Outside the borders

(An excerpt from the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao, January 2, 2022 during the live streamed mass of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord at San Pedro Cathedral Parish, San Pedro Street, Davao City)

In the scriptures, the Israelites, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Herod, all the people of Israel at that time only few were very open like Mary and Joseph the sense that may lahi ning bata nga natawo. But by and large they thought that the Messiah is only theirs, ato-ato lang, kita lang mga Israelites, very proud sila niana. The other are Gentiles, wala sila nianang Good News, kita lang.

But today in this beautiful Feast of Christmas, a star shown there outside the border of Israel. To the wise men of the east the star was shown upon them. And these wise men realized that this is pointing out to somebody, the true king. Remember, they were wise men and they traveled guided by the star and they entered Jewish territory. Now that’s why when they stopped by Herod to seek information, where is the king? Nindot kaayo si Mateo mosulat pirme niyang icontrast nga the powers of this world, ang census, now i-mention niya nga king si Herod. There’s another king. So when the foreigners came and told him where is the new born king His star shown upon us? My goodness, this another king unya misulti nato ang mga foreigners pa.

Now, puno kaayo ang readings, joy to the world kaayo ang readings ba. So, let’s speaks one important views that Christmas and the birth of our savior dili lang sa mga anad na sa simbahan, tig-simbahan mura’g atong closed circle lang. Kanang uban mangamatay gyud na sila, kanang uban wala kahibalo mga looy na sila, kita lang. No. The joy of Christmas is not at first definition but the joy of Christmas is this God mapinanggaon to everyone. That’s why Isaiah says, when that light will shine all nations will be guided and come together. So, from the first reading of Isaiah to the Gospel reading Matthew the same theme the light, the star shown upon the Magi guided them to the true source of light. So niingon ang opening prayer today, we who know this mystery already by faith.

Today, we continue unta to let that light shine in us and if dunay medyo layo sa maong light may our lives become the stars for them and the imagery of the star is very important. Number one, unta dili nga moadto ta sa atong mga kaila o ang atong interaction ba mura’g we are better than you because you are church goers, mura ba’g pang konsensiya. Kamo ha, kulang mo, mga irihis mong dagko, that is not attractive. But to be a star so that with the glow of our lives, the glow of our good works, that simply the glow of being a church goers dili sila ma turn off. But like the star, we can guide them back to the Lord.

So, God wants to be known, revelation to the nations, not only the small circle. Mao na si Pope Francis makabantay ka iyang tono ma-connect go to the peripheries, go beyond the borders. It cannot be church nga within-within lang, contented with ourselves, mura’g exclusive club. No, Pope Francis quote like the star that shone far, far away in the east and in human guided the hearts of the Magi. Makadungog ta, today also we celebrate the sense of mission. Lagi, to be a stars to other people to guide them, to know of Christ.