Tenacity and holding on to God's will

THE STORY is told about a mother who told her little girl: "No matter what happens, hold on to my skirt so that you won't get lost in the mall." "Yes Mommy" was the little girl's reply. There were so many people doing their last-minute Christmas shopping, and true enough, the little girl held on, and held on tight. Two hours later, there was an announcement: "Calling on the parents or guardians of a lost little girl wearing a blue dress and tenaciously holding on to a red skirt."

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In today's Gospel (Lk. 1, 26-38), we hear of Mary's tenacity and of her obedience to God's will in spite of her fears and uncertainties. She was going to have a child without having an affair with any man. Furthermore, her cousin Elizabeth, who was barren, had conceived in her old age and was already in her sixth month. Impossible! But that precisely was the Angel Gabriel's message to her, and to us: "For nothing will be impossible for God."

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In the recently concluded TV show "Pinoy Big Brother," housemate Nene Tamayo came out the winner. This simple 24-year-old girl from Romblon rose above the rest because of her determination and obedience to the instructions of Big Brother. There were housemates who were more vocal, more eloquent, more talented, more good-looking, but in the end, it was a simple, determined, obedient girl who won. Doesn't Nene remind us of Mary in many ways?

Obey God, and you'll be happy. Disobey God in sin and you will regret it in so many ways.

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I can't help but remember my father who would have been 84 years old today. Life was hard when we were growing up in Bani, Pangasinan, but he always told us, his children, to study well, work hard and pray much, and we would be successful someday. He brought us up with loads of honest and hard work, and he told us that all he could give us was education, and a good name. He was a man who believed in God, and who believed in good work, honesty and lots of love.

From time to time, we hear of people who tenaciously hold on to their values and principles in spite of the lures of money, power and pleasures. More often than not, they are thought of as foolish in the eyes of the world. However, they are not foolish in the eyes of God. Blessed are they who hold on to their goodness in a culture where cheating, lying and stealing are almost becoming a lifestyle. "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." These words are also addressed today to those people who hold on to goodness.

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On the other hand, there are those who tenaciously hold on to power, money, pleasures and lies. To them, the opposite message is given today: "You better be afraid, for you have not found favor with God!"

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It is the season for giving gifts. Fr. John O'Mahony, SVD cautions us about "recycling" gifts, and he uses, as an example, the fruit cake which we often pass on as a gift to other people by simply changing the card attached to it. Father John challenges us to give whatever excess or whatever we don't use to charitable institutions, hospitals, orphanages, and not just recycle them for "exchange gifts." On a deeper level, we must stop our "recycled spirituality" with which we go back to our old ways soon after the Christmas season is gone.

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By the way, do you have a memorial life plan? Have you made a decision as to whether you will be cremated or not? How many days have you set aside for your wake? Have you thought of the people whom you would like or would not like to be at your funeral? Such morbid thoughts at Christmas? I am asking these questions not because I am an agent of a memorial life company. I am asking the questions because I want to raise these other questions: Do you have an eternal life plan? Do you plan to go to heaven? If so, then, obey God's will. Do not postpone your conversion. Do not postpone your loving. The time to love is now.

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Congratulations to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. "INQREDIBLE at 20." May I add: CREDIBLE at 20. May this paper continue to do its mission for our country and for our people by continuing its prophetic role of giving "balanced news and fearless views."

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Calling all the alumni of St. Augustine Seminary of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. Please get in touch with Fr. Andy Lubi for your Alumni Homecoming on Dec. 30, 2005 (+63928-3769132/+63 43-2883020).

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As part of our effort to reach out to as many people as possible, we are now on mobile ministry through text messaging. Text FJREQ to Globe 2948, and to Smart 394. Yes, let God's Words spread far and wide!

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Wishing you all a truly blessed, peaceful and meaningful Christmas! May you experience a heart that has reconciled with God, overflowing with peace, love and hope to people around! May God bless our country the Philippines, especially this Christmas.

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help me to hold on to your will, no matter what, no matter where. Amen.

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