Misa De Gallo in Bangkok (Day 3)

Third day of my "nine mornings", I was awaken at 5:00 in the morning. Yeah, five o'clock and the mass will be at 5:30. I was afraid to be late again, so I hurriedly went to the toilet to wash my face and brush my teeth. I checked on my baby and she pooped her diaper. I changed her quickly and I hurriedly dressed up without taking a bath (ewww!). I was almost running to church. I was a little late again, but not so bad.

When I was sitting there, at the back row seat, I heard a guy (or gay?) who was talking to his seatmate (woman). He was saying something in "bisaya" (dialect in the Philippines) and I understood what he said. Heard him saying, "I couldn't be able to attend a holy mass without taking a bath". I looked at him and he was smiling at me (pretending that he did not say something bad). I was so surprised that he is my neighbor. I smiled back and focused myself on the mass. I looked around and I found out that I was the only person who did not take a bath (yikes hahaha).

I just thought, why this kind of people would even think that way going to Church. Well, I just don't care about what he thinks of me because first of all, I was there to attend a mass and not to criticize people about how they look or if they take a bath. I consider it too petty, so shallow to think about. If I take a shower before going to church at that time, obviously.. I will miss my day 3 of my novena. But because I love to complete the nine days, I went on.

On the hand, It's my fault, I woke up late. Instead of getting angry or annoyed by his unpleasing comment on me, I just take it positively. At some point, he is right. Why would I go to church without taking a shower? I know that I should look more presentable in the eyes of God by taking a bath, by dressing up neatly and properly. We have to treat God as if we are on a DATE. It's like we are dating a very, very, very important person... THE LORD.

I feel partly guilty by that. If I don't like being criticize by my neighbor, I should have not gone to church without taking a shower and I should have not woke up late so I was able to take a shower and I should have not sleep late so I woke up early... Regrets? NO! I don't have to take it as regret, but it will be a MAJOR LESSON to me.

Come to think more about it, what's even worst is that our outward appearance is ready, but not our soul, mind and heart. When we go to church we have to focus on our purpose why we are attending the holy mass. This is another subject to blog about and I will write about this next time.

Deep in our hearts, we know how sincere we are when we pray. We may be deceiving ourselves but not God. He knows well our faith, he knows well our mind, our sins, our prayers and EVERYTHING about us.

A friend of mine quoted, "Our religion is what we do when the sermon/mass is over". Moreover, we define our faith and religion by what we think, say, do. That is before, during and after our prayers.

Misa De Gallo in Bangkok (Day 1)

Literally, Misa de Gallo means "rooster's mass" in Spanish. We call it "simbang gabi" in Filipino which means "evening/night worship, nine-day dawn masses, or the nine days". It is a very important Christmas tradition in the Philippines. 16th of December is the start of nine-day mass.

The schedule of English mass here at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Church in Soi 184 Rhumkamhaeng, Minburi, Bangkok is at 5:30-6:00 am only. The holy mass should take an hour, but because the Church has made some considerations to those people who are going to work and school. Our Reverend Father Leo Travis, C.Ss.R. There is a free breakfast after the mass.

I have attended the first time with my family, today. I was surprised that my hubby attended with me, since, he was telling me that he has no religion (in my knowledge and was stated in his profile online).

We were trying to come early but were late for 3 minutes. When we were inside the church, I noticed that there were only 20 people more or less in the church and that included us. The 30 minutes mass was solemn for me, my mind was relaxed and I was able to pray wholeheartedly.

When the church choir sang, the Christmas song "Silent Night", I had goosebumps and I felt very sad because I remember my family and relatives in the Philippines. I missed the way we celebrate Christmas at home.

While we were all singing the song, I heard his sad voice. I glanced at him, I saw him almost crying but he was holding on to his tears... I could feel his sadness, he hasn't been home for long four years! He could only phone his mom and dad in the US. The tears finally fell from his eyes, he immediately wiped them so that nobody would noticed (even me). But, in the corner of my eye I witnessed how emotional he was. I pretended that I didn't know.

The mass had ended by singing a famous Filipino Christmas song "Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit". I miss singing this song very much. When I was a kid, I was always singing this on Christmas caroling.

We were invited to have breakfast with other attendees. My husband refused to eat because he was in a hurry to work. I kissed him goodbye. I was so glad that I could be able to motivate him to go to Church without even arguing or asking him.

Our baby and I was left at the church chitchatting with fellow Filipinos while having breakfast. I made a hot coffee and grabbed two pieces of chiffon cake. I had fun not only because we had some pictorials. But most of all, I had fun because I had attended the day one of nine-day dawn masses, with my family.