simbang gabi

i have been attending the misa de aguinaldo at our subdivision's chapel these past days. it was a first for me - attending the masses at just one church/chapel coz usually, i go to different churches each day.
this year is the first in our subdivision to have the masses and i think it is an answered prayer coz this time, i need not wake up very very early for mass. i can leave the house at 415 and still make it in time.
i enjoy hearing monsignor's sermon every day. he makes short ones but they surely get the point right through you.
day one had him asking us "what is your motivation for attending the masses?". mine was to get myself ready for christmas, christ's birthday. i have been doing this for the past years and so this is already a sort of tradition for me (even my friends too).
day two, he talked about families after reading in the gospel the lineage of jesus. no family is perfect, not even jesus'. these days, the concept of what a family is has been changing. the monsignor said that if we simply look at the picture and add into the formula our ideas and mainstream/traditional definitions of “normal”, we would immediately conclude that the Filipino family is headed for disaster. but it doesn’t have to be. there is much hope to be found on the other side. estranged couples are now more willing to deal with each other with respect and love despite their obvious differences. they bring their new spouses into the picture, creating a new web of parenting and friendship that is borne of acceptance and maturity. The whole family learns a whole new way to love. the circle gets bigger, the children are faring better than having their parent stay together and live in an environment of lies and indifference.
day three had him talking about the blessed virgin. she has always been the intercessor and people ask her to favors like passing the board exam, having lots of money, getting visa, etc. she has become a "lady of petitions" when she should be the "lady of imitation". we should go back to wanting to imitate the values and virtues of the blessed mother and not just ask her for favors when sometimes what we ask for are not exactly what's best for us.
day four, he talked about heartbreak. heartbreak, in any form, can be a straight road towards our greater humanity and that’s why it is so painful. after that, you can never be the same. on this often unplanned journey, you plunge into the very depths of darkness, just like the Christ did, and then begin your own pilgrimage towards your center again–that place in you that carries the most light. a heart that is broken and healed shines so much brighter than one that is whole and unsullied, because it has more cracks through which light and sun and joy can enter! it knows more, feels more, grieves more, laughs more. It is just more!
this morning, he talked about change and taking risks. it is not an easy thing to do, he said, but sometimes, taking that leap of faith is what's best for you. sometimes, all you have to do is jump and everything will fall into place. after that he talked about taking the chance to help others, especially those who were struck by Sendong.

tomorrow's day six and it's four mornings til i finish my novena.
goodnight, friends.