I attend Mass during the Memorial of Saint Blaise because after the end of every Mass, a blessing of the throat and for other illnesses is made, asking for the intercession of Saint Blaise.
I left the condominium around 6 AM with my black Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical watch on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
There is no traffic yet on the way to Greenbelt Chapel. The area within the vicinity of the chapel is still dark but the chapel already have its lights on. I think we've made good time as I was able to finish my morning prayers as well a join the community in praying the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
Fr. Benny reminded that when you read the Bible, do not read it like a history book. But look for the message.
In the readings, David and his son, Absalom, have a rift. This is because Absalom wants to get the throne of his father. But when David learned of Absalom's death, he is in grief--as a father. It is like with God and us--we demand from and even hurt God. But God loves us in spite of it.
Often, we discover God's love during our dire situations. In the Gospel, this was presented through Jairus' daughter who is dying, and the woman who touched Jesus' cloak.
God should not be our last resort. He should be our first.
Before the Mass ended, Fr. Benny shared how Saint Blaise's intercession healed him.
I brought religious items to have them blessed. Blessing of religious items are done after every Mass. One is the crucifix that survived the fire which engulfed our house. I know it is already blessed; but, I decided to have it blessed again. It contains marks of the fire. Another is the St. Benedict bracelet which I purchased yesterday. And two ring rosaries.
Sacramentals
Then, I walked my way at the side of The Landmark where Edgar, the driver, picked me up. We first went to McDonald's at Makati Central Square where Edgar and I had our breakfast. Bought food-to-go before proceeding home.
Because Edgar was sick, I had to move my grocery day today. It is also Theo, the dog, grooming day.
Left the condo around 9:30 AM with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left wrist, my Apple watch on my right, and Theo in his carrier.
We first dropped-off Theo at Pet Express for his grooming.
We parked the car and went to The Landmark Supermarket where we bought our groceries. After paying for them, l left Edgar, the driver, to bring our purchases home and return when Theo and I will be picked up.
Visited Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. I was able to finish my morning prayers. Also bought a leather coin purse to replace my broken one. Although, Edgar will have the broken one (because of the zipper) to be repaired. I also looked for a watch strap for Lyn. My niece gifted her in one of the Christmases a watch. When she was fixing her things in her drawer, she saw the watch. It is no longer ticking (must need its battery replaced) and the leather strap is weathered. Wasn't able to find a NATO strap for it. It is quite thin.
I went to Healthy Options because I have to buy a small-sized bottles of the medicines and/ or supplements I would be bringing to Japan. The new rule is that medicine should be in their original package. I should also bring the doctor's prescription. What is nice, I just learned that I can use my Senior Citizen ID when I buy supplements at Healthy Options. 😆
Decided to have an early lunch, so went to Yakiniku Like! I ordered the Prime Karubi and Misuji Set. I did not forget the Onsen Egg. The sauces I like here are the Like Original BBQ Sauce, and the Garlic Soy Sauce. Full!
Yakiniku Like!
Proceeded to SM Makati to look for a watch strap. Nope. Then to Uniqlo to buy another geared jeans that I plan to bring to Japan.
Checked Glorietta for the strap. Nope.
Since Theo is already done with his grooming and already in the car, went to Baguio Country Club to buy half raisin bread before proceeding to the parking lot.
I was not able to buy groceries yesterday nor attend the anticipated Mass because Edgar, the driver, is sick. Readjusted my schedule to:
Lyn would be attending the anticipated Mass at Holy Family Parish Church.
I would be attending the morning Sunday Mass at Holy Family Parish Church.
We will buy groceries at The Landmark Supermarket and bring Theo, the dog, for his grooming at Pet Express on Monday. This way, Edgar would have two days to recover and get well.
I walked my way to church to attend the Sunday Mass. I also put the mini camera I recently bought via Lazada to its paces. The camera is really small which you can use as a spy camera. I am not expecting much from it. It doesn't have a stabilizer. I think it would be worse than most found videos. LOL, I can see the result when I get home and download the video on my laptop.
Holy Family Parish Church
The Mass presider is Fr. John Ken a.k.a. Fr. JK. The first Mass in the morning is in Tagalog.
The word of the day is blessed (or mapalad).
