‘Be angels to the less than merry’

MANILA, Philippines — Be angels to others who would not be having a merry Christmas this year, Manila Cathedral rector Monsignor Rolando dela Cruz urged Catholics in his homily during the ninth anticipated mass and last Simbang Gabi on Dec. 23.

Just like angels that remind people of the presence of God, bring good news and give reason for people to not be afraid, Dela Cruz said. He was alluding to the role angels played during Christmastime, such as the angel who appeared to Mary and Joseph and informed them that they would have a son they would name Jesus.

“Not everyone will have a merry Christmas this year. Christmas will just come and go for some people because they are going through a difficult time such as the death of a family member, or they received news that they have cancer, they were laid off from work or their home was destroyed in a fire,” said Dela Cruz.

“There will be many people in this world today and tomorrow who would not experience the ‘Merry Christmas’. Why can we not be an angel to them? Why can we not let them feel that despite everything that has happened, God is with them? Why can we not bring them good news?” he added.

Instead of spreading fake news and gossiping about other people, be like an angel and spread good news.

“Sometimes we only feel the hurt of fake news when we become victims of fake news,” the priest added.

Dela Cruz also mentioned a study that allegedly shows that there is an increase in the number of suicide cases during the holidays “because it is during this time that they feel so much alone.”

“While we are merrymaking, they feel the sadness because they are alone,” he said.

The Manila Cathedral rector added that people should check on their friends who would be spending Christmas alone and share the Noche Buena meal with them.

Meanwhile, Antipolo Bishop Ruperto Santos in his Christmas message reminded people to not get sidetracked by the rush and the extravagance this Christmas and remember that its true meaning is to obey, to sacrifice and to offer.

He said that nowadays, there are many distractions during Christmas time and people tend to forget the essence of the birth of the savior Jesus Christ.

“The true focus of Christmas should stem from the gratitude for what God had done in your life,” said Bishop Santos.

Jesus displayed obedience to the will of Our Heavenly Father by being born to Mother Mary.

He exemplified love and sacrifice when he voluntarily left behind heavenly glory, its beauty and perfection, to be born as a baby in a manger, and became and lived like his people. He uncrowned Himself and, just like people, allowed himself to feel hunger, thirst, tiredness and pain.

“He made Himself available to everyone so we can all approach Him easily. This is the deep foundation behind the Christmas story: God came in human form to lead us to salvation. Why so? Because it is only by becoming human that the Son of God could die for the sins of the world,” the bishop said.

He added, “In this season, may I ask you: what have you sacrificed in your personal faith walk? What are you willing to sacrifice no matter how difficult? Jesus’ love comprised every sacrifice He made. Genuine love is not just expressed by what we give. Rather, it is characterized by what we are willing to give up for others.”

Santos also explained that the “act of giving” is different from “to offer.”

The prelate said, “The true essence of Christmas is to offer, to offer ourselves completely to God. Jesus exemplified selflessness. He humbled Himself to become human and offered His life for our sins.”

Jesus did not want the frills that go with Christmas such as gifts, decorations and parties. “Let us come to mind, nothing will please God more than when we offer ourselves to Him humbly and wholeheartedly.”

He also said that Jesus admires sacrificial giving, as pointed in Luke 21:1-4: “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. And He said, Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on.”

Santos added that, “As followers of Jesus, we should consider offering beyond convenience or our comfort zone, be it time, talent, skills or money.”