8 “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- Exodus 20:8
As always I went to mass excited to hear what God had in store for me. After the Gospel, my second favorite part of the Mass is listening to Fr. Sanji's homily.
Ever since he started celebrating the 9:00 a.m. Holy Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Fr. Sanji had given very relevant and informative homilies. Because of his sincerity, rapport, and humble aura, this Sunday is another great homily day regarding the Holy Mass, Shopping List, the "Policeman" and the group date part is my personal addition. Once again his homily is a rich source of wisdom and faith.
AND THE LIST GOES ON
Fr. Sanji began his homily with his usual "Good Morning" in Filipino. And then he asked permission to read something to us.
At first I saw it was just a piece of paper, but after he asked permission to read it, he released the other parts of the paper which made me laugh. It was a long paper.
Not only was he great in telling anecdotes, he has a sense of humor and is very creative. Today, the "long list" was a simple but effective prop regarding his homily.
He started reading what it was. It was a shopping list.
Fr. Sanji didn't finished everything of course, he just read around four to five stuff in the list. And then explained why he did that.
He likened the shopping list to people's intentions when they go to Church. He mentioned that as people, even I am guilty of this, we tend to go to mass with our "shopping list". Of course it is not like the one we bring to the grocery but it's a list of things, we hope God can provide us.
There's nothing wrong with that of course, but it's just that it would be great if we also go there to thank Him, ask for His forgiveness and not just treat God/Jesus as if He is SM Mall of Asia.
THE PUNISHER: JESUS THE POLICEMAN
Another point that Fr. Sanji pointed out is that some people tend to go to Church in fear. They fear if they don't go to Church God will punish them.
As Fr. Sanji pointed out, if we believe that Christ or God is like a Policeman, it makes attend Mass because we are afraid of God's wrath. That's the wrong way of "Fear of the Lord". God loves as so much that's why He gave His only Son.
Christ stretched out His arms and died on the cross for us. That's how vast his love is. That long stretch of arms was "to infinity and beyond."
It's better that we go to Church because we want to be God, because it's wonderful to be with Him and with people you love even just through faith.
UNLIKELY GROUP DATE
Fr. Sanji's homily made me think. How do I treat the mass? Why do I go there?
Then I remembered about treating time for God like dating. This doesn't mean I treat God like my boyfriend per se, but what one of my Ate (or older sister in Franciscan Youth Movement) Em's mentioned. Being with God is like having a relationship.
You see her question really first focused how is my spiritual life, particularly regarding my Sacred Half Hour. The Sacred Half hour is like my personal date with God. Time to be with Him. Alone with him .
You see her question really first focused how is my spiritual life, particularly regarding my Sacred Half Hour. The Sacred Half hour is like my personal date with God. Time to be with Him. Alone with him .
When I go to Church, that's like a group date she explains. I'm with my fellow Churchgoers.
That's why I added the Group Date analogy in this entry. For me the Holy Mass is spending time with God joyfully with my fellow believers.
YOU'RE OWN PERSPECTIVE
That's why I added the Group Date analogy in this entry. For me the Holy Mass is spending time with God joyfully with my fellow believers.
YOU'RE OWN PERSPECTIVE
That's my way of looking and treating the Mass. It's an exciting way to learn what God has for me and to feel His loving presence together with the rest of the congregation.
How about you? How do you treat the Holy Mass?
How about you? How do you treat the Holy Mass?
