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Family - The Church “Good evangelism is God’s will for the church.” (IICor 5:19-20). It is believed that in order to save the church, we should save the family for it is through the family ‒ an existing “warm” relationship ‒ where evangelism most easily occurs. Sunday before Christmas this year, my brother and I went to attend mass in our small parish, and have witnessed once again the Simbang Pamilya, literally translated as ‘Mass by Family’. The family does simple tasks such as lighting the candles for advent, reading the scriptures, and doing the offertory. Simbang Pamilya is the church’s approach to evangelization, as opposed to evangelization through “cold” relationships where members convince non-believers/non-members to join the church, by showing to the public that the family in the Philippines is still alive. As an observer, I noticed how the small church has never been filled up anymore with people unlike years back when people occupied the outsides of the church because of lack of space inside. Fewer people attend mass nowadays. I found the Simbang Pamilya beautiful, sensing the love and togetherness of the host family of the night. And I couldn’t help to think of the last time my family prayed together or went to church as a whole. The Simbang Pamilya has been something I envisioned my own family to participate in. And so after mass, I inquired about how my family can participate. My inquiry was met with delight and curiosity as lay persons start to gather around me and my brother. The kind of warmth and welcome felt like I that of the prodigal . Sister Rose could not help to satisfy her curiosity when she asked what encouraged us to participate in the Simbang Pamilya. My answer was simple. We wanted to do something special. At least, I wanted to do something special for Christmas. It turned out that no family was willing to serve on Christmas day itself since all those willing had done so during the Simbang Gabi. It was really a matter of technicality, or that the number of families who are Catholics can now be counted with two hands. Nothing could have been more special than to be the Christmas family. It was being like the family that offered gifts on the day Jesus was born. My brother and I went home to tell our family the “new development.” My family took time to absorb that I was serious. We all had our small reminders. Mama was not supposed to work late in the market, and that she should bring her reading glasses. Papa was not supposed to go drinking the night before mass at 7:30 in the morning. My siblings and I were in charge of doing the groceries and coming up with two baskets of goods. Fifteen minutes before start of mass, Brother Gutierrez oriented us about what to do. He also explained to us the purpose of being there by giving us a background of the Simbang Pamilya, by explaining the church’s stand against divorce and abortion and how these two things destroy families in Europe and America. At that very point, I was a liberal, a feminist who believed in women’s rights, skeptic about what I was being told. Yet, I was also a member of a family willing to preserve my own. 
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Thanks flip!  Happy New Year to you, too. Oh, that's great. Tell me about what you and your family did during the holidays.
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1/1/2008 11:36 am |
-----We've gotta hold on to what we've got it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not we got each other and that's a lot for love, we'll give it a shot Whoooaaa-Were halfway there Whoooaaa-Livin' on a prayer Take my hand, we'll make it I swear Whoooaaa-Livin' on a prayer Livin' on a prayer (Guitar Solo) We've gotta hold on ready or not You live for the fight when that's all that you've got [whistling and humming]---- I could be a liberal, postmodern/individualist/eco/3rd world feminist working class gal.    within each one of us, and let it begin with me (and each one of us)..one breath at a time.
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1/1/2008 11:37 am |
Preserving any relationship is hard work. Good to hear that you continue to keep a strong bond with your family. within each one of us, and let it begin with me (and each one of us)..one breath at a time.
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-----We've gotta hold on to what we've got it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not we got each other and that's a lot for love, we'll give it a shot Whoooaaa-Were halfway there Whoooaaa-Livin' on a prayer Take my hand, we'll make it I swear Whoooaaa-Livin' on a prayer Livin' on a prayer (Guitar Solo) We've gotta hold on ready or not You live for the fight when that's all that you've got [whistling and humming]---- I could be a liberal, postmodern/individualist/eco/3rd world feminist working class gal. 3rd world feminist working class gal. Swak. This is me.
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Preserving any relationship is hard work. Good to hear that you continue to keep a strong bond with your family.
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1/3/2008 10:35 am |
The I like these lyrics. What song is this? Thanks for posting it. ^^ 3rd world feminist working class gal. Swak. This is me. I thought you would be familiar with the song.  Roccckkk On.  within each one of us, and let it begin with me (and each one of us)..one breath at a time.
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1/3/2008 10:39 am |
I try to. I try my best, but sometimes my best is not enough. My parents sometimes do not understand where I'm coming from, and a lot of what I do seem to them like rebellion. Our relationship becomes weak when we talk about me.... But thanks for reminding me that any relationship needs to be worked out. Hope your relationship with your loved ones is as strong or better. Maldita minsan raw ako. Alam naman nila mahal ko sila at lagi kong gagawin kong ano ang magagawa ko.  within each one of us, and let it begin with me (and each one of us)..one breath at a time.
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