Mga Kapanalig, dadagsa ang mga OFW at mga kapamilya natin sa abroad na uuwi ng Pilipinas ngayong Pasko. Pero marami rin ang hindi makakapiling ang kanilang pamilya dito. Kailangan pa rin kasi nilang kumayod para masuportahan ang kanilang mga anak, kapatid, o magulang, nang sa gayon ay busog silang makapagdiwang ng Pasko. Idadaan na lang ng iba sa balikbayan box ang pagpaparating ng pagmamahal nila dito.
Mahigit dalawang milyong OFW ang nasa ibang bayan para magtrabaho. Ayon ‘yan sa datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority (o PSA) hanggang noong 2023. Patunay sila ng pagpapahalaga nating mga Pilipino sa ating pamilya, pero sinasalamin din nila ang kakulangan ng oportunidad sa sarili nating bayan. Hindi rin sumasapat ang sahod ng mga manggagawa dito. Sa average, ang kita ng isang full-time na manggagawa sa Pilipinas ay nasa ₱21,544 lamang. Mas mababa pa tiyak ang suweldo sa mga probinsya, kaya napipilitan din ang marami na makipagsapalaran sa mga siyudad. Kung ‘di papalarin sa siyudad, sa ibayong-dagat ang punta nila.
Hindi lamang mga karaniwang manggagawa ang napipilitang mangibang-bansa. Kahit ang ating mga propesyunal ay naaakit ding magtrabaho sa abroad dahil ‘di hamak na mas mataas ang sasahurin nila doon kumpara dito para sa husay at kakayahang mayroon sila. Kahit nga hindi tugma sa kanilang tinapos dito, papatusin nila ang trabahong iniaalok sa ibang bansa dahil malaki nga ang kikitain nila. Kaya hindi katakataka kung pati ang ating mga guro, doktor, nars, at inhinyero ay doon na naghahanap ng tinatawag na “greener pastures”. Ang epekto nito ay brain drain; nababawasan ang mahuhusay nating mga propesyunal dahil nasa ibang bansa na sila.
Ang masaklap, marami sa mga OFW natin ang nakararanas ng diskriminasyon at pang-aabuso. Nangungulila na nga sila sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, napagkakaitan pa sila ng dignidad sa mga bansang pinagtatrabahuhan nila. Sa kagustuhang iangat ang kalagayan sa buhay ng kanilang pamilya, may mga kababayan tayong napipilitang kumapit sa patalim. Sinasamantala naman ito ng mga ganid, gaya ng mga scammers at human traffickers. Noong Nobyembre, halimbawa, mahigit 300 na OFW ang natuklasang iligal na ni-recruit ng mga human traffickers papuntang Myanmar para magtrabaho sa mga online scam hubs doon. Karamihan sa kanila ay pinangakuan ng malaking sahod bilang chat support staff. Iyon pala, sapilitan silang pinatatrabaho sa mga cyber-scam centers na kalunos-lunos ang kondisyon. Kasama sila sa halos 2,000 na OFWs na nailigtas na ng ating Department of Migrant Workers (o DMW) mula pa noong 2022.
Pamilya ang nasa puso ng pagdiriwang nating mga Pilipino ng Pasko, kaya malungkot para sa ating mga OFW ang hindi makauwi para sa itinuturing na pinakamasayang araw sa ating bansa. Hindi sana sila mawawalay sa kanilang pamilya sa loob ng maraming taon kung sapat at nakabubuhay ang mga oportunidad na naririto sa atin. Hindi sana sila mapipilitang umalis kung sinisikap ng gobyernong palaguin ang mga industriyang lilikha ng disenteng trabaho. Hindi sana sila mapapakapit sa patalim kung ang pera ng bayan ay ginagamit nang maayos para paunlarin ang ating bansa sa halip na patabain ang bulsa ng mga kurakot.
Panghawakan sana ng ating mga OFW ang mga salita sa Juan 16:22: “nalulungkot [sila] ngayon [pero darating ang panahon na] mag-uumapaw sa kanilang puso ang kagalakang hindi maaagaw ninuman.” Ito ang dasal natin para sa ating mga OFW. Ito ang dasal natin para sa kanilang mga pamilya.
Mga Kapanalig, nagpapasalamat tayo sa mga kababayan nating nagsisikap sa ibayong-dagat dahil malaki ang ambag nila sa ating ekonomiya. Pero dumating sana ang panahon na wala nang mga pamilyang kailangang maghiwalay dahil binibigô sila ng kanilang bayan.
Gospel Reading for December 09, 2025 – Matthew 18: 12-14
ALL OF US COUNT
Jesus said to his disciples: “What is your opinion? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills and go in search of the stray? And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.”
————
Something very important for us to remember is that we are created beings, and much more than being created, we are created in God’s image and likeness. We are not just objects that may be discarded if we get lost. We are not just robots that may be reprogrammed if we fail to do what we are supposed to do.
Jesus uses the imagery of the Father being a Good Shepherd who will not stop looking for us when we go astray because ALL OF US COUNT in God’s Kingdom. No one is more important or less important. In God’s Kingdom, diplomas, properties, bank accounts do not count because these are all temporal matters. If indeed they count, it is how we used them to be of good service to humanity and to alleviate the lives of those who have less in life around us.
