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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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:
1. Hope is not just a virtue but a relationship
2. At the center of hope is trust. It is humility that will empower us
3. 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
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
