Cl Dec 25 Issue

8/13/2019 Cl Dec 25 Issue

1/5

KAUPOD GID MAN BALA NATON ANG DIOS?

December 25, 2013 Vol. XXI No. 110

Of cial Publication of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles, Jaro, Iloilo City Tel. Nos. 320-9505 & 329-1625website: www.ourladyofcandlesnationalshrine.comemail: [email protected]

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord


2/5

CANDLE LIGHT (December 25, 2013) CANDLE LIGHT (December 25, 2013) 3

Fr. Nathaniel G. Gentizon

Emmanuel, Source of Our Hope

Source: www.wildrosestudio.com.uk

The havoc wrought by the super ty-phoon Yolanda caused many peopleto doubt the existence of God. Manycould not understand the reason behindtheir suffering and agony. Why did He notprevent the super typhoon from destroy-ing His own creation? Where is He? Did Heabandon us? Kaupod gid man bala natonang Dios?

God did not cause evil to happen inour lives. A lot of misfortunes and mistakesthat happen to us are partly caused by ourown indiscretions. God always wills whatis good for us. It is because of our own mis-calculations and deaf ear to Gods whisperthrough the Holy Spirit that we mostlycommit mistakes.

Thus, we suffer. But the good news isthis: God became man to be one with us!

Indeed, amidst these troublesome mo-

ments, His face radiated through the be-nevolent people who shared their time, tal-ent and treasure to help typhoon Yolandasurvivors. It takes eyes of faith for one to

see the hidden presence of God actively andmysteriously working during these dif cultand challenging situations.

Bea Rose Santiago, Miss International2013 winner, eloquently said these wordsduring the interview portion:

The whole world saw how my country,the Philippines, suffered. The agony of my people was felt. But one by one, country to country,came to help. I want to thank all the nations whohelped my country. In our darkest hours, youhave opened my eyes and heart on how importantit is if we all support each other. If I become MissInternational, I will uphold international cama-raderie to sustain the spirit of sympathy and tocontinually share the message of hope. I believethat whatever calamity may come to us, as longas we have each other, there will be hope.

While it is true that for as long as wehave each other there will be hope, I also

believe that for as long as we have God, wecan continue to hope!Our Holy Father af rms, the birth of

Jesus is a celebration of trust and hope, which

overcomes uncertainty and pessimism. Anthe reason for our hope is this: God is with and still trusts in us! He comes to live wimankind, he chooses to dwell on earth in ordestay with man, and to be found there where m passes his days in joy or in pain. Therefore, eais no longer merely a vale of tears but rather place where God Himself has pitched His teit is the meeting place of God and mankind,Gods solidarity with humanity .Isa ka malipayon nga panamyaw sang Merry

Christmas para sa inyo tanan!

Emmanuel! Ang Dios kaupod naton! Matuod gidnga sugod karon ang Ginuo indi na malayo sa aton.Nagkari Sia sa kalibutan kag malapit Sia sa aton. Angmga pulong sang nabanhaw nga Kristo nga Iya ginsilingsa Iya mga sumolunod, Iya man ginapatungod sa aton:Tan-awa, nagaupod ako sa inyo tubtob sa katapusan

sang panahon (Mt. 28:20).Kadamuan sa aton nga nagakabuhi diri sa kalibutan

malayo sa kay Kristo Jesus, ang Dios n ga nangin tawo kagnagapuyo upod sa aton. Madamo kita sing pilosopiya,lainlain kita sing ideyolohiya, kag abanse ang atonteknolohiya. Kon ano ang nadangatan sang kinaalamsang tawo amo man ina kalayo sang iya distansya saDios. Amo ini nga mga butang ang nagabutong sa atonpalayo sa pasungan sang Belen. Sa masunsun, ang Diospa ang nagatulod sa aton ukon nagaagda sa aton agodmatukiban naton ang dalan pakadto sa Iya.

May isa nga nagasiling, Christmas is not just aboutthe coming of Christ to Bethlehem, but about the comingof Christ to me, and about my going out to others. SiAtanasio sang Alejandria nagsiling, Nahimo Sia ngapareho sa aton, agod nga iya kita himuon nga pareho saIya.

Gani, ang akon Christmas wish kag message amoini: Kabay pa nga sa tagsa ka pag-abot kag paglipas sangPaskwa sang Pagkatawo, makita kita nga amat-amatnaga pareho sa Iya, nga sa sini nga panahon nangin isaka bata, tungod sa aton: mas simple, mas mapainubuson,mas mapinalanggaon, mas mapailubon, mas malipayonkag mas puno sang Dios.

Merry Christmas!

