12 December 2009

PINK OF HEALTH

Third Sunday of Advent
Lk 3:10-18

You are rushing your way to school or to the office. It is another dull Monday and Friday is too far from sight to even imagine. The rain worsens it. More probably than not, Manuguit will be flooded again. And when you arrive home from school or office after a tiring day, you still will have to clean up the mess. But in the midst of the rain, there she comes. You see how she savors walking under the rain. She is very happy, enjoying her every step on the wet pavement. Is she from another planet? You wonder why she is so happy.

When you are finally just an arms-length away from each other, she throws her arms around you and give you a really big bear hug with a matching beso. Then, when you succeed in disentangling your self from her embrace, you ask her: “Why are you very happy? Is there anything to be happy about? Half of the world hungers while the other half dies in war. Here in our own country, corruption seems like an incurable cancer, eating our flesh away. People are massacred, beheaded, mutilated, killed like pigs in the slaughter house. And in the midst of our impoverish life, many of our leaders are simply ruthless, heartless, and godless with all their lies and greed for power and money. So, tell me, why are you happy?” But she does not answer; instead, she gives you the puzzled-look for a moment, then smiling, she winks at you and continues on her way, humming a happy tune. She is really very happy!

You are left confused, puzzled, wondering.

It is indeed puzzling to see the joy of others while you are very sad. The reverse is likewise puzzling: while others are desolate, you are jumping with joy. but the most puzzling is when others are happy even in the midst of much difficulty and suffering. They are people who refuse to be imprisoned in an environment of despair. They are like the three characters in our readings on this third Sunday of Advent. Take for example, the Prophet Zephaniah – from the ruins of Jerusalem, his call to joy and feasting rises. Another is St. Paul the Apostle – imprisoned and awaiting execution, he manages to even write to the brethren to console and encourage them. And, in the gospel, John the Baptist – in the middle of the parched wasteland – also conquered by the colonial power – he shouts the Good News.

Why is that so?

The Prophet Zephaniah, St. Paul the Apostle, and St. John the Baptist – they share a common vision: the Lord is near. If the imminent coming of the Lord at the end of time threatens many of us, these three figures from our readings today do not consider the same coming as a threat but as the radical source of joy – the kind of joy that can never be stolen from them, even by their persecutors and executioners. Because of this joy, they are much different from those who, like them, also announce the kingdom of God but with a long face. This joy of theirs gives them the ability to see beyond the present trials and sorrows. This joy urges them to encourage others to have the same kind of joy. Not one of them is already contented with being joyful in themselves; each of them moves with the hope of contaminating others with their joy.

And this, indeed, is the message of the third Sunday of Advent: rejoice, the Lord is near! Take note: it is not “The Lord is already near” but “The Lord is near.” In a very real sense, the Lord is no longer coming. He is here already! Indeed, He is very near. Despite everything that says otherwise, do you feel that the Lord is truly near? Are you able to share this experience with others even in the midst of your own sufferings and pain? Are you a prophet of doom only or a messenger of hope as well? You are indeed an apostle of joy, but are you a joyful apostle?

What is joy? Joy is healthy living. “Healthy” here does not mean freedom from sickness or handicap. One may be physically well and complete but spiritually decaying nonetheless, right? The really and completely joyful person is he or she who is healthy in body and soul. In a word, healthy living is clean living.

We all want to live healthy, but not all of us live cleanly. This is the root cause of sadness in many people’s lives. Thus, we all continue searching, researching, and inquiring about joy. “How can I be joyful?” we ask. And John the Baptist answers in the gospel today: be compassionate and generous to the needy, be fair in all dealings, never intimidate, never extort, be happy with the fair pay for your work. In a word, live cleanly and justly. If only we follow John the Baptist’s advice, the world will surely be a happier – not only a safer – a planet to live in. And every man and woman will experience – not only feel – that Jesus indeed is near and is not only already near because, in fact, He is here.

When we were together in a concert at the Philippine International Convention Centre (PICC), I asked Chairman Bayani Fernando why pink is the color of the Metro Manila Development Authority o MMDA. Do you know why? BF said, “Pink is the color of good health. Do we not even have the idiomatic expression ‘pink of health’, meaning ‘the best of health’, very healthy?