Blessed in world standards: good life, stable job, nice family, enough money, famous, successful in life.
Blessed in the Gospel: poor in spirit, persecuted, humble, being oppressed because of God.
God's logic: Beatitude is like the North Star. It gives direction on how we, the believers of Christ, should live our life. Gratitude.
It does not mean Jesus wants us to be poor or being oppressed. Jesus does not want to lose our dignity as a person. In the midst of hardships, God's grace comes. In weakness, holiness can grow. Our struggles in life can sometimes lead us to be closer and be close to God. God is always present most specially in hardships, sorrows, and pain.
Hindi puno ang bulsa, pero puno ng tiwala.
Hindi mayaman per may kapayapaan.
Open the "eyes of faith"--eyes that see blessings and grace in the simple and the ordinary even in the trying situations of our life.
The blessed are those who chose gratitude and trust, not because of the problems raised, but because God is with us all the time.
We become channels of blessing when we speak good into the lives of others. Let your words become God's instrument of blessing. Let your words be an instrument of sincerity, affirmation, and encouragement for each other. If our words lift up others, we are not only blessed but we are also a blessing to others.
After the Mass, I walked to Cash and Carry Mall. I wanted to buy ice cream to-go. But since I have not eaten breakfast and I am hungry, I ate breakfast of tapa, egg and garlic fried rice at Pancake House. Also went to Japan Home Centre to buy a cellphone and utility case. And for my initial intention, I bought ice cream-to-go at Dairy Queen.
I thought after a long time, I would be taking a Grab ride to Greenbelt Chapel to attend the Friday Mass. I even read on how to avail the Senior Citizen discount when I call Grab. This is because I thought that Edgar will not be reporting for work since he brought his common-law wife to the emergency room of the Adventist Medical Center Manila last night. But she was not admitted and only took a CT Scan (no findings). She was asked to return and take the EEG test.
Left with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
I was able to finish my morning prayers, the Precious Blood of Jesus chaplet, three decades of St. Gertrude chaplet, and joined the community to pray the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Aldwin.
The parable shows that God knows what He is doing. He asks us to lose control and He will take care of it all.
What is happening mostly, because of one's accomplishments, the shift from God to "I can do it" can actually lead to failure and may even lead to doing a sin. God's ways is always better than our way.
Give your best even if it is the smallest. And let God transform your smallest to be the biggest and the brightest.
After the Mass, I visited Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark. And my usual restaurant every Friday, Bacolod Chicken Inasal.
I ordered Bangus Sisig (PhP287.00), Plain Rice (PhP45.50), Fried Veggie Lumpia (PhP137.00), and Ginata-an (PhP117.00). It is the first time I tried their ginata-an. Not bad.
Ginata-an
I wanted to check some items being sold by My Journey PH. It happens to be that they have a pop-up store at Alabang Town Center. I am not familiar with this mall so we have to ask guards or salesladies for directions. And we found it!
Alabang Town Center
Since we are already there, we bought food-to-go at Makati Supermaket Coffee Shop. It is known for its spaghetti and hamburger steak.
Was advised yesterday there will be a meeting related to the family Corporation in preparation for the next Board meeting. Supposed to be at my cousin's house by 9 AM where the meeting will be held. Was late.
Left the condominium with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.
I thought it would be just an hour of meeting and brunch after. The meeting (with many side stories) finished around 12 noon, in time for lunch.
After the meeting, I proceeded to Ayala Land. I asked Edgar, the driver, to drop me off at Mercury Drug at The Link, park and have his lunch at The Landmark's food court. Will buy my medicine.
Then, proceeded to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark, bought a 32 GB micro SD card at one of Glorietta's stalls, bought a Lamy blue M66 rollerball pen refill at National Bookstore, and claimed the freebie at Cinnabon I earned from Lazada.
The freebie is a PhP100.00 voucher. So I have to pay additional for the food (Classic Roll) I ordered. Also ordered a drink for I plan to dine in. Was thinking of buying a box of goodies to go; but, I remembered that they are sweet. Decided against it.
Classic Roll
Bought a chicharon to-go at The Landmark Food Center before proceeding home.
I have a brunch date with my friend. It would be her belated despedida for me on my retirement. We would be eating at Panco Cafe in One Ayala. I set the meeting at 10:30 AM. Why? Because the mall will open at 10 AM. I would have time to buy her my belated birthday gift of cake from Chrisha's Kitchen.
