“LOOKING THROUGH THE EYES OF LOVE”

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last Day of the 51^st International Eucharistic Congress

Jer 1: 4 – 5. 17 – 19 / Ps 71 / 1 Cor 12: 31 – 13:13 / Lk 4: 21 – 30

What is love? For St. Augustine, “love is the beauty of the soul.” For the great Martin Luther King, “love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” Well, let’s be more recent… For Lola Nidora, “ ang love ay hindi minamadali. Ang pag- ibig ay marunong maghintay sa tamang panahon.” And finally, for Miram Santiago, “ ang love ay parang pamasahe sa jeep, minsan, hindi ito nasusuklian.” How about you? What is love?

In our second reading today, Paul tells the Corinthians a chapter – long definition on what love is. We have to bear in mind, that when Paul sent this letter to the Corinthians, he was not trying to make some “kilig moments” with them. Rather, his hymn on love was meant to restore peace and unity in the community that has become in conflict with one another. When Paul tells them what love is; he was teaching the people that only when they have love can they look at one another as brothers and sisters. Only when they have love can they forgive and be at peace with one another.

And our Gospel today is an example of a people who lacks this kind of love. When Jesus announced to them that he was the fulfillment of Scriptures, they rejected him. They cannot accept someone like them an ordinary man to be their savior! Since they do not have love, then they fail to accept the presence of Jesus the Savior in their midst.

My dear friends, this is also our challenge this Sunday – that if we want to have peace in our relationships especially in the family then we need to have that brand of love which Paul mentions in our second reading today. In the family, if there is love, then it’s possible for the wife to understand her husband. If there is love, then it’s possible for the husband to be more truthful to his wife. If there is love, then it’s possible for children to be more respectful to their parents. For the youth of today, if you have love, then it’s easy to believe that indeed may forever! If you have love, then it’s possible to respect each other. If you have love then it’s possible to help more and hate less. Only when we have God’s love can we truly accept one another as a brother or a sister in the one family of God.

Today, we shall finally close the weeklong celebration of the 51^st International Eucharistic Congress. We have heard a lot of inspiring lectures and testimonies from the speakers. We have met a lot of new friends from other nations. Our faith has been more strengthened after seeing the ocean of people participating in the many liturgical activities. However, all these will end in futility if we do not have love. We can only appreciate the ordinary celebration of the Eucharist extraordinarily if we have love!

A few months ago, I was asked by the sisters of the Missionaries of Charity to give a recollection to the members of their youth apostolate. When I arrived in the venue, the hall was filled with many youngsters like me. Assisting in the recollection were some youth volunteers from other schools. While I was giving the talk, I noticed the enthusiasm of these youth volunteers in serving their fellow youth. During the break, I asked one of these volunteers a question, “It’s Saturday! It’s a day for gimmick and barkada outings! Why are you here?” The youth volunteer humbly replied, “Father, I am here because at one point in my life, I realize how privileged am I as a youth of today. And so, I must share such blessing by serving my fellow youth. For what is life if it is not shared with others?” For me that youth volunteer is someone who has experienced God’s love more intimately in her life. Thus, how can she not share such experience of love with others?

How about us? Does our love compel us to see others as a fellow brother and sister? Does our love compel us to serve others especially the poor? Does our love compel us to see Jesus in the Eucharist? If not, then, we beg for such brand of love in our Mass today. Amen.

Photo taken from www.freepublic.com

A EUCHARISTIC INVITATION

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

National Bible Sunday

Neh 8: 2-4. 5-6. 8-10 / Ps 19 / 1 Cor 12: 12 – 30 / Lk 1: 1-4 – 4:14-21

We always find joy every time we receive an invitation. That is why we Filipinos like to be invited. Tampuhans usually happen when someone is forgotten in the list of those invited. Quarrels usually happen when he receives an invitation while you do not. We always find joy every time we receive an invitation because to be invited means to be chosen, to feel special, and honored.  

In our first reading today which took place after the Israelites were exiled in Babylon, Ezra, the priest, invites the people to renew their covenant with God now that they have settled once again in Jerusalem and Judah. Ezra invites the people to be grateful to the Lord for delivering them from the hands of the Babylonians.