RT. REV. MSGR. HIGINIO C. VELARDE, JR., JCD, PA Vicar General, Archdiocese of JaroParish Priest , National Shrine and

Parish of our Lady of Candles

Ginatamyaw ko ang tanan sang Malipayon ngaskwa kag Mahamungaya-on nga Bag-ong Tuig. Angn selebrasyon sang Paskwa nagapahanumdum san sang pagkari ni Jesus sa aton tunga bilang tawo

ud nga kita maluwas. Bangud sini, ang panahon sangskwa panahon sang pagpasalamat sa Dios sa bugayg iya Anak nga si Kristo kag sang tanan man nga mga

gay nga aton nabatun. Ti-on man ini sang paglaum,a ang Dios padayon nga naga-upod sa aton bisan pa

ti-on sang pagtilaw kag kabudlayan.Pinasahi ini nga Paskwa sa aton tanan nga

a Pilipino bangud sang kalamidad nga aton naperyensyahan: ang linog sa Bohol kag ang bagyo ngalanda nga naghalit sa aton diri sa Visayas, Ilabi na gidLeyte, Samar, kag diri man sa aton sa Panay. Ini ngaa trahedya nagdala sang kasubo kag pagkadula sang

glaum sang mga utod naton nga naapektuhan gid:guba ang ila balay, wala na sila sang palangabuhi-ang napatay ukon nadula ang pila ka miembro sang ilamilya.

Ini nga masubo nga trahedya nagtulod sa aton ngaa Pilipino kag mga utod naton sa iban nga pungsod

a magtingub sa pagbulig sa mga naapektuhan. Inia pagkabalaka naton sa mga naapektuhan sangamidad, isa ka pagpakita sang kahulugan sangskwa: ang pagbulig sa mga nagakinahanglan, katuladg pagbulig sang Dios sa aton nga kita maluwas gikan

sala sa pagpadala niya kay Kristo.

Padayon pa sa gihapon ang pag-abut sang mga buligmga utod naton nga na apektuhan sang kalamidad,ni padayon sa gihapon ang Paskwa bisan pa sa mgaar nga naapektuhan sang kalamidad. Padayon

g Paskwa bangud padayon nga nagaluntad anggkabalaka, paghigugma kag pagbuligay.

Kabay pa nga sa sini nga Paskwa mabun-ag sa atonga si Kristo bangud ang kada isa nagahigugma,

gapa-ubos kag nagakabalaka!Padayon ang Paskwa! Padayon nga si Kristo naga-

od sa aton tanan!

MOST REV. ANGEL N. LAGDAMEO, D.D.Archbishop of Jaro

CHRISTMAS MESSAGES

Christmas bells are ringing and theChristmas day Masses are unfolding.The Christmas trees are glisteningand the Image of the Infant Jesus has beenplaced lovingly in the manger belensinmany homes and in churches.

Yes! Christmas is indeed with us. Wecelebrate today with joy the birth of thelong-awaited Messiah The Infant Jesus-Who is the source of our faith, hope, andlife.

Around the world we see people withthis joy in their varied interpretations ofChristmas. Whether one is in Spain,inAmerica, in Africa, or in the far- ungbarangays in the Philippines, the outpouringof thanksgiving in the hearts of devotedChristians remains the same our Saviorhas come to be with us, and His Joy is in ourmidst.

Here in the Philippines, we seeChristmas at its most colorful and markedwith intensive celebrations. We see long-lost balikbayanrelatives coming homeif only to rekindle ties and relive theFilipino Christmas spirit which can onlybe experienced genuinely right here in ourcountry.

From the humblest homesto thestateliest housesour Christmas days arelled with parties, family get-togethers,gifts,and shopping sprees.We see ourkababayansnochebuena tables laden withpastillasand goodies, fruits, and dishes thatnd their way on the table only at Christmas.In the plazas and public squares we seethem haggling for space in the bibingka andputo-bumbong stallsafter the dawn masses.Indeed, the Filipino spirit of giving andsharing becomes familiar and spontaneous.

And through all these, we nd that theold traditional Filipino religious celebrationsare alive and well-entrenched in our Filipinopsyche. We nd our people crowdingour churches for the Misa deGallo. OurChristmas eve midnight Masses - the Misade Aguinaldo are over- owing withthefaithful, all with their variedprayers andChristmas wishes.We nd that our Filipinofamily is still basically and genuinelyChristian and Catholic.

On the other hand, we do rememberthat it was only several weeks back whenour people were overwhelmed by thedevastations of super-typhoon Yolanda, thestrong earthquakes, tsunamis, sink-holes,oil slicks, OFW tragedies, and most recently,a skyway busaccident killing severalpassengers and injuring others.

With these happenings, good andbad,enfolding before our very eyes, we ndourselves asking, Is Christ really with us?Has God forgotten our people?

