On this day; Dec. 29 ,2024, Holy Family Parish celebrates its 40th Anniversary beginning with a short procession and followed by a solemn mass presided by Most Reverend Ruperto C. Santos, DD., Bishop of Antipolo.
The main highlight of the bishop’s homily is his three-ingredient-recipe for a family to become like the sagrada familia.
Love (Pag-ibig)
According to Bishop Ruperto, love is the root of starting a family. Because of love, faithfulness is present where there would be no abandoned member and each would be proud of having their family as theirs.
“When did you last express your gratitude to the Lord that you were blessed with a family that you have right now?” he asked the parishioners.
With genuine love, a family like the holy family is achieved.
Obedience (Pag-sunod)
Bishop Rupert then proceeded to his second ingredient which is something that's been present from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph once they accepted the blessing of the lord.
“Joseph and Mary didn't have to offer Jesus as He’s the Lord already, but they still did it and didn't asked for exemption. They were obedient,”
He then recalled the gospel where Jesus asked Mary why she was confused when she found Him in the temple and from then on the Bishop shared the best answer to His question.
“The best way to answer, is to not say anything at all,”
By being quiet, acceptance is shown according to the will of God and with that, Bishop Santos also reminded everyone that there is a time where it needed to be quiet and accept the parents’ advice and the right time to independently decide.
Offering (Paghahandog)
His last ingredient is offering, in which is shown to the Lord that his guidance is important.
“There's a service that comes with offering,”
The bishop emphasizes in this ingredient that whatever a person is right now, all the blessing and success that comes with it is due to a parent’s sacrifice and offering when they were young.
The bishop closed his homily by telling a story of a fellow priest who was blessing his sick mother, and was asked what she should tell the Lord once they meet.
“Tell Him how you served us, loved us, and cared for us. Because what we are right now is because of you,” the bishop said.
Lastly, before the mass was ended, a token of celebration for the parish’s 40th Anniversary was unveiled with a theme: “Banal na Mag-Anak, Tanglaw ng Pag-asa sa landas ng Buhay”
May everyone's family become holy and sacred with love, obedience, and offering just like Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
Article by: Marianne Aragon
Photo by: Xyzee Reyes
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