Time for the battery of my Toyota Avanza replaced. Normally, I would have left the condo around 2PM to attend the anticipated Mass. Decided to leave before lunch instead.
Went to Motolite for the battery replacement. Traded-in the old battery to get a discount.
Next, since there is still time, asked Edgar, the driver, to drop me off at Greenbelt so I can attend the Saturday Mass.
The Mass presider is Fr. Joel.
Today's reading is on the reaction of the people when the 10 Commandments were given to the people by Moses. They said, they will do what the Lord is telling them.
With the Jews, the 10 Commandments are very important. Surely, Saints Joachim and Anne taught it to Mother Mary. The same would have been done by Mama Mary with Jesus.
How do we look at the 10 Commandments?
As 10 suggestions. Suggestion = proposed to you. You can ignore it or not.
As 10 options. It is open to your choice. There is no wrong; there is no right.
The 10 Commandments are 10 Commitments. Something you are serious; something that is sacred. It is a commitment to us by God. It is our commitment to God and our neighbors.
Proverbs 19:16 states "Keep God's laws and you will live longer; if you ignore them, you will die."
After the Mass, I went to Shake Shack for lunch and a taste test. It is like an expensive McDonald's. I ordered their new item on the menu, Teriyaki Shack (PhP400.00), Cheese Fries (PhP250.00), and a small Vanilla Shake (PhP165.00).
Shake Shack
Teriyaki Shack
Cheese Fries
From the three items I ordered, I enjoyed the shake. The burger is filling but there is nothing spectacular about the taste. The fries? It's OK. Not sure if I prefer the Wendy's fries over this. Maybe if there is mayonnaise with catsup as dip..?
Received an SMS earlier about BPI credit card's tie up with Lucerne. I wanted to own a Chopard Happy Sports watch. After that, I would not be buying any more automatic Swiss watches.
Making excuses? I wanted to pamper myself because me thinks I will be losing a big amount of money... again. Shame on me. (Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.)
Chopard Happy Sports
Proverbs 26:4 says "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him." It is a passage from the Scripture that was shared in a YouTube video titled "God is Telling you to START IGNORING Someone if...", which happens to be in my timeline when I checked YouTube before leaving the condo this morning. Hmmm... ðŸ’
After, I went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark, one of the Jubilee churches. Hoping to gain a plenary indulgence and offer it for my Tatay. It is his death anniversary today. I actually offered Mass this morning at 6AM and am planning to attend the online Mass. Woke up past 7AM. 😔
Bought medicine at Mercury Drug also at The Landmark. Then proceeded back to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel to attend the anticipated Mass.
I was able to finish my Precious Blood Chaplet devotion, and joined the community to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Reginald.
When the apostles asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (He taught them the Our Father), they have the desire to imitate Jesus not only in prayer but how He lives.
Jesus wants disciples; not spectators. The way of Jesus is not the way of the world.
After the Mass, I bought underwear at The Landmark, withdrew at BPI (for the replacement of my HR-V's tires), bought food-to-go at Peri-Peri, mini-cake at Mary Grace, and Frappuccino-to-go at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. 40A
Usually after the Friday Mass, I eat at The Old Spaghetti House for my late lunch. I always pass by this new restaurant near our office but did not try it because (a) it might not have fish in their menu, and (b) the restaurant is full of customers during lunch time.
Because of the rainy weather, it seems there are fewer customers. Decided to check their menu. There is fish! So, will try Persia Grill.
Grocery day. And a rainy day because of Typhoon Crising.
But first, I passed by Honda Makati to pay for the (automotive) services made to my HR-V. This way, Edgar, the driver, can just pick the car up when it is ready.
Next, to The Landmark Supermarket. There are still available parking slots that we were able to park even if we are already late. Not sure if I would be able to attend the Saturday Mass.
But I guess the heavens have other plans. I was able to attend the anticipated Mass at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel. I was also even able to join the community in praying the Rosary, and I finished my Precious Blood Chaplet devotion.
Fr. Alemar is the Mass presider. When I arrived at the chapel, he is also the confessor. Me thinks he covered the priest that was supposed to celebrate the Mass given the weather.
The Gospel is about Jesus leaving when he learned of the plans of the Pharisees against him.
Fr. Alemar started by asking what the circumstances are that we leave. Leaving is OK but not in all circumstances. Leaving or departing is OK for precaution. Even in the Old Testament, the Israelites left Egypt for the promised land.
What are the circumstances we can leave?
Leave the place. When you are out of place, leave. Jesus was out of place as Pharisees are plotting against him, he is not accepted in that place. If the plans of the Pharisees came to fruition, Jesus' mission will be impaired.
Leave people. Withdraw from the crowd. If you do not agree with the crown and cannot convince them, leave, especially if what they wanted is against your faith.
Leave sin behind. Jesus wants us to leave the world of sin. Sin can stop us from fulfilling the mission the Lord entrusted to us.
There are circumstances to leave place, people, and sin.
Bro. Edwin is the lector in the Mass.
For my taste test, it is Single Origin. Ordered their Pork Belly Barbecue (PhP480.00) and Fresh Lemonade (PhP260.00). The pork belly is rice topping. What I liked about it is that the viand’s sauce is well mixed with the rice, making it enjoyable to eat. Although the pork itself has many fat. Does fat in pork make it taste good? The lemonade has a tangy taste to it.
Single Origin
Pork Belly Barbecue
Fresh Lemonade
Then, proceeded to Mary, Mother of Hope chapel at The Landmark. It is one of the Jubilee churches. I hope to gain a plenary indulgence and I offer it for Aunt Pat, wife of Uncle Tony who is the brother of my Tatay.
In order to start this blog, went to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, sipping a hot Cafe Latte.
