Saturday, September 06, 2025

Mango Tree Cafe

First Saturday of September.  Left the condo around 9AM with my Timex North Field Post Mechanical Hand-Wound watch on my left wrist and my Apple watch at the right.

When I arrived at the Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel, there is already a penitent at the confessional.  I was the next in line.  I forgot the name of the confessor.  And he did not give me penance...

Unlike for the past first Saturdays where I am short of time, I have a lot of time in my hands while I wait for the Saturday Mass.  I was able to finish my morning prayers, pray the Precious Blood Chaplet, pray the chaplet of St. Gertrude (which I was not able to do yesterday), and the requirements for the first Saturday devotion (intention for the reparation for the blasphemies made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, confession, 15-minute meditation on one mystery of the Rosary (The Agony in the Garden), pray a 5-decade Rosary, and the Holy Eucharist.

The Mass presider is Fr. Paolo.

Fr. Paolo started with a story of a prostitute who went to the church.  But the people inside looked down on her that she went outside.  Sad, she met Jesus outside.  When asked, she told her what happened.  Jesus, then, said to her, not to take it to heart for He, too, wanted to enter the church but was pushed out.

What good is religion if it builds walls instead of doors?

In the Gospel, the religious leaders are condemning Jesus' disciple for breaking the Sabbath law.  They are strict in the law, which Jesus commended, but they lack justice, mercy and faith.

For reflection:

  • Holiness is grace, a gift of God.  We shared this holiness to others.
  • Holiness is a journey.
My taste-test is at Mango Tree Cafe at Greenbelt 3.  

Mango Tree Cafe

They offer meals good for a group; but, also food for solo diners.  The waitress recommended the Chicken with Holy Basil or Gai Pad Grapow (PhP350.00) or Pork with Holy Basil or Moo Pad Grapow (PhP350.00), chose the chicken.  Also tried their Thai iced tea (PhP160.00).

Gai Pad Grapow

Thai iced tea

I am not a fan of the iced tea.  Does it have milk?  The Gai Pad Gaprow is good but a bit spicy for me.  Thanks to the egg and rice, it tamed the spice.

Then, I went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.  It is one of the Jubilee churches. I hope to gain a plenary indulgence.

Since I am eyeing a diver watch either a Tag Heuer or a Tudor, went to their shops at Glorietta.  The Tag Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date is a sight to behold, especially with the lights focused on them.  There are other models that have diamonds on the dial.  I like the Tudor Black Bay 54 but it is not available in the store.  I have my name listed as soon as it becomes available.  I am being partial to Tudor because the Tudor watch is a Swiss-made mechanical timepiece from a luxury brand founded by Rolex's Hans Wilsdorf in 1926.

Then, I had a hot tea at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where I started this blog.

Back at the Greenbelt Chapel, I was able to join the community to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and the Rosary.

The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Joel.

Fr. Joel reminded the messages for the three (3) Sundays:  (a) Do not think I have come to bring peace; I bring division.  (b) I have come to bring fire into the earth.  (c) You must be ready to make a stand.

If anyone comes to me without hating his father, mother, brothers and sisters, you cannot be my disciple.  During Jesus' time, even within families there are divisions--faith, beliefs, etc.  

Discipleship is costly.
  1. Christianity is making a stand.  If you make a stand in behalf of Jesus, you will have enemies.  Revelation 3:20, "Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me."
  2. Christianity is not only wearing a cross (like a jewelry).  It is bearing a cross.  In Jesus' time, the Cross is a symbol of death penalty.  Follow the hard way of discipleship.
  3. The family should not stand in the way of God.  It should be the way to God.  Each family is a domestic church.
After, went to Samsung at Glorietta as Edgar would be buying a mobile phone--it will be an advance for his salary.  Will deduct a specific amount semi-monthly until he pays it off.

Left him and went to Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken & Sauce Bar to buy food-to-go before proceeding home.

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posted by ~GFA~ @ 9/06/2025 02:51:00 PM

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