MERRY Christmas and Happy New Year! Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!
Throughout the Simbang Gabi Masses in my parish, I never got tired of reading and listening to the stories of the birth of Jesus, our Savior. There was always a thought or a word that struck me and spoke to me. There were always interpretations and homilies that brought new meanings to me. Indeed, when I tried to uncover layers of interpretation of these infancy narratives, I would surely discover a fine pearl, a precious jewel: a Good News!
One biblical text of these infancy narratives that has given me new light and inspiration was the Angel Gabriel’s words to Mary on the announcement of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid , Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus…The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”
As I examined this text closely, I remembered one of the consistent motifs in the Gospel of Luke, that is, the significant place or role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the People of God of every generation and in every period of history. I realized that we cannot underestimate or underplay the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives and in the world. The Holy Spirit is God causing us and using us to be bearers and channels of grace. It is God moving our hearts to commit, to love, to serve, to forgive, to bring life and hope to others. Mary’s fiat, her willingness to submit herself to the plan and will of God, was certainly the power and movement of the Holy Spirit in her life.
The large number of people that attended our nine Simbang Gabi Masses at five o’clock in the morning and the joyful manifestation of their faith were, indeed, the workings of the Holy Spirit. This phenomenon could not be explained in other deeper ways; it goes beyond culture or tradition. People’s hearts were truly moved to come to Church because of their faith, which was nourished by the music, the preaching, the solemn prayers, the warmth, and even the laughter of fellow worshippers.
This Christmas we need to be more conscious of the presence and the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Every act of love and kindness we show, every gift we share, every greeting and every word of encouragement we give to others are fruits of the Holy Spirit. We may think that they come from our personal efforts and the natural goodness of our hearts; but, truthfully, they come from God who inspires us through the Holy Spirit.
Recently, many of us have felt the urge to help the victims of Typhoon Sendong in the Philippines. We have felt moved to donate or to do something. That’s God’s hand, the Holy Spirit, filling our hearts with love and compassion. That’s God’s voice telling us to reach out to those in need. Let us heed to this invitation! Let us live this coming year with the greater sense of the presence of God who journeys with us in joys and sorrows, in prosperity and poverty. Amen!
* * *
Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California and earned his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri. For twenty years, he has been in the parish ministry of large multi-cultural communities. Since 2002, he has been the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Los Angeles. Please email Fr. Rodel at [email protected].