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The
highest courage is to dare to be yourself in the face of adversity,
choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over
popularity.
Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for THERE IS
NEVER A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING.
-
Bishop Soc Villegas
25 July 2007
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THE COMING OF THE SAVIOR
“And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us”
(John 1:14a)
December 25, 2008
My beloved brethren in Christ,
“Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great
joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a
savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.” (Lk 2:10-11).
Thus did the angel of the Lord proclaim to the shepherds the birth of
Jesus.
“And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the
angel, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on
earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” (Lk 2:13-14). Heaven
burst out in joyful celebration and worship. Indeed, it was the most
momentous moment in all history, when God came into the world as a human
baby, to usher in the start of the life and work of the Savior of the
world.
Today we Christians celebrate Christmas. Despite problems and woes, we
manage to be joyful. Despite antagonisms and conflicts, we manage to
wish goodwill to others. Despite tragedies and injustice, we manage,
even for just a moment, to feel peace within us.
But what will the new year bring? In a week’s time, will the peace and
joy of Christmas already be a thing of the past, something that was
briefly enjoyed in the year that has gone?
It does not have to be that way. The angel talked of not being afraid,
of good news, of great joy, of the universality of the good news.
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The birth of Jesus is
good news. It is the greatest news ever. A Savior has been born. We
will be redeemed from sin and darkness. Our lives can be turned
totally around, for the better.
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This great news is
for all. For even the vilest of sinners. Nay, precisely for the
vilest of sinners. No one is to be excluded from the grace and
blessing of God.
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And so all should
rejoice. Salvation, transformation, renewal, deliverance, grace upon
grace, fullness of lifeall these are within reach. And God desires
for all to have them.
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So we should no
longer be afraid. No matter what our situation in life, no matter
how deep in the pit we are at the moment, we can confidently look
forward to God’s action on our behalf. And if God is for us, who
can be against us? We can move on with our lives with confidence and
trust.
But after two millennia, why is the world, already lighted up by the
birth of the Savior, still in darkness, in conflict, and unhappy?
It is because we have not done our part. What then must we do? First, we
must allow Jesus to be born in our very own hearts. We must be
personally transformed in Christ, and live out our lives according to
the ways of the Savior. We must grow in holiness.
Second, we must allow Jesus to be born in our homes. We must build a
family for Christ, and live in a home inhabited as well by the Holy
Spirit. In our home, all will be formed with truly Christian values.
Finally, we must work such that Jesus is born in every other heart as
well. We must do the work of evangelization. We must proclaim Christ to
the whole world. Jesus depends on us! To proclaim this good news, this
salvation in Jesus, this reign of Jesus in our lives, this coming of
peace into the worldthis task is our privilege and our responsibility.
When we do so, the heavenly host will again burst out with exultant joy.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad
tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and
saying to Zion, ‘Your God is King!’” (Is 52:7).
Let us shout for joy for the Lord restores us, and let us break out in
song for the Lord redeems us (Is 52:8-9). Let us live such that Jesus
becomes incarnate in our lives and makes his dwelling among us. And let
us work such that “all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation
of our God.” (Is 52:10b).
This is what Christmas means. That is how Christmas will remain in
people’s hearts and lives, long after the festive celebrations have
ceased.
Have a blessed Christmas.
Your brother and servant,
Frank Padilla
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