Simbang Gabi 2021 (12-16-21)

 In a largest buffet restaurant where many people would go for lunch or for dinner, a regular customer noticed a man who came in when it was crowded and after eating, he left the place secretly without paying. The regular customer informed the manager of the restaurant but the latter just smiled. The next day, the same thing happened. The man came in when it was crowded and after eating, he left the place without paying. This time, the regular customer decided to report what he observed to the owner of the restaurant as the manager did not take any actions. The owner replied, “Sir, we thank you for your concern. This is not the first time I heard of this incident. There were many customers who came to me to report this matter.” Then the customer asked the owner, “So why did you not do something to stop this man?”  The owner replied, “You know sir I feel I owe the success of my business to that man. That man would stand in front of my restaurant and pray for it to get crowded. It is only when the restaurant is crowded that he could come quickly to eat and sneak off. I rather let him eat rather than to lose a man whose prayer is heard by God.”

This story tells us how precious is a man/woman whose prayer is heard by God. In other words, we cannot simply ignore those who are called “malakas sa Diyos” in our midst.

In our Gospel (John 5:33-36), Jesus said that John the Baptist was a lamp that burned and gave light, and people chose for a time to enjoy his light. In saying this, it can also be said that John experienced such privilege of being “malakas sa Diyos”. There is nothing wrong in recognizing John as “malakas sa Diyos”. However, in over emphasizing that John is “malakas sa Diyos”, people might fail to recognize or acknowledge the presence of Jesus in their midst as the “Nag-iisang Anak ng Diyos”. Jesus Himself said this, “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish –the very works that I am doing –testify that the Father has sent me.” Thus, people should rejoice not because of the message that the Son of God is coming which John the Baptist proclaimed but because of the real presence of Jesus Himself, the “Nag-iisang Anak ng Diyos”.

Today in our first day of novena or simbang gabi, we have to realize that we are not doing this because we have prepared our three wishes and after attending all the nine (9) days of simbang gabi, we expect that those wishes may come true. No. Simbang gabi is about Jesus –celebrating His first coming as the only Son of God. We celebrate our faith that Jesus was born to save us. This is why it is also called misa de Aguinaldo because by going to the church, we offer prayers and sacrifices as our gift to Jesus on His birthday.

We therefore, as Christians and Catholics, should not fail to recognize that Christmas is all about Jesus. The only reason to celebrate this season is that Jesus, the Son of God, became man on that first Christmas day. We, His followers, cannot but rejoice in remembering the day of His birth. Amen.