Christmas Mass at Midnight 2018: Silent Night, Holy Night

CHRISTMAS 2018

YEAR OF THE YOUTH

DECEMBER 25, 2018

JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!

If people ask me about my favorite Christmas song, I immediately answer: “Silent Night.” My mother told me that on my first Christmas on earth (December 1968), I cried whenever a caroler sang “Silent Night.” The same happened whenever it is played over the radio. Until today, the song haunts me in a very special way. This is the reason why wherever I am assigned, I always insist on singing “Silent Night” as entrance song for Midnight Mass. Apart from sentimental reasons, this song was really composed for the Midnight Mass. The story goes that in the Church St. Nicholas in the small town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, the organ broke down and it was impossible to repair it in time for midnight Mass. The priest, Fr. Josef Mohr. inspired by the peace of the surroundings, wrote a poem and asked Franz Xaver Gruber to compose the music for it. “Silent Night” was first sung on Christmas Eve of 1818…exactly 200 years today.

The song captured the atmosphere of the night of the Savior’s birth. Bethlehem was teeming with people because Caesar Augustus declared a world-wide census. Everybody had to return to their homeland to comply to this decree. St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin went home to Bethlehem just like everybody else who came from the Clan of King David. The situation there might have been chaotic but let us not forget that the census was made possible because the whole world was at peace. As there was no room in the inn, Mary and Joseph were forced to take shelter in a cave where animals were made to rest during the night. It was the ideal place for the birth of the Savior because it was away from the bustling hotels which were filled for the night. It was a very private place…a quiet place…for animals really rest at night. We humans have the tendency to disturb the silence of night time…but not the animals. At night, they simply kept silent because that is how they really are. The background of silence was the best context of the birth of the Word of God on earth. For when can the Word be heard most if not in the middle of silence?

It was a silent night. It was a holy night. Silence does not necessarily imply holiness. Sometimes, silence is imposed by threats (dulot ng banta). Bugbog o dignidad? Threats like this oftentimes condemn people to silence. (tumutulak sa mga tao na manahimik na lang) People keep silent because they do not want to get involved. Ayaw madamay. Others keep silent so as not to further aggravate the aggressor. (lalong mayamot) Tumahimik ka na lang para di ka masaktan. Fear also forces people to be silent. Wag kang kikibo kung ayaw mong masaktan.

But the silence of that night was not caused by fear. Rather, it was caused by love: Son of God, Love’s pure light; radiant beams from thy holy face with the dawn of redeeming grace. The Son of God appeared on earth tonight. He shines in the middle of darkness as Light from Light. But this light is not invasive (mapanghimasok) like the flash light of an arresting police officer. This light is the radiance (kariktan) of God’s face, a face that appears not to condemn (magparusa) but to redeem. It is not a light that hurts the eye. But rather, it is a radiance that attracts, a countenance (mukha) that invites contemplation because it is a loving and gentle (maamo) countenance. This holy infant, so tender (mayumi) and mild (maamo), sleeps in heavenly peace. Thus, we come to him in silence not because we do not want to startle him (Magbiro ka na sa lasing, wag lang sa bagong gising.) but because we want to whisper to him our love and affection. We love him because he “appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age…” Now, we are at peace because he is our peace with the Father and with one another. On this night of his birth, the only song that pierced the silence of the night is that of the heavenly multitude that sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Jesus himself told us that when we enter a house, we should say: Peace be upon you. And he said that if a peaceful person lives them, that peace will rest on him. Tonight, he entered our world and the angels greet us “peace on earth.” Are you a peaceful person? Are you at peace with God? Are you at peace with each other? Are you at peace with yourself? If you are at peace, then God’s favor rests on you. It means that you live within the scope of the silence of that holy night.

Tonight, let us approach the new-born King in silence. Let us beg him: O Prince of Peace, with humility you come to us. In similar humility, we come to you and beg you: let your peace come upon us tonight. Where there is hatred, bring us love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Prince of Peace, Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace. Grant us your everlasting peace.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Simbang Gabi 2018 9: The Dawn before Christmas morning

SIMBANG GABI 2018 9

YEAR OF THE YOUTH

DECEMBER 24, 2018

Jesus, I trust in you!

