Reflections

by Br. Jonathan Rodriguez, Jr. Luke 1:26-38 The socio-cultural background of the Hebrews has the strong command on as to how religion and faith should be regarded. Considering also the deep chauvinistic tradition of the Semitic world, it has created an ambience of fear and anxiety, and of confusion and delusion. One could really understand…

by Br. John Lowell N. Jacob The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as the Messiah and Lord whose life, death and resurrection make salvation available to all people on earth. We can reflect on three things:   First, the biblical passage today presented us the divine power of God using human instrument to promulgate and…

2 Sm. 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Rom. 16:25-27; Lk. 1:26-38. We are presented today the scene of the Annunciation to Mary by the Angel Gabriel concerning the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God. God has decided that His Son will become man to carry out our salvation, and he needs a Mother.…

by Br. June Clark Solas Matthew 1:18-25 As a seminarian for 1 and a half year now, I have discovered a lot about myself. Looking back to the yesteryears I spent with the people around me inevitably led me to the reality of my first seminary formation, my HOME, my FAMILY. As I slowly move…

Reflections by Br. Mel Archie Vergara Matthew 1: 1-16 The gospel of Matthew presents to us the genealogy of Jesus. Here, we could see that Matthew traces the origin of Jesus from King David to Joseph. He traces the lineage of Jesus to let the Jews see that through Jesus the promise of a messiah…

Reflection Simbang Gabi (Dec 16, 2020) : THE MODERN PROPHETS   John 5:33-36 The fifth chapter of the Gospel of John starts with Jesus healing a man, sick for thirty-eight years, on a Sabbath day. Seeing the indignation of the Pharisees towards Him, Jesus said, “My Father is always working, and I too must work.”…

Immaculate Conception refers to Mary as free from any stain of sin from the moment of being conceived in her mother’s womb. Therefore, throughout her existence she is untouched by sin. Why is this necessary? The Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation said that the Baby to be conceived by Mary was the “Son of the…

Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thess. 5:16-24; Jn1:6-8, 19-28. Feeling oppressed by the Roman occupation, the Jews of Jesus’ time were anxious to know if the Messiah had already come. Seeing John the Baptist preaching and baptizing they immediately wanted to verify if indeed he was the Messiah or not. It gave John the Baptist a…

The first reading from Isaiah opens with: “Comfort ye my people…speak tenderly to Jerusalem…Her guilt is expiated.” At that time Israel was in exile in Babylon because of her sin of idolatry. She had suffered enough because of her sins and now the Lord wanted to console her. A voice would now cry out in…

Advent means “coming”. Jesus has come in history 2000 years ago. He has come to each one of us at our baptism to make us adopted children of our heavenly Father. He comes to each one of us now when we receive him worthily in Holy Communion. He will come for each one of us…