HOPE

As we enter to the biggest celebration of the year—Christmas, we are also reminded of different characteristics that we need to embrace along the Journey.

Last Sunday, we started to lighten up the first candle in Advent Wreath. The candle symbolizes of HOPE. Hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. Last Sunday, we are reminded to Be Watchful, Be Alert! Because we do not know when the time will come, when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.

If you feel that you will be able to celebrate this yuletide season of Christmas with your family, well because of all His abundant blessings. As we look back on this beautiful disaster, we have been THROUGH A LOT. If you are residing in Batangas, Cavite and Laguna, you have conquered the fears, tears, and sacrifices from the time that Taal Volcano erupted last January. Your face with full of Hope became the strength of other parts of Luzon especially us here in Manila.

This pandemic and Covid, taught us so many things. We exercised those things that we have taken for granted in the past especially being with our family. Second quarter until to the last quarter of the year boosts our emotional, moral, psychosocial, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. We always look up to have a brighter tomorrow than yesterday that we have. We always say a little prayer for our beloved warriors, patients and those individuals who are afflicted. We have been hopeful since the day 1 of all quarantines. Through these things, congratulate yourself because you survived this season. We become HOPEFUL. You have never been swayed from the negativities of the world.

Typhoon Ulysses, and other typhoons, tested our Bayanihan spirit. Hold and behold it is still alive in us. There is so much pain in us. We heard their shout and cry. We remained calm, think and share to those who are in need. We respond to our kababayans. We prayed for them and we journeyed with them. Our resiliency has been tested. We became prayerful throughout the journey. We showed sympathy to them. We exercised compassion and mercy to one another.

These beautiful disasters made us to be HOPEFUL. Hopeful that volcano will stop on its volcanic activity, that this pandemic will end soon, that the victim of typhoon may recovered soon. These disasters made our spiritual journey become beautiful isn’t? Through this beautiful disaster we embraced family even more, we were able to express, and show our care to our loved ones; we sympathize on one another; our personal characteristics and wellbeing has been molded; we appreciate even a little thing we have and other more. And so, who can say that this 2020 is not a beautiful disaster? If it’s a NO for you, and you are reading this, you have still time to reflect of what are those beautiful things happen to you. Start with small things, and you will appreciate the biggest blessings. Start it now! Start with you own life, because once you are able to read this, it means you are still alive and not being affected from the disasters above.

 Let us continue to be HOPEFUL, and be excited to see the beautiful rainbow after this. For now, congratulate yourself for a job well done for this year! If you feel disappointed because all your plans not went through as you expected to be, just relax because He made a big detour for you. His redirection is much bigger and brighter. He reminded us to be aligned with the gospel, Be Alert and Be watchful!

For now, just enjoy and don’t rush. Definitely, It is indeed a call for a celebration. Celebrate with your loved ones, and praise Him for bringing you until the end of the year!