The Archdiocese of Manila has urged the different parishes in its jurisdiction to enliven the nine pre-dawn masses (Simbang Gabi) in its run of the nine-day celebration. The series of nine predawn Masses starts Dec. 16 and culminates in the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The practice started centuries ago during the Spanish colonial period. Fr. Genaro Diwa, director of the archdiocese?s Ministry for Liturgical Affairs said that “Given the early hour of the service, parishes have been reminded to come up with more ?lively,? meaningful homilies. You will be surprised that many of our people are looking for substantial homilies. I think that will make a difference. That?s one thing. The other is, I think all the choirs would be convinced that a Simbang Gabi without good singing is tantamount to a sandwich without anything inside”. It’s about time that the Priests give their very best in Masses. Lately, I have been noticing priests in my own diocese to be dull in giving sermons.

I think what the people need is wisdom and not just facts and issues. Though I do respect the individual styles of the priests but somehow people are looking for sermons that are not just typical barber shop homilies in which even lay men are already familiar with. Minsan kasi, ang mga kapatid natin sa kaparian basta na lang makapagsermon. ang iba naman kung mag sermon gigil. What the people need is an essential homily grounded on reality yet full of faith and wisdom. Humorous yet reverent. Lively but not too showbiz. Kumbaga sa tubig, maligamgam: hindi sobrang init, hindi sobrang lamig.