Teetatea V: Misa de Gallo / Christmas Novena

WISDOM

To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential. But on the other hand, knowledge of an apparently trivial detail quite often makes it possible to see into the depth of things. And so the wise man will seek to acquire the best possible knowledge about events, but always without becoming dependent upon this knowledge. To recognize the significant in the factual is wisdom. Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Life is a train of moods like a string of beads; and as we pass through them they prove to be many colored lenses, which paint the world their own hue, and each shows us only what lies in its own focus.---RALPH WALDO EMERSON

glitter-graphics.com

Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.---ABRAHAM LINCOLN

glitter-graphics.com

There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another, nothing more. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness. We must have felt what it is to die, that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.---ALEXANDRE DUMAS

glitter-graphics.com

“It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes... we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions - especially selfish ones" --- Alexander Solzhenitsyn quotes (Russian novelist, Nobel Prize for Literature (1970), b.1918)

glitter-graphics.com

“Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too selfish to seek other than itself.” ---Kahlil Gibran

glitter-graphics.com

Friday, December 24, 2010

Misa de Gallo / Christmas Novena - Eighth Day

"Your ways, oh Lord, make known to me;

Teach me your paths,

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

For you are God my savior."

Those above were from the responsorial psalm for Dec. 23, 2010 readings. The quote is remarkable for Christian faith as it calls for prayers...yes, for us to bend our knees and to call for His guidance and help. That we just have to humble ourselves and pray for the things we desire balancing the truth and goodness according to His will. It also speaks on God being the way to all our concerns, may it be in sin and being the upright as He is, he has the heart for the humble who seek his guidance. The responsorial psalm also reminds us on the covenant and keeping His inturctions for better living.

The first reading was from Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24 . It speaks on the Lord's coming. I personally think this is a bit scary how the Old Testament presented this reading. But anyhow, I think the message is CHANGE that if we know we are in a terrible situation or may have enjoyed sin these times, the Lord reminds us to change and do better things. And that we don't have to be afraid of changing our evil ways and do good instead and He himelf reminded us to be good, do good and turn our hearts to God.

The Gospel is from Luke. Again, it speaks on Elizabeth, this time on giving birth to a son. If we can recall in the previous gospels, the Angel mentioned to Mary that the baby be named, John and in this gospel despite the pressure that the baby be called Zechariah after his father. Elizabeth contested that the baby be called John and when the father was asked what the baby would be called, Zechariah worte in a tablet saying John is His name.

And you know what? Zechariah was MUTE that was why he wrote his desire in a tablet for the baby's name following the will of God and right after that very moment, he began to speak again! It was indeed a miracle his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke of blessings from God. Everybody who were there in that moment were amazed for they knew that God was at work, first of giving Elizabeth a child despite her old age and letting the mute Zechariah speak.

I love the gospel. It speaks on the goodness of the Lord and truly nothing is impossible for Him. If we can notice, John is Jesus's cousin who was with Him in his journey that time. And he is the John in the book of New Testament that we read. Anyhow, what's your Christmas wish? :)