Simbang Gabi 2025: A Journey of Faith, Hope, and Transformation
Gesu Simbang Gabi is marked by a formally structured liturgy, characterized by a solemn tone throughout the celebrations. The homilies delivered during the series are deeply profound and, while no explicit theme was announced, they collectively build towards a central message: a call to embrace the nativity and acknowledge that God is truly with us.
Homilies: Profound Reflections
The sequence of homilies does not present a specific theme at the outset. Instead, each reflection contributes to a larger narrative, culminating in the understanding of the nativity as a manifestation of God's presence in our lives.
Personal Summary and Key Takeaway
After careful reflection on the messages, particularly from the perspective of the Society of Jesus (SJ), a summary and net takeaway were compiled. The insights emphasize the importance of accepting the message of the nativity and recognizing the profound impact of God's presence.
Role of Music in the Celebration
The choir's songs beautifully encapsulated the messages of each night. The musical selections were appreciated not only for their artistry but also as prayers, especially as the lyrics were displayed on the screen for the congregation to follow and reflect upon.
Maligayang Pasko!
As the bells of the Church of the Gesu ring for the 9th Simbang Gabi of 2025, Fr. Xavier Olin, SJ, invites us into a space where the ancient prophecies of Malachi meet the quiet, strange stirrings of our modern hearts. This ninth night is not merely the end of a novena; it is a commissioning into the "unusual."
________________________________________
The Architecture of the Unexpected
The story of the birth of John the Baptist is a narrative of
strange happenings. In his homily, Fr. Xave highlights that when God moves, He
often works out of the ordinary. The neighbors and relatives of Elizabeth
expected the child to be named after his father, Zechariah, following the
comfort of tradition.1 But God demanded something unusual and unexpected: the
name John.
This naming was not a mere label; it was a divine dictation.
It reminds us that our lives are often steered by forces that defy human logic.
When we find ourselves in the "strange" moments of life—the sudden
shifts in plans or the quiet nudges of the soul—we are actually standing on the
threshold of the "great." God breaks our expectations to provide a
deeper solace, proving that His grace is not bound by our habits.
The Messenger and the Story
Drawing from the prophet Malachi, Fr. Xave posits that we
are each called to be a messenger for the Lord. But to be a messenger, one must
first be a witness. He suggests that these nine nights have been a period of
preparation to make way to broadcast our stories.
Our stories are not just personal diaries; they are part of
a greater scheme of things. Fr. Xave challenges the congregation to see that
God calls us by name, just as He named John. This personal calling bestows a
specific purpose on our "sacred exhaustion." We are not just tired
travelers; we are heralds who have been prepared by the "strange
happenings" of our pilgrimage to speak of God’s arrival in 2025.
Vision and the Global Church
In a poignant moment of the homily, Fr. Xave shares the
story of discovering a church in China. This serves as a powerful metaphor for
the universality and resilience of faith. Even in places where it seems hidden
or unexpected, the Church exists—vibrant and enduring.
This discovery serves as a call to clarity. Fr. Xave’s final
invitation is for us to "let see your vision clearly." We are urged
to look beyond the local and the immediate, to recognize that our small
"Yes" in the Gesu echoes in churches in China and across the global
community.
Conclusion: The 9th Night Seal
The 9th night concludes with a joyful realization: the birth of John brought joy because it signaled that the Lord was near. As we leave the Gesu, we carry the mandate to be "Johns" for our own time—messengers who are unafraid of the unusual, comfortable in the "strange," and focused on the vision of a God who names us, claims us, and sends us out to broadcast the greatest story ever told.
In his homily for 8th Simbang Gabi, Fr. Renato Repole SJ reflects on the concept of magnifying God as demonstrated through extraordinary human qualities such as kindness and humility. He emphasizes Mary’s Magnificat not merely as a song but as a profound declaration of God’s greatness and mercy toward the humble and lowly. He connects this to personal experiences, urging individuals to recognize and proclaim God's goodness in their lives, despite setbacks or a lack of dramatic achievements. Fr. Repole invites us, as a nation, to see God's consistent support even in times of calamity and encourages a commitment to pursue goodness, justice, and peace, thereby making God more present in the world.