This is why parents, who are God’s instruments of love, play a very important role in ingraining in their children the foundational traits of morality, self-esteem, respect, resilience, compassion, independence and responsibility, teaching through example and consistent guidance so they become well-rounded, capable adults who will contribute positively to society in the future.
God does not give up on us even if we have given up on him. We are SO IMPORTANT to him that he will provide us with all the graces we need to get back on our feet and experience happiness and peace as he would want us to have.
Let us ponder on this hymn written by Bob Dufford, S.J. and based on Isaiah 43: 2-3 and Luke 6:20, BE NOT AFRAID –
You shall cross the barren desert,
but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety
though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands
and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.
BE NOT AFRAID,
I go before you always.
Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
If you pass through raging waters in the sea,
you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames,
you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow’r of hell
and death is at your side,
know that I am with you through it all.
BE NOT AFRAID,
I go before you always.
Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
Blessed are your poor,
for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn,
for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked tongues insult and hate you
all because of me,
blessed, blessed are you!
BE NOT AFRAID,
I go before you always.
Come, follow me, and I will give you rest.
Sa gitna ng abalang paghahanda at masayang ingay ng Kapaskuhan, paanyaya ng Adbiyento ang huminto, manahimik, at ituon muli ang puso sa tunay na dahilan ng pagdiriwang—ang pagdating ng Panginoon; tulad ng panawagan ni Juan Bautista, nawa’y maging panahon ito ng pagwawalis ng balakid, ng tapat na pagsisisi, at ng paghubog ng pusong handang-lehiyuhan ang isang tuwid, malinis, at bukas na landas para kay Hesus.
Mga Kapanalig, nagdesisyon na ang International Criminal Court (o ICC) hinggil sa apela ng kampo ni dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na repasuhin ang pagbasura sa kanyang kahilingan para sa interim release. Nanindigan ang ICC sa nauna nitong desisyon na panatilihin siya sa kustodiya ng korte.
Ang interim release ay pansamantalang paglaya ng isang akusado habang naghihintay ng paglilitis, pero hindi ito nangangahulugang absuwelto na siya sa kasong kinakaharap. Ipinagkakaloob lang ito kung kumpiyansa ang hukuman na maipagpapatuloy ang pagdinig sa kaso kahit wala sa kulungan ang akusado.
Hindi ito nakita ng ICC sa kaso ni dating Pangulong Duterte. Wala raw sapat na basehan ang tatlong grounds of appeal na inihain ng kanyang kampo. Nabigo rin daw ang kampo ng datinbg presidente na ipakitang may pagkakamali sa pagsusuri o na hindi makatwiran ang naging konklusyon noon ng ICC.
Noong ipinatutupad ang giyera kontra droga, napakaraming hindi binigyan ng pagkakataong ipagtanggol ang sarili. Hindi sila nabigyan ng abogado. Hindi sila nakatungtong sa korte. Hindi sila pinakinggan. Pinatay na lang sila dahil salot sa lipunan ang turing sa kanila.
Ngayon naman, ang dating pangulo, kasama ang kanyang pamilya at mga tagasuporta, ay humihiling na mapalaya muna siya dahil sa kanyang edad, kalusugan, at mga karapatan. Umaasa sila ngayon sa awa ng sistemang minsan niyang binalewala. Subalit sa desisyon ng ICC, malinaw na ang awa ay hindi maihihiwalay sa pagkilala sa katotohanan at katarungan.
Sa mga panlipunang turo ng ating Simbahan, ang awa—at nakapaloob na rito ang pagpapatawad—ay hindi nangangahulugang kakalimutan na natin ang mga pagkakamaling nagawa ng isang tao. Katarungan ang layunin ng kapatawaran, at kaakibat nito ang pagpapanagot sa mga nagkasala.
Walang dapat pinipili ang awa, kaya ibinigay din sana ito sa mga biktima at pamilya nilang hanggang ngayon ay naghahanap ng sagot, naghahanap ng katawan ng kanilang mahal sa buhay, at naghahanap ng katarungan. Nasaan ang awa para sa mga naulila, para sa mga nadurog ang buhay, para sa mga inakusahan ngunit hindi nakapagsalita, para sa mga pinatay bago pa man napatunayang may sala?
Para sa mga pamilya ng biktima ng war on drugs, ang desisyon ng ICC ay isang malaking hakbang tungo sa pananagutan. Ayon sa Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court, ito ay “malaking panalo” para sa mga biktima at kanilang mga pamilya, lalo na’t binigo sila ng sarili nating sistemang pangkatarungan.Nagsisimula pa lang ang kanilang laban para sa katarungan.
Sa gitna ng mga panawagan para sa awa, hustisya, at pananagutan, mainam na paalala ang mga salitang ito mula Mikas 6:8: “Tinuruan tayo ng Panginoon kung ano ang mabuti. At ito ang nais niyang gawin natin: Gawin natin ang matuwid, pairalin natin ang pagkamaawain sa iba at buong pagpapakumbabang sumunod sa Diyos.”
Sa isyung ito, panghawakan natin ang tatlong haligi: katarungan para sa mga biktima, awa para sa mga nasaktan, at kababaang-loob para sa nagkasala. Hindi maaaring paghiwa-hiwalayin ang mga ito. Ang awa na walang katarungan ay pagtalikod sa katotohanan; ang katarungan na walang kababaang-loob ay nagiging paghihiganti. Tanging ang pagtindig sa totoo ang makakapagpanumbalik ng dangal sa lahat.
