His presence. Next, Mary and Joseph found happiness for being a family –a father and mother with their child. It is by living in harmony with his or her family that one can be happy. No doubt it is still true until this day that there is no place like home. Lastly, happiness was found by Mary and Joseph not so much in doing something but in being there for each other. Our “belen” expresses this feeling as we can see the image of shepherds, the magi and the couple, Mary and Joseph are all there for Jesus as Jesus, the son of God is there for them too. Today, we pray for all the men and women who are expecting for their baby to come, for all the fathers and mothers who have given birth to their children, and for all the parents who at present raise their children. We pray that they can all find happiness especially in promoting and protecting life this Christmas season.

Simbang Gabi 2018

A doctor told a pregnant woman that it was too risky for her to deliver her baby given her health condition. It was found out that she had a kidney problem. The doctor advised her to go for abortion because he could not guarantee whether he could save both the lives of the mother or of the baby during the delivery. The mother insisted that if ever the doctor would make a choice, he should save the baby rather than her. She would rather face death to let her child live. Fortunately, both lives were saved. It was all attributed to the hands of God and to the skills employed by the doctor.

My dear friends, this story tells us about what a mother is. First, a mother is a life-sharer. A mother has to risk her life just to give life to her child. Mama Mary did the same. Even if she knew she would be stoned to death because she got pregnant before the time she would be taken by Joseph as his wife, she said yes to God. She accepted the will of God to be the mother of His only son. Second, a mother is a love-giver. No matter how a child behaves towards his/her mother, the latter cannot but just respond with love. Mama Mary always loved Jesus even during the time she could not understand why Jesus decided to stay in the temple for three days. Lastly, a mother is the Lord’s messenger. If a mother is prayerful and she teaches her child to pray with her, the child will grow up cautious of the feeling of his/her mother. As the child loves his/her mother, he/she will not give any reason to make his/her mother sad. Just like Mama Mary and St. Joseph who brought Jesus to the temple before God, any good mother will lead her child to the path of righteousness.

We pray then during this Christmas season, for all the mothers who sacrificed their personal ambitions and comfort for the sake of bearing and rearing their children. We pray and thank God for giving as our mothers who give us life and let us live. May all the mothers learn the way of Mama Mary in raising her son Jesus. Amen.

Simbang Gabi 2018

A husband comes home drunk and breaks some crockery; vomits and falls down on the floor. His wife pulls him up and cleans everything. On the next day when he gets up he expects her to be really angry with him. He prays that they should not have a fight. He finds a note near the table… “Honey, your favorite breakfast is ready on the table, I had to leave early to buy grocery. I’ll come running back to you, my love. I love you. … ” He gets surprised and asks his son, “What happened last night..?” His son told him, “When mom pulled you to bed and tried removing your boots and shirt you were dead drunk and you said ‘Hey Lady! Leave me alone… I am married !!!’”

My dear friends in Christ, how many fathers are there who make their family happy? Being a father is not just about fulfilling one’s social or personal role but it is by embracing the vocation which God has given him. By so doing, he makes his family happy.

Being a father means being chosen by God. Not all can become a father unless God chooses him to be one. In our Gospel, (Matthew 1:18-25), Joseph wanted to leave Mary upon knowing that she bears in her womb the son of God. But God himself did not allow Joseph to leave Mary. God through his messenger revealed the vocation of Joseph to be the human father of Jesus.

Being a father means to be consecrated, i.e., separated from among others. Once a man becomes a father, he is called to leave behind his bachelor’s life and take his responsibility over his family. A father should embrace his vocation like what Joseph did even at the point of risking his life. It is nice to see some fathers who spend their Christmas vacation with their families rather than with anybody else.

Being a father means to be committed. Fathers who are committed recognize their essential role in loving their families. They make their house a home where as fathers they protect and take care of their household members. They live and die as good fathers of their families.

We pray then during this Christmas season, all fathers would lead their families in praying to God. May all the fathers learn the way of St. Joseph in loving their families.