Category: Season of Advent

December 19, 2025 – Fourth Day of Misa Aguinaldo

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121925.cfm)

Let me begin with a story many Filipinos can relate to. There is a common scene in our families, especially when there is a reunion or a fiesta. A relative, most often, an auntie would ask, “Kanus-a man ka magminyo?” or “Kanus-a man mo magka-anak?” And usually, the one being asked would just laugh and reply, “Ay, wala pa man gyud,” or “Murag wala na gyud.” In this seemingly simple conversation everyone would laugh. Then, the question is brushed off.

Yet deep inside, sometimes there is also pain, longing, or a prayer that has been carried quietly for many years by those who have been asked. This is perhaps because of the expectations of people around and the pressure that one could feel from our family members.

Well, as Filipinos, we know how to laugh even at what hurts. Humor often becomes our way of surviving disappointment and frustrations. We smile, we joke, but we also hope. And this is where today’s readings meet us and invite us to discover God’s gentle calling for us on this 4^th Day of the Misa de Aguinaldo.

The story from the Book of Judges tells us about a woman who could not conceive. In that culture, childlessness was a heavy burden. It was not only personal pain but also a social shame. And yet, God saw her. An angel appeared and announced something impossible that she would bear a son. That child would be Samson, someone set apart for God even before birth. Here, God was already at work long before anyone noticed.

The Gospel gives us a similar story, but with a familiar twist. Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous people. These couple followed God faithfully. They were deeply religious, always praying. But one thing was missing. They had no child. And now they were old. Very old. If they were Filipinos today, they would probably say, “Tama na, Lord. Okay na mi. Di na mi mag-expect oi.” They had learned to live with disappointment and shame.

For Elizabeth, in the culture before, she carried more shame because of the social pressure since she was barren. It was even believed that having no child was a form of God’s punishment because of sin committed.

Then suddenly, while Zechariah was doing his duty in the temple, an angel appeared to him. Gabriel announced that Elizabeth would bear a son. And his name would be John. The name John actually means “God is gracious!”

And this child would prepare the way of the Lord. It was good news, indeed. In fact, a very good news. However, Zechariah could not help it. That good news was overwhelming and too much to bear and accept. Too good to be true for that matter. And so, the old Zechariah doubted. He asked, “How shall I know this?” In other words, “Sigurado ka ani, Lord? Tigulang na mi oi.”

And because of his doubt, Zechariah was struck mute. He could not speak. There is something almost funny here. A priest of the Temple who preached the Word of God suddenly lost his voice. By muting Zechariah, God was saying, “Zechariah, enough talking. It’s time for you to listen well.” Thus, sometimes God allows silence not as punishment, but as a lesson for us.

In both readings, it tells us something very important. That, indeed, God works even when we think it is already too late. God acts even when we have stopped expecting and hoping. And God remains faithful even when we laugh in doubt.

Psalm 71 captures this beautifully. “You are my hope, O Lord.” From the womb to old age, God remains faithful to us. This psalm reminds us that our story does not begin with our success, and it does not end with our failure. God has been present all along in each of us and as a Church.

What makes these stories powerful is not just the miracle of a child being born. It is the patience of God. It is because God waited and listened to prayers whispered for years. And when the time was right, God acted and revealed His grace.

This makes us realize that Zechariah’s silence became a space for reflection. In that silence, God was working. And so, Elizabeth conceived and life began to grow quietly. We see that God did not rush and the Lord did not explain everything at once. God simply fulfilled His promise.

Now, advent teaches us this same lesson. Many of us are waiting. And we wait for many things in life. Indeed, some of us have been waiting for so long that we no longer expect anything. We just laugh it off. “Bahala na ka Lord oi.” But deep inside, our prayer is still there.

Today, the Lord remind us that He does not forget delayed prayers. The Lord does not abandon faithful hearts because God certainly, works in His time, not ours.

Like Zechariah, we will have our doubts and questions. God may even lead us into silence. But silence does not mean absence. In fact, silence is often where God works best.

As we wake up early for Misa de Aguinaldo, tired and sleepy, let us remember this: God is already at work, even when we do not see results yet. God is faithful, even when our faith is weak. God turns long waiting into unexpected joy. So, do not lose hope. Do not stop praying. Do not think it is already too late.

I leave you now two simple takeaways for today.

First, when prayers seem unanswered, do not give up. God is surely preparing something greater than you imagine.

Second, learn to be quiet before God each day. In silence, God speaks and acts. So, allow the Lord to reveal His grace, in His time. Hinaut pa.