In our second reading today, St. Paul invites the Corinthians to be appreciative and grateful to God for the diverse gifts He has given to the Church. He invites them to use these gifts for the Body of Christ and not for quarrel and competition.   

Our Gospel today which is the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, the evangelist invites Theophilus to read his “orderly account” since there were already many witnesses and testimonies about this Jesus of Nazareth. Through the Gospel, Luke invites Theophilus to know the truth of the many information which he has received.

This is also true in the episode of Jesus in the synagogue today. As he claims the fulfillment of Scriptures in his very self, he invites people to listen to him for he is the anointed of God to preach the good news. However, we know that the people’s reaction was indifference for they cannot accept someone like them to become the Anointed of God.

This afternoon we shall formally begin the 51^st International Eucharistic Congress here in Cebu. Everyone is invited to come to Cebu not just in order to experience the white sand beaches or taste the “crispy – licous” lechon and sweet mangoes. This International gathering invites everyone to have a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist. It is the hope of this congress that we look at the Eucharist not just a mere Catholic obligation every Sunday. Rather, we consider the Eucharist as God’s way of inviting us to partake, to savor his very precious gift – the gift of His Son’s life giving body and blood. Every Eucharistic celebration is an invitation for us to rejoice because despite our sinfulness, Jesus continually offers his very life. Every Eucharistic celebration is a concrete proof that indeed God continues to love us eis telos (to the end)!

We can find two Greek words in the term, “eucharist” – “eu” (good) and “charis” (gift). Thus, in every Eucharistic celebration, we are invited to receive a very good gift, a “eu charis” – the gift of Jesus’ abiding presence in our lives. I hope and pray that the reason we go to Mass is not because we are running out of money, of beauty, and of time to get a partner for life that is why we ask God to help us. Rather, I hope and pray that you are all gathered here today as a response to God’s invitation to enjoy the “eu charis,” the good gift who is Jesus Christ, our Lord. For every time we respond to God’s invitation in the Eucharist, we are not only chosen and made special. Rather, we are loved and redeemed. Amen.

Photo taken from http://www.naylandandwiston.net/

OUR “ENTHUSIASTIC FAITH” IN THE SANTO NIÑO

Feast of the Sto. Niño

(Proper Feast in the Philippines)

Holy Childhood Day and Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Is 9: 1-6 / Ps 97 / Eph 1: 3-6. 15-18 / Lk 2: 41 – 52

Filipinos have a special love for the Santo Niño. This devotion to the Holy Child has been expressed in various ways. Aside from the usual kingly features of the Santo Niño, devotees dress their images according to their profession. Thus, we can see a Santo Niño dressed as a policeman, a fireman, a doctor, etc. Almost in every home of Filipinos, an image of the Santo Niño is always visible. Even in business, to be “surer” with their income, businessman place near their counters an image of both the Santo Niño and the golden cat that waves its hand for eternity. Indeed, Filipinos have a special love for the Santo Niño.

But let me ask you a question: Every time you look at the image of the Santo Niño what do you see? Take away his imperial crown, his majestic cape, his golden scepter, globe, and boots, and his clothes adorned with gold and precious stones. All that will be left is the image of a vulnerable and innocent child. However, my dear friends, this child is no ordinary one for in our first reading today, he is called the “Wonder Counselor, God Hero, Father Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful.” Through the birth of this child, we, as our second reading puts it, enjoy “every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” For through his birth, we have been destined for God’s adoption as his sons and daughters.

In our Gospel today, despite being the Son of God and having all the rights and privileges to remain with His Father in the Temple, the Santo Niño remained obedient and went home with Mary and Joseph. And it was in that humble family at Nazareth, that Jesus grew up in wisdom, age, and grace.

My dear friends, Pope Francis during his homily on the Feast of the Santo Niño at the Quirino Grandstand last year, admired the country for having received a very special gift of God, a special blessing of being the “foremost Catholic nation in Asia.”  We cannot but be proud of our “enthusiastic faith” in the Santo Niño. However, our Gospel reminds us that this faith should be like that of the child Jesus who LISTENED and OBEYED his parents. Our faith should continue to listen not only to the voice of God but also to the voice of our suffering brothers and sisters.

