UST Rector on Advent: 'God can overcome any darkness'
Photo by Joselle Czarina S. Dela Cruz
Amid the darkness bounded in this world, Advent season “offers comfort” and shows light and hope to those who were “estranged from God.”
This was the message of UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. in his homily during the Paskuhan Mass on Dec. 1 at Plaza Mayor.
“[A]dvent is the season that reminds us that this is God’s world. Advent offers us comfort, in the midst of our exile and estrangement from God because Advent is the happening of Grace,” he said.
“God is at work at this world, and even though we are surrounded by darkness in this world, we know that there is a light shining in the darkness, that darkness cannot overcome,” he added.
Dagohoy said Advent is the waiting period for the coming of Jesus Christ, and those who wait and show hope will be rewarded at the end of time.
“Waiting is horrible because there’s a possibility that our expectation will not be rewarded and what we’re expecting will never happen,” he said.
“We should never give up, there is no dragon that cannot be tamed, nor there is that God cannot enslaved,” he added.
Dagohoy echoed Pope Francis by emphasizing that hope is a virtue that live in the future and not in the past.
A grand celebration followed the Mass, including the opening of Christmas lights and the serenade performance by the UST Symphony Orchestra.
An Agape was also held for the Thomasians.
This year’s Paskuhan festivities has the theme of “King of Kings” to highlight the coming of Jesus Christ, the King of all nations.
The traditional Paskuhan event for Thomasian community started in 1991.