PAN DE LA SEMANA

Dawn Mass / Misa de Gallo Reflection (2nd Day) 2nd Day of Simbang Gabi(K) December 17, 2009 Readings: Gn 49:2, 8-10 / Mt 1: 1-17 The first reading today has to do with what exactly we are doing at this very moment. We assemble … in big numbers … in glee … in excitement. For that is what Simbang Gabi is, year in and year out … a time to gather, a time together with family and friends, and a time for “puto bumbong” fun, and – there is no denying it … a swell time for text messaging galore! For many young people, it is also a time to date without having to spend money … a time for some legitimate-looking chaste intimacy, near enough the church to make one feel one has gone to church, but far enough from the sanctuary to be left alone in semi-intimate encounter, and still go home with stories about how cool the priest presider is, or how boring, or how old-fashioned as the case may be. It is a fact that church-goers increase dramatically during Simbang Gabi. But whatever your reason for b...

N.B. I will try to do a series for Simbang Gabi. I will also try to do a series in Tagalog which may be found at my Kalakbay at Katoto site, the link to which is found at the right. First Day of Simbang Gabi December 16, 2009 Readings: Is 45:6b-8,18, 21b-25 / Lk 7:18b-23 I just came from watching a beautiful movie which I am sure many of my readers have also seen, or will yet see. As part of my self-imposed commitment to pitch in my two cents’ worth in the business of evangelization, I sit down this pleasant Sunday afternoon to write my English and Tagalog reflections in time for the first day of Simbang Gabi (Christmas novena traditionally done at early dawn all over the Philippines – and where Filipinos are – all over the world!). The recent events in our country back home are no secret to anyone who has been following the news. At a time when most countries have taken their rightful place under the sun of democracy and civility, we were all jarred and shaken to the bones by the ugl...