Rejoice but help the needy, too

REJOICE,” “be joyful,” (Gaudete) is the message of this 3rd Sunday of Advent. That’s why the liturgical color is pink.

With the birth of Christ the Messiah, the Sunday tells us to be “joyful in hope” because the Messiah has already redeemed us when he came in that momentous first Christmas event.

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In this Gaudete Sunday, John the Baptist is telling us, too, that our joyful Christmas should be translated into concrete acts of Christian love. It’s not enough to rejoice. We should also do some­thing tangible and concrete in reaching out to the needy and less fortunate.

John the Baptist, the herald of Christ, was asked for guidance: “What must we do then?” (Lk 3,10).

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The Baptist’s answer was simple and direct. “If anyone has two tu­nics, he must share with the man who has none. And the one who has something to eat must do the same” (Lk 3,11). Then, to those who were using their positions of power to exploit, cheat and in­timidate people, John said, “No more!”

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In other words, “faith alone” in God is not enough. Faith should bear fruit in active works of love (cf. Gal 5,6).

Recently I met Fr. Arnold Abe­lardo, a Claretian priest, who has a center in Nueva Ecija for the rehabilitation of youths ap­prehended from “tokhang” raids. Fr. Arnold tells the police to send them to his rehab center and give them the necessary treatment.

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There is also a “Silong Tanglaw” center founded by Fr. Ramirez OP which has been taking care of street children and providing them with education.

Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD has, likewise, a center called “Kalinga” which takes care of street children providing some food and even bathing service as part of the children’s hygienic training.

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There are numerous other ways whereby we can concretely apply the lesson of today’s gospel. For instance, visit a sick relative or friend; contribute “love offerings” for the support of orphanages and houses of the handicapped.

The gospel today tells us to be joyful because Christ has come to save us. Yes, but let’s not forget to reach out to our less fortu­nate brothers and sisters. A faith that does nothing for the poor is dead.

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CHRISTMAS SHARING. In the spirit of today’s Gospel on shar­ing, let’s support our seminarians. They are our future priests and bishops. We cannot have them if we don’t support seminarians now.

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“Keep on sharing and feel the reward of peace, joy and love.” Chip in an amount or sponsor a seminarian’s schooling for one year.

For inquiry, e-mail me at: bels­[email protected].

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THE LIGHTER SIDE. In this joyous season of merrymaking and endless Christmas parties, remember this commandment: “Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.”

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I’ve never realized how bad the economy was until I spoke to Sta. Claus on the cell phone. During our chat, I asked: “Santa, how’s Rudolph, the reindeer?”

He said, “Delicious!”

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‘SIMBANG GABI SA TV.’ To give opportunity to all, especially the sick and elderly who cannot at­tend the Simbang Gabi in church, SVD Mission Communications Foundation Inc. is airing the 9-day Misa de Gallo Masses on TV5 at 5-6 a.m starting December 16. It will be culminated by the Mid­night Mass on the same channel at 11pm, December 24.

CELEBRATE SIMBANG GABI ON TV5.