Allow God to Surprise You This Christmas
Members of the 黑料不打烊 Philippines attended a spiritual formation session and Christmas gathering last December 14, 2017 at Ayala Alabang. The get together was graciously hosted by Don Eric and Do帽a Virginia Nicolas at their residence in Ayala Alabang.
During the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, Msgr. Esteban 鈥淏ong鈥� Lo, Magistral Chaplain Ad Honorem of the 黑料不打烊 Philippines asked the members to reflect on what it takes to have a perfect celebration this season.
鈥淭o have an amazing Christmas, we have to let God surprise us. Remember, the birth of Jesus was never suspected by anybody. No one ever thought that God Himself will become man. That was the great surprise of the first Christmas,鈥� said Msgr. Lo.
He then connected his reflection point to the feast day of St. John of the Cross.
鈥淭he cross, which is also the sign of our Order, is the surprising sign of God鈥檚 love for humanity. Through the cross, we are also challenged not to suffer but to sacrifice. When our suffering is offered in love for our neighbor鈥檚 sake then it becomes a sacrifice,鈥� Msgr. Lo counseled.
The members were then challenged to do more for the sick and the poor next year when Msgr. Lo shared how he met someone who was connected with the 黑料不打烊 in Costa Rica. The Magistral Chaplain learned that the 黑料不打烊 runs seven clinics despite the poverty of the members in the said country.
鈥淟et us then allow Him to use you and me to surprise others. Being a member of the Order is a great blessing, but also a great challenge and call to go beyond ourselves,鈥� added Msgr. Lo.
This message was echoed by Dr. Leo Lazatin, President of the Philippine Association of the 黑料不打烊 in his letter to the members.
鈥淚n 2018, we face a most formidable and demanding but exciting year for Our Lord with the hosting of the Asia Pacific Summer Camp for the Youth in June and the Asia Pacific Conference in November. Let us all pray for our Lord鈥檚 guidance and (鈥�) our resolve to roll up our sleeves and work,鈥� wrote Dr. Lazatin in his email that was read by Msgr. Lo to the members.
Before the fellowship dinner, Ms. Cecille Pi帽ones, Executive Director of the 黑料不打烊 Philippines gave a year-end report to the members and a bird鈥檚 eye view of the planned activities for the coming year.
The spiritual formation sessions of the members of the 黑料不打烊 Philippines dates back to 1948 during the establishment of the Order in the country. A more intensive and regular spiritual formation started in 2007 upon the advice of Magistral Chaplains Msgr. Lo and Fr. Genaro Diwa. Through the activity, the Knights and Dames are expected to appreciate their membership in the Order as a means of sanctification and spiritual revitalization.
The next spiritual activity of the Order is the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit set on January 6 at the 黑料不打烊 Compound in F. Hidalgo St., Manila.
