SERMON OUTLINE FIRST MISA DE GALLO GOSPEL : MARK 1:1-18 REV. FR. LUTHOR B. PAHAGAS Chairman, Liturgy and Music INTRODUCTION Good morning beloved brethren. Are you an early morning riser? This is the first dawn or in the early evening of Misa De Gallo. The church goer’s approaching to the church for attending the traditional masses before we celebrate the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ the Messiah. On this first Misa De Gallo, I would like to focus my sermon about Misa De Gallo for we can understand why we celebrate this 9 dawn masses. MISA DE GALLO ( three version ) • MISA DE AGUINALDO - English GIFT MASSES – Jesus is the great gift from God. - Original name • MISA DE GALLO - GALLO ( Spanish ) means ROOSTER - MASS OF THE ROOSTER - First sound of dawn, crowning of the rooter - Did you hear the crowing of the rooster ? yes or no? - (see PRACTICE for explanation ) • SIMBANG GABI – popular known IN FILIPINO ORIGIN OF MISA DE GALLO • Simbang Gabi traces its roots to Mexico when, in 1587, the pope granted the petition or give permission of Fray Diego de Soria, prior of the convent of San Agustin Acolman, to hold Christmas Mass outdoors because the church could not accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening Mass. • It was well established in the 16th century–, the religious missionaries brought this practice to the Philippine islands. • There was a period of about 9 years (1680 – 1689) when the practice of the Aguinaldo Masses was discontinued by order to the Archbishop of Manila Felipe Pardo. He simply implemented an order from Rome to suppress the Aguinaldo masses in Spain, the Azores Islands, Mexico and the Philippines. The cause of the suppression (in 1677) was the abuses resulting from the behavior of the assembly and the choir that were considered very improper for religious celebrations and places in the diocese of Seville. • 1689-17th century the Misa de Gallo was resumed. • 17th century the Misa De Gallo were already being celebrated in some parts of the Philippines. WHY DAWN During the old times, farmers as well as fishermen used the roosters as their alarm clock. So upon the first crow of the rooster they wake up early to drop by the church before going to their work and ask for the grace of good harvest. Originally the Mass was celebrated for them. The celebration is held at around four o’clock in the morning before sunrise since it was the harvest season, and the farmers needed to be in the fields right after the celebration. WHY NINE DAYS Before Christ ascended into heaven, he commanded his Apostles to remain in the city of Jerusalem for the nine days until the feast of Pentecost, and there to await the descent of the Holy Spirit. With this, our Savior instituted the practice of the Christian Novena – nine days of prayer, especially in preparation for a solemn feast or in petition for some special grace. The number “nine” has a great symbolic richness. On the one hand, it is derived from the Trinitarian and Divine number “three” – being “three times three”. The Christian faithful first began to keep “novenas” not in preparation for Pentecost, but preparation before the Solemnity of Christmas. It is clear that these nine days of prayer were symbolic of the nine months which our Savior spent in the womb of Mary his Mother. SIGNIFICANCE Simbang Gabi has become one of the most popular traditions in our country. But it is not just a tradition that is celebrated because we need to do so. It is a significant moment not only because it strengthens relationships among family members but also because it is the time where our faith is intensified. This is the time where we mostly feel the presence of the Lord because it is the spiritual preparation for Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. CONCLUSSION The set of nine consecutive pre-dawn masses is a challenge to everyone to keep the faith and relive the main purpose of the celebration of Christmas. The Simbang Gabi is also seen as a way of requesting blessings from the Lord,as most people believe that if one completes the whole series of nine dawn masses, wishes will be granted Unfortunately, these are not scientifically proven but faithful believes and hopes that their heart’s desire would be true. The blessing does not depend on the number of mass attended, but what is important is the disposition of the person who receives the Lord’s blessing. Whatever the intentions may be it certainly is an opportunity to thank the Lord for blessings received, especially for reaching another Christmas and a New Year. I wish to encourage all of us the practice of Simbang Gabi because it is a great source of spiritual nourishment to all of us as we prepare for the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Invite your families and friends!s
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 05:25:45 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015