Nine Words for Christmas: H
06 Dec 2023
Nine Words for Christmas: H
Mary’s ‘Yes’ to being the Messiah’s mother is often described as a humble one. We also always hear that the son of the Father humbled himself to be one of us, to be with us. And as the story goes, his life began in the very humble setting of a manger. It seems that this nativity narrative cannot be told without the virtue of humility. At the same time, what humility truly means can be understood in this context of a woman lovingly accepting God’s invitation, a God choosing to be in on this human journey, and a journey that speaks of nothing less than love.
Humility can often be mistaken as to belittle oneself. It may also be seen as giving up. There may also be interpretations that to be humble is to lack conviction. But in the Savior’s birth, all of these are false. Mary’s yes elevated us, removing us from the belittling situation of sin. Jesus’ coming was not a sign of the Father giving up and is, in fact, a stance that He continues to fight for us and our salvation. And certainly, there wasn’t a lack of conviction in sending us the Emmanuel for it showed how definite the Lord’s love is for us.
As we move onward in this Season of Advent, how can we be more humble by saying yes to God’s invitations? What can we do to proceed in courageous humility, bravely acknowledging the darkness yet fighting against it with our own gifts and heaven’s grace? Where can we exercise more love – humbled yet sure that we were borne from it, sustained by it and meant for it? If we need more guidance on a way forward, we only need to look at this nativity story to see that not everything may be grand and will come with fireworks. But oftentimes, what’s humble is what’s truly important and lasting.
Siyam na Salita sa Christmas: H
Kadalasang nilalarawan ang ‘Oo’ ni Maria sa pagiging ina ng Mesiyas na isang mapagkumbabang pagtanggap. Lagi rin nating naririnig na isang kababaang-loob ang pakikiisa at pakikipagtagpo sa atin ng anak ng Ama. Maging ang kanyang buhay ay nagsimula sa isang abang sabsaban. Tila hindi mailalahad ang kwentong ito ng kapanganakan na hindi kasama ang birtud ng kababaang-loob. Kaakibat nito, ang tunay na kahulugan ng kababaang-loob ay maaaring maunawaan sa konteksto ng isang babaeng mapagmahal na tumanggap sa paanyaya ng Diyos, sa isang Diyos na piniling makibahagi sa paglalakbay ng tao, at sa isang paglalakbay na nagtampok sa pag-ibig.
Maaaring mapagkamalang pagmamaliit sa sarili ang pagiging mababaang-loob. Marahil tinatanaw rin ito bilang pagsuko. May mga pakahulugan din dito bilang kakulangan ng paninindigan. Subalit sa kapanganakan ng Tagapagligtas, bulaan ang lahat ng ito. Iniangat tayo ng oo ni Maria, at iniligtas tayo mula sa nakapanliliit na kalagayan ng pagkakasala. Hindi pagsuko ng Ama ang pagdating sa atin ni Hesus at katunayan, isa itong pagpili na patuloy tayong ipaglaban. At ang pagkakaloob sa atin ng Emmanuel ay katiyakan ng pagmamahal sa atin ng Panginoon.
Sa pag-usad natin sa panahong ito ng Adbyento, paano tayo higit na magiging mababaang-loob na sumang-ayon sa mga paanyaya ng Diyos? Ano ang dapat nating piliing pagkilos na may matapang na kababaang-loob, na lakas-loob na kinikilala ang karimlan kasabay ng paggapi rito taglay ang ating kabiyayaan at ang grasya ng langit? Saan natin higit na nararapat pairalin ang pag-ibig – mababang-loob subalit tiyak na dito tayo nagmula, na ito ang nagtataguyod sa atin, at ito ang ating hantungan? Kung kailangan natin ng higit na gabay sa mga darating na araw, maaari tayong bumaling dito sa salaysay ng kapanganakan upang mapagtanto na hindi lahat ay kinakailangang marangya at makinang. Subalit kadalasan, ang mababang-loob ang siyang tunay na mahalaga at panghabang-panahon.
#ninewordsforchristmas #ateneoishome
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