Certainly, we knowthat God is trulywith us and God never abandons us. Godis always true to His Word. God neverforgets His promises. We must rememberGod the Father Yahwehs promise to Noahand to His people after the big ood, thatMankind will never again be destroyed bya ood(Gen.9:8-17). And God the Fatherthen put a rainbow in the sky as a sign ofHis promise.

The Son Jesus, assuring the Apostlesand Mankind of His promise never toabandon them, said, I am with you alwaysuntil the end of this world.(Mt.28:20).

Rather, for us Gods people on earth, wegift the Infant Jesus in the manger with ourrenewed commitment by asking ourselves,

Have I been with Christ all the way? HaveI been true to my calling as a Christian?Have I been really sincere and true to myselfbefore Gods presence in all that I do? Hasthis year been a year of Faith for me, onewhere I remained true to my Faith in myacts and beliefseven if my friends disagreeand move away, even if I were the only oneleft standing for the Truth of God?

After all the tragedies, misfortunes andcalamities, and the gloomy weather thatour people have experienced, we nd thatour skies have become clearer, bluer andbrighter, the December air cooler, drier andmore comfortable, the sun more intense andgolden, gilding the trees and the Christmasholiday glee ofour faces.

Yes! Our people have survived, andour faith in God the Fathers love andprovidencestrengthened.

We joinPope Francisin rediscoveringthe joy of the Gospel this Christmas day,andeveryday of our lives.

As we face 2014 with hopes for peaceand prosperity, may our energies bechanneled to our true calling as laityor laikos,focusing on our new journeyin the coming Year of the Laity, trulyand genuinely in search, and embracing,our Christian joy and CatholicFaith, withthenew-born Christ Child.

A very blessed Christmas to all!

References:DZRH- DeoMacalma (re:skywayaccident rep

Christian Community Bible (Claretian Publ./St.Pauls PubQ.C.,1998 (re:Gen.9:8

EvangeliiGaudiumofPope Francis(Candle Light series XXI,no.106-108, 2

Christmas Joy Armando A. Sue


3/5

CANDLE LIGHT (December 25, 2013) CANDLE LIGHT (December 25, 2013)

E DITORIAL B OARD

REV.FR. NATHANIEL G.GENTIZONEditor-in-Chief

PUREZA D.LACUESTAAssociate Editor

ANNASHIELAA. MORENONews Editor

JULIETA G.AQUILOFeature Editor

LALAINED.PASQUINCirculation

GIANCARLOC.TAMAYOLayout Artist

JERALDH.FLORES JOYH. GEFES

BENJE S.PELOBELLOFEMARINAS. SIACON

FRANCISRAY D.SUBONGARMANDOA.SUEALBERTOH. YANGA

Contributors

P ARISHA DMINISTRATIONREV.MSGR.HIGINIO C.VELARDE,JR.,JCD, PA.

Parish Priest

REV. FR. RONALD C. DE LEONSenior Parochial Vicar

REV. FR. NATHANIEL G. GENTIZONParochial Vicar

EV.FR. PHILIPP NEIL Y.ANTENOR-CRUZecial Assistant for Temporal Affairs

V.MSGR. ALEJANDROP.ESPERANCILLAecial Assistant for Liturgical Affairs

EV. FR. FRANCISCO T. ANGOSTURAREV. FR. JOENICK S. TERRITORIO

REV. FR. CIRILO C. CAMUSResident Priests

Quote to Ponder

5

Is God Present? Fe Marina Siacon

2013 is full of devastationsin all aspects of ourlife. In politics, graftand corruption is the maindish; in religion, accordingto Arch. Socrates Villegas,many of us do not evenknow the fundamentalsof our Faith, therebyresulting to failure in theevangelizing process.This is true despite thefact that most of us areCatholics and productsof Catholic schools, andwe are practicingCatholics with plenty ofreligious festivities. Yet,our country is mired inpoverty and corruption.Our countrys economyis greatly affected bythe destructions ofthe so-called climatechange, resulting indifferent kinds of naturalcalamities.

Families, too, have beengreatly affected with differentissues: separation of husbandsand wives, the rampantpractice of live-in lifestyle,single parenthood, gender andidentity crises, etc. The RHBill which addresses controlof population was approved(but not yet implemented),resorting to abortions anduse of arti cial means of birthcontrol. As family problemsincrease, wide gaps are createdbetween the rich and the poor.

