Saturday, January 03, 2026

First Saturday of January 2026

Grocery day.  It is also the first Saturday of January and of year 2026.  I would have to leave the condo early in order to complete my Saturday devotion.  Left with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.

We were supposed to leave at 8:15 AM since the supermarket opens at 8:30 AM.  Left at 9 AM.  In spite of it, there are a lot of parking spaces available.  And there are also few customers.  Thus, we were able to finish doing the grocery shopping in a breeze.  Paid for our purchases and left Edgar, the driver, to bring them home.

I walked my way to Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel.  Greenbelt chapel has daily confession.  For Saturdays, it starts at 10 AM.  The priest is still not there.  I am second in the queue.

Takeaway from the confessor:  He mentioned Rizal Day, a day before the last day of the year.  You do not need to die to be a hero.  By being the best in your job, tasks or role, you become a hero.

Saturday devotion includes Act of Reparation, confession, 15 minute meditation of one mystery of the rosary (I meditated on the Crucifixion), prayed the rosary (I joined the community in praying the rosary), and communion.

The Mass presider is Fr. Jobine.  Today happens to be his ordination anniversary.

John the Baptist reminds us that we are children of God.  John points us to Jesus with humility and faithfulness.

God has not given up on us.  God's love is unconditional.

After the Mass, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.  Bought some items in the department store before proceeding to its food center for lunch.

I wanted to have a complete set of Lamy Safari of different colors of fountain pens with fine and medium nibs, and rollerball.  Bought the Lamy rollerball at The National Bookstore and have it engraved at The Lamy Concept Store.

And of course, stayed at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to start blogging.

Around 3 PM, I walked my way back to Greenbelt Chapel.  I was able to join the community to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Rosary.

The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Paolo.

The three wise men.  What is the difference between intelligent and wise.  A man can be wise but not intelligent, or intelligent but not wise, or both intelligent and wise.  The intelligent person always pursues knowledge and information.  The wise always pursue the truth.  The wise understand what was left unsaid.

So, why wise men?

  1. They saw the star--they allowed themselves to be guided by the star.  Open our eyes with the true meaning of Christmas.  Courage.  Clarity of vision.
  2. They sought the meaning of the star.  They discerned and saw extraordinary in the ordinary.
  3. They shifted gears.  They did not go back to Herod (representing the past).  Life must be lived forward but understood backwards.
  4. They stopped and worshiped the Child.  Humility.  Generosity not only with presents but with their presence.
Look up.  Look inward. Look forward.

After the Mass, I bought a case at The Landmark to put the cleaning "tools" for my fountain pens, Lapid's chicharon at The Landmark Food Center, and retrieved by packages at the package counter.

My niece happens to be at the mall, too, and she's going to ride with us on her way home. Since she has not yet finished her business, decided to stroll while waiting for her.  Was hoping to buy the boode chige of Kaya Express at Glorietta 4's Food Choices.  Not sure if it closed shop or just close due to the holiday break.  Because of it, I bought cookies at Mo' Cookies instead.

Then, home after dropping my niece at her condo.

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posted by ~GFA~ @ 1/03/2026 02:23:00 PM

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