Be the light of Christ

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Lord My Chef Simbang Gabi Recipe by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Simbang Gabi-1, 16 December 2025
Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8     <*((((><  +  ><))))*>     John 5:33-36

2025 is a very difficult year for us Filipinos. It is mixture of many bad news with some good news coming out from them like the deeply entrenched problem of corruption in government. Actually, we knew it already long before but the recent uncovering and revelations from the ghost project scam not only confirmed our suspicions but disturbed us so much of its extent and astronomical proportions.

Napaka-sama at napaka-walang-hiya nilang lahat na natiis maghirap tayong lahat habang sila ay nagpasasa sa kayamanang nakaw. A friend told me one morning she felt not like going to work anymore, kasi siya daw magpapagod sa pagtatrabaho habang yung nasa gobyerno magnanakaw lang tapos mas mayaman pa?!

True. And that is what I am worried at this time: when many of us start losing the zest and drive to work harder for a better tomorrow in our pitiable country. Almost everybody feels like moving out of our country to work somewhere else to find more meaning in their lives.

This Simbang Gabi, let us offer prayers for each of one to never lose that spark, of being a light leading others to Christ our true Light especially those who have lost light or about to give up and simply resigned to the widespread darkness enveloping our nation at this time.

Jesus told the crowd, “He (John) was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me” (John 5:35-36).

Next to the Nativity scene or Belen, Christmas in our country is often symbolized by the parol or lantern. From our churches to our homes, to malls and highways, the parol delights and reminds us of Jesus Christ, our true Light and only Star to follow in life.

More than to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem that guided the Magis to the newborn Christ, the parol literally used to guide early Filipinos on their way to the church for their Simbang Gabi during the Spanish period.

The parol is not the light itself itself but simply the carrier of that light which comes from a lamp inside. That is what Jesus is telling us today: John was like a parol who illumined the path of many people of his time to prepare them to meet him, the Christ, the Light himself.

The problem with us Filipinos is our ningas cogon mentality which had Jesus hinting too when he spoke of the light of John: like the cogon grass, we are easily ignited and drawn to various efforts but immediately die down without pursuing and sustaining the more essential things like reforming our lives by finding and following Jesus Christ our true Light.

Notice that Jesus was born at this time considered when the darkest nights happen. Science explains it according to the tilting position of earth but spiritually, Christmas reminds us of God’s immense love and care for each of us that he sent us his Son Jesus as our Savior in our darkest moments in life.

Finding and following Jesus Christ our Light is a long and tiring journey often in the darkness of our sins and failures, weaknesses and hurts, doubts and fears. The more we use light and follow the Light of Christ, the more we see and realize our unworthiness and sinfulness that often lead us to stop following Jesus. But that is the way in having the light of Christ – the more we see things clearer, the more we become better because we learn more of the things we must work on and change in ourselves as God told Isaiah in the first reading today.

Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. Happy is the man who does this, the son of man who holds to it; who keeps the sabbath free from profanation, and his nhand from evildoing (Isaiah 56:1-2).

Two weeks ago, an English lay preacher and blogger I follow published anew one of her old reflections about their porch light.

Their two daughters have gone to party in the city with some friends. She and her husband thought their daughters would either stay overnight in the city or take the late bus trip that night. With that in mind, her husband thought it best to leave their light on at their porch but she felt otherwise and turned the light off just before bedtime. It surprised her husband – and herself too that the following morning during prayer she wrote:

Jesus reminded me that we (His followers) are the light of the world.

We carry the light of Christ.

Jesus left a light on when He went back to His Father God in Heaven – He left us.

Jesus hasn’t switched that light off yet.

I will leave a light on.

We shine as lights in the darkness of this world and point the way home to God through faith in Jesus the Son.

One day though the reality is that my earthly light will be switched off. I won’t be here anymore to shine the light for others.

I need to shine whilst I can.

Whilst I still have the time.

I hope I can leave a legacy of light behind me.

You may be the only light in your family, your friends, your colleagues, your neighbourhood, your community – the place where the Lord has put you.

Your light is really important so be encouraged and “let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

I really think there is someone who needs to hear this today.

Don’t give up but let your light shine – It will lead someone home to God.

Leave a light on and it will lead that person home – they may be in a dark place at moment, have wandered far from truth, be in a very very dark place but the Lord is saying:

“I will leave a light on” – that light is you.

Don’t let the light go out – it will lead them home.

On this first day of our Christmas Novena, let us not forget the essence of our Simbang Gabi which is to find and follow Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. More than leaving our light on to lead others to Jesus, we also need to see ourselves and our history in the light of Christ.

Examine the light others may be sharing us that do not lead us to Christ but to their selfish motives. Be critical in reading and listening to various posts that may be feeding us with fake news that actually confuse us with truth and realities. It is only in the light of Christ when things that are dull and drab become clear, enabling us to take the right and proper decisions that can truly move us toward change and development as an individual, as a Christian and as a nation. Let us be a light leading others to the True Light Jesus Christ for he alone can lead us back home to God, to our true selves, and to our loving relationships. Amen. have a blessed and enlightening Tuesday.