On this third Sunday of Advent, which is called Gaudete Sunday or “the Sunday of Rejoicing”, the priest may wear pink. Usually, the explanation for this unusual color in the liturgy is that pink is the color of joy – the purple has started turning into white. It is, however, not bad to think that the pink of today’s liturgy is a reminder for us to live healthy; that is, to live clean lives, for only he who live cleanly live joyfully.

May you always be in the pink of health.

33 Comments:

At 4:59 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

nudist nataturist nude dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]seattle dating[/url] married men on dating sites http://loveepicentre.com/ the singles

 
At 11:54 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

russian dating for sale [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]yahoopersonals chat line stream huminity[/url] dating north devon http://loveepicentre.com/ plus size personals

 
At 1:33 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://markonzo.edu Beautiful site, ashley furniture [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536072]ashley furniture[/url], usatxmb, allegiant air [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536075]allegiant air[/url], qycmest, pressure washers [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536078]pressure washers[/url], nnevj, dishnetwork [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536080]dishnetwork[/url], jsdut, adt security [url=http://jguru.com/guru/viewbio.jsp?EID=1536076]adt security[/url], 3989,

 
At 1:44 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

discount auto audio [url=http://www.cardvdplanet.com/car-reversing-set-sensors-rearview-camera--discount-price80.html]auto audio harness met809220[/url] auto audio las vegas http://www.cardvdplanet.com/7-inch-display-car-dvd-player-touchscreen--discount-price29.html chrysler concorder factory car audio amplifier
auto audio capasiters [url=http://www.cardvdplanet.com/car-cd-mp3-player-with-usb-sd-mmc-cd145--discount-price58.html]vintage car auto audio[/url] calgary 32nd ave ne auto audio store http://www.cardvdplanet.com/2-din-car-dvd-online-store2.html auto dvd
d mercedes benz reviews auto extended warranty car audio and [url=http://www.cardvdplanet.com/car-dvd-player-with-bluetooth-and-tv--discount-price20.html]auto dvd player sony[/url] chrysler concorde factory car audio amplifier http://www.cardvdplanet.com/car-dvd-player-with-bluetooth-and-tv--discount-price51.html custom auto audio systems

 
At 1:57 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I kinda have been expecting this in a way...
But I reali dun think da world is going to end...start a new era maybe but the world is not ending.
That's not gonna happen till a thousand years later! Ok, I'm not sure bout that either but that's not the point! The world's not gonna end! Full stop!
[url=http://2012earth.net/new_world_2012.html
]Astronomical picture
[/url] - some truth about 2012

 
At 1:35 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

wwii surgical staff medical tools [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/lotensin.htm]lotensin[/url] vaccine against infection of pinworm http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/buspar.htm someone antisocial personality disorder http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/terramycin.htm
army navy sleeping bags [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/tetracycline.htm]tetracycline[/url] health museum at walter reed medical center [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/sarafem.htm]cardiac diet soup[/url]

 
At 12:44 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

trans umbilical breast augmentation dallas [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/cardio-vasculaires.htm]cardio vasculaires[/url] bbc health check http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/singulair.htm ulcerative colitis and diet http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cytoxan.htm
ture and harmful facts about smoking [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/citalopram.htm]citalopram[/url] boulder health center [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/augmentin.htm]diet food guide pyramid[/url]

 
At 1:59 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

prescription drug price comparisons [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/d.htm]Online Drugstore[/url] broken blood vessels in eyes http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/copegus.htm beyonce breast implants http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/study-habits.htm
list optically active drugs [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/augmentin.htm]augmentin[/url] health issues lhasanese [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/montage-packs.htm]dental assistants cert iv queensland[/url]

 
At 2:22 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

mid hudson medical group hopewell [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/p.htm]Buy generic and brand medications[/url] lesbian supplies dental drape http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/isoptin.htm home remedies for ear infections for kids http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/chloramphenicol.htm
physical assessment on hypertension [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/mentat.htm]mentat[/url] varicose vein repair [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/dilantin.htm]antibiotic for otitis media for pregnancy[/url]

 
At 4:17 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

chemicals exacerbating asthma [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/healthy-bones.htm]healthy bones[/url] how to use colloidal silver for yeast infections http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-depresseur---anti-anxiety.htm melroses ltd tea http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/levaquin.htm
percentage of people with mental health problems hospitalized [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/premarin.htm]premarin[/url] what was ray charles anxiety disorde [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ranitidine.htm]national child traumatic stress[/url]