Mga Kapanalig, dasal nating manaig ang katotohanan. Hangad nating mapanagot ang tunay na maysala, pero hangad din nating maging tama, malinaw, at makatao ang proseso ng pagdinig sa kaso ng dating presidente. Oo, sana kahit siya ay makatanggap ng due process na ipinagkait niya sa mga biktima ng madugo niyang kampanya—hindi dahil espesyal siya kundi para maitaas natin bilang isang bayan ang antas ng ating pag-unawa sa hustisya. Sapagkat ang hustisya, kapag totoo, ay hindi namimili. Ito ay tumitindig para sa biktima, at kumakatok din sa pinto ng nagkasala.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday in the Second Week of Advent, 09 December 2025
Isaiah 40:1-11 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 18:12-14
Photo by author, December 2018.
Today you ask me
Lord Jesus something so
ordinary yet so profound:
"What is your opinion?
If a man has a hundred sheep
and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine
in the hills and go in search of
the stray?" (Matthew 18:12)
So many times
dear Jesus I feel like you,
the Good Shepherd:
I feel uneasy the moment
one of my sheep or anything
or anyone is missing,
is lost,
is nowhere to be found;
there is that sense of
emptiness,
of incompleteness,
of lacking when someone
or something is missing
and like you,
I would leave everything
just to find that one missing!
In my opinion,
as you ask me now, Lord Jesus,
I feel you coming,
I feel you searching me
the moment I am lost,
or simply feeling distant
and unsure of the path
and direction to take in life,
or sometimes feeling scattered;
Advent is God not waiting for us
to go back but you coming to
find us!
“And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not stray. In the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost” (Matthew 18:13-14).
Advent is you,
Lord Jesus coming
and looking for us;
on this Tuesday in the
Second Week of Advent,
I pray dear Jesus for those
who feel a part of them is
lost or missing;
help us find our way back
home to you;
let us not stray further
away but finally
follow you back
in our selfish
and closed self.
Amen.
Gospel Reading for December 08, 2025 – Luke 1: 26-38
PURE VESSEL
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
————
On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX officially defined the Immaculate Conception as a dogma stating that Mary was immaculately conceived, in anticipation of Christ’s merits as she would be the mother of the Son of God. We have to understand that the dogma was not meant to put Mary on a pedestal, but rather, to emphasize that Jesus is the Son of God, hence, she had to be a PURE VESSEL for him. Whenever we honor Mary, it is always in connection with Jesus. We honor her because she is the mother of our Saviour, and being a mother, raised Jesus from infancy to the time he left home to start his Ministry. Mary had to go through so much suffering being Jesus’ mother, but her faith and trust in God never faltered. She remained faithful to him until death. For this, we are forever grateful to her.
We are Christians because by virtue of our baptism, we become “followers of Christ” or are connected to Jesus. Being connected to Jesus means that we are called to have a pure heart where the love of Jesus may reside. We will also undergo suffering (maybe not as much as Mary), but it is what will purify our hearts so we may learn to ease the suffering of those in need.
Like Mary, may we always remain steadfast in our faith and trust in you, O Lord our God!
Mga Kapanalig, bahagi na ng kulturang Pilipino tuwing Pasko ang noche buena. Naghahanda tayo ng espesyal na pagkain—kahit simple lang—para ipagdiwang ang kapanganakan ng ating Tagapagligtas.
Kayo, magkano ang inilalaan ninyong budget para sa handaang ito? Ayon kay Department of Trade and Industry (o DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque, mairaraos ng isang pamilyang may apat na miyembro ang noche buena sa halagang limandaang piso. Sinabi niya ito kasabay ng paglalabas ng DTI ng price guide para sa mga karaniwang noche buena items. Bumaba raw kasi ang presyo ng mga pang-noche buena gaya ng hamon at spaghetti sauce. Inilatag ang gabay bilang pagsunod sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na tiyaking may mga murang mapagpipilian ang mga mamimili ngayong Kapaskuhan.
Anong reaksyon ninyo rito?
Para sa marami, hindi lang ito simpleng miscalculation o maling pagkukuwenta. Malinaw na pagkalayô ito sa realidad, lalo na sa panahong kabi-kabila ang isyu ng korapsyon at pagwawaldas ng pondo ng bayan. Sa gitna ng bilyun-bilyong pisong nawawala at ng marangyang pamumuhay ng nasa kapangyarihan, ang pagsasabing kakasya ang limandaang piso para sa noche buena ay tila insulto sa mga kababayan nating araw-araw na kumakayod.
Pero sa halip na kilalanin ang damdamin ng publiko, ipinagpilitan pa ni Secretary Roque na “talagang posible” ang limandaang pisong handa. Sinang-ayunan pa ito ni Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro na nagsabing depende raw kasi ito sa bibilhin natin. May mga pre-packaged o bundled items daw na pasók sa limandaang pisong budget.
Sa usaping ito, ang problema ay hindi talaga kung kakasya ang limandaang piso. Ang mas problema ay ang tila pagsasabing tao ang may kakulangan. Para bang sinasabi sa atin, “Hindi lang kayo marunong mag-budget,” o “Masyadong magarbong handaan ang gusto ninyo.” Mapanganib ang ganitong pag-iisip dahil imbes na tiyakin ng gobyernong abot-kaya ang mga pangunahing bilihin, pinalalabas na tayo ang kailangang mag-adjust at magtiis. ‘Ika nga, matuto raw mamaluktot kung maikli ang kumot.
