Gifts of the Magi (Epiphany C)

Christmas gift-giving in the early centuries was originally done on the Feast of Epiphany understandably on account of the Magi’s presentation of gifts to the infant Jesus as we hear in the Gospel reading today.  With our present practice though, all the exchanging of gifts have been done by now and what’s left probably are the piles and litters of gift wrappers and boxes in our rooms (or in my room particularly).

But we can still take this Feast of Epiphany as an opportunity to make sense of our experience of gift-giving on Christmas.  Is there still sense to it?

The Lettermen’s “What Can I Give You this Christmas?” is one of my favourite Christmas songs. Some lines stand out for me as meaningful:

What can I give you this Christmas?
Not a thing that I’ve seen will do
So I’ll give you my heart and my own true love
That will last the whole year through.

I resonate not so much with the Lettermen’s genre as with the song’s expression of the existential ache common to us all to give no less our heart when we love.  Love compels us to give. One cannot love without giving. Giving is an act of love. Gifts then are signs of love, symbols of our hearts.  Oftentimes, however, we find the Christmas exchange of gifts a mere routine for merry-making, an activity to fill in the Christmas parties we have organized.  So that after all the parties, the real gift-giving happens in a less conspicuous way when we approach the people we truly care for and hand them what represents our love for them or when we quietly reach out  in charity to those who are less fortunate.

In today’s gospel (Mt. 2:1-12), the wise men from the east inspire our practice of gift-giving.  After travelling far and wide in search of the Lord, the Magi, led by a brightly shining star, found the infant Jesus with Mary his mother. “They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then, they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (v. 11).

Again, gifts are symbols of love.  In this particular event, the gifts of the Magi highlighted the great irony in the history of salvation:  The pagan people, represented by the wise men from the east, had come to express their love to Jesus and to receive the Messiah while the chosen people of Israel who had been waiting for their promised saviour would eventually hate and reject him.

Gold is a gift befitting a king for gold stands as the king of metals. With this gift the Magi expressed their love and acceptance of Jesus as King. This was in stark contrast to the evil intent of Herod, Israel’s King, against the child whom he saw as threat to his kingship. The frankincense, moreover, is high quality incense, the aroma and smoke of which goes up heavenward and exudes divinity.  With this gift, the magi expressed their love and worship of Jesus as God.  The God of Israel became then the God of all nations.  The third gift, myrrh, is used as a perfume in the preparation of the dead for burial. This gift foreshadowed the passion and death of our Lord as human being. With this gift, the magi expressed their love and acceptance of the humanity of Jesus and his obedience unto death.

On this Feast of Epiphany then, we may do well to pose some reflective questions pertaining to our experience of gift-giving this Christmas:

What gift did I receive that I am most grateful for? Right now my place is still in shambles as I come back from Christmas break.  As I start to get rid of the litters of gift wrappers, ribbons, boxes and what not, I realize it is not for a particular gift which has come with the wrappings that I am most thankful.  It is the gift of friendship, of love and of family that has made the Christmas season not just merry but truly happy for me. For others, there may be some outstanding gifts that they can easily be grateful for.  In whatever case, this Feast of Epiphany invites us to relish our sense of gratitude and just be thankful.

What gift have I given that bears the sign of my heart? How have I given this Christmas? Have I given with love? Have I reached out to those who are in need? Our honest answer to this will allow us either to appreciate our own capacity to share and to be selfless or to be aware of our tendency to be close to ourselves and to our own needs.  Let Epiphany be a manifestation for us of our own capacity to give love or our need to grow more in it.

What gift have I given to Jesus who is the be-all-and-end-all of this season? Despite the widespread annual celebration of Christmas, our societies have given way to secularism. God and His precepts have been increasingly brushed aside from public affairs. There is even talk of renaming the Christmas tree into holiday tree to avoid the religious connotation of Christmas! While the present day Herods reject God, can we continue to stand by Jesus as our King, worship Him as our God, love Him and suffer with Him as one among us?

We may have crooned and belted out Christmas songs this season including my favorite, promising to give even our hearts as gift, but the real challenge is that on this Feast of the Epiphany we are called to offer to the Lord once more the gifts of the Magi.

Hope and Forgiveness in the Holy Year (Mary, Mother of God C)

As we gather together to celebrate the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, we find ourselves at the brink of a New Year—a special year, the Jubilee Year 2025. This year, we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope. As we journey together, we are invited to become agents of hope in the midst of so much uncertainty and struggle in our personal lives and in our aspirations as a nation.  Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Peace 2025, entitled “Forgive us our Trespasses; Grant us your Peace” calls us to find hope in forgiveness and in our commitment to work for justice and peace in the world.   Let us reflect on three key points: embracing the Jubilee spirit, understanding forgiveness as a path to peace, and the Pope's three concrete proposals for building a more just society.

Embracing the Jubilee Spirit for 2025. The Jubilee is a time of liberation and hope, echoing the ancient Jewish practice where every fiftieth year was proclaimed a time of forgiveness and freedom. This year, we are called to embrace this spirit of hope as we aspire for our own restoration and healing as a people. For many Filipinos, the weight of economic challenges, political turmoil, natural calamities owing to climate crisis, and social injustices can be overwhelming. From the struggles against poverty and unemployment to the cries for justice from victims of violence, we badly need our anchor of hope to offer us a sense of stability and security as we struggle in our journey. 

Mary, as the Mother of God, embodies hope and resilience. Her acceptance of God’s plan reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is a glimmer of hope. Jesus, her Son, is our anchor amidst this turbulent time. This year, let us embrace the Jubilee spirit by acknowledging our own burdens and calling for communal healing. How can we, inspired by Mary, actively contribute to lightening the load of our neighbors? Whether through acts of compassion, solidarity in our communities, or advocacy for systemic change, each of us plays a role in fostering a spirit of renewal and hope.

