WORD ALIVE

A story is told about a Franciscan, a Jesuit, and an SVD who paid homage to the Christ Child in Bethlehem. The Franciscan was interested in the manger to serve as reminder of the poverty and simplicity their Order professed.

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The Jesuit was more interested to have Jesus enrolled at their school Ateneo.
When they looked around for the SVD, he was nowhere to be found. They discovered later that he ran after the 3 Kings — soliciting donations for the mission!

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Today we celebrate the feast of the Magi or Epiphany. Magi were wise men or enlightened astrologers. The feast is also called “epiphany” (from the Greek word "epiphanein") which means "manifestation."

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Christ as the Messiah manifested himself not only to the Chosen People (Jews) but to all, whether Christians or non-Christians. Hence, the teaching of certain church denominations that they — and only they — will be saved contradicts the message of the Bible, particularly today’s Epiphany event.

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What messages can we learn from the Magi episode? According to the evangelist Matthew, the wise men searched for the new-born Child. Searching requires courage and perseverance.

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It takes a strong conviction to be faithful to one's religious principles and persevering moral integrity. This recalls the much-publicized honest taxi driver Emilio Advincula, many years ago, who was a poor man, struggling to support his wife and children. Just that auspicious morning, he had been worrying about how to repay a debt to his brother-in-law.

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When he saw the bag left behind by a balikbayan woman on the passenger seat of his cab, he never dared open it, remembering what his mother had often told him as a boy: “No matter what, never take anything that’s not yours.”
The bag contained some P2 million worth in cash and jewelry. Despite the alluring temptation to run off with the valuables, he stuck to his moral conviction and returned them.

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Not too long ago, “Reader’s Digest” conducted a study called the “wallet test” wherein wallets containing some money were dropped in the sidewalk or restaurants. When they were returned and the honest persons who found them and were interviewed, the result revealed that family upbringing and religion were the main factors that motivated the finders to return the “lost” wallets.

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In married life, it takes patience, perseverance and one’s religion to help a husband or wife to be faithful in a milieu where infidelity and broken marriages abound.
That’s true, also, in one’s work and commitment. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta exemplified faithfulness and perseverance.

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When she was asked about her difficult task of serving the poorest of the poor, a man queried: “Mother Teresa, don’t you get tired of your work, and think of retiring, and enjoy your remaining years?” Mother Teresa paused for a moment and replied: “I was called by God not to be successful but to be faithful.” For her, what’s most important is not success or enjoyment but faithfulness.

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Let’s imitate the fidelity and perseverance of the Magi, the honest taxi driver Emilio Advincula, and St. Mother Teresa. Jesus reminds us, saying: “He who perseveres to the end (in faith and integrity) will receive the crown of eternal life.”

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The lighter side. “Dear God, all I ask for the New Year is a FAT wallet and a THIN body. And please don't mix them up... like you did last year!”

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An enormously wealthy 65-year old man falls in love with a young woman in her 20s and is contemplating a proposal. “Do you think she’d marry me if I tell her I’m 45?” he asked his friend.
“Your chances are better,” said the friend, “if you tell her you’re 90.”

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Give love. In the spirit of Christmas, let’s reach out to the victims of super-typhoon ODETTE. Send donation in cash or kind to authorized distribution centers.

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Kindly alleviate the sufferings, also, of some indigent sick I’m helping: Bernadette V., sick of COVID-19 pandemic, Marylou M., Jacky L. severe asthma, vulnerable to COVID virus; five-year-old leukemia patient Alison Lira.

For inquiry, e-mail me at: [email protected].

“Be compassionate and God will be compassionate on you.”