Simbang gabi ends today. We have been coming to Mass for 9 dawns already and the novena fittingly ends with a clear reference to the dawn: “In the tender compassion of our God, the Dawn from on us will break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death and to guide our feet on the way of peace.” (Sa kagandahang loob ng ating Diyos na magpapadala sa atin mula sa kaitaasan ng isang araw na sumisikat upang liwanagan ang mga nakaupo sa kadiliman at sa lilim ng kamatayan , upang ituwid ang ating mga yapak sa daan ng kapayapaan.)  Advent commemorates that long wait for the coming of the Savior. It was a waiting in the darkness of error and sin. St. Peter spoke of it: “We also have the message of the prophets, which has been confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to this message, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (Sa gayon ay tumitibay ang sinasabi ng mga propeta: mabuti ang inyong gagawin kung mamasdan ito, na gaya ng isang ilawan na tumatanglaw sa dakong madilim, hanggang sa pagbubukang liwayway at sa pagsikat ng tala sa umaga sa inyong mga puso.)  (2 Peter 1: 19) The world waited in the dark with only God’s revelation, his word of promise, as a lamp to look at until the dawning of the promised day and the rising of Christ, the morning star in our hearts.

John the Baptist was born and his birth puts an end to the long silence of God. For a long time, God sent neither prophet nor prince to his people. It was as if God got fed up with the constant adultery of his people that he decided to give them the “silent treatment.” The nine month silence of Zechariah was a sign of this. Remember that Zechariah was made mute by the angel who appeared to him before John was conceived. And when the child was circumcised and was named “John”, Zechariah’s tongue was loosened. He began to speak in prophecy. At last, God speaks to his people. At last, he has sent a prophet to them. And the purpose of the sending of the prophet was to prepare the way for the coming of the Word of God himself: “You, my child, shall be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.” (Ikaw naman, sanggol, ay tatawaging propeta ng Kataas taasan, sapagkat mangunguna ka sa Panginoon upang ihanda ang kanyang daraanan, upang ituro sa kanyang bayan ang kaligtasan sa kapatawaran ng kanilang mga kasalanan.)

The birth of John was the sign that the long wait is about to end. “The night is far spent and the day draws near…” so would St. Paul say. Soon the darkness will be over. The night will give way to the dawn. The Light of the world will be born and he will dispel the darkness of error, sin, and death. And when the day comes, we shall all see what was hidden from us under the cloak of darkness. When the darkness of sin is lifted up, we shall see how beautiful the world was meant to be. We shall see how wonderful is the life that God intended to give us. On that day, we shall realize how much the devil has stolen from us and what he has deprived us of.

Dawn is the beginning of day. It is a fresh start, a new beginning. Tired and weary, we rest our bodies in sleep. We wake up fully refreshed at dawn. Whatever mistakes we have done, whatever filth we have incurred, all these will pass away together with the darkness that is dispelled by the first streaks of the light. The Lord allows us to rise to a promise. Dawn is the opportunity to start all over again.

And this is the dawn of Christmas morning. Most of us have wonderful memories of childhood Christmas mornings. I have my own. When I was a child, I woke up on Christmas mornings always with a sense of awe. I was awed by the gifts beneath the Christmas tree and by the goodies left by Santa on the socks I hang on the wall. I hope, that tomorrow, on Christmas morning, all of us will awake with child-like wonder. Let us be like wide-eyed children as we behold the gift on God beneath the Tree of the Cross: his only begotten Son who will be born of the Virgin. When you behold him, pray to him and ask him to take away your sorrows and wipe away your tears. Ask him to dispel your darkness and drive away your fears. Ask him to forgive your sins and bring you to forgive others as well. Soon, we shall see the promise of Christmas morning. Tonight, let us go to sleep with hope in our hearts. Whatever darkness you are going through, it will come to end. The dawn from on high shall break upon us!

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Simbang Gabi 2018 8: The Messenger who goes before the Lord

SIMBANG GABI 2018 8

YEAR OF THE YOUTH

DECEMBER 23, 2018

 

Jesus, I trust in you!

Advance party…this is the most appropriate description I can give of the birth of John the Baptist. If there is any significance in this birth, it is not that he was sort of a miracle baby born to aged parents. It is also not that his father’s tongue was loosened on the day of his circumcision. The significance of this birth is described by the prophet Malachi: I will send my messenger before you to prepare the way before you.”  This baby is no ordinary messenger. He was likened to the Prophet Elijah, the greatest of all the prophets. He had to come in the spirit of the greatest prophet because the one who will be born after him, the one whose path he must prepare, is the Almighty God. “Who can endure the day of his coming and who can stand at his appearance? He is like the refiner’s fire and fuller’s lye; he will sit as a refiner and a purifier. He will purify Levites like gold and silver.” Obviously, the preparation needed is more than just planning parties and banquets. It would involve much more than gifts and decorations. Because the one coming is Almighty God, preparing for him will involve purification from sin so that the worship we shall offer to him will be truly pleasing and acceptable to him.