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us listen to the voice of God who constantly calls us to DAILY REPENTANCE and CONVERSION. For what use is our “sayaw sayaw to the Santo Niño” if “sayaw-wa diay ang atong kinabuhi.” Let us also listen to the voice of our brothers and sisters who are suffering from the world’s greed and selfishness. For what use is our singing of the Gozos to the Santo Niño if we ourselves do not sing the song of our suffering brethren. My dear children of God, Pope Francis is very much delighted with us Filipinos because of our “enthusiastic faith.” May we truly show this enthusiasm not only in our colorful costumes and beautiful choreographies during the Sinulog. Rather, may we truly express this enthusiastic faith in our obedience to the voice of God and in our service to the rest of humanity.

A man once had a conversation of God. Before God, he enumerated to Him all his frustrations on earth. “O Lord, you once said, that we simply have to seek and we shall find; and to knock and the door will be opened for us. However, we have prayed a lot. Yet there are still many children who are dying every day because of hunger. There are still many women who are victims of human trafficking. Corruption in our country in unsolvable. Human life has become very cheap because of the many wars and acts of terrorism. I guess it’s time for you to end this world for there is no more hope for a better future.” After his long litany of complaints, God simply asked him a question, “I have given you your hands and feet. Have you already used them to save even a single street child on the street?”

As we celebrate the feast of the Santo Niño, may we use our hands not only in waving in front of his image. May we use our feet not only in joining the foot procession of his image. Rather, may we use our hands and feet in helping a suffering brother and sister in our world today. Amen.

Pit Senyor! Viva Senyor Santo Niño!

STO. NIÑO: WELLSPRING OF MERCY AND COMPASSION

Third Day Novena in honor of the Santo Niño de Cebu

1 Jn 5: 14 – 21 / Ps 149 / Jn 3: 22 – 30

January 9, 2016, 7:00PM Mass

Unsa may inyong buhaton kon kamo makadawat og usa ka bililhong gasa? Dihay tulo ka managsuon nga nagkasinabot nga mohatag sila og mga regalo sa ilang inahan nga mag 90^th birthday. Mao nga sa adlaw sa dili pa ang birthday sa ilang inahan, ila na kining gihatod ang ilang mga gasa. Ang eldest mihatod og usa ka yawe sa house and lot. Ang tunga tunga mihatod og usa ka yawe sa brand new car. Ang youngest kay siya man lagi nagtubo uban sa iyang mama nagpalit og usa ka manok. Ang manok bililhon tungod kay kini naka-memorize sa tanang pag-ampo sa Katoliko. Mao nga para niya gamit kaayo ang manok sa iyang mama matag bisita niini sa Simbahan. Kon makalimot ang iyang mama sa pag-ampo ang manok ra mismo ang mosumpay niini. Pila’y estorya, nagkatigom dayon sila sa sunod adlaw aron sa pagsaulog sa 90^th birthday sa ilang mama. Samtang nangaon sila, nangutana ang eldest, “Ma, kumusta man ang akong regalo kanimo?” Ug mitubag ang inahan, “ Salamat, Dong. Apan ako lang kini ihatag nimo ang house and lot kay kaslonon ra ba ikaw karong tuiga.” Ug nasubo ang eldest. Nangumusta dayon ang ikaduha sa iyang regalo. Ug mitubag ang inahan, “ Salamat dong, apan malipayon naman ko sa atong sakyanan. Mao nga akong gibaligya ang imong gihatag ug ang halin akong ipamisa sa Basilica.” Ug nasubo ang ikaduhang anak. Busa, nagpanikad ang kinamanghuran. “Unya Ma, kumusta akong regalo?” Ug nalipay ang iyang inahan. Giingnan siya, “Salamat Dong! Lipay kaayo ko sa imong regalo! Kay ang manok nga atong gikaon karon mao ni siya imong gihatag gahapon! Lami kaayo! Sarap to the bones!” Ug nakuyapan ang kinamanghuran. Unsa may inyong buhaton kon kamo makadawat og us aka bililhong gasa?

Mga igsoon ko diha ni Kristo. Kon atong balikon ang kasaysayan sa imahen sa atong mahal nga Senor Santo Nino, atong mahinumduman, nga ang maong imahen, usa ka bililhong gasa ni Padre Pedro Valderama, ngadto ni Rayna Juana, sa dihang siya gibunyagan.