Left the condominium around 9:30 AM with my favorite Omega Speedmaster 38 mm on my left hand and my Apple watch on my right.
I was dropped off by Edgar, the driver, at Glorietta. First went to Lamy Concept Store in hope to buy a Lamy Tipo Rollerball Pen. They said that said model is already phased out.
Then, proceeded to Chrisha's Kitchen to buy a Keto cake. But the sales lady would be leaving the stall for a short time to pick up a Lalamove delivery. So, I went to National Bookstore to check if they still have a Lamy Tipo. Nope. Went back to Chrisha's Kitchen to buy the cake.
After, proceeded to Panco Cafe for our brunch.
It was fun. My friend is a Born-Again Christian. We talked about faith. She said she wanted to share with me her experience ever since, but she cannot find the right time. She used to be a Catholic. I am Catholic... and will always be a Catholic. I may not memorize the verses, but I know in my heart the teachings. And I believe I was able to answer her questions, and, perhaps, I pray, I was able to open her eyes which most Christians (Protestants) often try to downplay, ignore or argue--Mama Mary, intercession of saints, purgatory. And I haven't even talked about the Holy Eucharist!!! Thank You, Holy Spirit. 🙏
Her worship starts at 2 PM. Since there is still time, she accompanied me in buying a pair of cargo pants at Uniqlo in Glorietta 5.
When we parted ways, went to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf where I started this blog.
I walked my way to Greenbelt Chapel to attend the anticipated Mass. I was able to finish my morning prayers, and joined the community to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and the Rosary.
The anticipated Mass presider is Fr. Benny.
The Gospel tells us who Jesus is.
We know about Jesus but do we know and experience Him?
Focus on Jesus. Paul, Cephas, etc. are tools to lead to Jesus.
Jesus heals the body and the spirit. The ultimate goal is conversion.
After the Mass, I went to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.
Bought food-to-go at ChaTraMue. Since it would take 30 minutes to prepare my order, went to the parking lot to leave my bags in the car.
Proceeded to Uniqulo at SM Makati. Will buy another pair of pants, this time, a geared pants (similar to cargo pants). The one I bought earlier is a bit heavy.
Went back to ChaTraMue to pick up my order; then, proceeded home.
Left the condominium around 10 AM with my Tudor Black Bay 54 on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right. I will be attending the 12:15 PM (Friday) Mass.
I was dropped off at Greenbelt Chapel by Edgar, the driver.
I was able to finish my morning prayers, pray the Precious Blood of Jesus Chaplet, pray a decade of St. Gertrude Chaplet, and pray with the community the Rosary.
The Mass presider is Fr. Joel.
The Gospel is about the call of the 12 apostles.
The first line for the Gospel are the two (2) moments of being a follower of Jesus.
The call to UNION. Discipleship. One who learns. One who sits at the feet of the Master. The same thing when we attend Mass and listen to the readings, Gospel and homily.
The call to MISSION. Apostleship. The one who is sent. At the end of every Mass, the priest says, "The Mass is ended. Go..."
At the end of every Mass, you are given a mission. You must share with the world what you found in the Church. These could be honest work, engaging in honest business, forgiveness, kindness to others, etc.
After the Mass, passed by Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.
For lunch, my usual Bacolod Chicken Inasal. Ordered Sinigang sa Batwan Bangus Belly (PhP337.00), Plain Rice (PhP45.50), and Buko Salad Halo-Halo Special (PhP237.00). It is the first time I tried their halo-halo. Good!
Buko Salad Halo-Halo
Then, I went to Lamy, where I bought a Lamy Swift as well as its refill in blue ink.
Home.
I called BPI to inquire if my replacement credit card is already available. Yes. So, walked my way to Cash & Carry Mall to pick up the card. It is a breeze.
Since the locked BPI credit card is used for auto-debit arrangement (ADA) for my Smart and Sun bills, I proceeded to PLDT-Smart Business Office to have it updated. And this is where it really took a long time. Aside from that, the customer in the queue after me was serviced first than me. Tsk! Tsk! That's about an hour of waiting before I was serviced for a 5 to 10 minute transaction.
