[REFLECTION] Siyam na Salita sa Christmas: S

(Ang 9-na-bahaging serye ng pagninilay na ito ay handog ng Office for Mission and Identity ng Ateneo de Manila University. Ito ay ibinabahagi ng Rappler bilang paghahanda sa Kapaskuhan. Nasa ikalawang bahagi ng artikulo ang English translation ng pagninilay na ito.)

Dati noong mga bata pa tayo, marahil sinabihan tayo ng mga ilang bagay na balang-araw pa magaganap sa atin. “Balang-araw, mauunawaan mo rin.” “Balang araw, kapag malaki ka na, maaari ka nang sumama sa mga usapan ng mga mas nakatatanda.” “Balang araw, makikita mo kung anong ibig sabihin.” Nung nagka-edad na tayo, nagagamit pa rin ang balang-araw. “Balang-araw, magkakaroon din ako ng sasakyang ganoon.” “Balang-araw, darating din ang tamang taong nakalaan.” “Balang-araw, magiging mas maayos din ang lahat.” Bagaman may naitutulong kahit papano, mapanghamon at nakababagot din ang “balang-araw” sapagkat nagdudulot ito ng paghahangad at pananabik.

Noong nagpasya ang Diyos na ipadala sa atin ang Kanyang bugtong na anak, walang “balang-araw” sa Kanyang pag-ibig at pagkalinga sa atin. Pinakahulugan Niya ito sa kasalukuyan. Pinatotohanan Niya ito kung nasaan mismo tayo. Isinakatuparan Niya ang Kanyang mga pangako ng katatagan at katapatan agad-agad. Hindi na natin kailangang maghintay. Walang hindi-katiyakan na huhulaan at aabangan pa. Walang hinayaang may kalabuan. Iwinaksi ng Pasko ang balang-araw ng kung sino tayo sa Ama. Mga anak Niya tayo, pinangangalagaan at minamahal, hindi sa isang panahon sa kinabukasan na hindi nababatid kung hindi ngayon sa kasalukuyan.

Sa mga darating na araw na ipinagdiriwang natin itong panahon, nauunawaan ba natin na iniangat tayo upang maging kabahagi ng Tagapagligtas? Napapagtanto ba natin na hindi tayo kailanman nawawaglit sa kanya na may pinaka-malalim na pagmamalasakit sa atin? Nakikita ba natin na nakakatagpo na natin ang Diyos na siyang tamang kaagapay natin? Nawa oo. Sapagkat pinawi na ng Panginoon ang lahat ng mga katanungan, pagdududa at alinlangan sa kung sino Siya at ano ang maaari Niyang gawin para sa atin dahil sa pag-ibig. Nawa tanggapin natin Siya sa nalalapit na panahon, hindi balang-araw. Nawa hayaan natin ang ating puso na makiisa sa Kanyang puso ngayon, hindi balang-araw. At nawa biyayaan natin ang sarili ng pagsuko sa ganitong kariktan, kaliwanagan at katotohanan sa kasalukuyan, at hindi balang-araw.

Nine Words for Christmas: S

Before when we were children, perhaps there were moments that we were told certain things will happen for us someday. “Someday, you will understand.” “Someday, when you’re grown up, you can join in on conversations of adults.” “Someday, you’ll see what it means…” As we grew older, someday could still be used. “Someday, I’ll get to own that car.” “Someday, I’ll meet the right person.” “Someday, things will all be better.” While helpful in some way, “someday” could also be challenging and frustrating for it leaves things to be desired.

At that moment when God decided to send His own son, there was no “someday” to his love and care for us. He meant it presently. He fulfilled it where we were exactly. He followed his promises of constancy and faithfulness right then and there. There was no need for us to wait. There was no gray area nor blurred line that still had to be guessed. There was nothing left uncertain. Christmas did away with the someday of who we were to our Father. We are His, cherished and provided for, not in a distant future we could not even tell but at this very moment.

In the coming days as we celebrate this season, do we understand that we have been lifted to be one with the Savior? Do we realize that we are never far, in space and time, from the one who cares for us most? Do we see that we have already met God who is the right companion for us? Let’s hope that we do. For the Lord has eliminated all questions, hesitations and doubts about who He is and what He can do out of love for us. May we accept Him not someday but sooner. May we let our heart join with His heart not someday but right away. And may we gift ourselves with the surrender to such beauty, light and truth not someday but today. – OMI Ateneo de Manila University/Rappler.com

This article was first published on the Ateneo de Manila University website.

Maari pang makabasa dito ng iba pang pagninilay ukol sa Kapaskuhan.