OUR PARISH PRIEST

  ANG BAKA AT ANG ASNO SA PASKO Lk 2; 1-14     fritz eichenberg photo   Nagtataka ka ba kung bakit laging may baka at asno (maliit na kabayo) sa Belen tuwing Pasko? Siyempre meron ding ibang hayop doon tulad ng tupa na sumunod tiyak sa mga pastol at kamelyo na siyang sasakyan ng tatlong hari. Pero ang baka at asno ay hindi simpleng palamuti lamang sa Belen. Sila ay naroroon bilang tanda ng isang pahayag ng Bibliya.   Sabi sa Isaias 1:3: “Nakikilala ng baka ang kanyang panginoon, at ng asno kung saan siya pinapakain ng kanyang amo; ngunit hindi ako nakikilala ng Israel, hindi ako nauunawaan ng aking bayan.” Nakamamangha ang katapatan ng mga hayop sa kanilang amo, o tawag nating ngayon, mga taong-magulang. Naaalala ko ang aking mga aso na tila nakakita ng artista tuwing darating ako. Nakagugulat din naman na ang mga tao, na may pag-iisip at pang-unawa, madalas hindi makilala at maparangalan ang tunay nilang Panginoon at Lumikha. ...

  THE OX AND ASS IN THE MANGER SCENE LK 2: 1-14       Have you ever wondered why in the Nativity scene, keeping vigil before the Christ Child, are the customary figures of an ox and an ass? Of course, there are also other animals around, like the sheep (perhaps brought by the shepherds) and the camel (the mode of transport of the Magi). But the ox and ass are not random animals for decorating this adorable scene. They are in fact there to remind us of a biblical prophecy.   Isaiah 1:3 says: “The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” It is amazing how animals show loyalty to their human parents, as we call them now. My dogs, cared for by a friend, behave as if they see a celebrity each time I come to visit them. The ox and the ass are symbols of recognition, welcome and loyalty to their master. Ironically, people most of the time, though endowed with higher faculti...

December 24   (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:   2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16   After [King David] had taken up residence in his house, and the L ord  had given him rest from his enemies on every side, the king said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells in a tent!” Nathan answered the king, “Whatever is in your heart, go and do, for the Lord is with you.” But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell David my servant, Thus says the Lord: Is it you who would build me a house to dwell in? I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel. I was with you wherever you went, and I cut down all your enemies before you. And I will make your name like...

December 23   (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: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24   [Thus says the Lord God:] Now I am sending my messenger— he will prepare the way before me; and the lord whom you seek will come suddenly to his temple; the messenger of the covenant whom you desire—see, he is coming! says the L ord   of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand firm when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire, like fullers’ lye. He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the Levites, refining them like gold or silver, that they may bring offerings to the L ORD   in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will please the L ord , as in ancient days, as in years gone by. Now I am sending to you Elijah   the prophet, be...