Sa halip na pagdebatehan kung paano pagkakasyahin ang limandaang piso para sa noche buena, mas mahalaga ang pagtuon sa kung ano ang dapat gawin ng gobyerno upang itaguyod ang dignidad at kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino nang maipagdiwang naman natin ang isa sa pinakamasayang okasyon para sa atin. Binanggit ni Akbayan Reprepresentive Perci Cendaña ang pangangailangan na aprubahan agad ang dalawandaang pisong dagdag-sahod Ganito rin ang punto ni Gabriela Representative Sarah Elago. Aniya, dapat solusyunan ng pamahalaan ang mataas na presyo ng bilihin at mababang sahod na hindi nakakasabay sa tunay na pangangailangan ng pamilya.
Habang papalapit ang pagdating ni Hesus ngayong Adbiyento, tinatawag tayong magnilay sa Kanyang kapanganakan at ang hamon nito sa ating buhay. Ang paghahanda sa Kanyang pagdating ay nangangahulugang pagtatrabaho para bumuo ng isang mas makatarungang lipunan. Pero saan nga ba ang katarungan sa sahod na hindi sapat para sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan?
Pinaaalalahanan din tayo ni Pope Francis: “It’s always the poor who pay the price of corruption.” Kaya isang paraan para labanan ang korapsyon ay ang tunay na paglilingkod sa kapwa. Ipanalangin natin na ang ating gobyerno ay maging makatarungan at maglingkod nang tapat, kaysa sa “[humingi] ng suhol sa mga taong matuwid, at [ipagkait] sa mahihirap ang katarungan,” gaya ng mababasa natin sa Amos 5:12.
Mga Kapanalig, sa halip na tanungin kung kaya ba natin pagkasyahin ang limandaang piso para sa noche buena, mas dapat itanong: bakit ipinahihiwatig ng gobyerno na nasa atin ang problema? Responsabilidad ng pamahalaan na tiyaking abot-kaya ang mga pangunahing bilihin, hindi lang sa darating na Pasko kundi araw-araw. Dapat may sapat na sahod ang mga manggagawa, at hindi ang mamamayan ang bumubuhat sa kakulangan ng pamahalaan.
Gospel Reading for December 07, 2025 – Matthew 3: 1-12
RECOGNIZE
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:
A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
John wore clothing made of camel’s hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins.
When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand. He will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
————
People went to be baptized by John the Baptist to signify repentance for their sins. This was John’s way of preparing the path of the Saviour.
Truly, there is no better way to allow Jesus to come into our lives without first repenting for our sins. No one is sinless, therefore, we need Jesus to save us so we may have the chance to someday enter into eternal life. But before we may be saved, we should at first RECOGNIZE our need to be saved. After recognizing, we need to accept, then we need to repent.
God made it easy for us to reconcile with him – no interactive voice response, no appointments to make, no exams to take, no licenses to acquire, etc.. Jesus gave his apostles the authority to forgive sins in his name (John 20: 23), assuring us that when we go to confession with sincere repentance, God has forgiven us.
Lord, may we always want to remain reconciled with you!
Is 11:1-10
The describes the messianic age with three key features: a just, God-fearing descendant of David; the king’s role in justice and harmony; and a return to Eden-like peace among all creation, symbolized by animals and humans living peacefully. The royal lineage roots from Jesse, David’s father, representing a divine, prophetic ideal. The king is endowed with the ‘spirit of the Lord’—giving insight, judgment, and strength—and embodies reverence for God, a vital virtue. Unlike many past kings, this ruler enacts fairness, punishes malice, and cares for the disadvantaged. Creation itself echoes Eden’s harmony, with animals no longer predators, reflecting ideal peace. This symbolizes the restoration of order within the whole creation, emphasizing justice beyond humans. Zion remains central, and knowledge of the Lord—experiential and transformative—will define this future era, culminating in universal acknowledgment by all nations.
Rom 15:4-9
The text highlights unity in the Roman community, urging removal of ethnic or religious barriers. Paul, though not a founder, sees scriptures as relevant beyond their historical context, applying to any situation with Christocentrism and rabbinic insight. He emphasizes that God’s word offers hope through patience and encouragement during trials. Unity, the first gift of God’s Spirit, is central to true worship directed to the Father, source of blessings. A careful plea calls for harmony between Jewish and Gentile Christians, illustrating Jesus’ service to Jews as proof of God’s fidelity. Gentiles are integral to God’s plan, emphasized through psalms and Paul’s focus on the Gentile mission as part of divine design. A worthy liturgy requires a supportive community.
Mt 3:1 – 12
Matthew presents John the Baptist as a significant, though somewhat elusive, figure linked with Advent_predicted Elijah_ and known for his call to repentance. Despite limited historical data, especially outside the gospels, he is recognized by Josephus and was a contemporary of Jesus, both preaching about a new era and baptism for conversion. John, possibly connected to the Essenes, dressed like Elijah, advocated repentance as a fundamental, internal change reflected in actions. His mission was widely accepted and focused on preparing for God’s reign, emphasizing genuine change over mere ethnicity. His confrontations with Pharisees and Sadducees highlighted the importance of authentic faith and moral transformation, with his message culminating in an eschatological call for true repentance that bears fruit.
