FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY (THREE KINGS) B

-
-->
GIFTS TO GIVE





The ordinary man-in-the-street recognizes a difference between Christmas today and those in the past. The gifts have become scarce. The gifts have become simple. They have become less expensive, too. And many people even avoid the greetings of cheer in fear that these will mean an obligation to give a gift to someone.



It is a sign of the hard times we have been experiencing year after year. Yet, Christmas remains the feast of gifts, not just because the Magi set the mark in giving presents to the Christ Child but, because God totally revealed the gift of his heart to all humanity through the coming of his Son Our Lord Jesus Christ.



Did you find it hard to send somebody a present? Did you find yourself cutting down on your gift list? Did you avoid or hide from someone you thought might expect something from you? Were you too, afraid of “the Christmas gift?”



Before we step out of the Christmas bubble, remember to retain the Christmas spirit. Here are a few gifts we can share with people, without the trouble of shopping, wrapping, or too much expenses.



The git of prayer: Do pray for somebody who needs your intercession. Prayers are important to all believers. And prayers are powerful. Pray for others and do not be embarrass to ask them to pray for you too.



The gift of peace: Has this Christmas season come and gone without any attempt to get in touch with someone who has hurt you? There is still time to take up that phone and call or send a simple message that can start a profound healing and reconciliation.



The gift of possibility: As we have started our trek through 2018, believe in the innate goodness of people. Believe too, in yourself – your goodness, your strength, your talents. God is a God of many new chances. We can pick ourselves up from every fall, and filled with the Holy Spirit, move on to a promising future.



You deserve a gift! Be ready to share your gift to others!


Popular posts from this blog

HOLY MASS IN FILIPINO (TAGALOG)

-
Image
ANG BANAL NA MISA PAMBUNGAD NA AWIT Pari:    Sa ngalan ng Ama, at ng anak, at ng Espiritu Santo. Bayan: Amen P.         Sumainyo ang Panginoon. B.        At sumainyo rin. P.         Mga kapatid, aminin nating ang ating mga kasalanan upang tayo’y maging marapat sa pagdiriwang ng banal na paghahaing ito.             Sinugong Tagapagpagaling sa mga nagsisisi,             Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. B.        Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. P.        Dumating na Tagapag-anyayang mga makasalana’y magsisi,             Kristo, kaawaan mo kami. B.         Kristo, kaawaan mo kami. P.         Nakaluklok ka sa kanan ng Diyos Ama para ipamagitan kami             Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. B.         Panginoon, kaawaan mo kami. P.         Kaawaan tayo ng makapangyarihang Diyos,             Patawarin tayo sa ating mga kasalanan,             At patnubayan tayo sa buhay na walang hanggan. B.        Amen. GLORIA/ LUWALHATI
Read more

SIMBANG GABI DAY 1: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

-
Image
FIRST DAY: DECEMBER 16   (from the book: Where is the Child?by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: StPauls);  pls responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen's photo First Reading: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8   Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just, for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.   Hay is the one who does this, whoever holds fast to it: Keeping the sabbath without profaning it, keeping one’s hand from doing any evil. The foreigner joined to the Lord should not say, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people”; Nor should the eunuch say, “See, I am a dry tree.” And foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, to become his servants—All who keep the sabbath without profaning it and hold fast to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will
Read more

SIMBANG GABI DAY 2: READINGS AND REFLECTIONS

-
Image
SECOND DAY: December 17   (from the book: Where is the Child?by Fr. R. Marcos (Makati: StPauls);  pls responsibly acknowledge source when using publicly)   fr tam nguyen's photo   First Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10   Jacob called his sons and said [to them]: “Assemble and listen, sons of Jacob, listen to Israel, your father. “You, Judah, shall your brothers praise—your hand on the neck of your enemies;the sons of your father shall bow down to you. Judah is a lion’s cub, you have grown up on prey, my son. He crouches, lies down like a lion, Like a lioness—who would dare rouse him? The scepter shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his feet, until tribute comes to him, and he receives the people’s obedience.”     A.             Short Background on the First Reading   1. Who was Judah? Judah was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (or Israel). Jacob was considered the father of the nation of Israel and his twelve sons were cons
Read more