Don Bosco Philippines South Province

Homilyon the First Day of Misa de Gallo, 16 December 2022, House of Silence

Allow me to begin with a story.  Several years ago I had a conversation with a couple named Jojo and Gigi.  They were both members of the chapel choir where I used to celebrate regular Sunday Mass when I was still in Manila.  They used to be boyfriends but unfortunately they have broken up.  Nevertheless since they belonged to the same choir they continued to remain friends and attended choir practices together.  And so they seemed to be okay that way.

Then some months later Jojo announced to his friends in the choir that he was getting married soon (of course, to someone else).  When Gigi heard Jojo’s announcement, she suddenly felt sad and that feeling unconsciously showed in her face as she remained silent against the joyful reaction of her friends. All the while she thought she was okay despite their break up.  But knowing that her former BF was soon getting married to someone else, this left her so crushed… if not devastated. Could you just try to imagine what that feeling could be? Ang sakit, di ba? (It hurts, isn’t it?)

Brothers and sisters many of us are now getting more excited as we begin the Christmas Novena.  This is true esp. for us in the Provincial House as four different youth groups have already come to carol us and share with us the hopeful message of this joyful season. In fact Fr Mario and Fr Cesar have been busy putting up more Christmas decors around the house.

But sad to say on the other hand many other people are still struggling in life, feeling down if not totally devastated just like Gigi in our story earlier.  Some are suffering from the traumas and tragedies that have happened in their lives. Others have probably lost their jobs or their livelihood from a recent calamity.  Still others might have lost a loved one or are stressed by some burdensome relationship.  We can’t but remember the victims and casualties of the war between Ukraine and Russia, or of the military take-over in Myanmar.  We can’t but remember also those who have not yet recovered from the Covid pandemic and from the typhoon Odette. Many people still feel like God has seemingly abandoned them. And the future for them seems to be bleaker, darker and gloomier at each passing day.  

It is in this context that John the Baptist is announcing to us that the bridegroom is soon coming and the wedding feast of the lamb is getting ready. The time of weeping is over, for the Messiah is already at hand. If you recall five days ago we celebrated “Gaudete” Sunday, we were invited to begin rejoicing because the Lord is near, Christmas is just around the corner.  In the gospel we have heard today Jesus presents John as the model of our Advent preparation.  He chose to live a simple lifestyle and yet he became a shining light burning in the dark to lead the way of the Jews to the Messiah.

Brothers and sisters, for the past two to three years we have been seeing how the Lord despite this pandemic had been working out his miracles among us, through the generous and dedicated people around us who made big sacrifices for the good of others. First and foremost we give due credit to the medical front liners who have been dedicating themselves at their own risk to heal and care for the sick especially those who have been tested positive for Covid-19.  We honor also other front liners who have been serving us round the clock to keep us safe and protected.  And because of them we are still alive and healthy. 

Moreover we see many poor families benefitting from the various social outreach programs of the Church, like in Lourdes Parish the Salesians launched the “555 Challenge” to provide for the daily sustenance of the poorest of the poor side by side with their daily feeding program that has been uninterrupted since the lockdown. I am sure you (Franciscans) also have your own wonderful programs for the poor. Aren’t these clear signs that the Lord is already born in our midst and that we have all the reason to celebrate this Christmas? Added to this many of the faithful have been attending the live-streaming of Holy Masses and other devotions online from the privacy of their homes, and because of these many have been growing spiritually in their relationship with God despite not being able to go to church. Isn’t this also a sign that God truly loves you and cares for you and hence there is so much reason to celebrate this coming Christmas?

In other words we have been seeing not only God coming to save us but also the entire church journeying together in synodality towards the place where Jesus is born.  If you feel that up to now you are still far from the Lord, if you feel you have not yet done enough so that the blind may regain their sight, the lame may walk, the lepers may be cleansed, the deaf may hear, the dead may be raised, and that the poor do not have the good news proclaimed to them yet, these remaining nine days can be your best opportunity to join the Church journeying together in communion and mission.  This is the best way we can make a difference.  This is the best way to prepare ourselves spiritually so that there may be a worthy place for Jesus to be born in our hearts and in the heart of many others who need a Savior even today.   

I’d like to end with the continuation of the story I shared earlier. As I have said Gigi wasn’t that happy when she heard the unexpected announcement of her ex-BF. But she wasn’t aware that Jojo actually noticed the sadness in her heart when he announced he was getting married to someone else.  Some months later Gigi had a strange dream. And in that dream she saw herself in an outdoor event with her friends on a cool evening.  Since a cool breeze was blowing and her attire was light, she was happily surprised to see Jojo approaching her bringing a red sweater which he borrowed from her a long time ago. As Jojo put the red sweater around her shoulders, he said to her, “Sabi ko naman sa yo, babalikan kita eh. (I told you I’ll come back for you)”  The following day when she woke up she got a call from Jojo telling her that the planned wedding did not push through and that he was inviting her for a dinner.  I guess you know the rest of the story… that was how they became “SILA” once again. And I was happy to have officiated their wedding. (I enjoy telling and retelling this story every year on the first day of Misa de Gallo.)

Brothers and sisters Jesus knows how much we need Him. He is definitely coming back to give us the joy we have been longing for.  He is telling us right now: “Sabi ko naman sa inyo eh, babalikan ko din kayo (I told you I’ll come back for you).  I cannot leave you feeling abandoned or broken-hearted.” May this Eucharist inspire us and increase our excitement in the next days or nights. May it lead us to prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming Christmas so that Jesus may find a worthy place in our hearts where he can be born and that through us he may also be born in the hearts of many other people who need a Savior even today. GiGsss!

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