The reign of God represents God’s sovereignty over all creation, announced by John and evident in Jesus’ ministry, fully realized through his death and resurrection, and awaiting His return. Justice, connected to peace, is an integral part of God’s reign. As Christ’s followers, we must work to address injustices such as poverty, racism, sexism, disregard for life, economic inequalities, and environmental destruction, which hinder true peace. Amen.
(s1S#114 At Hand):
Isaiah is considered the prophet of Advent, announcing the arrival of the messianic king (cf s1S#8 Messiah), a just and God-fearing descendant of David. His reign will be an era of justice on behalf of his people and a return to the harmony and peace of Eden, (cf first reading, Is 11:1-10, taken from the section of the book known as the book of Immanuel). John the Baptist is Isaiah’s New Testament counterpart, in whom the fulfillment of what he prophesied begins (Mt 3:1-12). Thus at his first appearance, he announces that the reign of the messianic king is “at hand”, (v.2, cf 4: 17 where Jesus himself proclaims it).
The term used is from the verb éngizō ( έγγιζω ) meaning “to bring near or be near, or approach”. If taken as a Hebraism it may mean “have come, be here”. So some scholars would prefer to translate it as “fast approaching” than simply “is near, or at hand” to underline the nuance of something urgent.
With that note of urgency, the Baptist calls for repentance (cf s1S#60). Colored already by a Christian understanding, it means morally a fundamental change of direction from sin to God, expressed through a purification rite of baptism with water, common to the Essenes at Qumran and other groups at that time. In Greek baptism means literally “dripping in liquid”, and in Mediterranean antiquity, water, fire, and wind (or spirit) were viewed as liquids that could be poured upon or into people. Addressing the Pharisees and the Scribes John opposes their hypocrisy and religious formalism and declares that blood linkage with Abraham is not sufficient, challenging the biological basis of honor and urging a moral basis instead. Not who one is but what one does should be paramount. Radical and deeply internal, it requires a change both of heart and mind, and it is externalized in the fruit it produces. Only conversion and its fruits assure salvation (vv7- 10). This baptism of John will be superseded by that of Jesus. It will be an immersion in the cleansing and purifying power of God’s Spirit, the gift of God’s very own life (v11), thus making all the baptized God’s children.
Seasons like this make us so preoccupied with so many things that the urgency of the call to repentance is usually ignored. And if Christ’s reign is a reign of justice and peace, we ask ourselves- is our conversion then producing such fruits? Remember true conversion is reflected in life: “by their fruits, you will know them”.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Second Sunday in Advent-A, 07 December 2025
Isaiah 11:1-10 ><}}}}*> Romans 15:4-9 ><}}}}*> Matthew 3:1-12
Photo by author, The Deesis Mosaic in the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkiye, 01 November 2025.
Afew weeks before the Holy Father visited Turkiye recently, we were also in Istanbul and had the great chance of visiting the magnificent Hagia Sophia. And we wonder why Pope Leo XIV skipped the more historical and popular Hagia Sophia to visit instead the Blue Mosque just across.
The Hagia Sophia or “Holy Wisdom” was the largest church in the Eastern Roman Empire when Istanbul was called Constantinople until the Ottoman Turks conquered the city and converted the church into a mosque. More than a hundred years ago when Turkiye became a republic, the government made Hagia Sophia a museum until recently when it was reverted into a mosque again.
My initial feeling when I got inside Hagia Sophia was deep sadness. “Malaking panghihinayang” as in “sayang na sayang” in Filipino because it used to be ours but due to the Great Schism of 1054 when the Eastern Roman Church broke away from Rome, it fell into the hands of the Moslems who made it into a mosque, altering or hiding the many great works of art there that date back to the Byzantine era 1200 to 1400 years ago.
Photo by author, The Deesis Mosaic in the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkiye, 01 November 2025.
One of its many treasures you might be familiar found in history books and magazines is the “Deesis Mosaic” of Jesus flanked to his left by his Mother Mary and John the Baptist to his right.
From the Greek word “deesis” that means supplication or intercession, the mosaic features Mary and John beseeching Jesus to forgive mankind at his Second Coming. Though the three images have been badly deteriorated due to the elements passing through the window beside it, its beauty remains intact, especially the evocative faces of Mary, Jesus and John.
Seeing it personally, one could feel the pagsusumamo of John the Baptist and Mother Mary expressed in the softness of their face in earnestly asking Jesus to forgive mankind on the day of judgment. And it seems to be working so well as you could feel too the tender compassion of Jesus Christ’s look as he raised his right hand in a blessing position while holding with his other hand a thick book that is perhaps a Bible.
Detail of John the Baptist from the Deesis Mosaic in his abbreviated Greek name Ionnes Prodromos; photo by author, Istanbul, 01 November 2025.
The Deesis Mosaic is very Advent in character because it is about God’s mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus at his Second Coming at the end of time.
Here we find how early on in the ancient Church they have been preoccupied in this first aspect of Advent, the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time and of Advent’s essence – our conversion from sins. At the forefront of that call is the Lord’s Precursor, John the Baptist, that is why every second and third Sundays of Advent we hear in the gospel his ministry at Jordan.
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: A voice crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. … At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region aroun d the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins (Matthew 3:1-3, 5-6).
