Reflections

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

By Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR / September 7, 2019 / Comments Off on 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Wis 9:13-18b; Phlm 9-10, 12-17. Lk 14:25-33. In the 1st reading from the Book of Wisdom we are made to realize that: “the deliberations of mortals are timid and unsure are our plans.” It is our common experience that economic planners often make mistakes in their calculations of supply and demand. We heard that thousands…

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22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

By Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR / August 30, 2019 / Comments Off on 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a Lk 14:1, 7-14. At the opening of the Gospel we are told that Jesus noticed “how the guests were choosing the places of honor at the table.” In this behavior we first see vanity.  But as we observe more we can notice pride and self-esteem that devalues others.…

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Passion Sunday, “a bittersweet celebration”

By Fray Jose Ernil Almayo, OAR / April 14, 2019 / Comments Off on Passion Sunday, “a bittersweet celebration”

Today, with the celebration of the Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, we begin the Holy Week. And this Sunday, according to Pope Francis, is “a bittersweet celebration” because it is both joyful and sorrowful at the same time. Joyful, because we celebrate the Lord’s entrance to Jerusalem as King, amid the rejoicing crowd (who cried…

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THE LORD’S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM – PALM SUNDAY (C)

By Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR / April 11, 2019 / Comments Off on THE LORD’S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM – PALM SUNDAY (C)

On Palm Sunday, the Church celebrates Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery. There he would be arrested, imprisoned, falsely accused, condemned, scourged, crowned with thorns, burdened with the cross, pushed around, nailed to the cross, would die and be buried. It was also there that he would triumph by his resurrection. Jerusalem…

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Sto. Niño (a reflection): 3rd Sunday of January

By Fray Hubert Dunstan Decena, OAR / January 17, 2019 / Comments Off on Sto. Niño (a reflection): 3rd Sunday of January

Is. 9:1-6; Eph. 1:3-6, 15-18 Mt. 18:1-5, 10.           Why did God enter our country in the image of the Holy Child? What is his message to us? In Mt. 18:3-4 we read, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles…

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Where truth dwells, God is there

By Fray Alexus Mansueto, OAR / December 9, 2018 / Comments Off on Where truth dwells, God is there

2nd Sunday of Advent9 December 2018   |   Lk 3:4,6 Reflection: We are surrounded nowadays by many kinds of news, be they good, bad or sometimes fake. The difference between them is how one distinguish the truthfulness of the news and the effect they give to the hearers. The good news give joy, bad…

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Come, Lord Jesus, renew us!

By Fray Alexus Mansueto, OAR / December 1, 2018 / Comments Off on Come, Lord Jesus, renew us!

1st Sunday of Advent2 December 2018     |    Lk 21:25-28, 34-36 Reflection: As we begin our new Liturgical Year in the Church, we are invited to look at the end. The end or goal must be clear to us. Our readings this Sunday points to the end where Christ is, this is also our…

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Give until it hurts

By Fray Alexus Mansueto, OAR / November 11, 2018 / Comments Off on Give until it hurts

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time11 November 2018    |    Mk 12:38-44 Reflection: How do we measure generosity? Oftentimes, we measure it according to the amount given by a donor. Christ, however, gives us another criterion to consider, that is ‘How much do we give of ourselves in our giving?’ Jesus gives us the example…

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Love of God and neighbor

By Fray Alexus Mansueto, OAR / November 4, 2018 / Comments Off on Love of God and neighbor

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time4 November 2018  |  Mk 12:28b-34 Reflection: The Commandments are guides towards a fruitful life. God gave us the commandments not to burden us with so many dos and don’ts. Rather, these are clear cut ways towards holiness. These commandments are summarized in the word ‘love’. We can, therefore, say that…

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Master, I want to see

By Fray Alexus Mansueto, OAR / October 28, 2018 / Comments Off on Master, I want to see

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time28 October 2018   |   Mk 10:46-52 Reflection: “Master, I want to see.” This may seem to be a simple request. But this opens to us a very rich desire of a person in darkness, whether physically or spiritually. Many of us have sound eyes but we cannot see the…

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