God's Word and Daily Life

By Rev. Ariel Vidanes, AA

As the Christmas rush begins, our to-do lists get longer, our schedules get packed, parties here and there, and our minds get noisier. Yes, we’re busy decorating our homes, our workplaces, Churches, streets and public parks— but what about our hearts? This Advent, God invites us to a different preparation—not of our spaces, but of our soul. It’s time to declutter!

Our disposition as we begin this holy season should be one of hopeful simplicity. Imagine your heart is a room where Jesus is coming to stay. What needs to be cleared out to make Him truly welcome? Maybe it’s the clutter of endless worry, the noise of social media arguments, the heated debates in political landscape, or maybe some baggage of old grudges?

 Making room for Jesus isn’t about adding another task to our list— it’s about creating quiet spaces for Him to speak. It can be as simple as turning off the music during your commute to offer a short prayer… or choosing to let go of a complaint and replace it with a word of thanks… or deciding to be fully present at Simbang Gabi, letting the hymns quiet the noise in your mind (but not falling asleep!).So starting today, let’s intentionally clear out our inner clutter. Let’s create a peaceful, hopeful space within, so that when Christmas arrives, we won’t just find a well-decorated home, but a heart truly ready to welcome Jesus!

By Flora J. Albornoz

For many Filipinos, kingship is not about earthly power or privilege; it is about leadership rooted in service. Jesus Christ’s throne is the Cross, His crown is made of thorns, and His rule is one of mercy, justice, and compassion. In our country where authority is often misused, Christ the King challenges His followers to imitate a different kind of power—one that uplifts the poor, defends the weak, and brings healing rather than fear.

Everyday Filipino life offers many opportunities to live under Christ’s kingship. When a parent sacrifices quietly for the family, when a government official chooses honesty over easy gain, when a young person stands up for what is right even if it is unpopular, the kingship of Christ is made visible. His reign takes root not in grand gestures but in simple acts of love.

By Rev. Ariel Vidanes, aa

You probably haven’t heard of Kamen Vitchev, Pavel Djijov and Josaphat Chichkov. These three Assumptionist priests were executed by firing squad on November 11, 1952 by Bulgaria’s communist regime. Their crime? Educating the youth, generating vocation for the Church and holding onto their faith! But this isn’t just history lesson—their story hits home today because undeniably we live in a world that’s still deeply divided: politically, socially, and spiritually. They stood their ground for convictions, even when it became dangerous. Sounds familiar?

While the Assumptionists celebrate their feast day today, why does their martyrdom resonate now? Because the core of their struggle—choosing integrity over compliance, and dialogue over division, is a choice we all face today. Maybe not at gunpoint, but in our workplaces, in our communities, and even online. It’s about having the courage to stand for what is right when it is easier to stay silent. Their lives challenge our modern tendency to go with the flow.

So, here is the challenging question for us today: In a society that often rewards silence or going with the flow, where is one specific area in your life where you can choose the harder path of courageous witness, just as the three Bulgarian martyrs did? And borrowing it from the GenZs: Their legacy isn’t just a throwback; it’s a whole to-do list, no cap!

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

On the feast of Saint Francis last October 4, Pope Leo XIV signed his first Apostolic Exhortation "Dilexi te – I have loved you" on love for the poor. It is a reliable guide for us in these times of confusion, violence, and fear.

With this letter addressed to each of us personally, Pope Leo XIV is encouraging us not just to pray for justice but also to act, and to risk our life. Here is a significant excerpt:

“All the members of the People of God have a duty to make their voices heard, albeit in different ways, in order to point out and denounce such structural issues, even at the cost of appearing foolish or naïve. Unjust structures need to be recognized and eradicated by the force of good, by changing mindsets but also, with the help of science and technology, by developing effective policies for societal change. It must never be forgotten that the Gospel message has to do not only with an individual’s personal relationship with the Lord, but also with something greater: “the Kingdom of God (cf. Lk 4:43); it is about loving God who reigns in our world. To the extent that he reigns within us, the life of society will be a setting for universal fraternity, justice, peace and dignity. Both Christian preaching and life, then, are meant to have an impact on society. We are seeking God’s Kingdom.” (97)

Let us take the time to read this luminous and demanding message, in line with Saint Paul's letters to the Christian communities of his time. Enjoy the reading and happy meditation with a renewed commitment!