First Gift

"Parable of the two sons"

Gospel                                                            Matthew 21:28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:

“What is your opinion? 

A man had two sons. 

He came to the first and said,

‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 

The son said in reply, ‘I will not,’

but afterwards he changed his mind and went. 

The man came to the other son and gave the same order. 

He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go. 

Which of the two did his father’s will?” 

They answered, “The first.” 

Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you,

tax collectors and prostitutes

are entering the Kingdom of God before you. 

When John came to you in the way of righteousness,

you did not believe him;

but tax collectors and prostitutes did. 

Yet even when you saw that,

you did not later change your minds and believe him.”

1000 Kilometers and One Answered Prayer

by Tolits Novio

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the story of a father and his two sons. One son says “no” but later obeys; the other says “yes” but never follows through. Jesus teaches us that true obedience is not found in our promises but in the direction of our hearts. God looks at how we turn back to Him, how we rise after falling, and how we allow His voice—not our own plans—to guide our steps.

Looking back at my journey, I see myself in both sons. There were seasons when I said “yes” to God in words but walked my own path. And there were moments when I felt tired, unsure, or reluctant—but still found the courage to obey when grace opened a door. My story is not perfect, but it is a story of being held and guided by a faithful God.

After graduating in 2009, I joined a Catholic community in our town in Rodriguez, Rizal. Serving in worship deepened my relationship with the Lord. He blessed my career—I became a licensed architect in 2011—and allowed me to serve further at The Feast. My life felt full, yet there remained a quiet prayer in my heart:

“Lord, if it is Your will, lead me to the person You prepared for me.”

For years, that prayer was met with silence.

I tried to build relationships, but nothing aligned. I began to think that maybe I was meant to stay single. I poured myself into work, service, and personal growth. I enjoyed my single years so much that I almost forgot that old prayer I used to carry.

Then one ordinary day in August 2023, unexpectedly and gently, God stirred something again. A girl’s message in our Feast Singles chat caught my attention—witty, smart, sincere. She stood out. And despite being 1000 kilometers away in Leyte, I felt a nudge in my heart. I asked the Lord, “Is she the one I prayed for years ago?” I was hesitant at first—tired of trying, tired of hoping. But in prayer I sensed a quiet whisper: “Nothing will be taken from you if you try.” So I tried. I prayed. I reached out. I visited churches in Leyte and lifted her name to God.

And little by little, God unfolded a story I never expected.

As I write this, my heart is full. I am no longer waiting—I am preparing. In a month, I will marry my fiancée, Rachel. The prayer I once whispered, the desire I had set aside, was answered in His time, not mine.

This Advent, the Gospel reminds us:

God’s justice is not punishment—it is restoration.

God’s peace is not the absence of waiting—it is the presence of hope.

We may come to Him like the first son or the second, tired or willing, hesitant or ready. But God patiently works in us until our hearts can truly say “yes.” As Psalm 72 says, "justice shall flourish in His time". Sometimes His justice is seen in the healing of our hearts, the fulfillment of long-forgotten prayers, and the quiet peace that arrives when His timing finally unfolds.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,

You see the desires of every heart.

You know the longing for love, companionship, and a future full of hope.

Teach us to trust Your timing, to grow in faith while waiting,

and to become the person You are shaping us to be.

Give strength to those who are tired,

peace to those who feel uncertain,

and courage to those who are afraid to try again.

May Your justice guide our choices,

and may Your love lead us to the relationships You have prepared.

When the right time comes, let our hearts recognize Your gift.

“When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen.” Isaiah 60:22

Amen.

Gift for Jesus

The Gift of Hope Give Jesus the decision to hope again— even after disappointment, heartbreak, or long silence. “Jesus, revive the hope in my heart. Let Your peace fill my waiting.”

Ar. Tolits M. Novio is the Principal Architect of Arkidezman Design Studio and a servant-leader in the United Architects of the Philippines, where he continues to serve through national roles and mentorship. Beyond the practice of architecture, he lives his faith as a Worship Leader at The Feast Sta. Lucia, guiding others through worship and witness. Known to many as Arkitektolits, he is passionate about using his gifts to inspire young designers and honor God through his work.