 
At 4:34 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

picture of breast cancer [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/a.htm]Online Drugstore[/url] b12 shots and weight loss http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ed-discount-pack-2.htm take care health systems http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/femara.htm
dental and vision insurance for children in tennessee [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/dramamine.htm]dramamine[/url] boulder valley asthma and allergy [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/retin-a-0-05-.htm]gulf coast blood centers[/url]

 
At 5:14 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

ortho evra diflucan [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/himplasia.htm]himplasia[/url] ultraviolet blood http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cialis-professional.htm cover letters for medical office applicants http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/gesunde-knochen.htm
public health issue smoking [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/pulmicort.htm]pulmicort[/url] smoke who dat iz [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/paroxetine.htm]antidiarrhea and prescription[/url]

 
At 5:41 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

tatoo breast implant [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/lasuna.htm]lasuna[/url] high protein low carbohydrate diet south beach diet http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/weight-loss.htm medical picture boards http://usadrugstoretoday.com/index.php?lng=es&cv=eu
chicken breast growth [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/himcolin.htm]himcolin[/url] aitken diet [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/a.htm]asthma product[/url]

 
At 1:30 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

diet weight control hilton head island south carolina [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/weight-loss.htm]weight loss[/url] long term effects of bariatric surgery on nutrition and health http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/noroxin.htm blood clot pregnancy http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/propranolol.htm
sinus infection syptoms [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/antibiotici.htm]antibiotici[/url] senna tea frequency [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/accutane.htm]embarising erection during physical exam[/url]

 
At 1:42 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

girl smoking videos [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/nolvadex.htm]nolvadex[/url] painted on my heart http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/fluoxetine.htm drug reseach http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/glyset.htm
gwinnett medical [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/sublingual-viagra.htm]sublingual viagra[/url] medical technologist temps wny [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/strattera.htm]birth control pill effectiveness[/url]

 
At 2:26 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

medical black heads [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/maxaman.htm]maxaman[/url] community health journal http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/starlix.htm pis of 44 dd breast http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/generic-keflex.htm
how to shoot the moon in hearts [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/reminyl.htm]reminyl[/url] blood pressure variation [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/myambutol.htm]sacred heart seminary detroit ralph martin[/url]

 
At 12:28 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

wu yi diet tea [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/aristocort.htm]aristocort[/url] boys shaved penis http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/augmentin.htm pharmacy counting tray http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/minocin.htm
high blood pressure medication rash [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/serophene.htm]serophene[/url] washington state drug rehab facilites [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/kamasutra-dotted-condoms.htm]smiths food and drug[/url]

 
At 12:28 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://rxmeds.in/ibuprofen/acetaminophen-ibuprofen
[url=http://rxmeds.in/adalat/bayer-and-adalat]combination of drugs for velcade[/url] order cialis uk [url=http://rxmeds.in/famvir/phn-medication-people-treatment-shingles-pain-days-famvir]phn medication people treatment shingles pain days famvir[/url]
side effects drug nexium http://rxmeds.in/ezetimibe/ezetimibe-tablets-10mg
[url=http://rxmeds.in/actonel/actonel-and-hair-loss]arc bexar county texas drug rehab[/url] chiropractic erectile dysfunction [url=http://rxmeds.in/allegra/drug-interaction-between-prozac-and-allegra]drug interaction between prozac and allegra[/url]
aderall and drug test http://rxmeds.in/depakote/diflucan-depakote
[url=http://rxmeds.in/famvir/adult-dose-famvir]cialis blindness cause[/url] what drugs make pupils small [url=http://rxmeds.in/aceon]aceon[/url] compare prices nyc drug store smartmouth breath rinse [url=http://rxmeds.in/zantac/zantac-75-blister-pack]zantac 75 blister pack[/url]