In my own journey,

I have experienced beinglost and came across manystumbling blocks along theway. A problem arrived sounexpectedly which mademe feel down-trodden and

fearful. For me it was soheavy that I could hardlybear it. As a mother, myheart was being wrenchedand twisted. It suffocatedme, and I felt the pain. I criedbut I never lost hope. I neverceased praying. I held on toGods hands steadfastly andnever loosened my grip inHim. Like a daughter, I criedin His Presence, con dingmy problem, asking Him tospare me from it, at the sametime humbly telling Himthat if it is His will, then Hiswill be done. I will just wait,

re ect, meditate and discernon why that problem wassent to me. I tried to assuremyself that everything is asGod plans. Then and there Iexperienced an inspiration, a

light brightening mymind, telling me toaccept what is therethat was in store forme, understanding thateverything that Godsends has a purpose.With this experienceI learned to trust Godfully, letting Him workand decide for me. Isubject myself totally toHim, to His Will forHis will must be done.

I gathered thewhole family fordiscernment. Togetherbefore the altar weprayed the HolyRosary, asking Mama

Marys intercession andour Lords special care. Weprayed deeply, heartily askingGods help. Then I realized,as we gathered and prayedas one, God wants us to behumble, united in love andprayer, in His Presence. In thatmoment, I felt His closenessto me and the whole family.

He is with us thisChristmas season. Helightens our life with a gift,the three cute, beautifulangels. For me, I feelblessed for He blessesme with three gifts of life- my TRES MARIAS..

The Candle Light is a non-proftweekly publication.

Ang Dios Bala Kaupod Naton? Joy H. Gefes

Sang nagligad nga mga binulan,kadamo sing mga hitabo sa atonpalibot nga nagdulot sing halit saaton kabuhi. May linog, baha, landslide,storm surge kag bagyo.

Kadamo man sang mga pagbag-o saaton teknolohiya nga nagahalit sa atonkalawasan, pangabuhi kag sa aton palibot.Ini nga mga teknolohiya nagabuligsa pagpahapos sa aton pagpangabuhiapang ini nagahatag man sa aton singkahigayunan sa pagpakasala kon indinaton paggamiton sing eksakto.

Sa aton matag-adlaw ngapagpangabuhi may mga beses nga daw sakabudlay panumdumon kon masaranganpa naton magpangabuhi tungod na langsa kadamo sang galastuhan kag kadamosang mga puwersa nga nagapigos sa aton.

Halin pa sang bata kita, ginahambalankita tanan nga palangga kita sang Ginuo.Apang sa masami indi naton makita iningpagpalangga sang Ginuo tungod kaylain ang pamaagi sang Dios sang sa atonginapaabot kag ginalauman. Kon kaisamakapamangkot kita sa aton kaugalingon,Ang Dios bala kaupod naton?

Ang Brgy. Botongon sa Estanciaisa sa mga pito (7) ka purok nga tumannga naapektuhan indi lang sa dilubyoYolanda kundi pati man sang oil spill,tungod sang power barge nga ginhakwatkag gintumba sang Bagyo Yolanda. Gin-

evacuate sila halin sa ila nga purok sangNobyembre 20 24, 2013. Ang mgapumuluyo sining purok subong naga-estar sa mga improvised tents nga gintukodsa isa ka eskwelahan sa Estancia nganaguba man sang bagyo. Mga duha (2)ukon tatlo (3) sila ka pamilya sa isa katent nga nagaginutok nga daw sardinas.May separado sila nga kumon nga banyokag separado man ang sa babaye kag salalaki. Sa kada adlaw sila gina rasyonansang isa (1) ka gantang nga bugas, tatlo (3)ka putos nga noodles kag lima (5) ka latanga sardinas. Ginadugangan man ini kondako ang pamilya. May allowanceman ngaginahatag sa ila sa kada adlaw, dependekon pila sila ka katapo sa pamilya.Nagaluto kag nagalaba sila malayo sa ilanga tent. Kadamo naman sang nagabuligkag padayon nga nagabulig sa ila: NGOs,Simbahan kag ang local nga gobyernosang Iloilo. May mga bulig man nga halinsa iban nga pungsod.Sa subong, ang iban nga lalaki sa ilanga pamilya naga-upod sa cash-for-worknga programa sang DOLE (Departmentof Labor and Employment), kapin pa angindi makabalik sa ila ginaubrahan parehoabi sang mga nagapanagat. Ang ibannagahulat lang sang bulig sa ila mga tent.Ining ila nga sitwasyon may posibilidadnga magadugay sa tatlo (3) ka bulan,depende sa kondisyon sang ila lugar.

Ginhambalan man sila nga basi i- relocasila kon indi na gid maayo nga magbalikpa sila sa ila lugar.

Ang mga tawo diri wala nagahandomnga magdugay sa sini nga temporary sheltSila nagahandum nga malampuwasan nilaang ining trahedya. Positibo man sila ngamakabalik sila sa pagpanagat kag sa ilagamay nga tiyangge sang amat-amat lang.

