Most of us want a life that feels safe and predictable. We follow routines, hold on to habits, and protect traditions because they give us a sense of control. We know what to expect, and that feels comforting. But slowly, without noticing it, what once helped us can begin to trap us. We start doing things not because they give life, but simply because “this is how it has always been.”
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus uses simple images: old cloth, new cloth; old wineskins, new wine. He is not attacking tradition. He is pointing out something deeper. When God is doing something new, old containers may no longer be able to hold it. New wine needs fresh wineskins, not because the old ones are bad, but because they have become rigid.
The same struggle appears clearly in the First Reading from the First Book of Samuel. King Saul follows God’s command only halfway. He defeats the enemy, but keeps what he personally considers useful. When confronted by the prophet Samuel, Saul explains himself, even claiming he did it “for God.” Samuel’s response is sharp and unforgettable, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” Indeed, God is not impressed by religious excuses. What the Lord desires is a listening heart.
This makes us realize that God desires obedience that flows from a listening and open heart, not from rigid practices that protect our comfort.
Saul thought sacrifice could cover disobedience. The people questioning Jesus thought fasting defined holiness. In both cases, the problem is the same. People believed and were more attached to their way of doing things than to what God was actually asking of them at that moment.
This is where the message becomes very close to our daily life. Sometimes we are like Saul. We obey, but only up to the point where it does not disturb us too much. We pray, but avoid forgiveness. We serve, but refuse correction. We keep traditions, but resist change when God asks us to grow.
Jesus does not come to destroy what is old. He comes to fulfill it. But fulfillment always involves change. New wine stretches us. It questions habits that no longer give life. It exposes excuses that sound religious but hide fear.
God’s invitations often feel uncomfortable because they ask us to listen more deeply and let go of control. But this discomfort is not meant to break us. It is meant to renew us. Like fresh wineskins, we are called to remain flexible, humble, and attentive to God’s voice.
The real question is not, “Am I doing religious things?” The real question is, “Am I truly listening to God today?” As Samuel reminds us, God prefers a heart that listens over hands that perform rituals.
When we allow God to surprise us, we discover that His call, though challenging, always leads to life, healing, and deeper freedom. With that, I leave you two takeaways for today.
First,pause and listen before acting. Ask daily, “Lord, what are You asking of me now, not yesterday?”
Second, let go of one habit that no longer gives life. Replace it with one concrete act of obedience, however small, but begin today. Hinaut pa.
On this Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we are invited not simply to recall a moment in the life of Jesus, but to look deeply and honestly at our own lives as baptized Filipinos. This feast quietly yet firmly asks us: What has our baptism truly done to us, and what is it asking of us today?
The Philippines remains one of the most religious countries in the world. According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, nearly 79 percent of Filipinos still identify as Roman Catholic.[1] Prayer, devotion to saints, novenas, and religious fiestas continue to shape our culture. At the same time, recent surveys reveal a growing tension beneath the surface. A Social Weather Stations survey reported that while about seven out of ten Filipinos[2] say they pray daily, far fewer attend Mass regularly, especially among the younger generation. Many still believe, but many also struggle to connect faith with daily decisions, social issues, and moral responsibility. Faith is present, but often fragile, routine, or confined to our rituals.
Thus, this reality invites us to examine ourselves. Have we really grown in our faith? Have we deepened our relationship with God and with one another? But, let us remember, our faith cannot be reduced to kneeling and standing, holding a rosary, or faithfully reciting novenas though these are also important practices.
As sociologist Dr. Jayeel Cornelio has observed, many Filipinos today are searching for something “more” from their faith.[3] This “more” is not about abandoning Catholic tradition, but about longing for a faith that transforms life, confronts injustice, heals wounds, and gives direction amid uncertainty. This “more” is precisely what the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord places before us.
To discern this “more,” let us allow the Word of God proclaimed to us on this Sunday to guide us.
In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we hear about the Servant of the Lord. This Servant is chosen, beloved, and pleasing to God. God’s Spirit rests upon him. But what defines this Servant most clearly is not power or dominance, but compassion. He brings justice not through violence or force, but through gentleness. Isaiah tells us that a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench. This Servant does not crush the weak; instead, he protects what is fragile, restores hope to the weary, and lifts those bowed down by suffering. He opens blind eyes and frees prisoners living in darkness. God’s justice, as Isaiah presents it, heals and restores before it confronts and corrects.
The Psalm continues this vision in a quiet but powerful way: “The Lord will bless his people with peace.” This peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the peace that flows from living in God’s presence, from recognizing that God is active in creation and present in every human life. When we truly acknowledge God’s presence in everything and everyone, respect and reverence naturally follow. Peace then becomes something we embody and share, not just something we pray for.
