Good morning, everyone. I want to begin this reflection with a question that many of us, especially in a fast-paced environment like this, a...
Good morning, everyone.
I want to begin this reflection with a question that many of us, especially in a fast-paced environment like this, ask ourselves often: "What's the purpose of all this?" We wake up, we face the traffic, we go through our busy schedules, we deal with deadlines and targets—it can feel like a relentless cycle. We see a path stretching out before us, and sometimes, it feels like we’re just walking it, day in and day out, without a clear destination.
Today, we celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And you might be wondering, "What does the birth of a woman from a small town two thousand years ago have to do with us, here in Makati, at AIB?" The readings we just heard give us the answer. They remind us of three crucial things: purpose, patience, and promise.
Our first reading from the prophet Micah tells us about the coming of a ruler from Bethlehem. This prophecy wasn't a last-minute decision by God; it was part of a grand, ancient plan. It was a promise made centuries before Mary was even born. The Gospel reading from Matthew then gives us this long, sometimes tedious-sounding list of names: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and so on. We hear names we recognize and names we don't. And if we’re honest, when we hear these long genealogies, we might be tempted to just tune out.
But this list is the very heart of the message. It's a reminder that God’s plan is not a single, dramatic event, but a series of countless, seemingly small moments, lived out by ordinary people. It’s a reminder that our own lives are part of a larger, divine narrative. Every decision, every challenge, every step we take—they all matter. They all have a purpose. Just as the names of all those ancestors led to Mary and then to Jesus, your daily work—the numbers you crunch, the clients you serve, the strategies you develop—is part of a greater whole. It's not just about hitting your metrics; it's about using your God-given talents and intellect to build, to create, and to provide, not just for yourselves, but for your families, your communities, and ultimately, for the world around you. Your work has dignity and purpose, even on the days it feels most like a grind.
This brings us to the second word: patience. Look at that long list of names again. It wasn't a straight line. It was filled with ups and downs, with faithful people and flawed people. There were delays, detours, and disappointments. But through it all, God was patient. He waited for the right time, the right place, and the right people. In our own lives and careers, we often feel pressure to see results immediately. We want our investments to grow overnight, our careers to skyrocket in a year. But the truth is, the most meaningful and lasting things are built with patience. The discipline to wait, to learn from mistakes, to persevere through setbacks—this is where real growth happens. God's patience reminds us that even when we don't see the full picture, even when things are taking longer than we hoped, He is at work.
And finally, promise. The birth of Mary was the ultimate sign of God’s promise to His people. After centuries of waiting, a little girl was born who would be a vessel for our Savior. Her birth was a sign of hope, a signal that God’s covenant with humanity was about to be fulfilled in a new and powerful way. In our own lives, amidst the stress and the routine, we also have promises to hold onto. The promise that our work has meaning. The promise that our efforts are not in vain. And the greatest promise of all—that God is with us, working through us, and guiding us toward a purpose far greater than our own.
So as you go about your day, I invite you to carry these three words with you. Remember your purpose, which dignifies your work. Practice patience, knowing that true progress takes time. And hold onto the promise that God’s plan is unfolding, not just in history, but in your own life, right here, right now, in this city, in this company.
Happy birthday, Mama Mary. Amen.
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