Kon sila pamangkuton kun sa ini ngahitabo bala makasiling sila nga ginpabay-an sila sang Ginoo, sila nagsabat ngaWala kami ginpabay-an kag wala ka

ginapabay-an. Nakita nila nga nagabuligman gihapon sa ila ang Ginoo sa ila paagisa mga tawo nga nagabulig. Daku ang ilapagtuo kag pagpati nga malampuwasannila ang ini nga mga kalalat-an. Pagtilawman lang ang mga ini sa ila kag sarangnila maagom ang kadalag-an.

Let me share a few lines ofthe song One of Us by Joan Osborne: If God has a name, whatwould it be, and would you call it

to his face, if you would face Himall in His glory? What would youask if you had just one question?If God has a face, what would itlook like, and would you want tosee? What if God was one of us?

Almost a month ago, weexperienced an earthquakeand Super Typhoon Yolandaand a battle between ourgovernment and terrorists. Wecant deny the fact that untilnow, we are still suffering.

Human as we are, we areborn weak. We are doubtful ofcourse we want to be sure! Weare easily affected by thingshappening around us. Because

of these, we ask, Is there God?Is He with us? Quite annoying,isnt it? Whereas before, a manwho has faith would neverdare ask these questions.

God is with us! He iseverywhere! With the one whogreeted you Merry Christmas last night, there God is. Withthe one who shares his foodwith you, there God is present.With the one who hugs andkisses you, there God is.With the one who texted youbecause he/she remembersyou, there God is.

With those who sufferedand are still suffering becauseof the typhoon and theyreceive relief goods and thehelp of volunteers, there Godis present.

Because our God never lets

us feel that we are alone, hewants us to feel loved. All thatwe need is our faith, because,faith is like rexona, it wontlet you down. Or we can say,

faith is like cobra energy drink because pag meron ka nito, walakang talo.

Today as we celebratethe birth of Jesus Christ. Wemust always remember thatGod loves us. He is with us.Because He loves the world,He gave His only begottenSon Jesus, our Savior and ourKing.

Jesus is the embodimentof love and hope. Jesus is trulyone of us!

A simple Christmas to all!

HE IS ONE OF US Jerald H. Flores

How Do I Celebrate Christmas?Aside from being excited aboutgiving and receiving gifts,Christmas for me is the bes t time torenew, strengthen and mend myrelationships with others, sothat Christ must always shine.

Ms. Sharon Prudente

Simple lang ... after attending Mass wegather as a family at home for lunch andshare gifts kon may ara. Halin sang unaamo lang gid na kami. Basta naga pa thankyou gid kay God for sending us Jesus.

Ms. Cathy Contrador ,PAC Coordinator

I spend my Christmas by sharingand giving joy, love and peace toother people thru my talent through music.

Mr. Beny Castillon, Music Teacher,

Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus

I just spend it with my family. Of allthe days that Ive been busy working,for me Christmas is for my loved ones.

Mrs. Jade Gonzales

We go to Church and spend time withthe kids and grandkids. Usually we have

Christmas lunch and dinner as a family.

Judge Daniel Amular We attend Mass in the

morning and spend the rest ofthe day with our relatives in a

mini-reunion. Mrs. Rachel R. Lacuesta

Christmas day? (Spending it) with thefamily. Attending Mass in the evening ofDecember 24 then Noche Buena with thfamily, opening of gifts, mga anak ga plawhile adults are having coffee and talking.December 25 morning, open sang kids angifts ni Santa kag iban pa gid, (then) we ealunch sa gwa man gihapon hapit sa simbahagain, then rest na in the evening.

Mr. Lester Gonsalves

First thing I do for Christmas is to preparefor the coming of the Lord throughavoidance of sin and temptation and bygoing to confession. Second, to spread

love daily in simple ways. A sweet smile, ahelping hand or a listening ear to somebody.Third, to give thanks for the bountifulblessings that God has given and continuesproviding me, my family and everybody.

Ms. Paula Fulgencia

Of course, with my family. We attendmass together and we have midnightdinner where (my) nephews and niecesopen their gifts. My mom takes time tooffer prayers of thanksgiving to our Lord.

Mr. Warren Wuthrich

Source: www.richlymiddleclass.com

This Christmas maywe be consistent inliving the Gospel,welcoming Jesusinto the center of ourlives.

