Our gifts for 2005

HAPPY New Year! We are one year older, yes, but according to a text message I received, we should not be afraid to grow older since old folks are worth a fortune: They have silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, and gas in their stomach!

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Today, the feast of the Epiphany, brings to mind the Magi who traveled many miles searching for Jesus. They were guided by a star, and when they found Him, they did Him homage and offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Mt. 2, 1-12) They found Him. Why? Because they looked for Him. And allowed themselves to be led. We cannot find God unless we really look for Him, and open our hearts to His leadings. Where is He? He is just around. He is everywhere and in everyone. You can't miss Him. He is so big as to contain the whole universe, yet He is so small that He can dwell in a human heart.

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What if the magi gave up their search because the trip was too long and too tiresome? What if they gave in to the wishes of King Herod to go back to Him after they had found the child? They could have landed perhaps Cabinet positions and lived comfortable lives after that. No, they chose the "road less traveled" because they were focused. They followed the star. They pursued their mission, and they encountered the savior. The New Year ushers in a beautiful opportunity for all of us to focus once again on what is important, and to start afresh and anew. It's time for us to renew our hearts and minds for whatever mission we have for the Lord and for Mama Mary.

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By the way, the first day of the New Year is dedicated to Mary, the mother of God, and rightly so. Let us ask our Mama Mary to take care of us. She will be with us, come tsunamis, earthquakes, civil unrest, sickness, deprivations or whatever. Yes, Mama loves us. She who gave us a son, will give us all the help and inspiration we need to make our way back home.

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What can we offer the Lord in this New Year? Let us offer the 4 H's, the 4 decisions for 2005. First, let us decide to be healthy. Let us live long so that we can serve the Lord long. Let us avoid all those things that make our body unhealthy. Why suffer sickness when we can prevent it? Of course, if sickness does come our way, in spite of everything, let us also accept it as our sharing in the Cross of Jesus.

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Second, let us decide to be happy. In spite of trials and misfortunes, let us decide to see the bright side of life. Let us not be burdened by problems and by people who make our life unhappy. It's up to us. We can be happy, in spite of everything, if we decide so.

Third, let us decide to be holy. Once and for all. Let us decide to do good and avoid evil. Sin makes us unhappy. Why go on sinning? For a few moments of pleasure? For some empty years of fame and glory? Pleasure is fleeting. Power is not forever. Let us go back to God. Let God be God. Let us be humble. Without God, we can have no real peace. Without God, all our achievements are vain, empty and meaningless.

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Fourth, let us decide to be helpful. It's so easy to be selfish. In fact, that is probably the easiest thing to do in this world. We can amass all the millions we want, all the pleasures we desire and all the comfort we long for; we can make people unhappy if we want to. We can manipulate and use people, we can cheat, we can lie, but, what for? If we did all these, we may be well off and comfortable in this life; but by doing so, we would have been untrue to ourselves and would have made our loved ones unhappy, and our God sad. And so, let us keep on trying, keep on believing that life is not about indulging, but giving. After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about -- a God who gave, and gave, and continues to give?

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Starting January, we will be on Studio 23 for a simple, prayerful Sunday TV Mass, which will be followed by a talk show that will have interesting guests to expound on the Sunday Gospel. We hope to go global soon, for after all, isn't the Epiphany all about the revelation of God to all nations and for all peoples? We hope that through this endeavor, we can "go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to all creation." (Mk. 16, 15) Please support us in this endeavor, our gift to the Lord, to our nation and to the world.

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Advanced feast of the two kings! FPJ, the king is gone. If only we followed a star to lead us... wishing you all a better year, in all aspects, in Jesus' name. Amen!

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A moment with the Lord:

Lord, accept our offering, our firm decision in the New Year to be healthy, happy, holy and helpful. Amen.