John the Baptist remains relevant in preparing for the Lord’s coming, whether at the end of time or in preparation for our Christmas celebration. Like him, we are all called to be an Advent person, vigilantly preparing ourselves for Christ’s coming at the end of time that happens in every here and now, right in our own desert in this modern time.
Yes, we are like John the Baptist living in our own desert, a world we describe as a global village wired and connected by the internet yet so apart from each other. Instead of bringing us closer with one another, all these modern inventions have actually grown us more detached from one another like when eating in a fast food. It is so alienating especially for us seniors to be placing our orders on those tall electronic boards programmed for us to order more food and drinks not healthy at all.
Or, take those TNVS or Transport Network Vehicle Services like Grab. We no longer travel in the real sense as we just move to destinations with that desert feeling when inside a Grab car with the driver too far from us passengers in front, following instructions from apps while we at the back sit silently scrolling our phones or pounding a laptop. See also how driving has become going in the wilderness with the horrendous traffic where humans turn into monsters in road rage while machines and CCTVs monitor who’s violating traffic rules and who gets through the RFID.
Photo by author, Basic Education Department Chapel, Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City, December 2023.
This Second Sunday in Advent, John the Baptist invites us to be aware of the desert we are living into where we have become less personal, less human as we move away from God that we have lost our sense of sin, acting more on impulses without much thinking its effects and consequences.
We think more of ourselves than of God and others, overextending our rights insisting on our ways that actually destroy lives through abortions and gender manipulations. We no longer speak of what is true and good by simply following trends and what is convenient. No more feelings, no more compassion. No more others. No more God nor heaven and eternity.
“St. John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness” by German painter Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779) from commons.wikimedia.org.
We do not have to dress on camel’s hair nor eat locusts and wild honey like John but simply make a space within us for God and for others.
We would be gravely wrong to think John was only speaking to the people of his time especially to the Pharisees and Sadducees; Matthew wrote his gospel account at that time to nourish the faith of early Christians facing persecutions and many challenges in life like in our own time when it is so tempting to follow the evil ways of the world.
John continues to warn us today of the sure return of the Christ when everyone shall face judgment which is not something to be feared like a sword of Damocles hanging above our heads ready to strike us anytime. It is a call and a demand for concrete actions of conversion, of leaving our sinful ways to follow Christ’s path of holiness.
“Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I am baptizing you with water, for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:10-11).
Advent assures us of Christ’s Second Coming when he shall purify and renew us to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy in the first reading when “the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid… the calf and young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them… the cow and bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest, the lion shall eat hay like the ox… the baby shall play by the cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair”(Isaiah 11:6-8).
“Peaceable Kingdom”, a painting based on Is.11:1-10 by American Edward Hicks, a Quaker pastor (1780-1849) from wikimedia.org.
As we have reflected last Sunday, every coming of Jesus is a day of judgment but not a catastrophe. It becomes a disaster for those unprepared, living in sin. But for those like John the Baptist, striving to live the gospel amid the desert of this world, Christ’s coming is salvation and peace for Jesus is full of love and compassion and tenderness for his people.
Life is so difficult these days especially when we see our great disparities with the corrupt who simply steal our money and those we call “lumalaban ng patas sa buhay”. Imagine how in our country the world is like a desert, so hostile with the weak and the poor who have to wrestle with 500 pesos – if ever they have – to stretch it for a noche buena on Christmas Eve.
St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that in times like these, we look up to God and his Sacred Words, to keep hoping, trusting and believing in Christ’s coming already happening especially in the Sunday Eucharist. Let us gather together as one community, encouraging each other in Christ like John in Jordan while awaiting the Lord’s coming, rejoicing like the psalmist today who sang, “Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever” (Ps. 72:7). Amen. A blessed Second Week in Advent everyone!
2nd Sunday of Advent Cycle A
World Day for People with Disabilities
National AIDS Sunday
Is 11:1-10 Rom 15:4-9 Mt 3:1-12
Noong nakaraang Linggo, November 30, nagkaroon ng rally sa maraming mga lunsod sa buong bansa natin. Nanawagan ang mga tao ng: SOBRA NA! TAMA NA! IKULONG NA! Sa mga rally na ito ipinapahayag ng mga tao na nadidismaya na sila sa mga balitang korapsyon at maraming imbestigasyon na hindi naman napapanagot ang mga senador, mga congressman, mga mayayamang kontraktor at mga matataas na kawani ng gobyerno. Wala pa naman sa kanila ang ikinulong! Kapag mahirap ang tao, agad-agad kinakasuhan at pinagbibintangan pa ng kaso at kinukulong agad. Pero hindi ang mayayaman. Ang dami pang proseso na dinadaanan! Maraming palusot at tumatakas pa sa ibang bansa. Kaya naghahangad tayo ng leaders sa gobyerno na magbibigay ng katarungan sa mga dukha, na ipagtatanggol ang karapatan ng mga kawawa, na hahatol ng kaparusahan sa mga masasama. Katarungan at katapatan ang paiiralin niya sa kaniyang pamamahala.
