Anluwage Simbang

Gabi Reflection
December 19, 2020
4th Day of Simbang Gabi.
Luke 1=5–25

PRAYER:
God our Loving Father, You
chose Mary as the mother of
Your Son Jesus Christ. Teach us
to listen to You like Mary who
responded to Your call so that
we may be able to do Your will
and not our own. By this we
may be able to strengthen our
faith and live in the light of
Christian life following Your Son
Jesus Christ. Amen

REFLECTION:
Last December 2018, I was
assigned at St. Lorenzo Ruiz
Parish, Bacoor for my “Simbang
Gabi” apostolate. I was tasked
to deliver and conduct the
Simbang Gabi Liturgy (Liturgy
of the Word with Communion)
to the community composed of
families living along the side of
Cavite Expressway.

I usually start the liturgical

service at seven oʼclock in the
evening. Before I leave, I see to
it that I have prepared the
things that I need such as my
cassock, liturgical
paraphernalia, and most
especially the Blessed
Sacrament (hostia) to be
received by the people in the
community. Everything was on
set. However, when I opened
the tabernacle, only one piece
of consecrated host was left in
the ciborium. The other portion
was already brought by the
other seminarian and he left just
one piece of consecrated host
unintentionally. The Parish
Priest was not around since he
was saying mass to the other
community.
It was already 6=30PM and the
estimated time of travel from
the Parish to the community
was 30 minutes. I felt agitated.
Suddenly, the service vehicle
arrived to pick me up. I told the
driver, “Kuya, wala pa po
tayong ostiya.” Then he said to
me, “Bili na lang po tayo
brother.” I replied, “Kuya dapat
po kasi consecrated.” So I
asked him to accompany me to
the Parish Church near SM City
Bacoor to get some
consecrated host since it was
the nearest to our Parish
Church. “Kuya. Punta na lang
po muna tayo sa may
simbahan sa tapat ng SM.
Magsasabi na lang po ako sa
pari doon.” The we left.

The traffic was heavy since it

was rush hour especially that it
was Christmas season. I was in
discomfort. My mind was
disturbed. Negative things we
flowing in and out in my
consciousness. I whispered to
myself, “Nako, baka mag-alisan
ang mga tao. Baka ma-late pa
ko.”

When we arrived at the parish. I

hurriedly got off at the vehicle
and went straight to the parish
priest. I explained what
happened and everything. He
gave me the permission to get
some consecrated host. I
thanked him and then we left. I
was still in discomfort and
unconscious of my surrounding.
I was just thinking that we need
to hurry up so that the people
would not leave.

As we travel, the driver

suddenly spoke to me saying
“Brother. Tingnan niyo po.
Wala na pong traffic.
Pinagbigyan tayo ng
Panginoon na makabiyahe ng
maalwan.” I immediately
regained my consciousness. It
was only 6=50PM when we
arrived. We were ten minutes
earlier. I thanked the driver
saying, “Kuya. Salamat po at
salamat sa Diyos.”

That moment, I realized, God

did not abandon me and He was
speaking through the driver. He
wanted me to proclaim His word
in that community and for the
people to received the Body of
Christ. I just need to listen to
Him and believe to what He can
do.

In the Gospel, Zechariah

received a good news through
angel Gabriel that their prayers
were answered by God. He and
Elizabeth will bear a son that
will be named John, meaning,
“God-given.” John was the one
prophesied by Isiah that would
be the forerunner of Jesus.
However, Zechariah doubted
this announcement of angel
Gabriel. “How shall I know this?
For I am old.”

Sometimes, we were like

Zechariah. We doubt and lose
our faith to what God can give
to us specially when we feel
that our prayers are not heard
and seems like nothing
happens. At the times where we
are troubled and distressed, we
also feel like we are alone and
when we talk to God, it seems
like we are just the one who is
talking around and God does
not utter any word. However,
despite our doubts and lack of
faith, God proves that He is
listening to everything we are
praying for. It may be through
somebody or something that we
can feel His handiworks. We
only need to trust in His ability
and listen to His message.
This might be the challenge of
God in this fourth day of
Simbang Gabi. He urges us to
listen and have faith in Him for
He is always listening and
speaking to us. Amen.

GIFTS THAT CAN BE

OFFERED:
Remember all the people who
have lost their faith in God and
offer a prayer for them, that
they may be able to hear His
voice. We also remember those
who are in prison celebrating
Christmas far from their
families.

PROFILE:
SEM. EMERSON C. MAALA
Spirituality Year
Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol