Monday, December 08, 2025

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Today is a day of obligation.  I plan to attend the 10:30 AM Mass at Sto. Niño de Paz Greenbelt Chapel.  Left with the Swatch Greenshift Glow on my left wrist and my Apple watch on my right.  Funny thing is, the blouse I decided to wear for Mass is the same color as the watch's strap.  LOL

With me is Theo, the dog, who will be going to Pet Express for his grooming.  I was dropped off at Greenbelt Chapel.  The 9 AM Mass was about to end when I arrived.  Thus, I am able to sit in my usual seat for the 10:30 AM Mass.  Today, I also brought blessed green scapulars which I will give as a token since it is Mama Mary's feast day. 😇  I usually give away sacramental (once a religious item is blessed, it is already a sacramental) to our service workers (guards, saleslady, salesmen, janitorial services, etc.) during Mama Mary's feast day.

The Mass presider is Fr. Godwin.

In Japan, they have Seizenso, a mock living funeral.  It is for them to evaluate their life.  If we do that, what would other people say about us?

If we look at the Blessed Virgin Mary, how do we see her?  How does God see her?  Mary is full of grace.  At the moment of her conception, God has steered her from sin, including original sin.  The Lord has prepared the "container".

At the heart of our faith is grace.  Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.

Three (3) things to meditate about grace:

  1. Grace comes only from God.  Mary is magnifying the Lord.
  2. We can only receive grace if we are humble.  Mary said to the angel, "I am the handmaid of the Lord."  Advent is an invitation for us to be humble, to be open to the Lord.
  3. Grace benefits not only the one who receives it but also others.  All of us are recipients of God's grace. But let it not stop with us but dispense this grace to others.  Gifted to gift.
After the Mass, proceeded to Mary, Mother of Hope Chapel at The Landmark.  It is one of the Jubilee churches and I hope to gain a plenary indulgence.  I offer the plenary indulgence for the souls in purgatory who willfully ran from crosses God sent them.

Again, I attempted to try the Japanese restaurant that recently opened at Glorietta.  There is still a queue that I decided to eat at another restaurant--Nanyang.  I ordered their Hainanese Fried Chicken Rice (PhP288.00).  For dessert, I tried their Mango Sago Pomelo (PhP130.00).

Hainanese Fried Chicken Rice

Mango Sago Pomelo

I bought via Lazada a Casio watch as my Christmas gift for Joven, Lyn's nephew who is here to help while Lyn is healing (the theme of my Christmas gifts this year is watches).  But I think it is a bit small for men; thus, thought of giving it to Norlie instead.  Will buy a Timex digital watch for Joven.  I was able to buy a Timex marathon digital watch at 20% off.

Went back to The Landmark to buy my Christmas gifts for Manong and for Norlie.  I will be their Santa for tomorrow after submitting the needed Joint Affidavit by PAG-IBIG.  Bench polo for Manong and blouse in the Bazaar for Norlie.  Also bought Christmas gift bags for these items.

Bought a Red Ribbon dedication cake at The Landmark Food Center for Joven who happens to have his birthday today.  Since Edgar is already at the parking lot, I asked him to proceed to Red Ribbon to help carry my purchases.

Before going home, passed by Amber's Restaurant to buy pancit, pichi-pichi, lumpiang shanghai, and chicken lollipop for us and for Edgar as Joven's handa for his birthday. 😊

Labels: , , , , ,

posted by ~GFA~ @ 12/08/2025 07:45:00 PM

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home