1st day, Simbang Gabi

Trained to be good messengers

John 5:33-36

As we begin the Simbang Gabi, the nine days novena to Christmas, we need to remind ourselves that Christmas is not event of pleasure, pomp, and luxury.  It is not a story of us just giving and receiving gifts.  It is the story of Jesus entering into our world and touching our lives.  The only authentic gift is Jesus himself that we can give to others.  If we don't have Jesus, we cannot celebrate Christmas worthily.

Jesus is orienting us to be good and effective messengers.  Being good and effective messengers means:

Having credibility

Having credibility means we can be trusted because we are living out human values - pakikisama, pakikiramay, pagtulong, katarungan, pagkakapantay-pantay, etc.  These are things we learned in home and school.  These are timeless values that we are expected to live out starting from the time we were young till the present.  Are we growing in credibility?

Focusing on the source of all these values

All these values are supplied by Jesus with whom we are called to have a deep relationship.  We were taught about Jesus when we were children.  Are we becoming Christ-like throughout these years?

We need to be fruitful in our faith

As we have sown goodness, so we are to reap goodness.  Notice fruits of faith - family strengthened and everyone living in unity, forgiveness, and sharing.

We need to start with ourselves and be perfect in doing God's will.  Soon, we shall see the fruits of our labors, the fruits Jesus stood for.