DISTRACTIONS

Sometimes we look for specific signs without realizing that there are already too many signs being given to us every moment that we live. We are just too narrow minded in thinking that the only acceptable signs are the ones we have preconceived in our minds. If it does not fall into that category then we dismiss it as nothing. This is what preachers used to say “putting God in a box” We have a mindset of who God is and what He is going to do. We have to be open to the surprises of God and just trust that He knows best as He has shown throughout the length of time or even before time came to be. Amen. Hallelujah!

Isaiah 7:10-14
10 The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying: 11 “Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!” 12 But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!” 13 Then he said: “Listen, O house of David! Is it not enough for you to weary men, must you also weary my God? 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.

We’ve got to really focus on what is truly important and essential. We live in a world where there are so many distractions that we tend to lose sight of what should be our greatest and most important concern. After all has been said and done we will find in the end that what truly matters is not what will last only in this lifetime but for all eternity, a reward from God our Savior. Amen. Hallelujah!


Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (7c, 10b)
R: Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? Or who may stand in his holy place? 4 One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (R) 5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, a reward from God his savior.

If we think that evangelization is something that is reserved for the priests, clergy and the religious ministry then we are very wrong. We, the laity have a role to play too in spreading the Good News of our Lord. Our life itself is our preaching and the way we live it is our testimony. Amen. Hallelujah!


Romans 1:1-7
Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, 6 among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; 7 to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.

I like this sharing from Didache by Joy Sosoban because it should make us think of our own lives in parallel with Mary. This is because we are confronted daily by many distractions that we start to think that they are just what they are, merely distractions. We may want to consider what she said in this sharing and apply it in our own lives. Here it is, entitled, “BLESSED DISTRACTION”.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. – Matthew 1:18

Are you running at 120 kilometers per hour in a mad dash to finish your Christmas shopping, gather ingredients for your family’s Noche Buena meal, and still have time to attend all the parties you’re invited to?
Let’s just say, if you’re in this kind of situation, part of you is probably thinking, “Out of my way, out of my way! I’m in a hurry!”
In our Gospel today, someone was also looking forward to a busy and exciting season — marriage! That was Mary. But what’s this news that she hears? An out-of-wedlock pregnancy by some other man apart from Joseph? I can just imagine wringing my hands and losing sleep if I were in her shoes.
Mary’s situation reminds us today that not all delays, distractions and unexpected events are bad. In fact, they might even be moments crafted by God for our eternal glory. A blessed distraction, so to speak.
So when the going gets tough and you want to grumble or start a fight, just laugh at all the delays and follow Mary’s response. After all, you never know what great surprise awaits you along the way. Joy Sosoban (jsosoban@gmail.com)

REFLECTION:
“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.“ (W.T. Ellis)

Dear Jesus, You came at an unexpected moment in Mary’s life. Like her, I want to be open to Your coming in the midst of all that’s going on in my life. You’re welcome, dear Lord! -end of sharing-


Matthew 1:18-24
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” 24 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home.