- Pope Francis


4/5

CANDLE LIGHT (December 25, 2013) CANDLE LIGHT (December 25, 2013) 7

A ng Disyembre amo angpinakamasadya nga bulan sangtuig para aton nga mga Kristyanongod sang aton pagpati nga ini angon nga natawo si Hesus nga atonanluluwas. Sa pagsaulog sini nga

kasyon aton ginapakita ang nagkalain-in nga mga pamaagi sa pagdumdomng istorya sang aton kaluwasan. Kitagapati nga sa gintalana nga tionnpadala sang Dios ang Iya Anak ngaatawo sa isa ka babaye ang magaluwas

aton sa kasal-anan. Ini amo angnatawag nga Inkarnasyon nga ang Diosgpakatawo kag nagpuyo upod sa aton.i amo ang matuod nga kahulugan sanghristmas ukon Paskwa sang Pagkatawo.ero indi lipod sa aton nga may mgaan nga Kristyano nga wala nagapatini. Para sa ila indi kuno husto ang atongsaulog sini kay wala man kuno sisus magsugo nga dapat naton saulogong Iya pagkatawo. Ila pa gid ginahambal

ga wala man nabutang sa Bibliya ngatawo si Jesus sa Disyembre 25 kundii kuno nga petsa iya sang mga paganog ginsunod lang sang mga Katolikora sa pagselebrar sang pagkatawo sanginoo. Suno pa gid sa ila imposible ngaatawo si Jesus sa Disyembre kay sa sini

ga tion tigtulognaw kag madamo sangga snow gani mabudlay gid para sa mgaanugpahalab ang magpaguwa sang ilaga karnero.

Sa sini nga tion aton nga isa-isahonpagsabat ang tanan nila nga mga

gsupak kag ipakita nga husto angon ginahimo, nga may mas mapag-onta nga salandigan kag rason sa atonnabuhat sa tion sang Christmas bilanggsaulog kag pagpadungog sa atoninoo.

Sa libro nga Picturesque Palestine,olume 1, page 124 (Life in the Holy Land)states, they needed the shepherds watchfulre during the winter and spring month...d therefore winter does not disqualifyecember 25 as the time Jesus was born. ng Disyembre 25 nga piesta sangga pagano, opisyal nga gindeklarar

Roma sang tuig 274 AD niurelian nga Emperador. Apangg Disyembre 25

ga ginasaulog sangga Kristyano ngaesta sa pagkatawo,nasaulog na ngaan umpisa pang una nga siglono kay Philus sangntioch sang 183 ADg kay Hippolytus

NGA-A GINASAULOG SANG MGA KATOLIKO ANG CHRISTMAS?Benje S. Pelobello

sang 203 AD. Gani siling sang isa ka mangin-alamon saSimbahan, this antedates the recognition of the pagan feastsby almost 100 yearsso how could Dec. 25 be used to replacethe birthdate of a pagan god feast when it had been recognizedeven before the pagan date was even established? Siguro tamanaman ka klaro ang ginhambal sini nga mangin-alamonkon nga-a indi ini isa ka pagano nga kapistahan. Kay sapagka-matuod ang mga pagano pa gani ang nag-ilogsa aton. Matuod nga wala sa Bibliya ginahambal ngaDisyembre 25 ang pagkatawo ni Jesus pero indi kita sinimagkatingala kay indi man kalendaryo ang Bibliya parasa mga petsa. Pero bangud sang padayon nga pagtuonsang syensiya nakadiskubre sila sang isa ka scienti cmethod kon paano ang paghibalo nga si Jesus natawo sasini nga bulan kag petsa. Ini amo ang ginatawag ngacalendar converter. Suno sa sini nga pamaagi nahisayrannga sang una nga panahon may ginahiwat sila nga Feastof the Dedication to the Altar kag ini ginasaulog sa bulansang TISHRI sa mga Hebreo nga natuon naman sa bulansang Septyembre sa aton moderno nga kalendaryo.Kag ang ginasiling sang Bibliya sa Ebanghelyo ni SanLucas nga si Zacharias nga isa ka pari nga amay ni Juan Bautista ginhambalan sang anghel nahanungodsa pagkatawo ni Juan Bautista nga sadto nga tion ara saaltar bangud sining kapistahan nga ila ginasaulog. Angklaro nga ginahambal sang kasulatan sang anum kabulan pagkatapos sini nga piesta ang anghel sang Diosnagtunda kay Maria nahanungod sa pagkatawo ni Jesus.Gani kon ini nahanabo anum ka bulan pagkatapos sabulan sang TISHRI ukon Septyembre sa aton kalendaryoini nga pagtunda sang anghel nahanabo sa bulansang Marso. Amo gani nga ang piesta sang pagtundaginahiwat naton sa Marso. Kag kon mag-umpisa kita isipsang siyam ka bulan halin sa Marso ang ikasiyam siniamo ang bulan sang Disyembre. Amo ini ang mabakodnga balasihan naton kon nga-a ginahiwat ang piestasang pagkatawo sa bulan sang Disyembre.

