Friday, December 16, 2016
3rd Week of Advent
1st Reading: Is 56:1-3, 6-8
Gospel: John 5:33-36
Jesus said to the Jews, “John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to him, but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that you may be saved.
“John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light. But I have greater evidence than that of John – the works which the Father entrusted to me to carry out. The very works I do bear witness: the Father has sent me.”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE
(Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
Today’s Gospel describes John the Baptist as “a burning and shining lamp”. This description takes our minds to the Gospel exhortation to let our light shine so that seeing our good works people may find their way to God. How did John the Baptist burn his lamp giving light to the world?
He withheld nothing; he gave everything! He dedicated his whole life to preparing the people for the coming of the Messiah. He preached to them, baptized them and pointed to them the Lamb of God. He lived in the desert, maintained a frugal diet and lived an ascetic life to concentrate on his mission. Because his life was consistent with his message, he became a shining witness that edified the people. Because of his integrity he became a credible witness of the Messiah. No less than the Messiah himself confirmed him with the highest affirmation saying: “John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light.”
How may we burn like a shining lamp today? The Archdiocese of Cebu proposes a new theme for 2017: The Parish as Communion of Communities. It has the following subthemes: 1) conversion (metanoia), 2)charism (charismata), 3) Eucharist (eucharistia), 4)service (diakonia), and 5) koinonia (communion). In the succeeding nine days of preparation for Christmas (Misa de Gallo) we will expound each of these subthemes in this column. Today, the first day of our Misa de Gallo, let us begin with conversion (paronomasia intended).
John the Baptist himself had been calling people to conversion in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Our parish will only become communion of communities if we journey towards this same direction: “Usque ad staturam Christi” (towards the stature of Christ). The Parish will be as strong as its weakest member. A parishioner who defies the call to conversion will slow down the spiritual journey of the parish community.
Conversion presupposes remorse, the firm resolve to reject the old man, and the desire to put on the new man (Eph. 4:24). Anything less would smack of hypocrisy, which is abominable to God (Rev. 3:16). – Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., Attorney-at-law, Notary Public, 09287255610
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