Living the Present

Around this time, as we begin a new year, many cultures around the world turn to fortune tellers and superstitions. In some places, people consult astrologers, asking what the new year holds. In the Philippines, it’s common to fill homes with round fruits symbolizing prosperity. In Italy, people toss old belongings out of windows to make room for the new.

But for us Christians, our hope is not in fortune tellers, superstitions, or lucky charms. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who holds all time and eternity in His hands. For us, the past is a memory and a lesson. The future is unknown, a mere speculation. What God calls us to is the present moment. God invites us to live and love here and now.

In our Gospel, we see Mary pondering the events of Christ’s birth. She isn’t worrying about what tomorrow might bring. Instead, she reflects deeply, present in the moment, treasuring what God is doing in her life. This is the invitation to us as we begin the new year, to live with trust in God, embracing the present with faith and gratitude.

How can we do this? First, spend time in prayer each day, reflecting on God’s blessings. Second, prioritize meaningful relationships. Third, focus on the loving action we can take here and now. Ask, “What is the loving thing I can do now?”

This New Year, learn from Mary, who shows us how to embrace the present with faith, with gratitude. In doing so, we’ll find that each moment is a gift, and each step leads us closer to the fullness of life in Christ. 

Happy New Year! NQ

The Most Important Guest

Imagine you've just received the news. An important guest is coming to visit you. Perhaps it's an old friend, a beloved family member, or even someone famous. What do you do? Most likely, you clean the house, prepare a meal, and ensure everything is right. You want to create a warm and welcoming space for their arrival.

The word Advent comes from the Latin "adventus," meaning "arrival" or "coming." In this season of Advent, we focus on three ways Jesus comes to us. First, over 2,000 years ago, Jesus entered human history as a baby, born in Bethlehem, born of Mary. This is what we celebrate at Christmas, the Incarnation, God becoming human like us and his name is Emmanuel, "God with us." Second, Jesus comes to us here and now, today in our lives. He comes through the Word of God proclaimed, in the Eucharist, and the people around us. Jesus knocks on the doors of our hearts and desires to enter our own histories and our lives. Third, Jesus will come again in glory at the end of time to establish His eternal kingdom. This is the coming we profess in the Creed: "His Kingdom will have no end... He will come again to judge the living and the dead." Advent calls us to live with hope and vigilance, looking not only to the past and the present but also to the future. As Jesus says in today's Gospel, "Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand."

Advent reminds us that Jesus comes to us, knocks on the door of our hearts, and waits for our response. As the Letter to the Hebrews proclaims, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." His presence spans all of time, inviting us to prepare our hearts to receive Him in every moment of our lives.

How do we prepare for this threefold coming of Jesus? Just as we tidy our homes for a guest, Advent invites us to clean the clutter of sin from our hearts. Seek the Sacrament of Confession and let go of grudges, distractions, and anything that keeps us from welcoming Jesus fully. As we light the first candle of the Advent wreath, let it be a reminder that Jesus is the Light who dispels all darkness. But preparation is not just about removing the bad but also about filling our lives with good. Spend some time in prayer, meditate on the Scriptures, and perform acts of kindness.

Advent is not a time of frantic preparation like the commercialized version of Christmas. Advent is a season of joyful anticipation, a time to remember that God's greatest gift, Jesus, is already given to us. It is about preparing, opening our hearts to receive Him. We prepare our hearts with the same care, joy, and love we would for the most important guest. NQ

The Mightiest in the Kingdom

There was once a lion who wanted to prove that he was the mightiest, the strongest in the animal kingdom. Confident in his power, he began to walk around the jungle. First, he met a mouse. He roared at the mouse and asked, "Who is the mightiest in the kingdom?" Trembling with fear, the mouse replied, "You are, Lion. You are." Feeling proud, the lion continued his journey and met a horse. Again, he roared and asked, "Who is the mightiest in the kingdom?" The horse, terrified, answered, "You are, Lion. You are." Puffed up with pride, the lion walked further and encountered an elephant. As before, the lion roared, "Who is the mightiest in the kingdom?" The elephant looked at the lion, wrapped its trunk around him, and hurled him 10 feet away. The lion stood up, dusted himself off, and said, "Mr. Elephant, if you don't know the answer to my question, you could just say so! You don't have to be nasty about it!"

In the jungle, in this world, many seek to prove their greatness. We strive to be the strongest, the wealthiest, the most powerful, and the most famous. We measure success by these standards. Jesus reminds us that in God's Kingdom, true greatness is not found in power or status but in humility and service.

The disciples argued about who among them was the greatest. They also believed that greatness was measured by position and authority. Jesus, knowing their hearts, turned the conversation upside down. He said, "If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last and servant of all." Jesus redefined what it means to be great in the Kingdom of God.

The lion in our story sought greatness through intimidation and pride, which led to his humiliation. But Jesus teaches us that true greatness is found not in how high we can elevate ourselves but in how low we can stoop to serve others. Greatness is not in being served but in serving. It's not in putting ourselves above others but in putting ourselves at their feet in humility and love.

Jesus illustrates this by placing a child among the disciples and saying, "Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me." At that time, children had no social status or power. They were entirely dependent on others. By using a child as an example, Jesus shows us that we are called to care for the vulnerable, the powerless, and those society deems insignificant. In doing so, we serve not just them but Christ Himself.

We might be tempted to seek recognition, power, or success as the world defines it. Jesus calls us to a different path—a path of humility, service, and love. In God's Kingdom, the mightiest and the strongest are those who serve with love, putting others before themselves. NQ