Christmas Message from the Prior Provincial and Council
Beloved brothers and sisters in Carmel:
Thanks be to God, we have been able to live through another year and look forward to welcoming a new one very soon. The gift of life is undoubtedly precious, but perhaps we have not cherished and valued this gift as much as in the last two years.
Today, under the foreboding dark clouds of a global pandemic whose end is not yet in sight, as well as the looming socio-political turmoil that we can expect to escalate in the months leading to the forthcoming national elections, we find ourselves wondering if we can still genuinely wish one another: “Good tidings of comfort and joy!”
Some of us have suffered heavy personal losses this last year. Lives and livelihoods were taken away in the blink of an eye. There are also those amongst us who continue to struggle to survive, finding new ways to meet a “new normal” that is still evolving and redefining our day-to-day existence.
Perhaps it is a good time to take a pause and ask ourselves: What has Christmas become for us in the new normal? May Pasko pa bang natitira sa mga pagod nating puso?
Do we still feel any tinge of excitement when we see the bright and familiar symbols of the season? Do we still smile and feel sentimental when we hear Christmas carols? With our lives constantly threatened by a deadly disease that never stops mutating, do we still feel the urge to spread the joys that Christmas brings? With the divisions and conflicts caused by the race for political and economic dominance, do we still have the audacity to proclaim the God who brings peace and desires unity? Amidst the many distortions, false claims, and aberrations bring spread to satisfy egotistical needs and wants, do we still feel confident that we can be bearers of Truth?
As Carmelites, we are called to uphold optimism, not skepticism — no matter how difficult this may be in the current situation.
It is very tempting to believe that there is no more hope, and that our dream of a healthier and more peaceful world will be in vain. It is also quite tempting to simply focus on ourselves — protecting our interests, feeding our egos, and pursuing whatever moves will entrench our dominance over others. To abide by the primal instincts of survival by preying on the weak and abandoning the feeble. May our merciful God protect us and never allow us to succumb to these temptations!
Abandoning hope is not and should never be an option for those who truly believe in a God who accompanies and journeys with the people.
Instead, Christmas is a time for us to renew our commitment in upholding the dreams, aspirations and blessings that our faith in Jesus brings!
This Jesus whose birth we commemorate — He who is God Incarnate — is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Every Christmas, we remember how He humbled Himself to embrace the pains and sufferings of humanity, to raise up the poor and lift up the lowly.
In the New Testament, Jesus affirmed this when He read the words of the prophet Isaiah at the synagogue: “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then, he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing’.” (Luke 4: 14-21)
Such was the mission of Jesus Christ, in whose footsteps we strive to follow.
This Christmas, we invite each and every one to boldly proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor! He would come — and in fact, is already here — to overturn situations where His people are at the mercy of the enemies of goodness and peace. He is here to protect the oppressed, to set the captives free, and to heal the sick. When this opportune time comes to pass, it will signal the dawning of a whole new age! God will lift His people out of their distress. Indeed, this is a cause for rejoicing and thanksgiving!
As Carmelites, we also joyfully received an early “Christmas present” with the news that our beloved patron of the Philippine Province, Blessed Titus Brandsma, will soon be canonized following the papal approval of the miracles attributed to his intercession.
This is certainly great news — not just for the Order but for the entire world — because of the relevance of Titus Brandsma’s journey to our global situation. What the world demands from us today calls for some degree of “martyrdom” – dying to ourselves and our personal comfort in order to defend truth, justice, and peace. In so doing, with Blessed Titus Brandsma as our companion and guide, may we also deepen our contemplative life in the process.
Sisters and brothers in Carmel, may we keep on holding space for faith, hope, love, and compassion in our hearts this Yuletide season and always. Thank you for keeping the flames of unity and community alive through these most difficult times.
Let us continue praying for each other… A blessed Christmas to one and all!
Fraternally yours,
Prior Provincial Very Rev. Fr. Rico P. Ponce, O.Carm. and Council
Image: Jonathan Borba on Unsplash