Thoughts for another day

Dec. 27, 2007

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 8:9. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

As a dutiful Catholic, I went for mass on the eve of Christmas. Not really expecting a message to treasure in my heart. Therefore, was pleasantly surprised that the parish priest, just before announcing thanks to the long list of worthies of the parish, made this comment (not the exact words but the gist): ‘Long after the kings have returned to their thrones, the star has faded, the shepherds have gone back and the echo of the angelic host has been lost in the wintry night, begins the real Christmas.’ I was actually surprised at this for I have always marveled at that statement and add, ‘A Christmas for which, Christ came, in the manner seen in the above verse.’

Today, for you and me, Christmas has assumed an altogether different connotation. It’s more about preparing the external than the internal. It’s more about gloss than the stark and naked state the world is in. How many of us this Christmas have even given a thought to the poor or the underprivileged. When I once pointed this out to a group someone told me: ‘But they can be thought about throughout the year, no?’ Ha, imagine such souls who consistently think about the poor throughout the year!

My friends, Jesus Christ, the King of kings, was born in the poorest manner so that the poor could empathize with Him and move up to hold His hand without fear. He came as a feeble child so that the weak would find strength in Him. He came to share the riches of heaven just as we are to share our own riches with the poor around. He came to fragile man to give him strength. He came to the unwanted to make them feel wanted. So also we are to emulate Him in ensconcing the poor in our thoughts and acting accordingly in giving them the love of Christ.

Imagine the tears being shed by millions of children stung by hunger and homelessness. Tears drooping down the cheek of old Mama, sitting forlorn on an old age home bench cause her children have never had time for her. The grief-torn brows of the father waiting for his son who has disappeared due to the riots sparked by communalist faggots. The mother whose dreams lay shattered as she hold’s her dead child’s body shattered by a bomb on a busy street and many such more day-to-day happenings. I ask myself, have I done anything for them? Consequently, am I worthy to ‘celebrate’ Christmas? I know I am not and I hand my head in shame.

Oh, God pls. give me the eyes to see the poor and the Grace to do something for them…If not anything, Lord, help me that I pray for them!
Let the spirit of Christmas find home in your hearts. Have a blessed time.