Once I blessed a new and beautiful office. Before the blessing started the owners related to me the story behind the office. There was a time that they, the couple, separated because they were always fighting. What was the reason of their fighting? They had a good friend and business partner whom they trusted. Eventually…
Month: March 2021
Desert Experience
On a trip to the Holy Land, we ventured one day in the desert of Egypt. For hours there was nothing to see except sand, stones and cactus. The mountains were barren and there were a few trees. Our tour guide explained that at night it gets very cold and during the daytime, it is…
Love or Ritual
In the Jewish tradition, there are 613 laws known as mitzvot, all of which are meant to show their love for God. Humanly speaking, this can be very hard and very confusing. How does one show love for God with all these laws? Perhaps, the question of the scribe is the most practical, “Which is…
Annunciation
When Adam and Eve sinned, the very first promise of the Lord was a Messiah. Certainly, God knew that the Messiah would be born through a Woman. Certainly, God knew that the woman would be Mama Mary. However there was one thing that God did not know – if Mama Mary would say yes or…
To Be Right or To Be Good
Each day in our lives we are confronted with decisions. In making the decisions, there are things to be considered: Is it good or is it bad? Is it about me or is it about my neighbor? Will I benefit from this or will I have to make a sacrifice? Will there be a benefit…
Service
Whenever it’s campaign time, politicians are always promising to make the Philippines great again. I remember the stories from the older generation that in the 1950s, when they would be mistaken for Japanese in Europe, they would say, “We are not Japanese, we are Filipinos!” Indeed, the Philippines was once a rich nation. It had…
Judging Others
It is said that the favorite pastime of the Filipino is either to have a free meal and or talk about other people’s lives. In fact, talking about other people’s lives is a human reality. The Irish have a saying, “the smaller the town, the deadlier the talk.” Another quote says, “It is easier to…
Persevere
A common mentality these days is to get rich without working hard. People want to get rich quick. Never mind how, never mind if it is illegal or immoral, as long as one does not get caught it is fine with them. One of the fastest ways, for a few lucky individuals, is through the…
What Forgiveness Can Do
Matthew 10:16-23 The story of Joseph is perhaps one of the most popular Old Testament stories. In fact, it was made into a play named “Joseph the Dreamer” Joseph was the 11th child of Jacob. His stepbrothers were envious of him because he was the favorite of Jacob, and so they sold him as a…
How to Have Eternal Life
At the end of this journey called life, we all know that what matters is Life Eternal. How do we attain eternal life? Some of our brothers and sisters say that just proclaim with your lips that Jesus is Lord and you will be saved. Hence, no need to do good works. Others say, that…