Apan kon ato pa gayud ipadayon ang kasaysayan sa mahal nga Senyor, atong masayran nga hangtod karon ang Santo Niño, nagpabilin nga usa ka bililhong gasa alang kanato tungod kay siya man, matod pa sa atong tema karong tuiga, mao ang WELLSPRING OF MERCY AND COMPASSION. Siya man ang tinubdan sa kaluoy ug kaaghop. Siya man ang “face of mercy!”

Ug ang maong kamatuoran: SANTO NINO: WELLSPRING OF MERCY AND COMPASSION, gipaklaro sa atong mga pagbasa karon. Diha sa first reading, giklaro ni Juan nga ang Ginoo mao gayud ang wellspring of mercy and compassion tungod kay “if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Ug gidawat usab ni Juan Magubunyag diha sa atong Ebanghelyo karon nga siya dili mao ang Mesiyas, dili mao ang wellspring of mercy and compassion. Mao nga “I must decrease, he must increase.”

Kay lagi ang Santo Niño usa ka bililhong gasa man tungod sa iyang pagka wellspring of mercy and compassion, nan, kinahanglan diay natong ipakabili ang atong pagdebosyon sa mahal nga Senyor! Sa unsang paagi?

Kinsa may mga ginikanan dinhi, pataas daw sa kamot? Pagbantay lang mo dili mo makuotan dinha ha! Sayud gyud ko nga usa ka dakong gasa sa inyong kinabuhi dili ang inyong mga bana. Kay karon kining mga bana ninyo dagko nag tiyan sama sa pari nga nagwali karon. Dili pud ang inyong mga asawa kay saba-an na kaayo sila. Para ninyo mga ginikanan, ang inyong mga anak, mao gayud ang dakong gasa sa inyong kinabuhi, amen? Mao nga pangandoy gyud ninyo nga makalampus sila sa pag-eskwela, amen? Diha bitaw toy usa ka anak miuli siya sa ila ug namalita sa iyang mama. “Ma, naa koy good news nimo nga buy 1 take 1!” “Unsa man, dong?” “Buy 1, ma, kay karong Marso mo graduate nako, Summa Cum Laude!” “Unya ang take 1, Dong?” “Karong Marso sad, Ma, mahimo nakang, Lola! Naana kay apo, kaluha pa gyud!” Damgo ninyo mga ginikanan nga adunay nindot nga kaugmaon ang inyong mga anak.

Mao usab kini ang paagi aron atong mapakabili ang Senyor Santo Nino. Nga unta maanindot ang atong kaugmaon pinaagi sa pagkahisama kaniya. Nga unta maliwat kita sa Senyor! Nga mahimo usab kita nga mga WELLSPRING OF MERCY AND COMPASSION!

Diha sa pamilya…Mamahimo unta ang pamilya isip usa ka lugar sa mercy and compassion. Matod pa ni Pope Francis, “It’s okay to argue in the family. If plates fly, then let them fly. But end the day being at peace with one another.” Kung inato pani… Hala, paglalis mo diha tibuok adlaw, basta, inig kagabii, pagdulog gihapon mo! At the end of the day, families must practice peace, forgiveness, understanding, and respect.

Diha sa trabaho…Mamahimo unta kitang mga wellspring of mercy and compassion diha sa atong mga opisina ug trabahoan. Dili gyud malalis nato nga naa kitay mga kauban o mga boss nga bati na gani og nawong, bati pa gyud kaayo og batasan. Dili ba? Hala, ato ni silang pakpakan! Kay kini sila ang mga “Ms. Germany” sa atong kinabuhi! Hinaut unta we become merciful and compassionate towards these kind of people. Kung singhagan ka, ayaw pud singhagi! Kay puros mo anang mga walay buot! Let us be merciful and more understanding towards these people. Ato nalang sabton kay basta bati gyud kag nawong, bati gyud na!