The advanced party is now here…it only means that the Lord will follow soon. In fact, in (2) a day’s time, it will be Christmas morning. Are you prepared for it? You have probably made a list of things to do and of people to send gifts to. Have you made your list and checked them twice? But with Noche Buena and gifts prepared, can you really say that all is set? How about your soul? Are you purified enough? Have you gone to confession? Malachi said: “He shall turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” Have you mended broken relationships? Mga kabataan, may atraso ba kayo sa inyong mga magulang? Nakahingi na ba kayo ng tawad? Parents, have you neglected your children? Have you made up for your neglect? Bully boy whose video went viral definitely was the product of parental neglect. For if it were not so, then how did he grow up filled with so much hatred? Obviously money is not the only element of child rearing. More important than money would be time, attention, and discipline. How is your family? Is it prepared to welcome the Lord? Are you now reconciled and at peace with each other? Perhaps, if you have been concerned with external preparations and have neglected the spiritual and relational preparations, you have the last two days to fix things and so be prepared for the Lord’s coming.

“Look up and see: your redemption is at hand.” It is only when we are spiritually prepared that we can recognize the great gift the Lord bestows upon us. And believe me…the Lord has shown us so great a favor. It will be just so sad to miss it simply because we were not prepared to see it. Ask the Lord to silence your heart so that you may hear his voice. Ask him to open your eyes so that you may recognize him who comes. Ask him to purify and humble your heart so that you may welcome him with great joy.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Simbang Gabi 2018 7: A Young Girl's Prophetic Song

SIMBANG GABI 2018 7

YEAR OF THE YOUTH

DECEMBER 22, 2018

Jesus, I trust in you!

The Magnificat is an impressive song which oftentimes is unappreciated because when it is sung, we seldom get past the first verse. Of course, Our Lady acknowledged that God has done mighty things for her and therefore, all generations will call her blessed. But the song is not just about what God has done for her. It was also about how God intervened into human history and inverted its paradigms: “He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty handed…” What is wonderful about this song is that it was sung by a 15 year old girl. Such concerns were way beyond the comprehension of a 15 year old. It was clearly inspired by the Holy Spirit himself…for how else could a 15 year old sing of these? I am of the opinion that the Magnificat is a clear reflection of the Beatitudes that were declared by our Lord himself: the Lord himself declared the blessedness of those who are accounted as negligible by the world.

A 15 year old girl singing a prophetic song…shouldn’t this be the model of our young people? The Magnificat is an invitation to all the youth to elevate their concerns beyond trivialities like fashion, gadgets, and other self-centered issues. Look around you…are you satisfied with what you see? Do you think that hunger and misery amidst a throw away culture is really right? Do you think that it is right to get your way simply because you are powerful? Apparently, the notorious bully of Ateneo thinks that his taekwondo skills gives him the right to impose himself on everybody whom he perceives is weaker than him. Is it right for a young 14 year old like him to be abusive of the little power that he and his family has? Young people, what are your concerns? Do these transcend your little world of comfort? Are you capable of going beyond yourselves so that you can see the misery of others? Say not that you are young…because the Kingdom of God is your concern. You must contribute to the building of the Kingdom of God by using what you have and who you are to make the world less miserable, less unjust, less cruel. Your youthful idealism must drive you to seek for a better world and in the end, “HUWAG KAYO PAKAKAIN SA SISTEMA.” Youthful idealism will end up meaningless if we begin to “dance with the world” by compromising principles for pay-offs or for a little bit of fame and power. Hindi lahat ng bagay ay nabibili…kasama na diyan ang prinsipyo at ang paninindigan. Hindi lahat ng nabibili ay nagpapaligaya.

Dear young people, let your idealism make you hunger and thirst, not for success, fame and fortune, but for the Kingdom of God. Be hungry for righteousness. Mourn for the prevalence of sinful structures in society. Work for justice by being just and fair. Work for peace by being peacemakers and by resisting temptations to be violent. Be compassionate to the poor. And live simply so that you can always have something to share. Huwag lang panay ang sarili ang isipin natin.

As for the mighty and powerful, balang araw, babagsak din sila. Just wait and see. The Kingdom of God, which is built with blood and sweat, this alone will remain standing for ever.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Simbang Gabi 2018 6: Empowered by the Holy Spirit

SIMBANG GABI 2018 6

YEAR OF THE YOUTH

DECEMBER 21, 2018

Jesus, I trust in you!

