BAHALA NA

December 24, 2023 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122423.cfm)

“Bahala na.” Often times we Filipinos are criticized for this somehow fatalistic view of life that someway expresses desperation and defeatist attitude towards life’s difficulties and struggles. Even we ourselves Filipino are discouraged when we realize our fellow Filipinos behaving this way, although at times we find we ourselves also saying those words: “Bahala na”.

So, what do we really mean when we say: “Bahala na”? Does it really mean: “Depende na sa kapalaran o tadhana”? Is it our really expression of resignation and submission to fate, destiny, or chance? Is it our reckless risk-taking attitude towards life? Perhaps out of desperation, others would mean it this way. But perhaps there is more in our saying: “Bahala na” than just out of desperation and resignation to fate.

Because for us Filipinos, deep behind the words: “Bahala na” is “Nasa Dios ang Awa, Nasa tao ang gawa. “to be merciful is God’s, ours is just to do our part.” Meaning, “Bahala Fna” is actually more than just an expression of resignation to fate but moreso an articulation of our faith in God. It is not about “depende sa tadhana o kapalaran” but more so about “ipapasa-Dios ko na ang lahat”. It is our way not only of saying but also of praying to God and making a resolve for ourselves that, “Gagawin ko ang makakaya at nararapat ko habang nasa dios na ang lahat.” (I will do what is right and best thing, as the Lord will do the rest.) In other words, “Bahala na” is an expression of obedience to God’s will rather than submission to fate. It is our total participation and commitment to believe in God and to follow His ways rather than our reckless risk-taking suicide.

Actually the words “Bahala Na” is a shortened version of the words “Bathala na” – Dios Na (Now, it’s God’s turn). It has the same meaning when we pray: Thy Will be done, Sundin ang Loob mo, Matuman ang imong Pagbuot.

In the Annunciation – the story of the Lord’s birth as experienced by Mary, the angel Gabriel’s annunciation of the birth of the Lord in and through her must surely be very confusing – though awesome experience for a fourteen year old Mary. “How can this be, I have no relation with a man?” A big life-changing experience ahead of her, a totally new responsibility before her – becoming a young mother of the long-expected messiah.

Despite this nerve-wracking, life-changing, doesn’t make sense challenges ahead, Mary gives her consent, her fiat, her approval whatever it may be, wherever it may lead her. She said: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it done to me according to your words.” In other words: “Bahala na.”

Yes, Mary must have deeply said and meant: “Bahala na” when she consented to the task and mission given her. She might have meant in Filipino way: Yes, I will do what is right and best as God do the rest. Gagawin ko ang nararapat at makakaya habang ang lahat ay nasa Dios.

Surely same “bahala na” spirit have made Mary endured in parenting her Son Jesus from birth even until His suffering & death at the foot of the cross, and beyond resurrection. Her spirituality of complete trust & faith in God’s will have & will continue to teach us to live our lives as followers, believers, and disciples of Jesus.

Perhaps as we continue our life as Christians in faith & Marian in spirit, we might ask ourselves: When was the last time we say and pray: “Bahala na”? What do we really mean when we said and prayed those words? Are those words out of desperation or prayer of faith to God? Am I ready now to say and pray again to the Lord with us, “Bahala na” for the Lord in the coming year?

Like Mary and Joseph, as we are nearing Christmas – the Lord’s birthday in us, we are always called and challenged to be God’ partner in parenting Jesus, His Son, the God with us into our lives today. May we take on the challenge and rise to the occasion of following, parenting, & representing Jesus to our world today.

Hinaut pa unta. Bahala na. Sya Nawa. Amen.