3rd Day of Simbang Gabi (December 18, 2023)

     Who is Joseph, being the father of Jesus and a husband of Mary – the guardian of the Holy Family?

     Our gospel on this third day of the “Simbang Gabi” (Mt. 1:18 -25) clarifies all things and somehow answers all our questions.

     Joseph, first and foremost, is conscientious to God’s law and commandments and at the same time obedient to God’s will and instructions. Clearly, his faithfulness is very much connected to his very person being so meek and mild. In other words, Joseph, the husband of Mary, the foster father of our Lord Jesus, is at the same time both faithful and humble. For short, he is a righteous man.

     Mga kapatid, tunay ngang isang taong matuwid si Jose na noon ay takdang ikasal kay Maria. Katulad ng ibang ordinaryong lalake sa kanyang kapanahunan, malamang mayroon na s’yang inukit na mga plano para sa kanyang magiging mag-anak. Ang isang katulad niya, tiyak ay may naisip nang mga dapat paghandaan at gagawin para maitaguyud at maalagaan ang kanyang pamilya.

     However, all of these wonderful thoughts and inspired plans crumbled down as soon as he discovered that Mary bears a child. Consequently, Joseph had entertained the idea of secretly (to save her face from shame and public ridicule) leaving Mary. But, as we have known from today’s Gospel, an angel appeared in his dream, telling him to accept Mary as his wife, and be not afraid to fulfill it, for Mary conceives the child of the Most High through the power of the Holy Spirit. Right away, and completely without any doubt at all, he let go of all his personal plans and instead let the will of God be fulfilled in him and through him. Joseph is indeed a shining concrete example of faithfulness, with a humble and obedient heart, as a simple servant of the Lord.

     “Mga kapatid, tunay nga na ang isang konkretong pamamaraan ng pagsasabuhay ng totoong diwa ng pasko, ay ang pagpapamalas ng kababaang  loob (humility) at pagiging matuwid sa mga mata ng Diyos (blameless and upright in the eyes of God).”

     May we remind ourselves once again, dear brothers and sisters, that Christmas is not just about entertainments and a fulfillment of social traditions. Surely, Christmas is not just about decors, lights, parties,  music, gifts and bonuses. Much less, it’s not about money-making. Rather, most importantly, Christmas is all about people, family, love ones and friends. It’s about you and me. Over and above all, Christmas is all about our relationship with God. If ever, we don’t become better and better persons in our relationship with God and neighbors, in every passing of Christmas, then everything has no meaning and value, at all. It will just turn out to be another wasted opportunity, supposedly dedicated for goodness and love.

     Si Jose, ay kinalugdan ng Diyos, dahil una at higit sa lahat, siya ay kalugod-lugod sa mata ng Diyos at tao sa lahat ng panahon.

     Kaya naman, para sa ating lahat is Jose ay isang:

     Kristmas Tree – dahil namamasdan natin na ang kanyang mabubuting katangian at gawa ang siyang nagbibigay kulay at palamuti ng kanyang buhay;
     Kampana – dahil tayo ay kanyang inaakit tungo sa wastong daan upang maglakbay ng tahimik na may kababaan ng kalooban;
     Tala at Ilaw – dahil tayo ay kanyang tinatanglawan sa ating pagtahak sa daan ng pagkakaintindihan, pagbibigayan at pagkakaisa;
     Regalo – dahil siya ating naging modelo ng isang tunay na kapatid, kaibigan at kakampi;
      Belen – dahil tangan niya, isinabuhay niya ang tunay na imahen ng kapaskuhan. Ang batang Hesus na naging kapiling natin.

     Kapatid, paketingnan  naman po ang katabi mo at paketanong, “Ikaw ba ang PASKO ng buhay ko?” “Bakit?” “Kasi nakikita ko na sa’yo si Kristo!”

      Brothers and sisters, maybe we can now all sing:
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
But the prettiest sight to see is the [holiness of your face]
On your own front door.”

A very Merry Christmas for those who look like Christ in this Mass! AMEN!