Nine Questions for Christmas – Fourth One
16 Dec 2024
In many inspiring stories, we hear how people push beyond their limits, overcome the boundaries of what is to explore what can be, and pursue or fight for something greater. And in most of these narratives, the journey begins with this question:
Is it possible that something better is in store?
While there would always be gifts in the here and now, we should also be aware of how free we are to wonder and wander. For when we are imprisoned in the present, when we are beholden to what is just there, when our sight does not go farther and wider than what we have known, we can never go to nor even think of other possibilities. And perhaps that’s why there would also be stories of slavery – literal and figurative, unhealthy attachments and addictions, or repeating mistakes and spiraling bad choices.
Who could have predicted that the Savior Himself would come into our midst? Who would have known that when the Lord said He would never forsake us it would mean being one with us? Who could have foreseen that His love would push beyond the boundaries of this world, overcome the limits of our sin, fight for us in such a distinctly
profound fashion? Thank God that He’s a God who went beyond what we could have planned or chosen for ourself, to free us and show us a possibility we could never have imagined. And that is what Christmas is about: the invitation to better. Because a world with the Messiah, while unfathomable before it happened, truly bears more light and life than if we were just left to what was already in existence. These days, may we choose to recognize and be with Him who has greater plans for what can be.
Sa maraming salaysay na nakapagbibigay ng inspirasyon, naririnig natin kung paano nilalampasan ang mga umiiral na hangganan, tinatawid ang mga balakid ng kasalukuyan upang galugarin ang maaari pa, at tinutungo o ipinaglalaban ang mas dakila. At kadalasan, nagsisimula ang mga ganitong kuwento sa tanong na ito:
Maaari kayang may mas mabuti pa?
Bagaman laging may mga biyaya ang ngayon at narito, kailangan lamang din nating maging malay kung gaano tayo kalaya na mamangha at tumuklas pa. Sapagkat kapag nakukulong tayo sa kasalukuyan, kapag nakatali tayo sa kung ano lang ang mayroon na, kapag hindi lumalampas ang ating paningin sa mga nakasanayan, malamang hindi na tayo tumungo o mag-isip man lang ng iba pa. At marahil kaya nga may mga salaysay rin ng pagka-alipin – literal man o hindi, mga di-mabuting pagkapit at pagsasanay, o mga paulit-ulit na pagkakamali at paikut-ikot na masamang pagpili.
Sino ba ang nakahula na ang mismong Tagapagligtas ang darating dito sa ating piling? Sino ba ang nakabatid na noong winika ng Panginoon na hindi Niya tayo kailanman tatalikuran ay mangangahulugan itong magiging kaisa natin Siya? Sino ba ang nakaaninag na itutulak ng Kanyang pag-ibig ang hangganan nitong mundo, na lalampasan Niya ang mga balakid ng ating pagkakasala, na ipaglalaban Niya tayo sa isang ubod nang dakila at kakaibang paraan? Salamat sa Diyos at Siya ay Diyos na humigit pa sa kung anumang binalak o pinili natin para sa ating sarili, upang palayain tayo at ipakita sa atin ang posibilidad na hindi man lang sumagi sa ating hiraya. At ito nga ang diwa ng Pasko: ang pagkakataon ng mas mabuti. Sapagkat ang mundo kalakbay ang Mesiyas, bagaman hindi man lang nawari bago ito nangyari, ay tunay na nagtataglay ng higit na liwanag at buhay kaysa sa kung naiwan tayo sa kung anong umiiral na. Ngayong mga araw, nawa piliin nating kilalanin at makasama Siya na may higit na mabuting mga inilalaan para sa atin.
Can we allow ourself to hope and dream?
Have we experienced what being cherished means?
Racing through life, can there still be more?
Is it possible that something better is in store?
#aihninequestionsforchristmas #ateneoishome