All Children Of Eve
30 November - The pastoral text of Fr Reuter is this: The Filipino does not have money, mansions, beautiful cars, comfort, security. But the Filipino smiles, and loves, and prays. In the things that really count, we are the wealthiest people in the world. Apt image by RoyTC who captions it simply ‘Kids 3’ (flickr.com/). Ford and those who work for Ford at the top are wealthy; these kids’ parents aren’t. But look at all those smiles – they are enough to melt anybody’s heart. And that’s the important thing.

The People With The Star
29 November - The pastoral text of Fr Reuter is this: The Filipino is a man with a star. The Filipina is a girl with a star. We are poor in the things in this world, but we are rich in the treasures of the spirit. Apt image by Eleventeen who captions it ‘Downtown’ (flickr.com/). Apt? The photo to me transforms the downtown scene, rich with all the wealth in the world, to the essence of what it is: Ethereal. This is in sharp contrast with the treasures of the spirit? Eternal. My mother-in-law is 87 and I am 66; and so I am one of those who can ‘see’ the treasures of the spirit. Take it from me: It is better if you see those treasures while you're still young.

Star Over The Philippines
28 November - The pastoral text of Fr Reuter is this: The star of the Kings stopped over Bethlehem. In Asia, the Star stopped over the Philippines. We are the only Christian nation on this continent. God is with us. Apt image by Daniel Y Go who captions it ‘Pencil Star’ (flickr.com/). The Philippines has one of the highest literacy rates in Asia, and is the only country that believes in the Holy Bible plus Holy Tradition plus the Magisterium of the Church, the only star shining in this part of the world. Merry Christmas, one and all! The pencil also signifies that the Filipino is the #1 knowledge worker in the world. What more can we ask for?

The Philippine Star
27 November – The pastoral text of Fr Reuter is this: The Three Kings followed a star. At Christmas time you see that star in every city, in every town, in every barrio. The Filipinos are a people who have followed the star. Apt image from Felipeanut who captions it ‘Parol & Three Kings, I Mean Kids’ (flickr.com/). Instead of the Christmas tree, the parol is the symbol of Christmas in the Philippines. It seems a sad house that doesn’t hang out a parol before or during the Christmas season. Sometimes that parol hangs there beyond the Feast of The Three Kings in January; sometimes it hangs there the whole year through. Added 2 Dec: Today, I realize that Christmas is for children more than anybody else - it is for the adults to become like children again and love as children love, with abandon, with forgetfulness of hurts, without reservations, without malice.

Looking Into Oneself
26 November – The pastoral text of Fr Reuter is this: As a baby in the manger at Bethlehem, Our Lord had only one thing to give to us – Himself. And we have only one thing to give Him in return – ourselves. Apt image from Courtney Bolton who captions it ‘Look’ (flickr.com/). But it is so difficult to give oneself, as the photo seems to illustrate: first you have to look into yourself. There are so many things you want to do or have, and there is so little time or so little to have it with. To give yourself means to share what you have, whatever you have, and multiply the happiness in this world, without sacrificing yours; that can be public. It also means sharing what you have; this can be private, when nobody is looking. It also means to give your everything to whatever you are doing, because you are doing it for God. The thing is: Are you paying attention?

Home Is Where The Love Is
25 November - The pastoral text of Fr Reuter is this: At Christmas time, Our Lord was born in Bethlehem for only one purpose – to bring us safely home. Apt image by MaddTom who captions it ‘Even The Blues You Think You Left Behind’ (flickr.com/). But not if we don’t want to be brought home. Not if we treat what we have as our eternal home. Not if we think we know better. Home is not where the heart is: Home is where the love is.

A Heart Of Gold
24 November – The pastoral text of Fr Reuter is this: When our Lord came down to us, our Three Kings offered Him the best we had to give – gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When we go home to Him, He will offer us the best He has to give – the fullness of life, Himself. Apt image by Claude@Munich who captions it ‘Heart Of Gold’ (flickr.com/). Should we give material gifts before, during, or after Christmas Day? To me, it’s enough if each of us has a heart of gold – then we’ll know what to do and it would be of great value or goodness.