Simbang Gabi - Rediscovering Our Intentions

Dawn Masses or more popularly called, Simbang Gabi has just begun. If I remember correctly, this is my first time I attended the 9-day Novena Mass. Perhaps because before, I was too lazy to get up in the wee hours of the morning especially when your pillows and comfy bed tempt you to sleep a bit longer. Or really, I did not know what Simbang Gabi is for. Unfortunately, I'm guilty of both reasons.

What do I really know about Simbang Gabi. Well, I know for a fact that some people complete the novena because they want their intentions or favors to be granted. Second, I know that it's a time to prepare ourselves for the birth of Jesus, which is btw a good way to show our love for Him.

Let me tell you what happened earlier. My sister- Ang-Ang and I went to mass a while ago with the intention of, of course, completing it until the eve of December 24. I don't know what Ang-Ang's intentions are but she was asking me if it was ok to wish for many things. I'm guessing that she's wishing for something to happen or be given to her- I don't know. I think that's her motivation in getting up so early and accomplishing the 9-day dawn masses. Then, she bluntly told me, "baka naman tamarin ka sa paggising sa umaga at di mo na ituloy." Ha! fat chance of that happening since I now know why I'm taking part in it.

Moving on, I was expecting that there will be only a few who would struggle to wake up to attend the mass. But, I was wrong. As we were walking towards the Church, the cars were already parked along the sidewalk and as we went nearer, I could only see people standing and blocking the interior of the Church.

But you know what, it didn't really matter to me anymore. I did not care if we were standing, or too many people were there (some even bantering and chatting with their friends). All I wanted was to celebrate mass with Him and listen to His Words- to learn and to purify my heart. And it struck me what the priest had to tell in his sermon.

3 P's: Perseverance, Patience and Prayer. This is what Father Leo Acierto, our Parish Priest, told us during the homily. Perseverance: He explained the reason why Simbang Gabi has to be held before the break of the dawn. He said that it's harder for people to wake up early in the morning than sleep late at night. Indeed, for some, waking up early is really a struggle. Fr. Acierto continued by saying that nothing is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifice. For me, that is what makes it more important- to persevere and deprive ourselves of something (like in this case, comfort of sleeping) for the sake of our Love. Isn't that a wonderful gift? Patience: Patience is a virtue that is slowly beginning to fade. Sometimes we feel that when it comes to our Faith and love for God, we have become too engrossed with the idea of instant gratification. We ask incessantly for things from God and we want them granted ASAP. You can even see it in today's modern world. There's instant mami, instant money in most noontime shows, and the like. We have completely forgotten to pause and reflect for a while on what is it that we really want. If we think that God is not listening to us, well, think again. Maybe He's trying to tell us something- to be patient, and to submit to His Will. Lastly, Prayer: The priest told us that with constant prayer, that is communicating with Him during Mass or in times of solitude, we can overcome adversities in life. And so we can feel Love, Joy and Peace in our hearts because we are one with Him.

So in this case, we should redirect our intentions to what is Good and how we can show our love for God. What could be a more perfect gift than to rediscover our intentions for Him and Him alone? To love and for once, not asking for something in return. Have a blessed Christmas and may Simbang Gabi our personal way to love God.