On the way to the coffee shop, met the senior couple. They have attended the Saturday Mass and already had their lunch. But they will forego the Anticipated Mass because of the inclement weather. The husband who is driving might have impaired vision because of the heavy rain. Praying they’ll be safe.
The anticipated Mass is presided by Fr. Benny.
The first responsibility of a disciple is to listen to the Lord. It is a necessity that we know His will before we do anything. They you will be directed well.
For somebody who is burned out, he is already lacking in faith. Pray continuously.
Prayer = Communication with the Lord
At times, we are dictating just like Martha. We should do a prayer of listening.
After the Mass, went to Sarah's Bakehouse to buy Classic Burnt Cheesecake before proceeding home.
Not a grocery day. Thus, I will leave the condominium after lunch to attend the anticipated Mass at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel.
Since I am early, I was able to finish my prayers, my devotions, and join the community to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
The Gospel is the parable of the good Samaritan.
Jesus was asked, "who is my neighbor?" Instead of answering (those who is need), He replied through a parable. The correct question should be "am I willing to help the one in need?"
The priest and the Levite will be inconvenienced; thus, they did not help.
When you help, is there a limitation? Are you a neighbor to a neighbor?
After the Mass, proceeded to Mary, Mother of Hope chapel at The Landmark, which is one of the Jubilee churches. Hoping to gain a plenary indulgence, and I offer it for Uncle Tony, the older brother of my Tatay.
Then, I went to Healthy Options to buy calcium citrate, and Beard Papa's for cream puff. For food-to-go, I decided to buy from Shi Lin. I was not able to do a taste test here because their serving is for two or more people. Ordered their Xiao Long Bao, Salt & Pepper Squid, and Shi Lin Fried Chicken.
I was supposed to leave the condo around 8 AM because (1) it is the first Saturday of July, and (2) I have to pass by Ziebart first to pay for the services to be made on my Avanza, that is, ceramic gloss and interior detailing, so that Edgar, the driver, will just have to pick up the car when it is ready.
I woke up almost 9 AM, left around 10+ AM. This time there is no unexpected call that will delay me further that paying at Ziebart was a breeze. Hehe!
There were also a lot of available parking slots at Glorietta when we arrived. Buying and paying for the groceries is also a breeze. After paying, left Edgar to bring home our purchases.
I walked my way to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. There is already a queue to the confessional box. I am not sure if I am on the 7th or 8th. In any case, I am now not panicking unlike last time. I am asking Mama Mary's help that I will be able to confess before the Saturday Mass starts. While waiting in queue, I finished praying my morning prayers, my Precious Blood of Jesus chaplet devotion, and four (4) decades of the Rosary.
The confessor is Fr. Froilan.
And, yes, I was able to confess prior to the Mass. I was able to join the community to pray the 5th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary (and other prayers including the Angelus).
The (anticipated) Mass presider is Fr. Paolo.
In his homily, he started with the question: Have you ever felt envious that someone seems to have more than you?
Today, with social media, it tends to divide the "winners" and the "losers". This brings a feeling of bitterness, silent resentment.
Even in families, favoritism causes envy, a bitter trust within the family.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives the new law--providing the blueprint for Christian life and a vision of God's Kingdom.
After the Mass, followed Fr. Paolo on his way to the sacristy because I left the religious item on the table where the priest blesses them after the Mass. My "portable" altar (which I bought at The Catholic Woodworker) is now a sacramental.
Portable altar
Did not leave yet the chapel as I did a 15 minute meditation of The Presentation, and prayed the Act of Reparation for the first Saturdays of the month.
Then, proceeded to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark, one of the Jubilee churches in hopes to gain a plenary indulgence. And this plenary indulgence, I offer for my Tatay's sister, Auntie Letty.
Since it is really late, decided to eat at The Landmark Food Center. Reyes Barbecue is relatively new there. I tried their 2 pieces Pork Barbecue (PhP255.00). It is OK, although I think I like The Aristocrat's pork barbecue better. They also have a peanut (?) sauce, just like The Aristocrat's. I actually don't like this sauce. I tried dipping the meat on it, same verdict. But, when I tried mixing a little sauce with the java rice, the taste actually improved. Maybe, I should do the same when I eat barbecue at The Aristocrat.
Reyes Barbecue at The Landmark Food Center
And of course, did not miss going to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where I had my Frappuccino fix and started this blog.
Then, proceeded to Greenbelt Chapel, where I was able to join the community to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Godwin.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." (Matthew9:37) is often associated with the clergy. With baptism, we become His disciples.
The 3 Cs:
Collegiality. The apostles were sent in pairs. For the Jews, two (2) witnesses are more credible than one (1). This is the Spirit of the Church--for us not to work alone; that we have co-workers, co-disciples.
Courageous. Jesus did not sugarcoat the discipleship. "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) Be ready. Be prepared. As a lamb, do not stray from the flock.
Christ-centered. There will be people who will reject Jesus. But still bring peace to them. Do ot rejoice for being acknowledged. What is important is doing the mission.
After the Mass, went to BPI to withdraw from the ATM, bought to try the burnt cheesecake of Sarah's Bakehouse, bought cheese sausage at Big City, bought cheese coin at 10 Yen King, and Theo's dog food at Pet Express.
I forgot to buy the calcium citrate at Healthy Options as I forgot to put in my list. 😀
Segue. Often I see this girl, who loves sitting on the chair allotted for lay ministers, wearing two watches. I saw her again during the anticipated Mass. Unfortunately for her, somebody is sitting at the (lay minister) chair that she has to settle seating in one of the pews. I was wondering, why is she wearing two watches, one on each of her wrists. Searched from the internet about the double-wristing. Maybe I should also do the same by wearing my automatic watch and my smart watch at the same time in one wrist.
