God’s Revelation

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January 17,2107

IS 62:1-5 PS 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
1 COR 12:4-11 JN 2:1-11
The gospel portrays the wedding at Cana and Mary the mother of Jesus told him that the feast run out of wine. Mary told the servants of the wedding to do whatever Jesus tells them. The role of Mary is to remind us of Jesus’ presence within us and among us. We are in God in Jesus Christ by baptism and we are to keep ourselves deep in the heart of God, with Jesus. And so we can ask for whatever is needed, knowing that we are heard and that “we already have what we have asked of Him”. Like Mary at the wedding feast, the kingdom of the poor being fed and lack being filled, we are to see what is needed and ask that others’ needs be met through our prayers, but even more through our service and obedience. In a world where the poor is getting poorer and the rich is getting richer, women and children are being maltreated and abused in and outside our own country, political will is corrupted and all other social realities which demeans human dignity, there is so much to be asked of for a variety of need which is always the need to be saved, to be taken out of unfavorable situations and be brought back to a dignified life. Therefore we are challenged to be the voice of the voiceless and the hands of God that can make change possible. •
Sr. Sr. Eloisa Holdiem, SDS

Wise Men Defied The King

IS 60:1-6
PS 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13

EPH 3:2-3A, 5-6
MT 2:1-12
When one becomes famous, everything related to him or her would suddenly becomes interesting.

The story of Jesus, became interesting, worth celebrating and remembering , because of what he did in this world. His options and bias were clear. He was never neutral on the issues of oppression and exploitation. He provoked and challenged the standard of this “world” ( Roman Empire, the religious hypocrisy , abuse of authority and power). His ended up in a shameful death. Only his followers and believers who longed for salvation, liberation, fullness of life stood by him. It was even difficult for his disciples to understand what he went through. Lo and behold, this child who was so poor and unnoticed is stilled remembered.

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His birth is now being celebrated , because those who followed him, made it sure that his death at the hands of the Roman Empire would not be the end of his mission . In his name , we have Christmas holiday .  Unfortunately the clever and shrewd “empire” – capitalism and consumerism are stealing the story of nativity from the very people who are longing  for his coming.

In the story the magi visited him. It was not in the manger, but in the house. The magi known to be experts in astronomy and astrology were among the visitors of Jesus. By the story of Matthew, it was not established if they were three magi. There were three gifts, but not necessarily three magi. But the numbers are not the issue here (though we have been comfortable with the tradition that there were three men who offered gifts).
The wise men found the boy they were looking for. They did not tell Herod  who  had a “murderous” plan against boys who were two years old and under(Matthew 2:16) . Herod was so furious, and threatened with the power who might over rule him, so he ordered the killing. Jesus was saved from the mass killing order of Herod.
The Christmas story is not actually “merry” for the parents who were in anxiety and tensions: where to spend the night and where to give birth; and how to save the boy from a killer-Herod. Too bad that there were children who were not rescued .

A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.” (Matthew 2:18)
We celebrate, because of the victorious fulfilment of Jesus’ mission. He did not give up his love for the people and offered his life for the sake of others. His birth reminds us of how poor families are treated and marginalized. The visit of the magi reminds us that the “epiphany” , the manifestation of Christ is not an exclusive privilege of the Jews, but an inclusive revelation for those who would acknowledge and honor him. The magi passed on to us wisdom – that is , it wiser to defy the order of the king than to blindly obey him.

Deaconess Norma P. Dollaga
KASIMBAYAN