Cardinals give faith lessons in first Simbang Gabi masses

Metro Manila, Philippines - Cardinals reminded the Catholic faithful of how to practice their belief as the nine-day Simbang Gabi tradition began early Monday morning, Dec. 16.

In his homily, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle told the Filipino community in Vatican City to learn how to be joyful always.

"'Yong magalak paminsan-minsan ay medyo mahirap na nga pero 'yong magalak lagi, tuwina sa panginoon ay isang biyaya," Tagle said in a Sunday mass (2 p.m. Vatican City time) at the St. Peter's Basilica.

[Translation: To be joyful sometimes is already difficult, but to be joyful always in the Lord is a blessing.]

"Kaya hilingin po natin papaano, katulad ng mga tao kay San Juan Bautista sa ebanghelyo, ay ano ang dapat gawin," he added, as seen in videos shared by Filipino attendees.

[Translation: Like how the people asked St. John the Baptist in the gospel, we need to ask how we can do that.]

Tagle, who is the pro-prefect of the dicastery for evangelization of the Holy See, urged the people to ask God how to be joyful, with the scriptures as guide.

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, meanwhile, preached to devotees at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros to become light like Jesus in a world that, he said, was full of darkness.

"Ang panahon ng pasko ay panahon ng pagbibigay [Christmas is a season of giving]. We go beyond our greed," Advincula said.

"Hindi lang ang mga tira-tira, kung hindi mga handog na kasama ang sarili [Not only the leftovers but giving the whole self]," he said.

Advincula said being a light for others means being faithful in relationships, honest at work, and loving in dealings with others.

For Kalookan Archbishop Pablo Cardinal David, the newest Filipino cardinal, it’s about building bridges instead of walls.

"Kung lumalapit tayo sa Kanya, katulad ni Kristo, tayo laging nagsisilbi bilang mga tulay, tagapag-ugnay, at nagwawasak ng mga bakod, bakod ng isip at puso, bakod ng pulitika, bakod ng mga agwat sa kabuhayan, sa pagitan ng mga tao," David said.

[Translation: If we follow Him, like Christ, we become bridges that connect, and destroy walls — walls of the mind and heart, walls of politics, walls of differences in livelihood and between people.]

Also called Misa de Aguinaldo, the Simbang Gabi tradition is held daily from Dec. 16 until Dec. 24.

Roman Catholics call the last day of the Simbang Gabi, or Christmas Eve, as Misa de Gallo.