Nine Questions for Christmas – Second One
11 Dec 2024
When there is something important – an event, a belief or an undertaking – it may become more special or take on deeper meaning when we get to share it. In many instances, to have such presence with us can make what is difficult easy, what is good better, what is happy peaceful. It tells us we are cared for and we matter. But there may be moments when we may be too embarrassed to ask for someone to show up. It can be difficult to expect that someone will pay attention. Or it can just be plain unrealistic that with the many hurdles of time, space and availability, that someone will be there.
Have we experienced what being cherished means?
To have someone show up in where we are, pay attention to our thoughts or feelings, or be there for us might be the most meaningful and deepest act of caring we can ever experience. Perhaps in our heart of hearts, that is just what we need and want: a presence of a companion, a supporter, a lover. And while family, friends and colleagues may not always meet our needs and desires for such because of human limitations and frailty, God has already made sure that we know we matter and that we are cherished.
Christmas reminds us that He already showed up for us, already paid us attention, already was there for us. And that He continues, and will continue, to do so. After all, sending no less than His Son to be with us here where we are, however we may have messed up this world and regardless of what we have done, tells us that it is not about our circumstances nor our choices but it is about His heart, which undoubtedly holds us close. In this season filled with the frenzy of caring for others through gifts and get-togethers, may we allow ourselves to relish this reality that He has cherished us first, that He cherishes us always and that He will never cease to cherish us best.
Kapag mayroong mahalaga – isang pangyayari, paniniwala o gawain – maaari itong mas maging espesyal o magkaraoon ng mas malalim na kabuluhan kung naibabahagi natin ito. Sa maraming pagkakataon, ang ganoong presensya ay maaaring magpagaan sa mahirap, magpaigi pa sa mabuti na, at magkaloob ng kapayapaan sa saya. Ipinapaalam nito sa atin na may kumakalinga sa atin at na may saysay tayo. Subalit may mga sandaling maaaring mahiya tayo na humiling na may makasama. Maaari ring maging hamon ang umasa na may makakapansin pa. O kaya hindi lamang makatotohanan na sa dami ng balakid ng oras, espasyo at tamang panahon, may darating para sa atin.
Naranasan na ba natin ang tunay na pagtatangi?
Marahil ang pinakamakahulugan at pinakamalalim na pagkalingang maaari nating maranasan ay iyong madama na mayroon tayong kasama, na may nagbibigay-pansin sa ating mga isipin o damdamin, o yung mayroon tayong kaagapay. Maaaring sa kaibuturan ng ating puso, ito lamang ang ating kailangan at inaasam: isang presensya ng pakikilakbay, pagpapalakas at pag-ibig. At samantalang hindi ito laging naipagkakaloob ng mga pamilya, kaibigan o katrabaho dahil sa mga kahinaan at kakulangan ng isang tao, tiniyak na ng Diyos na batid nating mahalaga tayo at itinatangi.
Ipinapaalala ng Pasko na kasama natin Siya, na nakatuon ang Kanyang pansin sa atin, at na kapiling Niya tayo. At ipinagpapatuloy at ipagpapatuloy Niya ang ganitong pagkilos para sa atin. Sapagkat ang pagpapadala Niya ng Kanya mismong Anak dito kung nasaan tayo, gaano man nating ginulo itong mundo at anupaman ang ating nagawa, ay nagsasabing hindi ito tungkol sa ating kinalulugaran o kinikilingan kung hindi tungkol sa Kanyang puso na walang-alinlangang nagkakanlong sa atin. Sa aligagang panahong ito na puno ng pangangalaga para sa kapwa sa pamamagitan ng mga regalo at pagtitipon, nawa hayaan natin ang sariling namnamin ang realidad na nauna Siyang tumangi sa atin, na lagi Niya tayong tinatangi at na hindi Siya kailanman hihinto bilang pinakadakilang tumatangi sa atin.
Can we allow ourself to hope and dream?
Have we experienced what being cherished means?
#aihninequestionsforchristmas #ateneoishome
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