A BLESSED and Merry Christmas and New Year to all of you!
For my column this Christmas, I’d like to quote Bishop Robert Baron in one of his Advent reflections. Contrasting our personal will to God’s will and purpose in our lives, here’s what he says:
“We are dominated today by the ego-drama in all of its ramifications and implications. The ego-drama is the play that I’m writing, I’m producing, I’m directing, and I’m starring in. We see this absolutely everywhere in our culture. Freedom of choice reigns supreme: I become the person that I choose to be.
The theo-drama is the great story being told by God, the great play being directed by God. What makes life thrilling is to discover your role in it. This is precisely what has happened to Mary. She has found her role—indeed a climactic role—in the theo-drama, and she wants to conspire with Elizabeth, who has also discovered her role in the same drama. And like Mary, we have to find our place in God’s story.”
As we reflect on our lives and the happenings of this world today, I suggest that we come to a fuller understanding of God’s purpose for each one of us and for the world that he created for us. Let’s reflect if we are faithfully playing the role that he has given to each one of us. Indeed, are we allowing him to direct our lives? Are we open to his will and purpose? Are we happy with the parts we play whether they are big or small?
We are all part of God’s story, which must continue in the present and future times. His story must always cover the themes of incessant love, boundless mercy, and the persistent invitation to his life of holiness and service. As some of my brother priests have said in their Simbang Gabi homilies, His story is our story.
Today God is challenging us to relive the story of his Son, Jesus Christ, in a world that has been mired in so much violence, terror, killings, hatred and divisions. He is inviting us to bring out in the world the peace of the Child Jesus, the love and forgiveness of the Crucified Lord, and the hope and joy of the Risen Christ.
We pray for our world leaders. May their leaderships that affect human lives become part of the “theo-drama” than an “ego-drama.” May their decisions and works reflect only God’s will as He revealed to us in Scriptures and Tradition.
We pray for one another. May we never be discouraged to do what is right for our countries, cities, neighborhoods, and families. Whatever creed, religion, and political ideals we embrace, may we live in harmony and peace. May all of us, especially the young generation, use technology and social media to create relationships that promote mutual respect, human decency, and truthfulness.
Finally, we pray for Mother Earth, our common home, as Pope Francis reminds us. May we, every citizen of this globe, protect it from further destructions. May we follow our conscience to preserve its beauty and richness. May we all be good and kind stewards of God’s creation.
We pray to our Mother, Mary. May she intercede for the needs of our families and the world! Amen.
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From a Filipino immigrant family, Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas was ordained to the priesthood from St. John’s Seminary in 1991. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Augustine, Culver City (1991-1993); St. Martha, Valinda (1993-1999); and St. Joseph the Worker, Canoga Park (1999-2001). In 2001, he served as Administrator Pro Tem of St. John Neumann in Santa Maria, CA, until his appointment as pastor of ImmAaculate Heart of Mary, Los Angeles, in 2002, which lasted 12 years. His term as Associate Director of Pastoral Field Education at St. John’s Seminary began in July 2014.
