07 December 2024

FOR:    

1.  MBG ARCHDIOCESAN/DIOCESAN/PRELATURE/APOSTOLIC VICARIATE/MOP

                 COUNCILS

2. PARISHES IN DIOCESES NOT YET CONSTITUTED AS A COUNCIL
3. SPECIAL UNITS

REF:     THOUGHTS FOR ADVENT

My Beloved Mother Butlers,

The Peace of Christ.

We are in the first week of Advent and I think of you.  But then there is no day that I do not think of you… no day that I do not pray for you.

This morning while praying the Readings for today, I remembered two incidents that I thought of sharing with you.  Incidents that make true the promises of the Lord.

First: Last week our Mother Butler from Manila, Virgie Changco was walking very early before 5:00 AM going to her parish church to prepare the altar for Mass.  Suddenly two motorcycle-riding men stopped beside her, snatched her necklace and violently pushed her to the ground.  Virgie fell on the road and fractured her arm.  Virgie is also the one doing the laundry not only of the vestments of her parish, but also the many vestments that dioceses borrow from MBG Manila.  When I called up Virgie, O, I was so touched by her cheerfulness.  She was the one who even assured me not to worry… that she’s okay… that she had already gone to the hospital to have her arm checked. That Jesus is taking care of her.

In today’s Responsorial Psalm (Ps 147)… “He (the Lord) heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds…”  Response: Blessed are they who wait for the Lord. 

Certainly, the Lord is keeping his promise to Virgie.  He is healing her in body and in spirit as he binds up her wounds… for Virgie waits faithfully, lovingly and cheerfully for the Lord.

Second: Two days ago, Nancy Abcede, our National Vice President for Household Concerns suddenly texted if she could call me.  I immediately called her to ask if there was anything wrong. Nancy said she felt she just had to call me because she sensed something amiss.  I was so moved… almost to tears, because three days before I had a bad fall, and my right shoulder was dislocated causing severe pain.  When Empie Bautista, our National Executive Recording Secretary found out about my fall, she right away lovingly sent me videos of exercises that improve balance.

In today’s First Reading, Isaiah 30… “…no more will you weep, he will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears, he will answer you.”

When I fell, I cried to the Lord and prayed.  At once he answered me through Nancy and Empie.

How true, the Lord is faithful to those who are faithful… even to those who are unfaithful.  Because that is his nature.  Jesus, the Servant-God we follow, obey and serve is God with us… God who is LOVE.  And God does not choose whom to love.  His love is for all, especially for the poor and the brokenhearted.

In this season of Advent, as we prepare to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, let us think, say and do how we can be Christ to others, so that they can be Christ to others too.

And as we celebrate Christmas, please remember that God gave to us what is most precious to him: JESUS, his only begotten Son.  And the best way we can worship God is to follow his example. Let us give to the Lord what is most precious to us by giving this to others, especially to the poor.

Take care when you go out and when you move.  Ask our Blessed Mother Mary to bring her Son Jesus to accompany you.

Love you all.

Amb. HENRIETTA T. DE VILLA

MBG National President