Simbang Gabi - Major Takeaways (Days 4 - 6)

It's now time for the 2nd compilation of my major takeaways in Simbang Gabi 2012 as I share my reflections for days 4 - 6.

4th Day of Simbang Gabi at EDSA Shrine - Major Takeaway - The Lord desires for us to be like a spiritual drill; that in the changing of the seasons in our lives (Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time, Advent, ...), we may grow deeper in our relationship with Him and others around us. He desires that, like the wife of Manoah and Elizabeth, we may have faith in the Lord's goodness and faithfulness even in the most difficult or the hardest to understand situations in our lives. And as He bestows blessings upon us as we overcome these difficult and hard to understand situations, we are all the more grateful to the Lord who "remains faithful even if we are not for He cannot deny Himself."

‎5th day of Simbang Gabi at EDSA Shrine - Major Takeaway - The Lord is challenging and encouraging us to take on the disposition of Mama Mary when she responded "I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to Your word." She may not have fully understood what the angel Gabriel was talking about but she trusted that the Lord would grant her the grace to do His will and so she responded with her Yes.

I pray that we, too, may, trust in the Lord's goodness and faithfulness as we go through each day in our journey with Him. As the angel Gabriel assured Mary, we are also assured of the Lord's guiding Presence in our lives: "Be not afraid...for nothing is impossible with God."

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6th day of Simbang Gabi at EDSA Shrine - Major Takeaway - We are being encouraged by the Lord to be a joyful people and not just happy people. Like Father Dave Concepcion shared in his homily this morning, happiness is a disposition while joy is a gift from the Spirit. In order for us to experience joy, we need to be able to bring Mama Mary into our lives (our homes, our schools, our offices, our communities, etc.) and allow Christ to be born anew in us.

I am reminded of some of the words of a favorite Christmas song of mine, although it is not a well-known one:

I'll make my heart a Bethlehem
A place where love can dwell within
A place where hope and joy begin
This Christmas in my heart.

I'll make my heart a Bethlehem
That's open wide to welcome Him
A place where hope and joy begin
This Christmas in my heart, this Christmas in my heart.

Let us allow Christ to dwell within us that joy may emanate from us so we can recognize Him in every circumstance, listen and hear His Word and direction for our lives and act upon such direction. For this gift of love from the Lord is enough reason for us to be grateful and joyful! :-D

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