The Light of Jesus, Christmas

Quezon City, PH- Indeed, for me, Sunday is the most uplifting day of the week. Through the Holy Mass, it's the time to rejuvenate our soul from the Earthly battles we have. On the Third Sunday of Advent, one of the youngest priest in our parish presided the celebration. Father Arvie Bello highlighted the scriptures about John the Baptist paving the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The Gospel below was the revelation of the Almighty Father used John to be His instrument to redeem us from sins. John 19:28

The Testimony of John the Baptist

19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”[g] 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said,

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said.

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,[h] nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Father Arvie explained how people mistakenly identified John of being the Savior. On how other people mistakenly identified people in their lives and took them for granted.

One of his stories he made example to John is his own life of being a priest.

Whenever he is with the bishops and carry their baggage or their stuff he is always mistakenly identified as their Sacristan. Also, he had this situation that he was invited to preside at a Mass, and later found out that people were agitated because they thought they had waited a long time for the priest to come, but in fact he had arrived 30 minutes before the Mass schedule. They were surprised when he told them that he was the priest.

Due of his age and physical features, other people assume he is a different person. I was a witness of how he became a priest. While I attended and served the Church during childhood, up I until now, I saw his earnest desire in serving the Lord as a sacristan then, and this year He was ordained to be priest.

We tend to easily judge people right away because of their appearances and do not see their purposes, even when we are at the Church.

God called us to inspire others, not to mock or distance ourselves from others.

In our lives, God's love, moves in mysterious ways.

We fail to recognize God's ways. During Christmas, we fail to see what's the real Christmas. It is not just a day, it's a reminder of giving everyday.

To identify the blessings of the Lord, we need to open ourselves to see not with our eyes, or what we hear, but on the sincere actions of our fellow men.

God opened our eyes to His miracles, and even gave His only Son to redeem us.

Let's not take for granted the chance to love God, to be back in His loving and forgiving arms.

Let's acknowledge Him every moment of our lives. With all the people we meet, let us be the light of Father God, and Jesus.

Let's give. Let's forgive. Let's be lights! Let's live in His light.