WHAT is the best gift that one can give this Christmas? Is it something that is wrapped in colorful wrappers? Is it even tangible?
For UST Facilities Management Office (FMO) Director Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P., that gift is forgiveness, which provides peace of mind that no material thing can fully provide.
“Kapag pinakawalan po natin ang [puso’t] isipan natin at tayo’y marunong magpatawad sa iba, doon natin makikita ‘yong sinasabi nila na gift of peace,” Austria said in his homily during the Christmas Mass at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church on Dec. 25. “Doon natin makikita na ‘yon pala ang regalo sa akin ng Diyos.”
In this way, the FMO director said, the faithful give a second chance to those who had wronged them.
“Alam niyo po, mahirap [ang magpatawad] pero puwedeng gawin, posibleng gawin,” Austria said. “‘Yan ang ginawa sa ating ng ating Panginoon – God is giving us a second chance, and we should also give a second chance to other people as well.”
Austria reminded Catholics that, above all, Christmas is about Jesus Christ, who is the source of grace and blessings.
“‘Wag nating kalimutan na ang pinakaunang biyaya at ang pinakaimportanteng biyaya na binigay ng Diyos ay ang Panginoong Hesus dahil ang lahat na ibinigay sa atin, natanggap natin, ay simbolismo lamang kung ano ang biyaya na ibinigay sa atin,” he said. Ammiel B. Maestrado