December 18, 2025 – Third Day of Misa Aguinaldo

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121825.cfm)

A few weeks ago, a friend shared something very touching and moving for him. He said that for the first time in his life, he dreamed of the Lord. In his dream, Jesus entered their gate in simplicity and gentleness. My friend welcomed Him inside. And as he stood there before the Lord, he suddenly began to cry. The Lord’s goodness and kindness made him realize how unworthy he is. He remembered his sins and failures. Yet, at the same time, his heart was filled with deep joy and gratitude because the Lord came to him. The Lord visited him. That dream awakened in him a new awareness that God is truly present, and that God reveals Himself in ways we do not expect.

That experience helps us understand the message of today. Because sometimes, when our words fail, when our life is confusing, and when our hearts are tired, God speaks in our dreams. God speaks when we are quiet and at ease. Indeed, God speaks when we are patient enough to listen.

Now, the word “patient” has two meanings. As a noun, a patient is someone who receives medical treatment, hoping to be healed. As an adjective, a patient person is someone who can endure delays, problems, and suffering without losing hope. These two meanings are closely connected. When we are sick and confined in a hospital, we learn that healing is not instant. We wait. We trust the process. We allow time and care to do their work.

Life teaches us the same lesson also. We do not have control over everything. Even if our world today moves faster than before, not everything can be rushed. Some things take time. And If we refuse to accept this, impatience slowly consumes us. We become anxious and irritable. We lose peace over traffic roads, long lines, slow learners, and unmet expectations. This is how impatience damages our relationships. It also exhausts our heart.

Yet, deep inside, many of us are waiting. Waiting for healing. Waiting for clarity. Waiting for dreams to come true. Waiting for change in our family or in ourselves. And waiting is never easy. That is why patience and waiting are not weaknesses. They are part of our Christian faith.

This is what we realize today in our readings. The Old Testament is a story of waiting. God made a promise, and the people waited for generations. In the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, God promises a righteous branch from the line of David. A king who will do what is right. A king who will save and bring peace. This promise did not happen overnight. It took time and required trust.

So we ask today, “What is this promise? Or better, who is this promise?” The answer is Jesus. His name means “Yahweh saves.” Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise. This is God’s assurance that God has not abandoned us.

But the way this promise was fulfilled was not smooth or comfortable. It was surrounded by scandal and misunderstanding. The Gospel tells us that Mary was found to be with child before she lived with Joseph. In a small town like Nazareth, this was enough to destroy a woman’s life. Gossip spreads fast and judgment comes easily. Mary was labeled without explanation.

And so, Joseph suffered deeply too. He was a good and gentle man. And he knew their Jewish law. He knew Mary could be exposed to shame and even death. He had only two options whether to expose her publicly or to divorce her quietly. In his pain and confusion, Joseph chose mercy. He decided not to disgrace Mary.

It was in this painful moment that God revealed His divine plan. God did not speak while Joseph was arguing, worrying, or forcing his own answers. God spoke when Joseph was asleep. Through a dream, an angel revealed the truth. “Do not be afraid,” the angel said. What seemed like scandal was actually grace. What looked like failure was God’s faithfulness unfolding there in that very mess.

This detail is very important. God spoke to Joseph in a dream, when Joseph was rested. It was when he let go of control and he trusted enough to sleep. This means that to fall asleep in God’s presence is an act of patience. It is surrender. If Joseph had allowed anxiety to consume him, he would not have rested. Just like us, when worries and our anxieties keep us awake at night and make dark eye bags for us.

And so, when Joseph woke up, everything changed. He saw and realized Mary’s situation not through fear and anger, but through faith. He saw it through God’s eyes. Joseph realized that God was present in the middle of confusion and pain. God did not remove the difficulty. But God revealed meaning within it.

This is the patience we are invited to learn. Patience that waits. Patience that listens. And patience that discerns.

Joseph’s life did not become easier after that dream. He still faced hardship, danger, and responsibility. But his patience was now rooted in trust. He knew that God was with him and that God was faithful to His promise. With this, Joseph became more confident because God is Emmanuel.

This is also true for us. God still speaks to us today. Sometimes through Scripture. Sometimes through people. Sometimes through events. And sometimes through our dreams. The question is not whether God is present. The question is whether we are patient enough to notice and to realize God’s comforting presence because God comes often quietly and unexpectedly. And often when we are waiting.

As we continue our 3^rd Misa de Aguinaldo, let us bring to God our waiting as well as our dreams, our fears and our unanswered questions. Like Joseph, may we learn to trust that even when we do not fully understand, God is surely at work.

And so I leave you again two simple takeaways today.

First, when life asks you to wait, do not rush God. Be patient and trust that the Lord is working even in silence.

Second, make space each day for quiet and prayer. God often reveals His plan when we learn to listen.

And so, may we learn to wait with faith, to dream with hope, and to trust that God truly saves. Ok lang? Sana all.