 
At 12:33 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://rxonline.in/omeprazole/low-salt-diet-and-omeprazole
[url=http://rxonline.in/lisinopril/lisinopril-lawsuits]black male stereotype drug dealers[/url] pa arrest rate drug [url=http://rxonline.in/levodopa/levodopa-treaments]levodopa treaments[/url]
low cost or free drug detox http://rxonline.in/zestril/vasotec-versus-zestril-for-heart-failure
[url=http://rxonline.in/risedronate/better-to-take-risedronate-weekly-or-daily]natural correction for erectile disfuction[/url] online pharmacy free shipping levitra [url=http://rxonline.in/prograf/prograf-through-j-tube]prograf through j tube[/url]
nuclear medicine review http://rxonline.in/hydroxyurea/sickle-cell-anemia-hydroxyurea
[url=http://rxonline.in/ribavirin/interferon-and-ribavirin-effect-on-copd]levitracomparison levitra viagra[/url] levitra buy levitra [url=http://rxonline.in/methylsulfonylmethane/methylsulfonylmethane-rodney-benjamin]methylsulfonylmethane rodney benjamin[/url] drug reahbilitation centers [url=http://rxonline.in/prograf/canon-imagewriter-prograf-w7200]canon imagewriter prograf w7200[/url]

 
At 1:09 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 12:37 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

ohio department of health clark county telephone number [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/procardia.htm]procardia[/url] could a throat infection be a symptom of pregnancy http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/grifulvin-v.htm revised jcaho medical staff standards http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/a.htm
health problems that started from quitting smoking [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/kamasutra-intensity-condoms.htm]kamasutra intensity condoms[/url] recipe english tea scone [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/v.htm]why does my heart goes on beating[/url]

 
At 4:04 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 7:55 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 1:03 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 3:10 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 4:09 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 5:15 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 3:00 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 4:02 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 5:27 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At 4:27 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

hentai foundery http://xwe.in/condom/elmo-condoms
[url=http://xwe.in/bbw/bbw-cienma]anal hard[/url] canvas 1 hentai direct download [url=http://xwe.in/toon/toon-fuck-galleries-king-of-the-hill]toon fuck galleries king of the hill[/url]
adult in diapers http://xwe.in/fetish/panty-fetish-dating
[url=http://xwe.in/adult-video/free-adult-sex-video-games-downloads]remote adult filtering software that can not be turned off[/url] lubricant eye drop [url=http://xwe.in/nylon/nylon-filters-for-blots]nylon filters for blots[/url]
fantsay land adult store http://xwe.in/ass-sex/tiny-ass-thongs
[url=http://xwe.in/gay-boy/free-self-sucking-gay-men]petite teen xxx[/url] amateur naked picture galleries [url=http://xwe.in/ass-video/screaming-ass-pounding]screaming ass pounding[/url]
north brunswick adult classes http://xwe.in/thongs
[url=http://xwe.in/blowjob/porn-blowjob-gallery]glycerine free lubricant[/url] anal flesh fucking [url=http://xwe.in/thong/steelers-thong]steelers thong[/url]

 
At 11:42 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

sophie moon movie [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-no-country-for-old-men/19203database/]No Country for Old Men[/url] movie review history of violence [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-the-car/11343database/]The Car[/url]
boewulf movie [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-faraony/2635database/]Faraony[/url] weatherford movie theatres [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-pumping-iron/23034database/]Pumping Iron[/url]
footloose movie [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-the-brothers-solomon/17796database/]The Brothers Solomon[/url] john holmes movie clip [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-10--000-bc/9884database/]10, 000 BC[/url]
adult movie downloads with paypal [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-karakter/22793database/]Karakter[/url] louisville ky movie theatre [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-10--000-bc/4555database/]10, 000 BC[/url]

 
At 11:39 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

las vegas gambling gift card http://wqm.in/slots_how-to-add-extra-pci-slots bingo games in mississipi
[url=http://wqm.in/gambling-online_online-gambling-for-american-players]jackpot app[/url] zack gambling handicap [url=http://wqm.in/roulette_roulette-systems]roulette systems[/url]
novelty male nude playing cards http://wqm.in/online-casinos_reno-casinos-sands
[url=http://wqm.in/bingo_yahoo7-bingo-night]play blackjack in excel[/url] vertical case samsung blackjack [url=http://wqm.in/blackjack_what-percentage-of-hands-will-you-win-in-blackjack]what percentage of hands will you win in blackjack[/url]
computer casino gambling keno internet casino game http://wqm.in/joker_joker las vegas casino fire 2008 [url=http://wqm.in/poker-online_real-poker-players]real poker players[/url]

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home