Upon discovering from the angel that her elderly cousin Elizabeth was pregnant, Mary set out in haste to visit her and attend to her needs. But it was not her alone who went to visit nor was Elizabeth alone who was the object of the visit. Mary was carrying in her womb the Son of God who had just been incarnated. On the other hand, John the Baptist has been living in his mother’s womb for six months then. Mary went to visit Elizabeth. Jesus went to visit John. Mary went to visit Elizabeth to help her through a difficult pregnancy. Jesus went to visit John to sanctify him with the Holy Spirit even though he was still in his mother’s womb: “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb,” so said the angel to Zechariah at the temple. Little did Mary realize that she was doing more than just assist her cousin for at that moment when John was sanctified in his mother’s womb, Jesus was already saving him. That moment of charity became a moment of salvation. Beneath what was visible, something invisible was wonderfully taking place.

The Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and thus made the Incarnation possible. But let us not forget that the Holy Spirit did something more in Mary. He inspired her to go to Elizabeth. In fact, the conversation between Mary and Elizabeth was a Spirit-filled conversation. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leaped for joy and she, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared Mary’s blessedness as Mother of the Lord.

Young people, the Holy Spirit whom John received in his mother’s womb is the same Holy Spirit we received on the day we were baptized. He is the same Holy Spirit who overshadowed Mary and empowered her. Thus, you and I are empowered also by the Holy Spirit. He empowers us with his supernatural gifts. As our helper, the Holy Spirit in us empowers us to live lives that radiate the goodness of God. He helps us to be who God created (intended) us to be. He is the power who sustains, energizes, and keeps us on a holy path. The Holy Spirit makes us holy. He purifies us from our sins through the Sacrament of Confession. He helps us convert and be Christ-like. He transforms us into the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit directs and helps us to do the will of the Father. The Holy Spirit imparts to us gifts that will help us serve the Church. He empowers us to fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives. He pours on us the love of God to sustain us through difficult moments. He keeps hope alive in us through such moments by reminding us that we are constantly loved by God. He helps us pray most particularly when it seems too difficult to pray because our sorrows are too great. He reminds us of what Jesus said and taught us, especially when the trials seem to be too great. And most of all, the Holy Spirit makes us witnesses for Jesus. As the Holy Spirit pointed out to John the Baptist the hidden presence of Jesus in the womb of Mary, so also does he point out the hidden presence of Jesus to the world. This is what we testifies to us. He keeps reminding us that the Lord is near. He reveals to the world the Gospel and he does this through us. Therefore, we should not shy away from being advocates for Christ. Nor should we worry about what to say. The Holy Spirit will put these words on our lips. And those words will be powerful words. Look at what the Holy Spirit placed on the lips of Mary. It was just a greeting but when this greeting reached Elizabeth’s ears, the baby in her womb leaped for joy. Through that greeting, John was sanctified.

We are an empowered people. Baptism gave us the Holy Spirit. Let the Spirit make us go in haste to bring the Gospel to our friends and to all people. Young people, you are gifted. More than just your innate talents, you are gifted with something more. You have received the Holy Spirit. Go and share the Gospel. In the power of the Holy Spirit, be disciples. In the power of the Holy Spirit, make disciples.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Simbang Gabi 2018 5: Open your Door to the Redeemer

SIMBANG GABI 2018 5

YEAR OF THE YOUTH

DECEMBER 20, 2018

Jesus, I trust in you!

The appointed time has come and the long wait will soon be over. It was the time for God to send his Son to redeem the world. And so, he sent the Angel Gabriel to Nazareth to a virgin who was betrothed to Joseph. And the virgin’s name was Mary. Why was the angel sent? He was sent to ask Mary for her consent to the Divine Plan that she will bear a Son who will be the Son of the Most High, the ruler of a Kingdom that will have no end. Is it not strange that God should do this? After all, He can do whatever he pleases. He can do all things. He can always have his way. What is he in power for if he could not enforce his will?

And yet, such is the humility of God. The act of becoming man is humbling in itself for God. God is almighty…the universe could not contain him. There is nothing in the universe that does not owe its existence to Him. And yet, in his desire to redeem us, God took the form of a slave, being born in our human likeness. And true enough to his self-emptying (kenosis), he politely knocks at the door of the heart of Mary. He sent his angel to plead with her: Please accept my Son…he will be sent on the mission to save the world. Allow him to take flesh from you and reside in your womb for nine months. Allow him to be nurtured and to be raised by you.

