Faith Speaks: Day 9 of Simbang Gabi
Faith Speaks: Day 9 of Simbang Gabi 23 December 2025 | 9 PM Anticipated Mass On the ninth and final night of Simbang Gabi, Fr. Rock C. Berdos invited us to reflect more deeply on faith, gratitude, and responsibility as we prepare our hearts for Christmas. He began the homily with a simple yet striking story of a farmer and a reporter — a story about black and white, which were surprisingly treated exactly the same. The message was clear: what matters is not whether life appears dark or bright, but how we recognize God’s hand in both situations. Fr. Rock connected this reflection to the Benedictus, the canticle of Zechariah—a song of praise and thanksgiving. Just as Mary’s Magnificat teaches us to rejoice and praise God in moments of joy, the Benedictus reminds us to thank God even after silence, struggle, and waiting. Life, as Fr. Rock reminded us, is made up of white and black moments — light and dark, joy and pain, ease and sacrifice. Yet both can be blessings when seen through the eyes of faith. Difficult and painful experiences may not be punishments, but even answers to our prayers — forming us, strengthening us, and teaching us wisdom and courage. He also emphasized that positions and roles are blessings only when they are faithfully lived out. A title alone has no meaning if it is merely nominal. True service does not seek attention or recognition; it is seen in actions, responsibility, and quiet faithfulness. Growth happens when we take our roles seriously and respond to what is asked of us, especially when the situation already calls for our service. As Simbang Gabi comes to a close and Christmas is just around the corner, we are reminded that God’s blessings are not meant to be kept, but shared — calling us to become blessings for others. May we learn to see both the white or light and the black or dark moments of our lives as grace, and may our lives, in turn, become instruments of God’s love and goodness to those around us. Amen. #Advent2025 #SimbangGabi2025 #CatholicMass #holymasstoday #OnlineMassToday #OnlineMassPhilippines #SanAndresApostolParishCainta #Antipolensis #AntipoloDiocese IF YOU WISH TO DONATE: BPI ACCOUNT | RCABAN SAN ANDRES APOSTOL PARISH - CONSTRUCTION FUND ACCT # 2401-0011-85 BPI PASIG MARKET AVE EXT.
