AMID wars, disasters and other hardships, Christmas is a timeless reminder of hope and joy, UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. told Thomasians during the Paskuhan Mass on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Plaza Mayor.
“Dear friends, the Christmas message does not change from year to year,” Ang said in his homily. “When there is so much bad news in the world today, like those of wars, disasters, and transport strikes, there is still a good reason to rejoice. The story of salvation, no matter how old it is, is always good news worth celebrating.”
“Genuine joy is based on the hope [that] in spite of all the hardship, eventually, all will be well,” he added.
But how can Thomasians find that joy for themselves? Ang said the way is to accept Jesus wholeheartedly and be a witness to His nativity by doing good deeds.
“To accept Jesus is to accept joy, and this joy is free, spontaneous and heartfelt,” he said. “You can’t buy it, you can’t force it, and you cannot even fake it.”
“Ang saya ay dapat ibinabahagi natin sa ating mga kasama. Lest we forget this season we are also called to witness the joy of Christmas […] Witnessing goes far beyond pleasantries; witnessing is [demonstrated] by words, by actions and by attitude,” he added.
More than 26,000 Thomasians attended the Paskuhan Mass and Agape, or the Thomasian Christmas Feast, according to the Campus Safety and Security Office.
This year’s Paskuhan theme, “Witnessing the Joy of Christmas,” comes from the Gospel of Luke, where the shepherds saw the newborn Jesus in the manger and were filled with lasting joy.
The festivities will culminate in the Paskuhan Concert on Dec. 21, Thursday.