Fifth Gift

"I am the handmaid of the Lord"

Gospel                                                 Lk 1:26-38

In the sixth month,

the angel Gabriel was sent from God

to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,

to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,

of the house of David,

and the virgin’s name was Mary.

And coming to her, he said,

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said

and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

Then the angel said to her,

“Do not be afraid, Mary,

for you have found favor with God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,

and you shall name him Jesus.

He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,

and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,

and of his Kingdom there will be no end.”

But Mary said to the angel,

“How can this be,

since I have no relations with a man?”

And the angel said to her in reply,

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore the child to be born

will be called holy, the Son of God.

And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,

has also conceived a son in her old age,

and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;

for nothing will be impossible for God.”

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.

May it be done to me according to your word.”

Then the angel departed from her.

Justice and Peace in His Time

by Cookie Asuncion

Have you ever been so disappointed—so enraged—that you felt almost hopeless?

I know I have.

When I look back at this year, one of the heaviest moments in my heart is realizing just how broken our country is, especially with the massive corruption in flood-control projects. It hits differently now because it is no longer a “news headline” to me. It is my kids—my own children—whose safety is on the line. The flooding and the unbearable traffic have placed them in danger right in front of their school. And the painful truth is knowing they could have been spared, along with thousands of ordinary citizens, if only the system did not fail us.

Feeling helpless & almost hopeless, I found myself repeatedly blaming the people in office & asking, “Lord, what can I even do? The problem is too big… I am just one person.”

I prayed for peace, asking the Lord to take away the disappointment, the heaviness, the quiet anger sitting in my heart—so I could breathe again, so I could continue living with hope.

And the Lord reminded me when I came across what Mother Teresa once said, “Learn to accept disappointments cheerfully, for when we learn to accept them, peace begins.”

I can attest to this because when I prayed for God to grant me peace, He taught me to accept the problems, acknowledge the disappointments and then came peace. When I started to feel at peace, the message of the Gospel from Luke 1: 26-38  (The Annunciation) is clearer. Before, I’ve always focused on Mary’s submission—how she said yes even in confusion & uncertainty. But this time, something else struck me: God asked her to do something so great that seemed impossible. Something far greater than what any ordinary woman could carry. And yet, her “yes” changed everything.

That made me pause and ask:

“Lord, what do You want me to do?”

This year, my husband and I were called to serve in our community’s work with the poor program in providing educational sponsorship. And slowly, I began to realize…Maybe this is His answer. Maybe this is my task.

We raise funds for deserving scholars. We guide them through values formation. We help them pursue dreams that poverty would have otherwise crushed.

And in these students, I see hope. They are bright, capable, and full of potential—the kind of young people who may one day become leaders who choose integrity, who value justice. I realized I need not look far to say I have done something. My fight against all these evil begins right where God has placed me.

Surrendering my frustrations opened my heart to see God’s purpose to my service. From hopelessness came clarity. From disappointment came purpose.

And with that, I am affirmed of our theme this year that truly, God has a way for “Justice to flourish in His time, and fullness of peace forever " - Psalm 72:7

We just have to seek God’s leading through prayer and let Him guide us to what He wants us to do for His purpose.

Prayer 

Lord, when disappointments overwhelm me, grant me the grace to accept them that I may have peace. And when I have peace, teach me to know what it is that you want me to do. Help me understand Your purpose for me where You have placed me. Use my small offering to help build a just and peaceful future. Amen.

Gift for Jesus

For the coming Christmas, let us make a personal sacrifice by supporting the education and formation of students by sponsoring a student, donating to scholarship programs — helping shape future leaders rooted in integrity, compassion, and justice.

.

Carolyn Ann “Cookie” Asuncion is a wife and stay-at-home mom, small business owner, and a member of Couples for Christ – South B. She and her husband actively support ANCOP’s Education Sponsorship Program, believing deeply in the potential of Filipino youth to transform society through faith and good values. Cookie is passionate about uplifting families, building hope, and serving quietly but wholeheartedly where God calls her.