The True Meaning of Righteousness
The story begins with a dilemma. Joseph, faced with Mary’s
unexpected pregnancy, had a plan to divorce her quietly.1 According
to the Law, righteousness meant distance from perceived sin. However, Fr.
Alvarez proposed a deeper definition: True righteousness is not found in the
rigid execution of the law, but in compassion and kindness. Joseph’s
greatness lay in his willingness to let go of his initial "righteous"
plan to make room for a higher calling. He shifted from a plan based on
legalism to a plan based on God’s mercy.
The Hook of the Candy Cane
A striking symbol used in the homily was the candy cane.
Beyond its sweetness, the shape represents the shepherd’s crook. Its primary
function is the "hook"—a tool used to snag a wandering sheep and pull
it back or turn it toward a new path.
- Redirection:
Advent is described as a season where God is "in charge of the
directions."
- Beginning
Again: The hook of the candy cane reminds us that being pulled away
from our original path isn't a failure; it is an opportunity to begin
again under God’s guidance.
Making Room for God’s Story
Drawing inspiration from the song “Make Room” by
Casting Crowns, the homily emphasized that our lives often lack "clarity
of design" because we are too busy writing our own scripts. To "make
room" is to stop insisting on our own narrative and allow God to be the
lead architect.
Fr. Alvarez challenged the congregation to assess their own
motivations. When we face a crossroad, we must ask:
Is this my plan or God’s? 2. Am I moving toward kindness or
merely following a self-imposed rule? A Prayer of Trust
The homily concluded as a call to surrender. Righteousness, in the end, is the act of following God’s plan even when it contradicts our own. It requires a Prayer of Trust—the humility to believe that if God is changing our direction, it is because He is leading us toward a story far greater than the one, we had envisioned for ourselves.
Based on the themes of Fr. Francis Alvarez’s
homily—specifically the "hook" of redirection and the courage of St.
Joseph—here is a personal prayer of trust you can use during your remaining
Simbang Gabi visits.
A Prayer of Redirection and Trust
Lord,
Like St. Joseph, I often come to You with my plans already
written. I have my own definitions of what is right, what is safe, and where I
should be going.
I admit that I am often afraid of the "hook."
When my plans fail or when life pulls me in a direction I didn't choose, I feel
lost. But this Advent, I ask for grace to see Your hand in the redirection.
Help me to believe that when You hook my heart and turn me around, it is not to
punish me, but to protect me and lead me toward Your greater story.
Teach me true righteousness.
Strip away my rigid adherence to my own will. If I am
choosing a path out of pride or legalism, give me the kindness and compassion
of Joseph to choose the path of love instead.
I make room for You. As the song says, I empty my
heart of my own "clarity of design." I surrender my timeline, my
goals, and my expectations to You. Give me the silence and strength of Joseph
to listen for Your voice in my dreams and in my struggles.
God, You are in charge of the directions.
I trust that Your plan is better than my own. Today, I begin
again.
Amen.
____________________
6th Night Simbang Gabi
On the Fourth
Sunday of Advent, Fr. Mamert Mañus SJ reflects on the significance of the
season as preparation for the Lord’s birth. He urges the congregation to
consider how they have engaged with hope, peace, and joy throughout Advent and
challenges them to respond to God’s love through concrete acts of kindness,
particularly for the marginalized. On the 6th night of Simbang Gabi,
homily highlights the example of Joseph, who exemplifies obedience and action
despite societal risks, he emphasizes that true faith must translate into
public decision-making and compassion. In a world rife with challenges, he
calls for an active faith that embodies love and solidarity, urging the
community to confront injustices and embody the message of Emmanuel—God with
us—through meaningful actions. As the season progresses, he encourages prayer
for openness to the Holy Spirit and a commitment to realizing God’s mission of
love and peace through tangible acts that reflect faith in action.
____________________
5th Night Simbang Gabi
I close halfway of the 9th Day of Simbang Gabi with a song II Signore, a prayer for St. Francis that personally resonates with me as sang by the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation Music Ministry at the Gesu Church 19 December.
