Conclusion of the Year of Consecrated Life

Yanong Muloy presided over Mass on Tuesday, February 2, for the conclusion of the Year for Consecrated Life.

The Year for Consecrated Life began Nov. 30, 2015, and concluded Feb. 2, 2016, which is also the Feast Day of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. This day is also chosen by the Church as the World Day of Consecrated Life.

Providing a background on this feast, he explained that the early Church called it Encounter, referring to the encounter of Simeon and Anna with Jesus. Then in the Middle Ages it became Candlemas or what is known locally as Candelaria, where blessing of candles is done.

Yanong Muloy said that “the encounter of Simeon with Jesus, reveals Jesus as a light of revelation to the Gentile. Candles symbolize Jesus.” Reflecting on Jesus as the light, he reminded the religious men and women that “If we have Jesus there is no struggle in the religious life.”

He shared three thoughts on the day’s Gospel reading, which recounts Christ’s presentation at the Jewish Temple by Mary and Joseph: Prayer, Encounter and Amazement.

Prayer, according to him, is an intense longing to see the Lord with passion, thirst; to have an encounter with Him. The example of Simeon and Anna, who were lay ordinary people, is a reminder for all of us.

He said that prayer leads to an authentic encounter with the Lord on a daily basis. That hopefully every day it transforms us, purifies us, and that through it we experience our own self-transformation.

The attitude of Simon makes us pray that death is okay. It shows boldness, that one can die. Prayer is, indeed, an encounter with the Lord, “Come what may, I’m ready to die.”

Amazement is the sense of wonder. His father and mother, Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was said about him.

Prayer, encounter with the Lord, and amazement (sense of wonder) make us smile, hopeful, light, have good vibes like Joseph and Mary.

In conclusion, Yanong Muloy exhorted everyone to make prayer an encounter and to be always be amazed, trusting that the Lord is accompanying us.

He also took this occasion to thank the missionaries who formed part of the birth of the Archdiocese of Davao such as the Augustinians, the Jesuits and the PME Fathers. He hoped that they will find more vocations in Davao.