Kamong mga batan-on ug mga estudyante…Ilabi na kamong naa dinha sa City Hall side, naas kadalanan, ug naas mga suok kay nag date date samtang nagwali ko…tiwasa nana kay hapit nako mahumans wali… Please…Please… I beg you… be wellsprings of mercy and compassion! How? Tiwasa intawn na inyong pag eskwela! Ayaw unta tiwasi ang inyong mga ginikanan nga singot ug dugo gipa-agas aron kamo mabuhi! Hunonga na ng sige’g selfie selfie kundili focus on yourself so that you will really make your dream come true! Ato pa gyud nga pun-an puslan man kamo ang pinakadaghan karon. Please… paminaw intawn kamo sa inyong mga ginikanan! Bahala’g dili mo ganahan nila because they are God’s gifts for you! Ayaw mo sige’g paminaw anang inyong mga barkada nga walay klaro o sa inyong mga uyab nga walay ayo! Kay na, ma “Colombia – zoned” gyud mo! Hatag bawi ba nga kalipay! Paasa ba!

Mga igsoon ko diha ni Kristo, sa atong pagpadayon pagtagamtam sa bililhong gasa sa Santo Niño, atong hinumduman nga dakong INSULTO sa maong gasa kung…

Sige tag bato balani, apan sige usab kita pamato sa kinabuh sa uban!

Sige tag kantag kanamo maluoy ka unta, apan mas yabag pa ang atong batasan kaysa atong tingog!

Sige tag luhod luhod, hilak hilak atubangan sa Senyor, apan sige kitag pahilak sa uban kay ato silang gipasaligan nga naay forever, apan, #walangforever diay!

Sige tag sayaw sayaw, prititit! Prititit! Apan sayaw-wa diay ang atong kinabuhi!

Mga igsoon, ato lamang mapakabili ang gasa sa Santo Niño, kung kita maliwat niya; kung kita mamahimo usab nga wellspring of mercy and compassion!

Dihay Obispo nga nangumusta sa us aka lay minister sa parokya. Iyang gipagumusta ang maong alagad. Busa mitubag ang lay minister, “Matag Dominggo, Bishop, ako maonhi sa parokya aron mosimba unya mokuha usab og Eukaristiya para akong madala sa bukid. Round trip nako nga biyahe maabot og sobra 60 kilometros.” Ug nangutana ang Obispo, “Unya Brod., pila may plite nimos habal habal matag anhi nimo sa parokya?” Ug ang lay man mapaubsanon nga mitubag, “ Kung plite ang atong hisgotan, Bishop, nan, dili gyud ko maka anhi dinhi. Busa, maglakaw ako matag Dominggo.”

Mga igsoon, ang lay man usa ka buhing tinubdan sa kaluoy ug kaaghop ngadto sa uban. How about us? Kita? Kamo? Ikaw? Nahimo ka na ba nga us aka WELLSPRING OF MERCY AND COMPASSION ngadto sa uban? Amen!

Pit Senyor!

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

The Baptism of the Lord (First Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Is 42: 1 – 4, 6 – 7/ Ps 29 / Acts 10: 34 – 38 / Lk 3: 15 – 16, 21 – 22

We are a people of great expectations! This is the reason why people flock the Itim na Nazareno sa Quiapo every 9^th of January and the Santo Niño in Cebu every 3^rd Sunday of January because through their intercessions, they will bring to reality our expectations in life. However, sometimes reality does not live up to our expectations. What we hope for is not given to us. That is why when expectations fail, we either say, “Mahirap talaga umasa sa mga taong paasa” or post in our FB wall, “WTF! – Wala Talagang Forever!”

This is also the case in our Gospel narrative today. Right at the beginning of the story, Luke tells us that the people were “filled with expectation and were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah.” But reality did not live up to their expectation. John tells them straight that it is not about him but about Jesus. “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.” In fact, to highlight this point, Luke, unlike in Matthew and Mark, never mentions about John baptizing the Lord. Rather, Luke attributes Jesus’ baptism to the work of God himself.

Since the people’s expectations were not met in reality, we see their reaction in the fourth chapter of Luke vv. 16 – 30. Right at the start of Jesus’ public ministry, people from his own place rejected him. Their Messiah cannot be someone who lives like them.

Contrast to the people’s failed expectation is the Father’s delight in his Son when a voice was heard from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

In our relationship with God, we too have a lot of expectations. We expect that God will be like this and like that. We expect that God is like Google na alam lahat ang sagot sa mga katanungan sa buhay. We expect that God is like Facebook na like ng like nalang sa mga posts natin sa buhay. And so, when reality does not live up to our expectations from God, then, like the people in the Gospel, we also reject him. We run away from Him.