Ang paghahangad na ito ay siya ring ipinangako ni propeta Isaias pagdating ng haring sisibol sa tuod ni Jesse. Ito ay isang haring manggagaling sa lahi ni Jesse. Si Jesse ay tatay ni David. Para sa atin ang haring ito ay si Jesus na galing sa lipi ni David. Dumating na siya. Sinimulan na niya ang paghaharing makatarungan na pinapansin at tinutulungan ang mga pilay, mga bulag, mga may ketong, mga makasalanan at mga mahihirap. Babalik uli siya upang lubusang tapusin ang kanyang sinimulan. Inaabangan natin ito ngayong panahon ng adbiyento.
Ang kanyang pagdating ay tanda ng kanyang katapatan at ng kanyang habag. Ang Diyos ay tapat sa kanyang mga pangako. Matagal na niyang ipinangako ang pagdating ng isang Kristo – noon pang panahon ni Abraham, panahon ni Moises, panahon ni David at ng mga propeta. Sa wakas tinupad na niya ang kanyang pangako. Kaya si Jesukristo ay ang dakilang Yes, dakilang Oo ng Diyos sa kanyang mga pangako. Si Kristo din ay tanda ng habag ng Diyos. Siya ay dumating hindi lang para sa mga Hudyo na kanyang pinangakuan. Siya ay dumating sa mga hindi Hudyo, sa mga sumasamba ang iba’t-ibang mga diyos. Pinatawad niya sila. Kahit na sa mga hindi kumikilala sa Diyos nandiyan ang habag ng Diyos. Nagpapatawad siya sa lahat.
Oo, nagpapatawad siya sa lahat, pero sa lahat na nagsisisi. Ang pagsisisi ay ang susi sa pasok ng Diyos sa ating buhay. Kaya nga noong dumating si Juan Bautista upang ipaghanda ang pagdating ng Kristo ang kanyang panawagan ay: PAGSISIHAN NINYO AT TALIKDAN ANG INYONG MGA KASALANAN. Ang pagbibinyag niya sa ilog Jordan ay ang panlabas na paglilinis na dala ng panloob na pagsisisi. Kahit na sa mga walang audience, doon sa disyerto, patuloy siyang nananawagan at sumisigaw. Ang kanyang mensahe ay hindi lang sa pamamagitan ng kanyang salita. Ang buhay niya mismo ay bahagi ng kanyang panawagan. Payak at simple ang buhay niya. Balat ng kamelyo ang kanyang damit – magaspang at makati iyan. Ang kanyang pagkain ay iyong pagkain na matatagpuan sa disyerto at hind sa mall o mga restaurant – simple lang: balang (insekto iyan) at pulot. Wala siyang itinatangi sa mga pinagsasalitaan niya. Kahit na iyong mga dayuhan na galing pa sa Jerusalem at Judea ay pinagwiwikaan niya. Kailangan din silang magsisisi kahit na sila ay mayayaman at mga may pinag-aralan. Kailangan din silang magbagong buhay. At huwag nang ipasabukas ang pagsisisi kasi nakaamba na ang palakol sa ugat ng punong kahoy. Puputulin ang bawat puno na hindi nagbubunga ng katuwiran. Ang darating ay nandiyan na, ay malapit na. Pagdating niya magbibinyag siya ng Espiritu Santo at ng apoy. Susunugin ang bawat puno na hindi namumunga.
Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng pagsisisi? Una, ito ay nangangahulugan na talikdan na ang kasamaan – ang alitan, ang paghihiganti, ang kahalayan, ang bisyo at marami pang ibang kasalanan. Ikalawa, ito ay nangangahulugan ng pagtupad ng ating tungkulin sa buhay. Maging mabuting estudyante tayo, mabuting magulang, mabuting manggagawa, mabuting lingkod ng simbahan. At panghuli, maging mapagkawanggawa, ipagtanggol ang inaapi, labanan ang korapsyon at panlalamang sa kapwa. Mag-ambag tayo na umiral ang katuwiran at katotohanan sa ating Lipunan.
Hindi lang sapat na hindi gumagawa ng masama. Nagsisikap din tayo na palakasin ang katarungan at gumawa ng mabuti. Ito ang totoong pagtanggap kay Jesus na dumarating at darating pa.
Ngayong Linggo ay Linggo ng may mga kapansanan at may HIV-AIDS. Sila ay pansinin at tulungan natin. Madalas isinasantabi na lang natin sila at tinatago pa nga. Si Jesus ay dumating din para sa kanila. May dangal din ang kanilang pagkatao at iniligtas din sila ni Jesus. Huwag natin silang husgahan, bagkus sila ay tulungan. Minsan, may lumapit kay Jesus na isang bulag mula pa sa kanyang pagkabata. Ang tanong ng mga tao kay Jesus ay: “Panginoon sino ba ang nagkasala, siya o ang kanyang mga magulang na nasa ganito siyang kalungkot-lungkot na kalagayan?” Ang sabi ni Jesus na hindi ito dahil sa kasalanan niya o ng kanyang mga magulang, ngunit ito ay isang pagkakataon na maipakita sa kanila ang kadakilaan ng kaligtasan. Pinagaling ni Jesus ang bulag at nakilala ng mga tao ang kanyang kadakilaan. Ganoon din, napapakita natin ang pagpapahalaga natin kay Jesus sa mga may kapansanan at ang mga may HIV-AIDS na ating natutulungan. Sa pamamagitan nila, si Jesus ay lumalapit sa atin at humihingi ng tulong sa atin.
