Attending Simbang Gabi shouldn't be for 'special favors' –priest

A Catholic priest on Tuesday said asking for "special favors" should not be the main motivation for people to participate in the yearly, nine-day Simbang Gabi, held from December 16 to 24.

In an interview with GMA News Online, Father Jonathan Bitoy, CMF, lamented that some people think they will receive special graces from God if they complete the Simbang Gabi.

"Parang commercial transaction ang nangyayari, I'll finish the Simbang Gabi, you give me a gift... parang pilit," Bitoy said.

"If they really understand God's love, they don't have to do anything," he said, explaining that, "every day the Lord wants to give us gifts, we don't have to do anything."

He said some people's perception, that "God's graces can be bought through hard work," has to be corrected.

Noting that "grace is free," Bitoy said, "Ang requirement lang naman is the receptor, 'yung tatanggap, should be ready for the grace. And how do you do that? By living a good life, a Christian way of life."

Asked why he thinks more people attend the Simbang Gabi than the regular Sunday or daily Masses throughout the year, Bitoy said, "Naging tradisyon siya, naging gawi... it's a special time. People look forward to that and besides, magical kasi yung moment."

Based on Catholic teaching, attending the Sunday Mass is a must. 

On the other hand, the Church does not require people to attend the Simbang Gabi, or the nine days of Masses held at dawn, usually at 4:00 a.m., as a preparation for the Christmas Season.

Bitoy said people look forward to activities connected to the Simbang Gabi —  attending the Mass together with family and friends, and enjoying the traditional Filipino Christmas foods being sold outside churches such as puto bumbong, bibingka, and others.

He said all these activities add "flavor to the season."

Meanwhile, Bitoy also mentioned that gift-giving during the Christmas season is laudable but wished that the spirit of generosity would be carried the whole year through.

"Sana hindi lang nangyayari tuwing Pasko or occasions na nare-remind ka about your obligation to help others... Sana maging parte ng buhay ng tao," he said.

"Do it steadily. You don't have to do it extravangantly. You just find your comfortable limit first. Do it then pag lumakas na ang kakayanan mo na magbigay, then you can give more, he added.

Bitoy also reminded that gift-giving should be centered on the "Birthday Celebrant," Jesus Christ, whose birth is commemorated by Christians on December 25.

"Dapat ang focus, ang orientation is not on the act but rather who made possible these acts of generosity: God who was so gracious He gifted us His beloved Son.
Yun yung greatest gift of all, when the Son of God became human. We are generous because we are participating in the generosity of God."

Meanwhile, when Bitoy gave an Advent Recollection to GMA Network employees on Tuesday, he explained that December 25 may not technically be the specific day that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem in Palestine.

He explained that day was especially chosen by the Catholic Church for commemorating its Savior's birth. He said the date is not what's important but the honor and thanksgiving given by the people. — KBK, GMA News