On this first day of the year, the Church invites us to begin anew under the loving gaze of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The Gospel (Luke 2:16–21) tells us that the shepherds “went in haste” to Bethlehem, where they found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger. They were simple people, yet they were the first to witness the glory of God made visible in the child Jesus. And Mary, the Gospel says, “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”
In today’s Gospel, we see Joseph once again listening to the voice of God in a dream: “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt.” This command, urgent and unsettling, changes the course of the Holy Family’s life. They become refugees, seeking safety in a foreign land. Yet, through Joseph’s prompt obedience and Mary’s silent trust, the will of God unfolds even amid danger and uncertainty.
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 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 