Gospel Reading for December 06, 2025 – Matthew 9: 35 – 10: 1, 5a, 6-8
FULL-TIME
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
Then he summoned his Twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, “Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, make this proclamation: ‘The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
————
In three years, he had to do all that the Father asked him as Saviour of the world. His hands were too full having to go to all towns and villages, preaching, healing, and caring for the poor. Imagine, he was just in Israel! Now we can understand why he had to train the 12 and why he gave them authority and power to replicate what he was doing. Jesus did not have to live so long in order for Christianity to spread all over the world. His work of salvation was also passed on to us by his apostles, with each of us having different roles in the Church.
One thing we Christians have to always remember is that Christ’s work of salvation is FULL-TIME. There are no rest hours or recesses in-between. IT IS OUR WAY OF LIVING!
Lord, give us the strength to relentlessly do our part in your salvific mission!
Gospel Reading for December 5, 2025 – Matthew 9: 27-31
EVERYTHING
As Jesus passed by, two blind men followed him, crying out, “Son of David, have pity on us!” When he entered the house, the blind men approached him and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they said to him. Then he touched their eyes and said, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread word of him through all that land.
————
They did not have eyesight, but they were able to follow Jesus. It was just eyesight that they did not have, but they had the very powerful eyes of faith that made Jesus give them their eyesight.
As Jesus says in Mark 11: 23, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them” faith is of utmost importance if we want things to happen in our lives. We need to have faith in our family, in our children, in our loved ones, in the people we work with, etc.. Most of all, we have to remember that with God, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!
Lord, heal us of our blindness or indifference to the suffering of others, the injustices, moral degradation and cruelty to all living creatures, and help us do our part in alleviating all of these in your name!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday in the First Week of Advent, 05 December 2025
Isaiah 29:17-24 ><))))*> + ><))))*> + ><))))*> Matthew 9:27-31
I love your words today,
Lord Jesus Christ:
"Do you believe
that I can do this?"
(Matthew 9:28)
How amazing is this story,
so Advent because the season
calls us to believe,
to wait,
even to see you Jesus
even we cannot see
anything at all!
How can two blind men
follow you except by
merely listening,
even listen intently
when we who can see
cannot see you,
refuse to follow you,
refuse to believe you?
Like those two blind men,
we tell you today that
"Yes, Lord, we believe
you can make us see again."
Please do so.
Make it quick.
For we are so blinded
by the world's playful lights
including its darkness
so romanticized
that many drift
away from you.
Amen.
Kapanalig, bakit katakam-takam ang Pork barrel funds? Bakit nababaliw ang mga mambabatas sa pork barrel?
Noong 2013, idineklara ng Korte Suprema na unconstitutional ang Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) na kilala bilang pork barrel funds. Natuklasan ng Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism o PCIJ ang katulad na mekanismo na naisingit na naman sa national budget.
Ang bagong tawag sa pork barrel funds ay “allocable funds”. Ang bagong “allocable system” ay medyo naiba ang istraktura., dahil ang kabuuang halaga para sa bawat distrito ay ginawang fixed ng DPWH gamit ang sinasabing “BBM Parametric formula” na naka-itimize direkta sa National Expenditure Program at pinal na General Appropriations Act o GAA.
Nakakabilib talaga ang ating mga mambabatas, parehong eskima, iniba lang ang pangalan. Sa pag-aaral ng PCIJ., 11-incumbent at dating kongresista ng Cebu ay nabigyan ng 55.77 bilyong piso na discretionary DPWH funds mula taong 2023 hanggang 2025.
Ang 55.77-bilyong pisong DPWH discretionary funds ay bahagi lamang ng 1.2-trilyong pisong na napunta naman sa iba’t-ibang district Representatives sa bansa.
Ang pinaka-malaking recipient ay si Cebu 1st District Representative Rhea Mae Gullas sa halagang 8.33-bilyong piso.
Isinapubliko din ng PCIJ ang kanilang PORK BARREL KING AND QUEEN 2025…nanguna sa listahan ng may pinakamalaking natanggap na”allocables” ay si Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos na may P15.8 B.
Pangalawa si Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez na may P14.4 B. Ang pangatlo ay si Taguig Pateros 1st District Representative Ricardo Cruz Jr. na may P10.6 B. Kasama din sa listahan sina Apayao Lone District Representative Eleanor Begtang, former Bukidnon 3rd District Representative Jose Maria Zubiri Jr., Zamboanga del Norte 3rd District Representative Adrian Michael Amatong, former Nueva Viscaya Lone District Representative Luisa Lloren Cuaresma, former Davao City 2nd District Representative Vincent J. Garcia, Agusan del Sur 2nd District Representative Adolph Edward Plaza, at Abra Lone District Representative Menchie Bernos.
Kasama kaya ang mga kongresistang ito sa maanomalyang flood control projects ng pamahalaan? Ito ba ang dahilan ng kawalan ng kredibilidad ng Independent Commission on Infrastructure o ICI?
Kapanalig, bilang mga Pilipino, karapatan natin na malaman kung sino-sino pa ang mga kongresistang ganid sa pera ng bayan. Dapat silang managot, dapat silang maparusahan!
Tungkulin ng pamahalaang Marcos na ilantad ang katotohanan sa mamamayang Pilipino ng walang kinakampihan at kinikilingan. Sa ganitong paraan lang, manunumbalik ang tiwala ng mga Pilipino sa mga namumuno sa ating bansa.
Ika nga ng JOHN 31-32 “He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
