Gift yourself!

This likeness reveals that man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself. (Gaudium Et Spes 24).

Why do we forget so fast that Christ has gifted Himself to us? Why we don't worry about what gift we will give Him?. 

Even the priest at the parish I assist and help is reluctant to gift people advent songs before Christmas. His excuse? People won't understand! "yeah, so let's keep them hiding and living in ignorance, instead of educating them".

To the extreme, in Bolivia people has the belief that the image of a Jesus Baby should listen Mass and receive holy water year by year. The question remains in the air: How come these people guard an image and don't care to attend Mass the rest of the year? ... how come the image receives the benediction (and remains unchanged) and they refuse to receive it and decide finally to change?

At home everybody was running busy with food preparation, packing of gifts, shipping cards, and other things. This year I was longing for Mass the 24th and had some time to reflect during Advent. Compared to other years, I was arriving to Christmas more prepared than other years. But around me all the hassle was very distracting. 

After Mass, my 2nd gift to Jesus.

I've learned that we tend to forget easily what is important during this time of the year. In the streets is even worst, people buying frenetically gifts and gifts! there are some points when they start fighting or arguing over silly things. Others feel such pressure that end up complaining. 

This year I was invited to participate in a radio show, a special for Christmas day. I went to Mass early in the morning and then had breakfast. While others were sleeping, I was ready to talk about what Christmas should be. 

God is merciful and His Spirit was eloquent. My mom heard the whole program (she was making sure I was not going to say some heresy) and told me it all came out really good. My tone, the words I used, the message and all the quotes of Scripture and other theology authors. Music was played by 1 violinist and his two sisters. The whole thing was simple yet joyful. After the program I was able to talk with the 3 of them and found new beloved children of God.

My guess is that if next year at home we will skip all the dinner preparation, keep it simple and after Mass, adore at home the best GIFT we could have ever received. 

Created by Love to love each other

And this is the way we fulfill our life. Some times we are loved by our parents and family, others by friends and sometimes by our espouse.

It's all part of the training, for we have to learn to love freely, faithfully and fruitfully. Like GS 24 reminds us "This likeness reveals that man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself." The whole experience includes lots of comprehension, patience, humility and lots of forgiveness.

My life has been blessed as in this process God has given me the opportunity to love and be loved by a wide variety of people, with different backgrounds, opinions, experiences and much more. Years and years had to pass by so I would understand that it is this diversity the very same reason why life is more rich. Some times, not all works as we wished and we make mistakes. But it is through forgiveness that we may get back in track. Some won't forgive us, but we must learn that life goes on and we got to accept their distance. 

Nevertheless, always create the opportunity to open that bridge with that person. It is healthier as well to get rid of all rancor and recognize our mistakes. After all, humility is a powerful virtue that will bare fruit within time. Don't give up on loving others and let yourself be loved: by God first and then by others who are still sincere. That is the trick.... start living and believing that you are GREATLY LOVED!