This promise finds its fulfillment in the Acts of the Apostles. Peter proclaims that the Servant spoken of by Isaiah is Jesus of Nazareth. He is anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, and His life is marked by a simple yet profound description: He went about doing good and healing those oppressed by the devil. These words summarize the entire mission of Jesus. He restores dignity, heals brokenness, and brings hope to those crushed by sin, fear, and injustice. This is how God chooses to be revealed and not through domination, but through mercy.
All of this reaches its deepest meaning in today’s Gospel, the Baptism of the Lord. Jesus enters the waters of the Jordan, not because He needs repentance, but because He chooses full solidarity with humanity. His immersion in the water is an act of complete trust in the Father. As the Psalm proclaims, the voice of the Lord is over the waters, and Jesus allows Himself to be embraced by the Father’s will.
As He rises from the water, the Spirit descends like a dove. This moment reveals that God is not distant or unreachable. God’s Spirit rests upon Jesus and remains with Him. Then comes the voice from heaven: “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” These words echo Isaiah’s prophecy and confirm Jesus as the beloved Servant. He is sent to bring healing, justice, and peace.
This feast today speaks directly to our own baptism as well. In baptism, we too are claimed as beloved. We too have received the Spirit. We too are sent. This is where we discover the “more” that many Filipinos are longing for in their faith. Baptism does not make us passive believers. Rather, it calls us to become active disciples of Jesus.
We are reminded first that we are deeply loved. This truth alone has the power to heal many wounds, fears, and insecurities. In a society facing economic pressures, environmental threats, and growing inequality, our identity as beloved children of God becomes our deepest strength. We are also reminded that God’s presence is not far away. The Spirit of God dwells among us, in our families, workplaces, classrooms, and communities. We do not need to search only in the clouds to find God. We too are invited to recognize the Lord here and now.
Our baptism also carries a clear responsibility. We are called to bring justice and peace, not through anger or force, but through compassion and gentleness. Isaiah reminds us that true justice protects the weak and restores hope.
To live our baptism is to participate in the ministry of Jesus and that is to open our eyes blinded by greed, pride, and indifference, and to free hearts imprisoned by hatred, guilt, and sin.
As we look ahead to 2026, Filipinos face serious challenges. We have economic uncertainty, the worsening effects of climate change on vulnerable communities, and a growing temptation to reduce faith to mere ritual. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord calls us back to the heart of discipleship. The “more” in our faith is “to make Jesus more present in our actions, more present in our words, and more present in our homes and communities.”
Let me leave you with two simple reminders to carry with you now:
First. Live your baptism daily. Let love, honesty, and compassion shape your choices.
Second. Be Christ where you are. In your family, your work, and your community, allow others to encounter Jesus through you.
May the grace of our baptism continue to renew us, strengthen us, and send us forth as bearers of God’s peace. Hinaut pa.
When a community faces a problem like sickness, conflict, calamities or poverty, we find it necessary to ask for help. And so, we look for someone we can trust, someone who will not just talk, but will actually show up and do something. Thus, we value presence and value people who serve quietly, without drawing attention to themselves. This simple experience opens our hearts to the message of today’s readings and of the life of Saint John Neumann, a Redemptorist Bishop in the United States, whose feast we celebrate today.
The Word of God today invites us to live our Christian faith that is true, discerning, and expressed in concrete service.
In the first reading from the First Letter of John, we hear a strong reminder that our relationship with God is not only about words or feelings. When our hearts are aligned with God’s will, there is confidence and peace within us. But Saint John also warns us that not every spirit comes from God. Not every voice that sounds religious or inspiring is truly leading us to Christ. That is why discernment is important and necessary. The test is clear and simple, we can ask, “Does it confess Jesus Christ, truly God who came among us?”
Remember, true faith always leads us closer to Christ and to love our neighbor expressed in concrete actions.
Now, this message is very relevant to us today. We live in a time when many voices compete for our attention. There are all sorts of teachings in the social media, as well as opinions, and trends that promise happiness and success, but can also slowly pull us away from prayer, from the Church, and from compassion for others. Saint John reminds us that real faith produces real love, and real love is shown through obedience and service.
The Gospel continues this invitation. Jesus begins His ministry by proclaiming repentance and by bringing healing. He does not stay in one place. He goes from town to town, teaching, curing the sick, and restoring hope. People follow Him not only because of His words, but because they experience God’s mercy through Him. Jesus reveals a God who is not distant, but close to human suffering.
