Fifth
Day of the Misa de Gallo
Is. 7:10 – 14 / Ps 24 / Lk 1: 26 – 38
How do
you take care of the gifts that you receive? Three sons agreed to give their
mother special gifts on her 90th birthday. And so, a day before the
big day, the three delivered their gifts to their ancestral home – the eldest
son gave her mother the key of the new house and lot; the middle son gave a key
of a brand new luxurious car; and the youngest son bought a very priceless
chicken that can speak all the prayers and novenas. Since her mother can no
longer memorize everything, the chicken would be the one that will dictate to
her mother all the prayers and novenas. The following day while at table, the
sons asked their mother about their gifts. The mother said to the elder son,
“Anak, since ikakasal kana next month, I’m giving this house and lot to you
because you need it more for your family. I am already happy living inside this
house.” The elder son became sad. Then the mother told her second son, “Anak, I
do not need a new car. Instead, I would rather sell this car and give the money
to the ongoing renovation of the parish.” The second son also became sad.
Finally, the youngest son was excited. The mother said to the youngest, “Anak,
I was very happy with your gift because the chicken which we are eating right
now is your gift to me! Sarap to the bones!” And the youngest son fainted.
How do you take care of the gifts that you
receive?
My dear
friends we are now on the fifth day of our Misa de Gallo. The fifth day is also
called the “Golden Mass” because our Gospel today gives us a very precious
gold, a priceless gift – our Lord Jesus Christ. At the Annunciation, the
mystery of the Incarnation took place. “And the Word became Flesh. And dwelt
among us.” Jesus is a very priceless gift because such a gift does not only
make us happy but can grant us salvation. Therefore, let us ask ourselves, how
do we take care of God’s gifts in our lives?
Let us
learn from the example of Mary. After hearing the Good News and clarifying such
a reality, Mary said, “I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me
according to your word.” These words of Mary teach us a very important attitude
we all must have as we receive the gift of Christ – COMMITMENT. The word
“commitment” comes the Latin word, “mitto, mittere” which means “to send.” In
commitment, a person is sent into the life of the other. And when this happens,
a relationships blossoms.
However,
the world is very indifferent to commitment right now. We do not want to be
sent into the lives of others. We no longer believe na may forever in our
relationships. In our families, the lack of commitment is a big factor why we
have a lot of problems. Kasi tumaba na si Misis, then, the Mister looks for
another sexy Misis. Kasi walang pera na si Mister, then, then the Misis looks
for an illegal husband. Couples no longer believe than in marriage there is a
“no return, no exchange” policy between the husband and wife. Young people
today no longer wait for the “tamang panahon.” Instead, they simply follow
their feelings – “hala bira!” Instead of being sent into the life of the other,
people today run away when problems come. But the Little Prince is reminding
us, “You are responsible for what you have tamed.” Therefore, let us be
committed in our relationships today for these are God’s gifts to us.
My dear
friends, let us learn from Mary who claim responsibility to the gift which she received.
Let us ask the inspiration of Mary who was willing to be sent into the life of
God. Jesus has been given to us as a gift, may we be committed to him by being
committed in our relationships today.
And so,
let us ask ourselves…
Is our
commitment to God hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan?
May
forever ba in your relationships today?
Amen.
Photo taken from totallyhistory.com
No comments:
Post a Comment