On this last day of Simbang Gabi 2012, I'd like to bring the curtains down on my Christmas novena journey as I share my last three major takeaways. It has really been a reflective and spiritually uplifting experience for me as the Lord has personally dealt with me through each mass.
7th day of Simbang Gabi at EDSA Shrine - Major Takeaway - The Lord
encourages to seek two things as evidenced in the Magnificat of Mama Mary:
1) To seek to have depth in our lives - to be able to know our purpose and meaning of our lives, to know what direction our lives are headed and to have the foundation of our lives solidly built on the Lord. It is not about the height (or the desire for people to hold us in high esteem according to the world's standards) nor width (or the desire to accumulate wealth and have an abundance of material resources so that people will be envious of your situation) but a desire to put depth into our lives and, therefore, come to understand the Lord's will for our lives even more.
2) To seek to have overflowing goodness and possess an overflowing spirit - to be able to well up with joy like Mama Mary in her Magnificat and to share this joy with others around us. When Mama Mary expressed her Yes to the Lord and the Lord blessed her, she was overflowing with joy and gratitude that she could not contain with in herself so she had to share it with someone like her cousin Elizabeth. In every circumstance in our lives, regardless whether it is a blessing or a difficulty, we want to be able to express gratitude to the Lord for giving us to the opportunity to experience His generosity, His mercy, His love and His faithfulness.
And so just like Mama Mary, I sing with joy:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
1) To seek to have depth in our lives - to be able to know our purpose and meaning of our lives, to know what direction our lives are headed and to have the foundation of our lives solidly built on the Lord. It is not about the height (or the desire for people to hold us in high esteem according to the world's standards) nor width (or the desire to accumulate wealth and have an abundance of material resources so that people will be envious of your situation) but a desire to put depth into our lives and, therefore, come to understand the Lord's will for our lives even more.
2) To seek to have overflowing goodness and possess an overflowing spirit - to be able to well up with joy like Mama Mary in her Magnificat and to share this joy with others around us. When Mama Mary expressed her Yes to the Lord and the Lord blessed her, she was overflowing with joy and gratitude that she could not contain with in herself so she had to share it with someone like her cousin Elizabeth. In every circumstance in our lives, regardless whether it is a blessing or a difficulty, we want to be able to express gratitude to the Lord for giving us to the opportunity to experience His generosity, His mercy, His love and His faithfulness.
And so just like Mama Mary, I sing with joy:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
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| blueeyedennis-siempre.blogspot.com |
8th Day
of Simbang Gabi (4th Sunday of Advent) at Ortigas Park - Major Takeaway - We
hear the story of the Visitation again today. This story allows us to reflect
and ask ourselves the following:
1) Do we still have room in our lives for the Lord or are we too preoccupied by the cares and the busyness that characterized this world? Can we still take time to come before the Lord in communion with Him and allow Him to fill our hearts and minds or is the hustle and bustle around us getting most, if not all, of our attention? The example of Mama Mary and Elizabeth allow us to see that the Lord was able to fill their emptiness (referring to their wombs) with fullness of life in the persons of their soon to be born sons Jesus and John the Baptist. Can we also empty ourselves so that we can be filled by the encompassing and loving Presence of the Lord?
2) When we experience blessings in our lives, are we excited to share these with others around us or do we just keep them (especially material blessings) to ourselves, for our own satisfaction? A proverb highlights that a joy shared is a joy doubled or multiplied. It seems that, with tragedies recently happening like Typhoon Pablo and the Sandy Hook Elementary School killings, a lot of people aren't experiencing a lot of joy but the Lord is challenging all those who have experienced blessings or have the opportunity to reach out and share, to go beyond themselves and experience their joy and their blessings being doubled or multiplied as they allow others in need to partake of the goodness they have received.
As we eagerly await the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest gift, blessing and source of joy we could ever experience, let us allow the Lord to fill us with His loving Presence and allow the blessings that come from Him to overflow and be shared to others around us. As He gave of Himself to others, let us also give of ourselves.
1) Do we still have room in our lives for the Lord or are we too preoccupied by the cares and the busyness that characterized this world? Can we still take time to come before the Lord in communion with Him and allow Him to fill our hearts and minds or is the hustle and bustle around us getting most, if not all, of our attention? The example of Mama Mary and Elizabeth allow us to see that the Lord was able to fill their emptiness (referring to their wombs) with fullness of life in the persons of their soon to be born sons Jesus and John the Baptist. Can we also empty ourselves so that we can be filled by the encompassing and loving Presence of the Lord?
2) When we experience blessings in our lives, are we excited to share these with others around us or do we just keep them (especially material blessings) to ourselves, for our own satisfaction? A proverb highlights that a joy shared is a joy doubled or multiplied. It seems that, with tragedies recently happening like Typhoon Pablo and the Sandy Hook Elementary School killings, a lot of people aren't experiencing a lot of joy but the Lord is challenging all those who have experienced blessings or have the opportunity to reach out and share, to go beyond themselves and experience their joy and their blessings being doubled or multiplied as they allow others in need to partake of the goodness they have received.
As we eagerly await the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest gift, blessing and source of joy we could ever experience, let us allow the Lord to fill us with His loving Presence and allow the blessings that come from Him to overflow and be shared to others around us. As He gave of Himself to others, let us also give of ourselves.
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| blueeyedennis-siempre.blogspot.com |
9th Day of Simbang Gabi at St. Therese, UPLB - Major Takeaway
- Zechariah's Benedictus is a testament of faith in the Lord and communicates a
desire to bless the Lord who has bestowed bountiful blessings on His people.
This includes the blessing of the birth of Zechariah's son, John, who is
concrete proof that the nothing is impossible with the Lord.
In response to the exceeding goodness of the Lord, Zechariah also blesses his son and conveys his understanding of how the Lord will use John to be "the voice in the wilderness" that will prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah. We also want to be used by the Lord in the same way as John - to lead others to the Lord as we share our faith experiences and encourage and inspire others to share their own faith experiences with others.
This video challenges us to be more sensitive to others in need around us and realize that even just one small gesture of sharing, one simple act of kindness can make such a great impact on the lives of others. :-D
In response to the exceeding goodness of the Lord, Zechariah also blesses his son and conveys his understanding of how the Lord will use John to be "the voice in the wilderness" that will prepare the way of the Lord, the Messiah. We also want to be used by the Lord in the same way as John - to lead others to the Lord as we share our faith experiences and encourage and inspire others to share their own faith experiences with others.
This video challenges us to be more sensitive to others in need around us and realize that even just one small gesture of sharing, one simple act of kindness can make such a great impact on the lives of others. :-D
May you experience the joy and hope of the Lord in this blessed Christmas season!
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