Forgiveness as a Path to Peace. Forgiveness is crucial to healing the deep divisions in our society. In the Philippines, where we experience on-going cycles of conflict—be it between communities, within families, or against the backdrop of political strife—approaching one another with a spirit of forgiveness can be revolutionary. In his message for the World Day of Peace 2025, “Forgive us our Trespasses; Grant us Your Peace,” Pope Francis emphasizes that forgiveness is not an easy act but is essential for our collective peace.

Consider the wounds inflicted by violence and injustice, such as those faced by families who have lost loved ones to extrajudicial killings, or those who bear the scars of historic injustices and discrimination. Forgiveness does not dismiss the pain but allows for transformation. Mary, Mother of God, brought Jesus to the world whose entire life had shown the power of forgiveness to bring healing and reconciliation. As we enter the New Year, we are invited to ask ourselves: Who do we need to forgive in our hearts? How can we foster peace in our communities? By prioritizing reconciliation over resentment, we contribute to the healing of a fractured society.

Pope Francis’ Three Proposals. Let us also reflect on Pope Francis’ three proposals for building a more just and compassionate world, which resonate deeply within our Philippine context:

Debt Forgiveness: The Pope calls for the cancellation of international debts that threaten the future of many nations, particularly in the global South. In the Philippines, where many families struggle under the weight of poverty and economic instability, advocating for debt forgiveness is a crucial step toward justice and equity. We must work towards policies that alleviate the burden of debt and promote sustainable development.

Respect for Life: Upholding the sanctity of life is paramount. In a society where violence and injustice are prevalent, we are called to be champions of life. This includes advocating for the abolition of the death penalty still in place in some societies and correcting this culture of extra-judicial killings which undermines the hope for rehabilitation and forgiveness. We must strive to create a culture that values every life and offers hope for a better future.

Redirecting Resources for Peace: The Pope urges the international community to redirect funds from war expenditures to initiatives that combat hunger and promote education. In the Philippines, where many children go hungry and lack access to quality education, we must advocate for a shift in priorities that invests in our youth and communities. By supporting programs that promote peace and development, we can help build a brighter future.

As we celebrate this New Year and the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, let us carry these reflections in our hearts. May we embrace the Jubilee spirit filled with hope, commit ourselves to the path of forgiveness, and actively engage with the Pope’s proposals for a more just and peaceful Society. Let us follow the example of Mary, who teaches us to trust in God’s plan and to be vessels of peace in a world that so desperately needs it. Amen.
 

Embracing Hope in the Light of Christ (Christmas Eve)

As we gather this Christmas Eve, our hearts are filled with the joy and anticipation of celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Tonight, we not only commemorate the miraculous event of His coming into the world but also honor the hope that His story brings us. This Christmas, as we look toward the Jubilee Year 2025, I invite you all to reflect on three profound insights about hope—hope in God's fidelity, hope in God's love for the poor, and hope in embracing and sharing the joy of the Gospel.

Hope in the Fidelity of God to Fulfill His Promises. The Christmas story is a poignant reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem fulfills the prophecies declared by the prophets centuries before. In Micah 5:2, we read, "But you, Bethlehem, Ephrata, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Here, we see that God's plan was set in motion long before Jesus' birth.

Just as He delivered His promise to the people of Israel, God continues to fulfill His promises to us today. In our personal lives, we encounter moments of waiting and uncertainty, but we must trust that God is at work, shaping our paths according to His divine will.

Reflecting on this fidelity, let us find confidence and strength in our own waiting, knowing that just as He fulfilled His promises to the shepherds and to Mary, He remains faithful to us. This Christmas, recommit yourself to hope, for God is faithful!

Hope in God's Preferential Love for the Poor and Marginalized. The circumstances surrounding Christ's birth further reveal God's heart for the poor and marginalized. Jesus was born in a stable, placed in a manger. This humble birth profoundly signifies that God identifies with the least among us. The shepherds, often regarded as outcasts, were the first recipients of the angel's message of great joy: "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:10).

Pope Francis beautifully expresses this reality in Spes non confundit (paragraph 4), stating, "It is difficult to imagine that God would disregard those who are suffering." When we embrace the story of Christmas, we see that it reflects God's preferential option for the vulnerable. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus later proclaims in his ministry, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

This is an invitation for each of us to reach out to those in need in our communities. As we celebrate Christmas, let us reflect on how we can live out this love and compassion in our daily lives, shining the light of hope to those who feel forgotten and marginalized. 

Hope in a People Embracing and Sharing the Joy of the Gospel. Finally, we are invited to become bearers of joy and hope—a joy that stems from an encounter with Christ. The shepherds, after visiting Jesus, returned glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard (Luke 2:20). Their response serves as a model for us today.

Again, the Holy Father reminds us in his message for the Jubilee Year of Hope: "The Christian message is one of hope. Hope for the poor, for those who suffer, and for a world that is waiting for freedom"(par. 5) ). We are called to embody that hope by sharing the joy of the Gospel with others. The world needs our witness now more than ever—people filled with the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. 

As we enter the Jubilee Year 2025, let us embrace this festive spirit and commit to spreading hope. Just as the shepherds returned transformed, we, too, can go forth rejoicing and inviting others into the light of Christ. Our actions, our words, our very lives can become instruments of God's hope in a world that longs for peace, justice, and love.

As we celebrate this Holy Night, may we be renewed in our faith, bolstered by hope. Let there be hope in our hearts for God's fidelity, hope in His love for the marginalized, and hope in our mission to share the joy of the Gospel. In the words of Pope Francis, "Let us not allow our hope to be extinguished! Let us instead open our hearts and reach out to those in need, for in that, we encounter Christ Himself" (par. 6).

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!