Nine Questions for Christmas – Eighth One
20 Dec 2024
One of the most embarrassing experiences any person can have is to show up at an activity or place where we are actually not invited nor welcome. And in a way, because for sure we have made mistakes, we failed in certain things, we committed sins, we can wonder:
Are we welcome in heaven and its rejoicing?
If God were a petty god, He could slam the doors of heaven in our faces, maybe even with a mocking and triumphant smirk. If God were vengeful, He would counter each of the hurt we caused Him and all that He created with what we deserve. If God were full of spite and judgment, we should have been wiped off the earth very early on. But He is not any of these things. In fact, He is like a generous host who accepts everyone who comes to His party, offers them everything on the table, and even has a gift for us even when He did not know if we were going to accept His invitation or not.
In the coming days, we will receive several invitations to gatherings and gift exchanging. And we are free to go and participate. The same is true with the most important invitation we are being offered – to allow God to love us. Christmas may have come and gone these past years, but our welcome into His embrace never pales nor diminishes.This year, may we say ‘yes’ even more to the King of Kings whose heart is always open for us to enter and find our home in.
Isa sa mga pinaka-nakakahiyang karanasan ng sinuman ang pumunta sa isang gawain o lugar na di naman tayo inanyayahan o tinatanggap. At sa isang banda, dahil tiyak na nagkamali tayo, nabigo sa ilang bagay, nagkasala, maaari nating isipin:
Tanggap ba tayo sa pagdiriwang ng kalangitan?
Kung mababaw ang Diyos, maaaring padabog na sinara na Niya ang pintuan sa atin, na may nang-iinis at natutuwang ngisi. Kung mapaghiganti ang Diyos, tatapatan Niya ang bawat sakit na idinulot natin sa Kanya at sa lahat ng Kanyang nilikha ng kung anumang nararapat sa atin. Kung puno ng paghihiganti at paghatol ang Diyos, dapat napatalsik na tayo sa mundo dati pa. Subalit hindi Siya alinman sa mga iyan. Katunayan, Siya ay tila isang mapagbigay na tagapag-anyaya na sinasalubong ang bawat isa sa Kanyang pagtitipon, nag-aalok ng lahat ng nasa hapag, at mayroong regalo para sa atin kahit pa di Niya tiyak kung tatanggapin natin o hindi ang Kanyang paanyaya.
Sa mga darating na araw, makatatanggap tayo ng ilang imbitasyon sa mga pagtitipon at palitan ng aginaldo. At malaya tayong pumunta at lumahok. Ganito rin ang pinakamahalagang paanyaya na inihahain sa atin – na hayaan ang Diyos na ibigin tayo. Maaaring lumipas na ang ilang Pasko nitong mga nagdaang taon, subalit ang pagtanggap sa atin sa Kanyang yakap ay hindi kailanman nababawasan o napaparam. Ngayong taon, nawa higit pa tayong umoo sa Hari ng mga Hari na may pusong laging bukas upang uwian natin.
Can we allow ourself to hope and dream?
Have we experienced what being cherished means?
Racing through life, can there still be more?
Is it possible that something better is in store?
Spirits searching and yearning ask: do we have a home?
Through the changes, is there solace in the unknown?
Might our woundedness become joys and blessings?
Are we welcome in heaven and its rejoicing?
#aihninequestionsforchristmas #ateneoishome
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