Genesis 18:1-8
9 more days until Christmas Day! It means that the
incarnated Christ is coming nearer and nearer. And your hearts are magnified
with anticipatory joy already.
So, today marks the first day of Las Posadas and Simbang Gabi novenas.
What the tradition of Las Posadas teaches us is our needs to prepare our hearts, where we
receive Christ at his arrival, to be hospitable. He is coming together with his mother, Mary,
and his step-father, Joseph, along with a donkey, as they are heading to
Bethlehem. Christ is not seen yet as he is still in his mother’s womb. While
journeying nearer Bethlehem, Mary suddenly experiences labor pain and is in
need of a place to give birth. It is an emergency. So, Joseph looked and looked
for a suitable place for his wife, Mary, to give birth to the incarnated
Christ. But, all the places that Joseph contacts say, “No”. Is it because they
look like poor travelers? For whatever the reason it maybe, Joseph’s earnest
request for his wife to give birth was not granted. However, in the last
minute, there is a person to direct Mary and Joseph to the animal stable with
plenty of dry hays. Though not an ideal place to give birth, it is better than
nothing. So, Joseph helped Mary get ready to give birth and Mary safety gives
birth to the incarnated Christ, who comes to the world as baby Jesus. And, he
was wrapped in swaddling cloth and placed in a manger (Luke 2:7).
Las
Posadas, which mean “the inns”. But, it should have been “La Posada”…” La posada de
bienvenidas con amor”. If the first house that Joseph asked
let Mary and Joseph in and welcomed them, this should not be plural but rather
singular.
Those who did not let Mary and Joseph in certainly
do not see Christ in Mary’s womb. Had they recognized him in her, they would
welcome Mary and Joseph, as they are would be eager to witness the arrival of
Christ, coming out of Mary’s body.
In yesterday’s reflection with Revelation 3:14-21,
we asked ourselves if we would be willing to open our hearts with a knock of
Christ, which may come as any sign. Back in nearly 2,000 years ago, it came as
Joseph’s knock on the doors of inns.
So, we open our hearts, are they better than the
stable that Mary and Joseph were directed about 2,000 years ago?
Do we recognize that the mother who has been carrying
Christ in her womb and her husband are tired and in need of a good place to be
treated with our loving hospitality? And it also means to welcome Christ, as
well?
Are we ready to greet, “¡Bienvenidos a mi corazon! !Adelante, Maria y Jose…y el bebe en ti,
Maria! Pónganse cómodos.”(Welcome to my heart! Come in, Mary and Joseph, and
the baby in you, Mary! Make yourself at home)?
Perhaps, as the day of Christ’s arrival has come
nearer and nearer, as reminded by Las Posadas, we shall be as hospitable as
Abraham and Sarah to the three traveling visitors (Genesis 18:1-8). And, let us
remember, hospitality is not just “inviting” and providing food and drink (Luke
7:36-45). It is about we really sense what our guests may need (Luke 10:38-42).
As Abraham recognized the three traveling men for his vigilant eyes, we shall see Mary and Joseph and Christ in Mary altogether, as we remain alert, as reminded on the First Sunday of Advent. And ever since the Second Sunday of Advent, we have been making the way of Christ into our hearts by making our hearts not only a place of peace but a place of loving hospitality. Now, as this week of Gaudete Sunday progresses, Christ in Mary, who is with Joseph, is coming nearer and nearer. And, we shall soon recognize the “knock”, and it may be in this darkness that St. John of the Cross treasured, as reflected on Day 14, with Psalm 112:1-10. So, Simbang Gabi, which literally means “Church in darkness (darkness of predawn hours)” novena reflects such darkness, in which we can recognize Christ who has been traveling.
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