Palma: Prepare more to welcome Christ

CEBU, Philippines — As Catholics brave the cold at dawn for the annual Misa de Gallo, they are called to be open for spiritual conversion.

On the first of the nine-day dawn Mass yesterday, Cebu Archbishop José Palma cautioned the faithful from getting engrossed too much in “earthly preparations” like putting up of decorations and planning for Christmas parties.

“With the several activities people are engaged into, we seem not to focus on what is the real essence or the real spirit of Christmas. We do a lot of preparations in decorating our houses with lanterns and Christmas tree and we also schedule Christmas parties ahead,” Palma told a crowd at the newly-established San Isidro Parish in the mountainous Barangay Garing in Consolacion town.

In his homily, Palma reflected on the Advent season when Catholics prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus observed every 25th of December.

He reminded Catholics that, as part of nourishing one’s spirituality, they should also prepare for the coming of the Child Jesus and should make Him the center of the celebration.

Palma urged the faithful to welcome the Holy Family into their homes by giving them space in their hearts.

Biblical history tells of Mary and Joseph getting rejected at houses, prompting them to seek shelter at a barn where Jesus was eventually born in a manger.

Palma said may people learn to demonstrate their faith in action by becoming more like Jesus Christ. After all, he said, Christmas comes from the root word, Christ.

Palma chose the church in Consolacion to uplift the faith of the members of the parish there, which is located in a secluded community.

The construction of San Isidro Parish in Barangay Garing was targeted to finish halfway in time for the Misa de Gallo following its groundbreaking in June.

What was once the San Isidro chapel was elevated into a parish three years ago to accommodate the increasing number of Catholics in the area.  (FREEMAN)