Liwanag at Pagasa
A compilation of summaries of the 9 homilies delivered by S.J. presiders of the 9 simbang gabi masses at the Gesu in 2024
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
1st night 15 December Presider Fr. RB Hizon
• Chapel at the Ateneo campus near Gesu devoted to the Immaculate Concepcion has on exhibit various nativity scenes from collections of Fr. Javellana, Robert Alejandro among others
• It is a various depiction in detailed colors and forms of the description of Matthew and Luke
• Attention has been placed on details that may muddle the center putting Jesus at the periphery
• These vibrant depictions can be interpreted as the drawing out of the ordinariness of our lives when we are blessed by our God
• It is Emmanuel at work our reason for rejoicing
• Rejoicing brings out a love so intense that we are able to love
• Moments come when the Lord comes, and we see beyond ourselves
• How do we prepare? Share whatever we have with the needy
• Humanity flows
• Rejoice, do not fear
• The Lord is near
https://www.youtube.com/live/c2ohK_JkZIg?si=SpWfAnYtWSuu6YnL
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
2nd night 16 December Presider Fr. Norlan Julia
• The multiple roles we play
• Team Leader. True Love
• Identify the multiple roles we play in our unique settings professionally and personally
• We pray Lord help me do the role well
• Teach me your ways
• John played a difficult role of shouting at the wilderness calling for repentance
• He was questioned for his authority to do these things
• Authority comes from actor, author
• Who is the source of our energy, our conviction and passion?
• Where do we draw our power?
• It comes from the Father
• Towards the father, for the father
• For us to do our roles, we must draw from the one and only source
• Lord Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit
• I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me
https://www.youtube.com/live/YY-Y0Ul4igo?si=VgRqTOqZr0uPbk_q
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
3rd night 17 December Presider Fr. Chris Dumadag
• More to the uninteresting genealogy of Jesus
• Proving Jesus is Jewish, a rightful candidate to be a Messiah
• Jesus is part of our story both the holy and the sinful
• Making a family tree is a tool for self-understanding and awareness including imperfections
• Helps us see our path needing help from the community during challenging moments
• All of us including Jesus have flawed past
• We walk this pain together
• Jesus has no last name
• Pope Francis suggests that his is each of us
• Thus, connecting between God and us, we are not alone
• When we face pitfalls, face ourselves we cry to Jesus
• God is with us
• God loves us even in our brokenness
• Offering the healing we alone cannot do
• Find God in the stillness, solitude
• Weaving these in the story of our lives
• Jesus mends the brokenness as part of the family
• I am your call for help
https://www.youtube.com/live/jEpBXeF_rgw?si=AdySCeEvQWg8mXGL
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
4th night 18 December Presider Fr. Xave Olin
• When our plans do not materialize, what do we do
• There is so much more we can learn from Joseph
• When our plans are interrupted and our dreams frustrated God is also unfolding before us his big his bigger dream for us
• A plan far bigger and better than what our limited hearts and minds have imagined sometimes it appears as defeat and failure
• Our choices, getting stuck or having an open mind
• We are given gifts that we do not expect but better than what we hope for
• Think of the Christmas story
• Off balance
• Using these moments to stir us to action leading us to where he wants us to be
• A way of freeing us from being stuck to keep on moving
• This Christmas, it calls us to see Christ more clearly and courageously
https://www.youtube.com/live/cIFW8DRLCa8?si=FrYgN38E5GmOpoxd
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
5th night 19 December Presider Fr. Jhaw Haw
Aging and growing old
Embracing the reality of aging by accomplishing things beyond the normal
Not losing the awe and wonder for life
Become voices that inspire
Not about our limitations, frustration, shame but God being gracious
It is about God doing wonders with our limitations
Writing straight in crooked lines
We let not lose to imagine and doubt in seeing the signs of God’s grace around us
Move beyond limitations to see what God is going with them
When we open ourselves
We become part of the God’s story of graciousness
https://www.youtube.com/live/ovgLX6q8A4E?si=duFlHBStphulK50S
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
6th night 20 December Presider Fr. Jeff Pocong
• Life of Mary
• Is there a joyous moment in the Annunciation
• I don’t know why I was chosen for this
• I don’t understand why this is your will that you make me marry this perfect stranger
• Saying Yes to Lord may take a longer process before accepting
• Two reactions, yes immediately and delaying
• Relate to our journey in faith, asking for a grace period
• With much is at stake, it is not easy
• Our yes is not a stable commitment
• Asking God’s grace to assist us
• Mary’s yes to the Lord is edifying
• Have faith
• Choose in the plan the Lord has prepared for us
https://www.youtube.com/live/b78B2FWJoNs?si=IDws11SFiaowhbmA
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
7th night 20 December Presider Fr. Mon Bautista
• Mary’s Visitation and the Virtue of Hope
• Relates the story of an American soldier in 2012 kidnapped by Isis in Syria who was beheaded aired on social media
• Mother of the soldier experienced anguish and sorrow
• Eventually, the killer was arrested giving the mother a chance to visit the Syrian
• She forgave him
• We do not know what the future brings
• But we know who holds our future
• 2024 is the Jubilee year of hope that starts on the 24th December
• There are three profound affirmations of hope:
• Hope is not just a virtue but a relationship
• At the center of hope is trust. It is humility that will empower us
• Hope has twin actions, letting go and holding on, like how Mary reacted at the annunciation
• Place our hope on someone, in Christ
• Christ holds our future
• The power in hope is bringing out the best of us and not the worst
• In what areas of our lives do we need the value of hope
• God alone is our sole source of hope
https://www.youtube.com/live/N8kdDWkbA6U?si=FJrkpf3oEKvb4vJh
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
8th night 20 December Presider Fr. Bok Arandia
• Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth while both are expecting
• This is significant in the Christmas narratives
• When we pay someone a visit, we show our support, concern and compassion
• Simply being there is a special gift
• Our presence reminds them that they are not alone
• The Christ in Mary shows Christ’s desire to be with us
• A father’s visit to his son in prison brings Christ’s presence experiencing God’s mercy and love
• Christ’s presence in us, dwells in us, transforms us
• Fill those in need with a visit and our presence
https://www.youtube.com/live/9sPglOEz8hE?si=O4ztHTQxhLLqa9d3
Liwanag at Pagasa
Simbang Gabi sa Gesu 2024
9th night 23 December Presider Fr. Jett Villarin
• Goodness gracious, great ball of fire
• God is gracious
• When does grace work?
1. Grace works in surprisable people
Grace is a gift
Let us not be too old not to be surprised
2. Grace comes before not after
Before we could love back, God loved us first
Forgiveness is offered before not after
Grace is once the indescribable joy we gave our parents when we were born
3. Grace begets gratitude
Let us pray to be thankful always for gifts
An entitled heart is a proud heart
An entitled person is never a grateful one
Grace can never be paid
When we are grateful, we pay forward to others
• The gift is the giver
• Let us not miss the giver
• The gift is greater than the great ball of fire