Indi man matuod ang ila ginaaligar nga kuno angkasulatan wala gid nagatudlo sa aton ngadapat naton saulogon nga may kalipay angkaadlawan ni Jesus. Amo ini ang ginahambalni Isaias nga propeta sa 9:2-3 Ang katawhannga naga lakat sa kadudulman nakakitasang daku nga kapawa; ang mga nagapuyosa landong sang kamatayon ang kapawanagsilak sa ila...gindugangan mo ang ilakalipay; nagakalipay sila sa atubangan mosuno sa kalipay sa ani, subong sang

kasadya sang mga tawo kon magbahinbahinsila sang ila inanihan. Ining kapawa nganangin rason sang ila pagkinalipay amosi Kristo. Dugang pa gid ni San Lucas,ang pagkatawo ni Jesus tion sang dakunga kalipay paagi sini nga mga pulongkag ang anghel nagsiling sa ila, dili kamumagkahadluk kay yari karon ginabantalako sa inyo ang maayong balita sang dakungkalipay para sa tanan nga katawhan kaynatawo sa inyo subong nga adlaw sa banwani David ang manluluwas nga si Kristo ngaGinookag sa hinali may nagbuylogsa mga anghel nga isa ka kadam-an sang

panong nga nagadayaw sa Dios kagnagasiling, himaya sa Dios sa kahitaasankag paghidait sa duta sang mga tawo ngaiya nahamut-an ( 2:10-14). Ini nga mgadinalan maathag nga nagahambal saaton nga dapat naton dumdumon sangmay daku nga kalipay ang pagkatawosang Manluluwas.

Sa pagkamatuod ining mga Saksini Jehovah nga nagapakasala sangChristmas celebration may tinion mansa ila pagtuluohan nga sila nagasaulogman sini. Nangin matuod ang ginsilingni San Pablo sa Roma 2:1 nga nagahambal kay sa paghukon mo sa iban

ginakondenar mo ang imo kaugalingon kayikaw nga nagahukom nagahimo man sangamo nga mga butang.

May isa anay ka Saksi nganaghambal sa akon nga indi kunoDisyembre 25 ang kaadlawan ni Jesuskay suno sa ila pag-research, ini kunonahanabo sa bulan sang Abril. Angginsabat ko sa iya, ti wala man kaso ahkon amo na ang inyo pagpati...maayo na

gani kay sa Abril naga semana santa nakami kag nagakanta sang pasyon, kamo iyanaga Christmas party palang kag nagakantasang Christmas songs...hahaha

Dapat man naton dumdumonnga ang labi ka importante saaton indi ang literal nga petsasang iya pagkatawo kundi anghitabo mismo ukon ang eventang Iya mismo pagkatawo Hehas already given His best gift

to all the world 2000 yearsago.my friends

the best giftwe can giveto God thisChristmas isourselves forhis greaterg l o r y . .M e r r yChristmas toall ! ! !

A s the ferocious winds of Yolanda hit the town of Concepcion,Eugenias family sought refuge in their small comfort room.She hugged her two grandchildren who were shaking infear and were feeling cold as they were drenched wet by the rain.Her husband and son got hold of the beam inside the CR so that itwould not be blown by the winds.

Walking along the road, it was business as usual for a shopafter a month of devastation. Daves source of living is his shopmade of light materials beside the road just a few meters awayfrom the Central School, the Roman Catholic Parish Church andthe Municipal Hall. Before Yolanda, he would design banners,print t-shirts and make streamers. During the typhoon, the shopwas blown nearly at to the ground but luckily remained intact.This is the rst task that Dave focused on. With the help of friendsand relatives he was able to repair the shop and continue earning adecent living.

Sitting on the wooden stairs of their rehabilitated house,Eugenia related how the pupils of Concepcion were gravelyaffected and traumatized by Yolanda. As a grade-one public schoolteacher, she would notice that every time a thunderstorm occurs orraindrops fell the pupils were visibly shaking with fear. Often times,parents would not send their children to school for the afternoonssession if there were signs of thunderstorm or rain. She recountedthe pupils dif culty in such subjects like reading and writing, andin their ability to pay attention. It is a very dif cult situation we areexperiencing right now (in the classroom). But we have to start all overagain, she added.Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium,discussed that the great danger of todays world is what iscalled consumerism. Consumerism is a socio-economic order thatencourages us to buy goods and services in ever-greater amounts.This is prevalent in our homes, schools, of ces, in social media andeven in our churches.

One day my wife told me that it seemed that this Christmas issad because its not like the Christmases we had years ago wherewe received more gifts, had more food prepared, and more parties.

