Nine Questions for Christmas – Third One
13 Dec 2024
Who among us would not know what it feels like to be short of breath? Whether it’s from walking fast to get to an important appointment, rushing in the mall to finish several errands, or just a general feeling of there’s a lot to do and so little time with many demands hanging over our heads, we cannot deny that sometimes, all of these may just be too much. And as we gasp for air, trying to catch our breath, we may even ask:
Racing through life, can there still be more?
The yearning for more or different may reflect fatigue, frustration or fear – such human experiences and emotions. And while we may not always easily get to the answer of yes, there is more to us and this life than just being tired, being disappointed or being afraid, this time hopefully is a good reminder. For on that day two thousand and twenty-four years ago when that baby was born in a humble manger, we were shown in a very real and concrete way that we were meant for greater things, we were meant for dreams rather than despair, because we were meant to experience His love.
For sure, there is a lot of hustle and bustle these days. And it may even feel more of a race with all the gifts to wrap, the gatherings to get to, and the things to finish before the year ends. In the midst of all these, there is also that ever-constant invitation to pause, relish and ‘race’ towards God, to allow Him to breathe renewed life in us, to not delay letting Him be who He is to us: our Savior, our Light, our Hope. He is the more we are looking for.
Sino sa atin ang hindi alam ang pakiramdam ng paghahabol ng hininga? Kung dahil man sa paglalakad nang mabilis upang umabot sa isang mahalagang usapan, pagmamadali sa pamilihan para matapos ang lahat ng gawain, o kabuuang damdamin na ang daming kailangang tupdin at kulang ang oras para sa lahat ng hinihiling sa atin, hindi natin maitatanggi na minsan, tila nakakalula ang lahat ng ito. At habang humihingal tayo, naghahabol ng paghinga, maaaring tinatanong natin:
Mayroon pa bang iba at higit sa pagmamadali sa buhay?
Maaaring sumalamin ng pagkahapo, pagkabagot o pangamba – tunay na mga pantaong karanasan at damdamin – itong pag-asam para sa higit o iba. At bagaman di natin laging madaliang maaabot ang tugon na oo, may higit pa sa atin at dito sa buhay bukod sa pagiging pagod, bigo o takot, nawa mabuting paalala itong panahong ito. Sapagkat sa araw na iyon dalawang libo at dalawampu’t-apat na taon na ang nakalilipas kung kailan ipinanganak iyong sanggol sa isang payak na sabsaban, ipinakita sa atin sa isang tunay at mapanghahawakang paraan na nakalaan tayo para sa mga mas dakilang bagay, na nakalaan tayong mangarap sa halip na mamighati, sapagkat nakalaan tayo upang maranasan ang Kanyang pagmamahal.
Tiyak na maraming pangyayari at pagkakaabalahan ngayong mga araw. At maaaring mas maramdaman natin ang paghahabol sa lahat ng aginaldong babalutin, mga pagtitipong pupuntahan, at mga bagay na tatapusin sa pagwawakas nitong taon. Sa gitna ng lahat ng ito, naroroon din ang patuloy na paanyayang huminto, magnamnam at ‘magmadaling’ tumungo sa Diyos, na hayaan Siyang bigyang-hininga tayo ng pagpapanibagong-buhay, na tulutan Siyang umiral bilang tunay na Siya sa atin: ating Tagapagligtas, ating Liwanag, ating Pag-asa. Siya ang higit na ating hinahanap.
Can we allow ourself to hope and dream?
Have we experienced what being cherished means?
Racing through life, can there still be more?
#aihninequestionsforchristmas #ateneoishome