My dear friends, we expect a lot from God. However, have we also asked ourselves, what are God’s expectations to my life? We have to remind ourselves, that during our own Baptism, the heavens also opened and God has also claimed us to be his own. Thus, we realize that God too is expecting something from us – that we become like his Son who according to our second reading today, “went about doing good and healing all that we oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

As we end the season of Christmas and begin the Ordinary time, let us ask ourselves, “Have we lived up to God’s expectations? Is our present reality a fulfillment of God’s expectation to be like his Son?” If after many years of attending the novena Masses at the Basilica and waiting for hours just to touch the image of the Holy Child, we are still negligent and irresponsible as a father, mother, husband, wife, student, religious, and as a Christian, then, we have not yet lived up to God’s expectation as his children.

We are a people of great expectations. Thus, what do you expect from God? But let me also ask you the other side of the coin, what does God expect from you? Amen.

Photo taken from  http://assets8.classicfm.com/2012/16/handel-messiah-1334753405-article-0.jpg

“BEARING GIFTS WE TRAVERSE AFAR”

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord

Pro Negritis Sunday

Is 60: 1 – 6 / Ps 72 / Eph 3:2. 5 – 6 / Mt. 2: 1 – 12

One of the things which we considered during the Holiday season was on the gifts which we will give to our loved ones, inaanak, or to our manito – manita. We must think and choose very well the gifts that we will be giving so that we can avoid comments such as, “Ang yaman naman niya, pero ang kuripot naman niya sa regalo… Hay naku, walang pinagka-iba ang regalo niya at mukha niya, puro pangit!” Indeed, we must choose well our gifts.

Today, we are celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this feast, Jesus is made known this time to all peoples. The glory of Jesus is revealed to people outside Israel. The visit of the shepherds marked the revelation of Jesus to Israel. In today’s Gospel, in the visit of the magi, Jesus is revealed to the whole world.

In our gospel, we heard of three wise men bringing gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. If we try to examine these gifts, we realize that they are not practical at all. Those gifts were not a necessity to the family. They would rather opt for food, clothing, or a more decent shelter than gold, incense, and myrrh. However, my dear friends, if we reflect more deeply into the text, we realize that such visit of the magi is not a simple “namamasko.” Rather, their gifts express the purpose of their visit – that they acknowledge the royal dignity and lordship of Jesus Christ.

In our first reading, we heard that the Gentiles will bring gold and incense as gifts of homage before the God of Israel. Myrrh is used for preserving the dead. If we move forward in the life of Christ, Jesus’ death does not need myrrh because his resurrection is more powerful than death. Indeed, the gifts of the magi go beyond practicality. They reveal their inner desire of seeking fulfillment in their lives.

The story of the three wise men is also our own story. We too are on a journey in this world. Along this journey, there are people who are like the star – they bring us to Christ. Yet there are also people who are like Herod – they deceive us and lead us away from Christ. Yet what is important in this journey is our acceptance that in the end, what matters is our humble recognition of the kingship of Christ in our lives. What matters in this journey is our acknowledgement that we need God.

My dear friends, because of this very highly sophisticated world, there is a strong temptation to resist on the kingship of Christ in our lives. Some of us would say, “I worked hard for this wealth. I worked hard for this health. I sacrificed a lot for this money and stable future. And now you are insisting on God’s presence in our lives?”

Like the magi who were brilliant men during their time yet paid homage to Christ, let us also bow in humility and remember the words of St. Francis, “everything comes from God. What we can claim as our own is our sinfulness.”

Like the magi who went back home in another way after visiting the Christ, we too will experience another kind of life if we recognize Jesus as our Lord and King. It is not a problem free life but a life of being assured of His love for you and me.

The song, The Impossible Dream, has this to sing for us, “this is my quest to follow the star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far.” My dear friends, as we begin the new year, let this be our quest, to always follow the Star ng Pasko, who is Christ, no matter how hopeless and far life seems to be because only when we follow Christ, when we acknowledge his lordship can our impossible dreams become a reality. Amen!