Consumerism slowly eats up our identity as Christians, and it evenuses the good name of the kind and saintly Santa Claus in its guise.We are conditioned to buy more in order to enjoy more and besecured. We are made to feel that only with more material things,parties, and gadgets can we truly enjoy Christmas.

Todays society looks up to Santa Claus as the symbol of Christmas the gift giver rather than Jesus Christ the giver of salvation.

Carol Jean-Swanson in her article from the periodical Mothering(1992) summarizes, Our jolly old Saint Nicholas re ects our culture . .He also mirrors some of our highest ideals: childhood purity and innocensel ess giving, unfaltering love, justice, and mercy. The problem is thain the process, he has become burdened with some of societys greachallenges: materialism, corporate greed,and domination by the media. Here,Santa carries more in his baggagethan toys alone!

To be a Santa Claus-type is not enough as we join in solidarity with ourbrethren who were affectedby Typhoon Yolanda. Whatmatters most is that we mustnever take away Christ fromChristmas. Christ is the onlyreason why there is Christmas.

Because of Christ, weare saved. We have sufferedYolandas wrath, yet we do not just end there. It is just the startof our renewed faith in Jesus ourSavior.

Thus, we must rejoice eventhough we may have lost allbecause Christ has saved us andHe will never abandon us forHe loves us.

SantamasFrancis Ray D. Subong

There is this small island in Concepcion, Iloilo. It is plainislet with no mountains around. The island is twenty-four(24) kilometers from the mainland of Concepcion, Iloilowith around 240 households.

During the height of the Typhoon Yolanda rampage, peoplewho knew about the existence of the island thought that itwould submerge or disappear.

Having nowhere to go, the inhabitants of the islandgathered in their chapel. They organized themselves in three (3)circles holding arms together as in kapit-bisig having alreadyresigned themselves to their fate. All the children were in thecenter circle, the women in the middle circle, and the men inthe outer circle. But never giving up hope, they kept prayingfervently the Rosary, asking the Blessed Virgin Mary that theybe spared.

When the storm came, they heard the angry roar of thewinds. They saw wood, leaves, roof, etc., ying over them, andthe upper portion of the sky grew dark.

What amazed them was that the big waves never sweptdown on their island. In spite of the dark sky, they saw sunlightin the lower portion of the sky. At the height of the storm theynoticed that the big waves were just smashing at the walls oftheir chapel. This happened for almost three long hours. Butafter those hours of fervent prayer with trust in the love and careof God, not a single soul was lost in the storm. Not even a scratchwas found in any of them. Outside the chapel, everything wasin turmoil, everything was crumpled and in chaos. Amazingly,inside the chapel everything was in place.

The simple folks of Baladian believe that their strong FAITHand FULL TRUST in God spared them and their island from thesnares of Typhoon Yolanda,

And now, they strongly believe that their SECOND LIFE isGods Christmas gift to them!!!

FAITH That Saves Joy H. Ge es


5/5

CANDLE LIGHT (December 25, 2013)8

Tis poem is dedicated to all survivors o yphoonYolanda, or holding on to their aith despite losingalmost everything they had. Keeping ones aith alive can perhaps be the best Christmas gif ever that one can give.

N ightmares of grim images haunt me in my sleep:Winds howl, trees bend and break Everywhere debris swirl and y On a day that has no sun, there is no place to hide.

And then there is a monstrous roarAs huge waves towards land rise and rollSo erce and full of wrathConsuming everything along its path.

Structures faint and collapseShips and cars tossed around and promptly dispatchedHumanity cries and screamsHurled into the swirling waters they can no longer be seen.

And then the monster wind stopsAs if trying to catch its breath and gaspsIn the lull death oats aroundTat makes me cry and fall on my knees on the ground.

Oh where is Gods grace and mercy Let me not open my eyes or I do not want to seeLet me not hear loud moans o the drowning Let me not breathe the smell o the dying.

Oh my Lord ree me rom this bad dream Make my heart calm, strong and serene Make me see the light o the day Make me eel Your presence beside me.

Ten the Lord tells me Wake up, go out and accept reality.Do everything that you canHelp people go through this test o aith My children they are and them I will always keep.

Ten the Lord leads me to this chapelRooess, broken, yet standing still on top of a hillPriest and parishioners patiently going through the task Of sweeping broken glass, wiping pews and thick mud they mop.

Still intact on the altar is Jesus on the CrossUnmindful of the strong winds that tried to pry it looseLooking up to the sun with the same merciful eyesAs if saying: rust me, I will save you and you will survive.

Rejoice...God is with us!Blessed Christmas

to one and all!

KEEPING THE FAITH ALIVE Alberto H. Yanga

Cl Dec 25 Issue

Documents

Transcript of Cl Dec 25 Issue