8th Day of Simbang Gabi               Do you know the story behind your name? If not, try to find out.             Natunghayan natin sa ebanghelyo ngayon ang pagbibigay ng pangalan sa sanggol nina Zechariah at Elizabeth. Zechariah names their newborn son ‘John’ – for a very good reason.The name ‘John’ comes from the Hebrew Yehohanan, … Continue reading GRACIOUS AND GIVING

7th Day of Simbang Gabi               Allow me to start off with these words about gratitude from Melody Beattie: Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house … Continue reading GRATITUDE AND GENEROSITY

6th Day of Simbang Gabi               Mother Teresa once said, “Prayer in action is love, love in action is service.” On another occasion she said, “The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action.” Alam naman natin na ang mga katagang ito ay hindi lamang binigkas ni Mother Teresa, kundi sinabuhay niya. Ito … Continue reading LOVE AND SERVICE

4th Sunday of Advent                      If you are going to approach somebody for help, what will be the first thing you will ask? If you are going to invite a friend to an important event, what will you ask? If you are going to make an appointment with somebody, what will you ask? I think … Continue reading ARE YOU AVAILABLE?

5th Day of Simbang Gabi                   When my eldest sister had just given birth to my eldest nephew, she was asked by a five-year old girl, “Are you a virgin?” My sister wanted to answer, “How I wish!” but the girl might not get it, so she simply said, “No.” And the little girl pursued … Continue reading A LIFE OF ‘YES’ TO GOD

4th Sunday of Advent                      I was talking to a friend a few days ago who was sharing with me something about the emptiness that he is experiencing. Apparently, that feeling is growing as Christmas approaches. In fact, he told me, no matter how much he tries “to feel” the spirit of Christmas season, he … Continue reading EMPTY SPACE FOR JESUS

4th Day of Simbang Gabi               Today’s gospel reading presents the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth as a good and happy couple whose only disappointment is the lack of child. Elizabeth is barren and now way beyond childbearing age. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zachariah to announce that God has intervened in a special … Continue reading LIFE IN GIVING

3rd Day of Simbang Gabi               A man was desperately trying to lose weight, but like so many of us, he had the tendency to grab sweets whenever he was bored. He and his wife devised a plan. Whenever he was tempted to cheat on his diet, he would think of his wife and how … Continue reading SAVED TO GIVE

2nd Day of Simbang Gabi               A man asked a taxi driver to take him home. Off the taxi flew, darting into busy traffic, making precarious two-wheel turns and changing lanes a dozen times a minute. “Please be careful!” the passenger pleaded, holding on for dear life. “I have ten children at home!” Answered the … Continue reading THE LAW OF THE GIFT

1st Day of Simbang Gabi                Ang Simbang Gabi ay maituturing na huling bahagi na ng paghahanda natin para sa pagdiriwang ng Kapaskuhan. At sa taong ito, may additional significance ang Simbang Gabi natin sapagkat bahagi na ito ng pagdiriwang ng tinatawag na: “500YOC” – 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines.”             The Bishops … Continue reading GIFTED TO GIVE