APPETIZER PA LANG ULAM NA

a personal reflection on Luke 3:10-18

The FRONT ACT is supposed to be a warm-up or opening act only. He performs before the featured act or "headliner”. Kung baga appetizer o patikim pa lang. John the Baptist was a special front act. In today’s Gospel he gives us three life lessons when the people asked him "What then shall we do?” (Luke 3:10)

1. GIVE NOT GAIN. "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” (Luke 10:11). Christmas is all about giving. Sometimes, we focus too much on what we will receive that we forget what giving is all about. John 3:16 says "that HE gave HIS only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life”. True giving is when you give even if you will not getting back. Ano ba pwede mo ibigay sa Diyos na wala Siya? WALA. Yet God gives us “His ONLY Son”. Who are the people that cannot “pay you back” with a gift? They should be the people on your Christmas list.
2. ACKNOWLEDGED GOD so you don’t ABUSE others. "Collect no more than is appointed you" (Luke 10:13). John the Baptist knew what his role was. Alam niya na mas mataas si Hesus. He preached that he baptizes "with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Luke 10:16). What does this teach us? That we should know where we stand so we don’t abuse our power. If we know that God should be above all then we become a more loving people because that is God’s essence. God is love. You will not take advantage of the people that you truly love. Kaya magmahal tayo, huwag mang-abuso.
3. CONTENTMENT OVER CONTEMPT. "Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages” (Luke 10:11). If you woke up today then you’re blessed! Be satisfied with you what you have. It is futile to always aim on acquiring things because there will always be someone who will be richer than you. Do not treat people as “assets" that can get you more assets. Paano dapat ang trato sa kapwa? RESPECT. Treat everybody with respect. This applies specially if you are a leader & people report to you. Respect your subordinates. You may not agree on religion, politics or if Lebron is the "G.O.A.T" (Greatest Of All Time). The important thing to remember is that every person is valuable in the eyes of God. If God can respect every soul then we should do the same.

GIVE, ACKNOWLEDGE, CONTENTMENT. Appetizer pa lang yan mga kapatid, busog na tayo. Finally, WE REJOICE! That is what the 3rd Sunday of Advent tells us. We rejoice because we have an awesome front act in the person of John the Baptist. We rejoice because Jesus is coming soon. Christmas is near but not yet. Have a blessed #Advent2018! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com