Misa de Gallo Diaries: Day three

Last night, me and my mother went to Divisoria to buy something. Not really gifts but practical stuff like fabric et cetera. And since there is heavy traffic of vehicles and people, I was not able to reach the masses in the evening. However, I made a desicion to persue to early morning mass but just not sure where to go. My options were to go to PLM where I got an invite set at 4:30 am. The other option is EDSA shrine since I also wanted to attend mass there again. Being so practical (and a little bout of time for commuting) I decided to go to EDSA shrine since it takes one bus ride (or two jeepney rides) and would not take more than 15 mins at that hour. Again for my Simbang Gabi masses, I feel everyday is an adventure that I can cherish and reflect on what I have experienced in the past nights/mornings. And since it was my first mass in the morning, the feeling of excitement filled me. I did arrived probably 10 mins late since I entered the shire when the reading were started.

The message in today's gospel is DO NOT BE AFRAID. Its very timely for us that are in anxiety for the coming days or probably next year. The message was also lingering in my mind since the priest had a french accent (probably he is french). I do have fears and worries about the coming days or even hours. I beleive you have one also. It was a message of security from the Lord that as we await him, we can put our trust in him and stand brave amidst the night. There are still days before the mager will be filled, so it is good for us to light our lamp of trust and faith until he arrives.

After the mass, I was excited to taste the taho from the vendor outside. Since there were no other vendors for puto bumbong or bibingka. I also met a TENer friend kuya Lei(he gave me the time the mass will start). I missed the morning breeze and also the hot taho at ortigas. So I also realized that even things did not go according to plan, it may actually lead to a better experince.

Misa de Gallo Diaries: Day two

Today is the second day of Misa de Gallo, this time we go to a new venue which is the St. John the baptist church in San Juan City. This was my first time to enter the church despite I have passed by it a thousand times when I was working in ortigas. So I consider it a blessing. At first I thought I was late but the actual start of the mass is 9:30 pm. And there was also some practice made my the sacristans. I have to say that even the church is vintage it has the modern touch. But of course I am not there to critic the architecture or thier practice stands. But for the message.

According to the readings, it shows the geneology of Jesus from Abraham to David up to Joseph his foster father. For me that part of the gospel is the longest verse in the book since it would tell the lineage of Jesus from the time of Abraham. The Priest in his homily asked volunteers to do thier happiest and loudsest laugh and all of them got a gift for being volunteers. After that he said that the essence of Christmas is to feel hope and reoice in it amidst the problems that happened this year.

Personally, It was also a test of patience of waiting for one and a half hour before the mass proper because I arrived 8:15 but the mass was set at 9:30. I really cannot stand waiting, yet I find me self to find solace in waiting. Knowing that it was also this trait that led me into his blessings and grace. For now, I would like to apologize of being too technical about some observations but since its my first time in the church I tend to oberve a lot. But above all it ends well as I aknowledge my shortcomings and will try to change them. Thus, another sign of providence from the man above.

Misa De Gallo Diaries: Day one

Its another year and Christmas is just a few days away from now and everyone is on the holiday rush nowadays. However in line with tradition, we do observe Misa de Gallo or simbang gabi. That is 9 night or mornings of masses like a novena for the day of Christmas. Actually I've been on and off this tradition however this year, I think it would be great to thank God for the graces I have recieved this year and make a complete 9 day devotion. Plus a good thing to do to totatly reflect on the days would be blogging. So it would be an adventure in each mass. I intend on going to several other parishes like a pilgrimage with a sense of anticipation of the birth of Jesus.





For day one I started it with the parish that I belong to, The Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Sta Mesa. This hundred year old church is actually not that I go to mass more frequently. However there would be times that I would reflect of wisdom taught by their priests. Father in his homily said it was also his tradition to facilitate the first simbang gabi. He said that its Ok to do a wish by doing the simbang gabi however we are given responsibilities that would actually help us in growing spiritually. He also said that our petitions or wishes must comply to conditions by the Lord, which they are of the right time and the will of God.
Yes many of us may now forget this tradition but I find it very refreshing even I still have a lot of problems and very tried from all the classes, meetings and all transactions that sucked out the life in me. Also I remembered something that I may need to be a blessing to others who have practically nothing . Either I could volunteer or offer some of the things that I could share. Well I maybe thinking too much but It feels good to do something not that its an obligation but the fact that it is your own personal intention and advocacy. Day two awaits, another gospel of salvation and affirms who I am today.