a personal reflection on Luke 2:41-52 (Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph)
"ate, kuya...."
Teka, huwag mo muna ituloy ang pagkanta. Instead, let's reflect first on today's Feast of the Holy Family. This is an important feast because if we want a BETTER WORLD then we need BETTER FAMILIES. Ano ba ang pwede natin matutunan sa banal na pamilyang ito? Let's take a closer look at each of them.
- Unahin natin si "NANAY". Mary was given a very BIG assignment. The angel told her that she would be the mother of the Savior. She would carry God in her womb. That was a HUGE, BIG, HUMONGOUS, MEGA, UPSIZE role! And Mary had a CHOICE. She could respectfully say "No" to the angel. But instead, Mary CHOSE THE LORD & says - "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
- Si "TATAY" naman. When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant he had CHOICES. He could (A) bring her to court & divorce her publicly or (B) divorce her quietly so that she may be free from shame. Then the angel told him in a dream that "which is conceived in her (Mary) is of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). That revelation gave Joseph a third option (C) which was to do "as the angel of the Lord commanded him" (Matthew 1:24). Joseph chose "C". He chose “C"-HRIST & took Mary as his wife.
- Sino naman ang "TINAPAY"? It's the One who says "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). Sorry pilit ba 🙂. Jesus is the third member of the Holy Family. In today's Gospel, the child Jesus was missing for 3 days but HE was later found in the temple. The anxious parents asked HIM why HE suddenly went AWOL. HE replied back - “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). The young Jesus had a CHOICE. HE could have stayed with HIS parents, go home safely & play with HIS friends. But HE chose to do HIS Father's will. Fast forward to 21 years after, Jesus had a CHOICE again. HE could back out from what the Father wanted HIM to do. HE prayed "My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from me" (Matthew 26:39). HE could excuse HIMSELF from the un-fair court trial, the people's condemnation, the horrific torture, carrying of the heavy cross & the gruesome death. Yet, Jesus CHOSE GOD'S WILL & prayed "nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will" (Matthew 26:39).
Mary, Joseph & Jesus are the perfect examples of what a Christian is. They also show us what a family should be like. One thing they have in common is they ALWAYS CHOOSE GOD. Mahirap sumunod sa Diyos pero dapat natin gawin dahil tayo din ay pinili ng Diyos.
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I CHOSE you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." - John 15:19
Wala naman masama kung ang goal mo sa bagong taon ay mag diet, magka-ipon, magka-bahay o ma-promote sa trabaho. But before all these, may we PUT GOD FIRST this 2019! Be like Jesus, Joseph & Mary. Make your decisions holy by putting God first!
Happy new year FB Friends & may 2019 bring you a step closer to becoming a Saint!! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com
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