Wednesday, December 25
The screen clock glowed softly – 5:04 AM – on this early Christmas morning here in Texas. As I opened my laptop, I found myself drawn to the Catholic Daily Reflections site. I read the scriptural readings for the day and a poignant reflection titled Pondering the Birth of Christ. Here’s an excerpt:
“Mother Mary was the one person who would have understood the mystery of the birth of her son – the Son of God, the Savior of the World – far more than anyone else. It was to her that the Archangel Gabriel appeared, announcing her pregnancy and His birth. It was she who carried her son, the Son of God, in her Immaculate womb for nine months. It was to her that Elizabeth, her cousin, cried out: Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.(Luke 1:42)
Mother Mary & Baby Jesus
“It was Mary who was the Immaculate Conception, the one who was preserved from all sin throughout her life. And it was her who gave birth to this Child, carried Him in her arms, and nursed Him at her breast. Our Blessed Mother, more than any other, understood the incredible event that has taken place in her life.”
This profound reflection took me back to an unforgettable experience my wife and I had during our visa interview at the U.S. embassy in Manila, a story I previously shared in my ATABAY article, The Interview Question That Almost Denied Our U.S. Visa Applications.
On that day, we anxiously queued and approached the booth of the U.S. Consular Officer (CO). As we listened to the exchanges between the CO and the applicants, we saw many hopefuls leave with grim expressions, having faced rejections. One exchange stood out:
CO: “What will you do in the U.S.?”
Lady Applicant: “I am a Christian missionary.”
CO: “Could you tell me about the ‘Immaculate Conception’?”
A long deafening silence ensued. The CO sudden verdict followed.
CO: “I’m sorry.”
Had the applicant known the details from the Daily Catholic Reflections, she might have passed the interview.
As I continued to reflect on the Scriptures amidst the cold foggy Christmas morning, I stumbled upon passages in Luke’s Nativity story, where an angel of the Lord introduces Jesus to the shepherds on the night of His birth. This scene of introduction reminded me of a personal introduction I recently encountered.
Cher, Ray, & Ruth
During our stay in Texas, I had the rare opportunity to meet Ruth, my high school classmate, whom I hadn’t seen for more than 50 years. Ruth, my partner in high school folk dances like La Jota Moncadeña and La Estudiantina under the tutelage of Mrs. Aquino, treated my wife and me to dinner at an all-you-can-eat Asian Buffet. She introduced me to her husband, Caloy, who said, “Ruth mentioned you were their high school class valedictorian.”
A few days later, Ruth and Caloy invited us to a Christmas candle-lighting worship service at their home. Ruth introduced me to her community as the high school valedictorian.
Attended the Christmas candle-lighting service at Ruth's home
Even in elementary school, being at the top of the class was a distinct honor. Every time I visited my affluent classmates’ homes, I was introduced to their parents as “our first honor,” rather than just “son of so-and-so.”
Later that evening, Ruth’s community pastor, Richard, chatted with me. We exchanged Facebook and website credentials, and I learned he was a Summa Cum Laude for one of his three master’s degrees, plus a doctorate.
I couldn’t help but think: What if I had been introduced as “our high school valedictorian and college summa cum laude”? If only I hadn’t let my college ambitions slip away. Reflecting on my college years, I realized I had abandoned my pursuit of academic excellence when I started dating during my sophomore year, choosing instead to gratify myself with life’s fleeting pleasures.
Speaking of gratification, my wife and I have been living a life of gratitude here in Texas, thanks to the generosity of Ed, another high school classmate I hadn’t seen in over 50 years. He welcomed us with a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Branson, Missouri – The Live Music Show Capital of the World -- with new friend Edith as our travel guide.
Branson, Missouri trip
Ed has accommodated us in a guest bedroom with an adjoining fitness and game room, in his high-end home in a prominent community. He has provided us with everything we need, from food, winter outfits, and toiletries to personal essentials like seniors' supplements and medicines.
He drives us in his Mercedez Benz SUV to church on Sundays and to grocery stores or shopping centers when needed. When he’s busy, he arranges prepaid Uber rides for us.
In front of Ed's home Inside of Ruth's home
Here's the plot twist in this narrative.
Ed gave a quick peek at his striking academic life in high school conveying a significant undercurrent.
“I went to high school wearing a pair of old shoes with a hole in each sole… “
“At the end of each grading period, I would look at the posted exam results for each subject, starting from the bottom of the lists where I usually found my name. If I just passed, I rejoiced…”
As I reflect on this Christmas season, a fitting closing message emerges. After 50 years, when Ed’s image resurfaced, all of a sudden, in our high school class radar screen, it was perceived as a mystery. What is the key to his success: hard work, challenge, or perseverance?
Rather than dissecting it now, I choose to embrace the essence of the following insight:
Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. (Luke 2:19) Even Mary needed time to ponder, reflect, and savor the most holy mystery.
When the heaven-sent time comes, I hope to be the first to uncover the storyline -- to grace the pages of my ATABAY yet to come.
Christmas dinner at Ruth's home
Content & editing put together in collaboration with Microsoft Bing Ai-operated Co-pilot
Head photo courtesy of Png Aura
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