This is where the life of Saint John Neumann becomes a living Gospel for us. He was a Redemptorist priest who left his homeland to serve immigrants in America. He became a bishop not for honor, but for mission. Despite being physically weak and often misunderstood, he worked tirelessly. He gave his life and ministry in building schools, organizing parishes, visiting the poor, and strengthening the faith of ordinary people. He lived simply, prayed deeply, and served generously. He did not seek recognition. He only wanted people to know Christ and experience God’s love.
Saint John Neumann teaches us that holiness is not about doing extraordinary things, but about doing ordinary things with great love and faithfulness. His life shows us what it means to discern rightly and to respond generously to God’s call.
As Christians today, we are invited to live the same spirit. Faith must not remain inside the church. It must be carried into our homes, workplaces, and communities. As Jesus calls us, we are to bring healing. Like Saint John Neumann, we are called to serve quietly, faithfully, and consistently.
So as we honor Saint John Neumann today, receive these two simple invitations.
First, examine the voices you listen to. This means that you choose what leads you closer to Christ, to prayer, and to the love of neighbors.
Second, commit one concrete act of service this week. Do it quietly and sincerely, trusting that God works powerfully through humble hearts. Hinaut pa.
As the days of Christmas pass, the noise slowly fades. The lights remain, but the excitement becomes quieter as most of you might have observed. Yet, it invites us to notice something important that Christmas is not meant to rush us, but to deepen us.
The Church, on this 6th Day of the Octave of Christmas, gently reminds us to slow down. We should ask ourselves what kind of people we are becoming. This reflection calls for our growth not only in age, but in faith, wisdom, and love. As Christ was born for us, Christmas calls us now how our hearts should be formed over time to recognize what truly lasts.
This is why the Gospel today brings us to Anna, the prophetess, a woman whose life had been quietly shaped by years of faithfulness. She did not rush through life, and she did not allow loss or loneliness to harden her heart. Her many years in the temple were not empty waiting but faithful presence before God. And so, when the child Jesus was brought to the temple, Anna immediately recognized Him. While others may have seen only an ordinary child, she saw hope being fulfilled. Her long journey of trust had trained her heart to see what truly mattered.
Anna showed us that faith deepens when we stay rooted, grounded. She waited long, but her waiting did not turn into bitterness. Her years did not make her cynical. Instead, they sharpened her vision and her spirit more attuned to God’s coming presence. Thus, she could see hope because she had learned how to trust God through many seasons of loss and silence.
Moreover, the first reading from the First Letter of John speaks to different stages of life. John addresses children, young people, and fathers. He recognizes that faith looks different at each stage of our life. Children know forgiveness. Young people are strong and have overcome evil. Elders know God deeply because they have walked with Him for a long time.
However, John also gives us a serious warning. He said, “Do not love the world or the things of the world.” He is not saying that the world is bad. John, rather, reminds us not to build our lives on what does not last such as power, pleasure, possessions, and pride. Though these things promise satisfaction, but they fade quickly and leave hearts empty.
Hence, this message is very relevant today. We live in a time when many are pressured to prove their worth through success, appearance, or status. Even during Christmas, many could have felt that pressure to have the best food, the nicest gifts, or the happiest photos we can post of our social media platforms. Yet Anna’s life quietly tells us another truth that certainly, a meaningful life is not measured by what we accumulate or show of to others, but by who we become.
Hence, true maturity in faith is learning to long and desire what lasts. Anna desired God above all else. That is why, when salvation stood before her, she recognized it.
For us today, this is an invitation to examine our hearts. We ask ourselves. What are we holding on to? What consumes our energy and attention? Are we forming our children only to succeed, or also to love and serve? Are we using our strength as young adults only for ourselves, or also for what is good and just? Are we allowing our elders to be teachers of wisdom, or have we forgotten to listen to them?
Remember, Anna did not keep the good news to herself. She spoke about the child to others. Faith that matures always becomes generous. It shares hope.
As Christmas continues, we are reminded that Christ is still growing among us. And like Anna, we are called not only to see Him, but to point Him out to others through our lives shaped by patience, simplicity, and trust.
May this Christmas season teach us not just to celebrate, but to mature in love, so that when Christ passes by our lives, we will recognize Him and rejoice. Hinaut pa.
Two brothers went for enrollment. When asked about their age & birthday, both are eight years old – one borne on August 8 & the other on August 21. When asked to explain, both smiled & said they have asked their parents about it. And their parents just reply; “we don’t remember anymore who is natural or adopted. All we know that regardless, you are both chosen & loved.
We call God, our father. And rightly so, we call him “Father” because God did not only become our father but He also chooses to be our father. To parent us to be His children is God’s choice, not only by obligation. In the same way to parent our children is not only an obligation but more so our choice. One may disown their children, but someone has to choose to be responsible to the child as parent.