The humility of God: he comes to do us a favor. He comes to save us…and yet he still asks for Mary’s consent. In humility, he comes to Mary and through Mary, he comes to us. He did not force Mary to take him in. He did not want Mary to accept him if it were against her will. Mary enjoyed freedom of will. In the 1^st reading, Ahaz was told: Ask the Lord for a sign, let it be as deep as the nether world or high as the heaven. Ahaz close to reject the offer: I will not ask…I will not tempt the Lord! Mary was allowed to express her hesitation: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” The angel patiently explained to her how the Holy Spirit will overshadow her and make it possible. All she needed to do is to say “Yes!” And Mary did! She said: “Behold the Handmaid of the Lord, let it be done according to your word.” That consent, given in freedom, was the key. Through that consent, Mary’s life was changed. Through that consent, the world will never be the same. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us!

Many young people hesitate to open their hearts to Christ. They fear that Jesus will make many demands that will curtail their freedom. They want to enjoy life and to them, it can be done only if they kept away from Jesus. But none is farther from the truth. Away from Jesus, there is no freedom…but only slavery. There is no fulfillment, but only emptiness. There is no contentment because there will always be something lacking. Why is this so? It is because God has created in our hearts a vacuum that only he can fill. God has made us for himself and our hearts will always be restless until we rest in him!

At the inauguration of the World Youth Day in Cologne, Pope Benedict dared the youth: “Dear young people, the happiness you are seeking, the happiness you have a right to enjoy, has a name and a face: it is Jesus of Nazareth, hidden in the Eucharist. Only he gives the fullness of life to humanity! With Mary, say your own ‘yes’ to God, for he wishes to give himself to you…If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, absolutely nothing of what makes life free, beautiful and great. No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed. Only in this friendship do we experience beauty and liberation.’”  

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!

Simbang Gabi 2018 4: A Life of Purpose

SIMBANG GABI 2018 4

YEAR OF THE YOUTH

DECEMBER 19, 2018

Jesus, I trust in you!

Even before they were conceived and were born, both Samson and John the Baptist had a purpose for living. These were both revealed by angels to their own parents. The angel said to the mother of Samson that her son will begin the deliverance of Israel from the power of the Philistines. The angel Gabriel said to Zechariah that his son will prepare a people fit for the Lord. Samson was consecrated to God from the womb. John will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. Being consecrated to God means that a person belongs to him. This is a sign of God’s love and mercy towards the promised child and to the parents who will receive him from the Lord. Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah, declared: “So has the Lord done for me at a time when he saw it fit to take away my disgrace before others.”

The Responsorial Psalm sings of the praises of God coming from a person who recognized the Lord’s singular love for him. “You are my hope, O Lord, my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength. I will treat of the mighty works of the Lord; O God, I will tell of your singular justice. O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wondrous deeds.” (Ikaw ang aking pag-asa, O Diyos ko; ang aking pinanaligan, Panginoon, mula pa sa aking pagkabata. Mula pa sa aking pagsilang ikaw na ang umaalalay sa akin; mula pa sa sinapupunan ng aking ina ikaw na ang aking lakas. Isasalaysay ko ang kapangyarihan ng Diyos; O Panginoon, ipapahayag ko ang katangi-tangi mong kabanalan. O Diyos, tinuruan mo ako mula pa sa aking pagkabata, at hanggang ngayon ay ipinahahayag ko pa ang iyong mga kababalaghan.) These words should be proclaimed by all people, and especially by the youth. It is because like Samson and John the Baptist, each of us were created for a life of purpose (may layunin ang buhay). We do not lead meaningless lives because God always has a reason for creating something. He does not create anything without meaning or purpose. The mere fact that we were created…the mere fact that we exist is the proof that we have a purpose for existing (may dahilan sa pamumuhay). There is always an answer for the question: Para saan ka bumabangon? Para kanino ka bumabangon?

Perhaps, for some, their purpose is not clear because they keep on looking at themselves in reference to people who do not seem to appreciate the gift of their persons. And this is sad. When we feel unappreciated, it is because we fail to see ourselves the way God looks at us. Each person is a gift. Samson was God’s gift not only the Manoah and his wife. He was God’s gift to the people of Israel who are to be delivered by him from the Philistines. John was God’s gift not only to Zechariah and Elizabeth but to the people who will be prepared by him for the Lord. You are a gift…otherwise, you will not be here on earth. One day, that purpose will be clear…you will mean something to someone because right now, you mean something to the Lord. No one is useless because God does not make trash.

Dear young people, you are beloved by God. From your mother’s womb, God called you to belong to him. Place your hope in the Lord. Trust him. Let the Lord be your strength. Let your life be one long song of thanksgiving to the Lord. You can only thank the Lord the moment you recognize that you are a gift. You are a gift of God to those who love you. You are a gift of God to the world. You are a gift of God to yourself. You did not create yourself. God did. And because of this, you have a purpose. God does not create meaningless creatures. God does not do things without a purpose.

O  Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!