Once again, we stand before the manger in Bethlehem and gaze upon the mystery of God made flesh. The Gospel of Luke tells us how, in the silence of the night, heaven touched the earth. A child was born, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. To the eyes of the world, it was an ordinary birth, unnoticed and poor. Yet for those who believe, it is the dawn of salvation and the beginning of a new creation.
The Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Advent centers on Joseph, the quiet and obedient man whom God chose to play a vital role in the mystery of salvation. While other Advent readings focus on Mary’s “yes” to God, today we are invited to contemplate the silent “yes” of Joseph — a “yes” that required deep faith, courage, and humility.
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, a day of rejoicing amid our Advent waiting. The rose candle is lit on the Advent wreath, reminding us that joy is already shining through the shadows of expectation. Yet, today’s Gospel from Matthew 11:2–11 presents us with a surprising kind of joy—one born not from comfort or success, but from faith in the midst of doubt.
The season of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, a time of hope, expectation, and spiritual renewal. It invites us to look forward—to the coming of Christ at Christmas, but also to His second coming at the end of time. In today’s Gospel, Jesus calls us to stay awake and be ready. His words are not meant to frighten us but to awaken us from spiritual complacency.
On November 22, 2025, Dehon House in Quezon City marked its annual Benefactors’ Day, a cherished occasion dedicated to thanking the many individuals who support the mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ). The gathering was filled with prayer, gratitude, and a renewed sense of shared purpose.The celebration began with a concelebrated Mass at 5:00 PM, presided by Fr. Patrick Gutib, SCJ. He replaced Fr. Francis Pupkowski, SCJ, who for personal reasons could not be present this year. His absence was warmly acknowledged, and the community remembered him in prayer.
SCJ Philippines Region 