Let us Pray for missionaries around the world, but most specially for the great Spanish missionaries who journeyed with us in our 500 years of Christianity–to them our grateful hearts go. During my talk a week ago at the first CBCP-initiated dialogue between the Church and the government under BBM, I was blessed to have…
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“The LORD will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness.” These words of David from our 1st Reading this Sunday reminds us of our responsibility to be just and faithful. To be just is to act justly or with justice, to give what is due to others with respect and dignity. To be faithful…
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“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord.” These are the words of the Prophet Jeremiah in our 1st Reading this Sunday who reminds us where true blessedness and hope is found. This is an invitation for us to examine ourselves of to whom we put entrust our lives.…
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1st Reading 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-282nd Reading 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24Gospel Luke 2:41-52 Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. This celebration is very well connected with our celebration of Christmas. Here we celebrate the beauty of family life that God has planned from the beginning. In the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary,…
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1st Reading Micah 5:1-4a2nd Reading Hebrews 10:5-10Gospel Luke 1:39-45 As we are about to end the Advent Season, we are reminded of the right attitude of the one who waits for the coming of the Lord. The Gospel gives us the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the best model of how a Christian…
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It is not the usual Christmastime morning in the Philippines. Typhoon Rai, a super typhoon devastated the southern part of the country. Thousands of people have fled their homes and are now in evacuation centers. Churches and schools have opened their doors for evacuees. Churches are not only built for rituals, it is also meant…
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1st reading Zephaniah 3:14-18a2nd Reading Philippians 4:4-7Gospel Luke 3:10-18 The 3rd Sunday of Advent is a special day of rejoicing, hence the name Gaudete Sunday. This is a time for us to rejoice because the coming of the Lord is at hand. This Sunday, the readings are calling us to rejoice in the Lord. Advent…
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1st Reading Baruch 5:1-9 2nd Reading Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 Gospel Luke 3:1-6 The voice of John in the desert calls us towards an authentic response to God who comes into our lives. The encounter of man with God calls towards conversion and rectification of self. “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths,”…
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Catholic faith communities must also see the ecumenical relevance of the synodal process The central theme of the synodal process points to communion—koinonia, a key element of ecumenism. The Roman Catholic faith communities must also see the ecumenical relevance of the synodal process, while it is important to deal first with the internal aspects of…
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1st Reading Jeremiah 33:14-162nd Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2Gospel Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 This Sunday, we begin a new Liturgical Year. The Season of Advent reminds us of two things: first, the First Coming of Jesus or the Incarnation of God. Second, it reminds us also of Christ return in glory to judge the living and…
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