'Playerful'? Prayerful!

WHEN a death row convict was asked if he had any final statement, he answered: "All I want to express is my gratitude to my mother who never stopped loving me since my childhood, all throughout my adolescent years, and in my adultery."

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Today, the first day of the year is the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. In Today's gospel (Lk. 2, 16-21) we see Mary, a loving Mother so focused on her son Jesus. Amid the many mysteries and wonders that went before and accompanied the birth of her Son, "Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." Only a mother's heart can deeply and truly feel, sympathize, empathize and understand her own child, without conditions. Thank God for mothers. Thank God for Mama Mary, our Mother.

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There's a whole year ahead of us. A lot of things will happen this year, both good and bad, happy and sad. But let us take our cue from Mama Mary. Let us learn to reflect and ponder, to stay focused on her Son through it all.

May we all be more prayerful and stay rooted in the divine will. Wishing you all more prayerful and reflective moments in the coming year. Perhaps we can all make this our New Year's resolution: To be more prayerful and less "playerful."

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It's a new year! Fresh start, and new beginnings. Let us not be burdened by the could-have-been's and the should-have-been's of the past year. Neither should we be crippled with the what-if's and the maybe's of the coming year. Let us learn from Mama Mary. She was strong because she was a very focused person. If we are doing our best, and if we are obedient to God's will, then we need not look back with regrets, or look forward with fear.

There was one Christmas moment I experienced last December 24. On my way to our home for the noche buena, I happened to pass by a group of "cart people" in a dark corner somewhere in Kamuning. I stopped at the other side of the street to observe them. They were just sitting there, doing nothing, eating nothing. I mean, this was Christmas eve, and here I was about to enjoy a good meal with my family. I turned around, went back to my office and brought them some biscuits, fruits and whatever little I could give them. It was a little act of kindness that brought so much joy that could be seen on their faces. And as I drove on, I thought I saw on my rear-view mirror that dark corner in Kamuning suddenly aglow with Christmas lights.

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There was another Christmas moment that happened when I prayed to Mama Mary to help me in our traditional Christmas gift-giving in Pangasinan. I have collected, from friends, pails, candies, toys, clothes; but I lacked fruits and drinks to make my list complete. So, as our Mama always told us since we were children, go tell Mama Mary. The next day, fruits and soft drinks were sent over by friends to my office as if they were instructed by Mama Mary to do just that.

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There was one light moment in my busy schedule last Christmas: After the Mass, a 10-year-old boy walked up to me, pulled out his wallet, and handed me a P100-bill without saying anything. For a moment, I just stood there, looking at him in surprise and amazement. I don't know what made him do it. For all you know, it was from his little savings. Or, maybe, he chose to forego a favorite toy. But he did it. And he did it in sincerity, in humility, and with a smile. Big boys can surely learn a lot from this little boy.

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Perhaps, some of you still have some leftovers from the holidays. Remember: The spirit of Christmas giving and sharing does not end on Christmas day. Instead of letting your extras gather dust and moss for another year, why don't you clean up your cabinets and send them over to charitable institutions. Better still, write out a cheque or send some cash, in gratitude for all the blessings you have received. An old song put it beautifully: "It's not the things you do at Christmas but the Christmas things you do the whole year through that makes Christmas."

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THINK ABOUT IT: "To realize the value of one year, ask a student who failed and has to repeat one school year; to realize the value of one month, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby; to realize the value of one week, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper; to realize the value of one hour, ask lovers who are waiting to meet each other; to realize the value of one minute, ask a person who missed the train; to realize the value of one second, ask a person who just avoided an accident." Yes, let us treasure every moment, and let us live each day of 2006 to the fullest.

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I am praying that 2006 will be a better year for all of us, in all aspects, in Jesus' name! Happy New Year Philippines! Happy New Year everyone!

Don't forget, we have a Mother. We need not fear, for she is near.

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A moment with the Lord

Lord, help me to be less playerful and more prayerful in this new year. Amen.

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