Sunday, December 18, 2005
Simbang Gabi
Read the article of Isagani Cruz of PDI dated 17 December on Simbang Gabi circa 1930's. It was a nostalgic trip for the writer down memory lane giving us a glimpse of the old Sampaloc, Manila, then considered as a "sleepy town" where acacia trees lined both side of the "idle streets"!!! What a stark contrast today and a vivid picture of what life is then and now. A tranquil and laid-back life compared to today's noisy, stressful, and fast paced life. But the way he describes how young people act then and how "romance" rather than the purpose of hearing mass is what motivates them to wake up early is, I think, the same as today. Devotion is not inherent to young people. Even today they would rather be outside the church during simbang gabi which is not unlike what the writer described during his time: "Many of us stayed outside the church, however, on the pretext that it was too crowded inside". I also observed this last year when I went home for Christmas and attended a midnight mass. Most of the young people who came in groups were outside. This gives them the opportunity to be more cozy and be able to give more attention to the person they are attracted to rather than pay attention to the homily. Our dear old "manangs" would call it blasphemy. But who can control their feelings especially when you're young, infatuated and in love. At least they went to church, paid homage, said their short prayers, prayed for their crush and attended mass until the final blessings. God in his infinite wisdom will understand. I pray He does for I remember in my not so younger days I also attended a midnight mass and I was outside the church. In the parking lot inside my car to be exact. Holiday spirit was in the air. Coming from a boys' night out (yeah I know it's already early morning) I heard the church bells ringing on my way home. So I said might as well attend mass and seek forgiveness for the night's carousing. Not to make excuses but the church was really crowded. So I parked the car where I could still hear the homily through the speakers. That's as far as I can remember for the next thing I'm aware of was the sun was up, church doors were already closed and parking lot empty and quiet. I slept through the mass!!! Mea culpa, I have long asked for forgiveness. It reminded me of the bridesmaids who did not bring enough gas for their lamps to welcome the bride and the groom. When they had their lamps refilled the church doors were already closed and they were not allowed in. But I would also like to look at it in His infinite wisdom. He "called" me so I can rest (how can you beat that after a night of revelry He still cares...for the drunkards, sinners, tax collectors...) or I might have fallen asleep driving. But I can still remember how empty I felt afterwards.