It lifts up in
prayer and in a song, the closing lines of Fr. Munching De Guzman's homily:
Advent reminds us that God does not come when life is convenient
God comes when faith is being formed
God does not come when everything is already in order
But when we are finally ready to trust even when things are still messy”
“Wherever you are God sees you
God is doing something without you seeing
Tonight, God might be gently whispering
My child, do not give up even when you do not see it yet
The most faithful prayer is not Lord please hurry but Lord I am still here”
‘’When you are silent teach us how to listen
When the answer is delayed, teach us how to trust
When you come in ways we do not expect, teach us to believe
That you are still the God who is always on time Amen”
____________________
4th Night Simbang Gabi
In the homily
for the Simbang Gabi service given by Fr. Joel Tabora SJ at the Church of the
Gesù, the focus is on the profound significance of Mary’s acceptance of her
role in the Incarnation, known as her fiat. This act of faith facilitates the
divine and human connection through Jesus Christ. The homily discusses the
challenges Mary faced due to her pregnancy before marriage, highlighting
Joseph's righteous response to protect her from shame. Joseph’s obedience to
God’s revelation not only acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah but also ensured
his safety and upbringing. The homily connects these themes to present-day
issues of sin and corruption, encouraging believers to find hope and renewal
through the birth of Christ. It emphasizes the importance of compassion and
moral integrity in overcoming corruption. The message culminates in a prayer
for liberation from sin through the Nativity of Jesus.
____________________
3rd Night Simbang Gabi
In the homily for the third night of Simbang Gabi, Rev. Bien Emmanuel C. Cruz, SJ, discusses the significance of the genealogy of Jesus in the Christmas story. While often overlooked as a mere list of names, this genealogy is crucial as it roots the Incarnation of Christ within real human history, filled with struggles and hope. It underscores that salvation emerges not only through significant figures but also through ordinary individuals whose lives may seem insignificant. This reinforces the idea that God works quietly in the lives of the unnoticed and lowly, inviting people to act with faithfulness and charity during Advent.
The message challenges believers to recognize God's presence in everyday life, particularly through the vulnerable and marginalized. It reflects on the complexity of family histories, which may include pain and imperfection, yet affirms that God's grace is accessible to all, regardless of their past. An anecdote from the speaker’s experience in a hospital highlights the transformative power of faith amid suffering, revealing that God is intimately present particularly in moments of brokenness.
The homily
encourages reflection on the waiting inherent in Advent, suggesting that
patience is essential as God's work unfolds over time. Ultimately, it reassures
individuals that their lives and stories matter within the broader narrative of
salvation, inviting a deeper acknowledgment of God's ongoing work in our flawed
and imperfect realities.
____________________
2nd Night Simbang Gabi
In his homily
for the second night of Simbang Gabi, Fr. Weng Bava SJ emphasizes the
importance of embodying the metaphor of being a lamp that carries the light of
Jesus Christ. He highlights the lives of two individuals from Bukidnon, Girly
and Kuya Rodan, who exemplify this metaphor through their acts of kindness and
selflessness despite facing significant hardships. Girly, a lumad girl who
endured abuse, shows grace and forgiveness, while Kuya Rodan, a visually
impaired man, shares what little he has with marginalized relatives. Both
figures, alongside John the Baptist, serve as examples of humility and faith,
calling the congregation to shine their own lights through forgiveness,
compassion, and steadfast belief. The message encourages individuals to serve
as vessels of Christ's light, particularly during the Advent season, as they
are urged to support the excluded and maintain faith in challenging times.
____________________
1st Night Simbang Gabi
In his homily
for 1st Simbang Gabi on December 15, 2025, Fr. Kit Bautista SJ
reflects on Matthew 21:23-27, where Jesus challenges the religious leaders
questioning his authority. He recalls his childhood experiences with Yaya
Martina, who instilled fear through authority, paralleling this with the
pervasive corruption and violence of police during the Philippines’ drug war.
The homily critiques the religious leaders' unwillingness to accept Jesus’
divine authority, illustrating how pride and envy can cloud moral judgment. Bautista
emphasizes that true authority derives from love, mercy, and compassion,
contrasting it with the oppressive power dynamics of the clergy. He calls for
self-reflection on the motivations behind actions and urges the faithful to
seek clarity and the grace to act in Jesus’ name for the greater good.