Take for example, St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus. God is the Father of Jesus. And Joseph, as Mary’s husband, becomes the foster-father of Jesus. Joseph did not need to be the father of Jesus, but he chose to become the earthly father of Jesus. He chose to be a father to Jesus who is not of his own. Not out of obligation but out of choice that Joseph became the foster-father of Jesus.
In the same way, unlike mothers who needs to be a mother by nature to her child, fathers don’t have to or need to be a father to his child. Some fathers do escape such responsibility. But come to think of it, our very own father are the very first person, aside from our mother, who chooses us to be his own child. As a child, we are chosen by our fathers. Fathers choose their children. You are chosen by your fathers. Our fathers own us by choice, not only by obligation.
In our gospel today, we hear the story of the birth of Jesus as experienced by Joseph. If we really come to think of it, Joseph’s experience of the birth of Jesus is a story of being held accountable for something not-yours. Joseph’s experience of Jesus’ birth is a story of “Nagmahal, Nasaktan, Pinapanagut”.
Obviously, Joseph Nagmahal, – has loved. He loved his wife to-be Mary very much. He is willing to grow old and have a family with Mary. He is a just and righteous man who will do everything for his marriage and family to-be. But Joseph is also Nasaktan (of being hurt). Joseph was also hurt by what happened. Who would not be hurt and pained when you just learned that your beloved is already pregnant before you lived together and the baby is not-yours? Ang sakittttttt. Can we blame Joseph for planning to quietly divorce Mary? We can easily relate with the broken-hearted Joseph. And worse, Joseph is Pinapanagut – of being held responsible and accountable for all of these things.
If it is hurtful and hurting to learn that your wife to-be is already pregnant of a baby who is not-yours, how much more if you are pinapanagut – being held accountable and responsible for the baby? If you are Joseph, are you willing to take responsibility? Are you ready and willing to take responsibility for the so-called “unwanted” child? Would you still love your “unfaithful” wife to-be who is now pregnant with a child not-yours?
This is the story of Joseph as he experienced the birth of the Messiah. A story of being held accountable for something and someone not-yours. Nagmahal, nasaktan, pinapanagut sa hindi kanya. Loved, hurt, and being held responsible for something or someone not-yours.
The story of Joseph is also the story of our salvation. As the Lord offers us His beloved Son into our lives, we are asked to be like Joseph, i.e. to be held responsible for God and others – someone and something not-ours. Pinapanagut rin tayo. Like Joseph, we are being held accountable for His Son Jesus, for the sake of God and others, and not for our own sake. Pinapaangkin sa atin ang Kanyang Anak – to accept His Son as our very own.
And in doing so, in taking responsibility for God, like Joseph, we will love and be hurt along the way, and will be held accountable for something or someone not-ours. Because, only by taking responsibility and be held accountable for Jesus like Joseph, God’s grace and salvation continues to prosper and fulfill into our lives today. Thus, God’s incarnation requires our responsibility – our ability to response for God’s sake than ourselves.
Here we have much to learn from Joseph himself. As he went through the difficult experience of being accountable for God’s Son, he always honors and only listens to God’s message to him. Despite his confusions, frustrations, and broken-heartedness, Joseph simply listens to God’s message, honors God’s will, and hopes on God’s promise of Emmanuel “God is with us”, being responsible and accountable for Him. By always honoring and listening to God’s will and message to us, we become more responsible for Emmanuel, God with us.
Here we also come to realize that the history of our salvation is a story of parenting by choice. God our father chooses to be our parent by entrusting us His own beloved Son Jesus Christ, and as well as we choose to parent God’s child into our lives, God’s blessings & graces of salvation thrive always into our lives.
Just like Joseph, by adopting & taking responsibility for Jesus into our lives, not of obligation but by choice, the holiness & sacredness of God’s become flesh & dwell amongst us… regardless since we are chosen & loved.
Christmas is already near upon us. Actually the Lord has already came and arrived into our lives. But do we welcome Him into our lives? Do we follow Him and let Him change and influence our lives? Are we willing to be held responsible and accountable for Him, our God with us?
The season of Advent requires of us to “Be awake & Be Prepared”, “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand” , “Go and Tell others what we have seen & heard” & “Not be Afraid to take home” . Meaning awareness, repentance, witness & parenting the Holy Family into our lives now are enough preparations for us to receive & celebrate once again & anew God’s blessings upon us now & forever.
We pray then that like Joseph and Mary, we may be willing responsible people and accountable parent for the Lord into our lives by always listening and responding to God’s message and will for us, now & always. So May It Be. Amen.
A DOSE OF GOD TODAY 