Healing and Hope

It was very hard to get sick during the time of Jesus. Perhaps it was already like a death sentence, as medicine was not as advanced as it is now. That is why it is not a surprise that people sought Jesus due to his ability to heal. In the Gospel, he healed a woman…

Power

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity. If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Also, Tao Te Ching once said, “Power can be a strong aphrodisiac and intoxicant. It reveals the character of those who hold it. How they acquire it, how they exercise it, illuminates their character…

Rest

One of the realities of life is that many of us are tired: For the youth, it may be too much social media For the medical practitioner, there are too many patients For the priests, there are so many things to do To the employee, it is very tiring to travel to work, or a…

Healing

One of the most difficult of human experiences is being sick. One realizes that we are not in control after all. One typically is regretful: I should have done this/that and I should have not done this/that. Financial – up to how much will this treatment or recovery cost? Emotional – one day we are…

Good Works

One huge difference between us Catholics and Protestants is that the Protestants believe in Faith Alone. That is, just say, “Jesus is Lord.” and “Receive Him as your personal Lord and Saviour”, and you will be saved.  For Catholics, it is clear faith and good works. We remember Jesus telling his disciples, “The greatest are…

Family and Calling

I have been a priest for eighteen years this year. It is not easy but I tell people that it is the world’s best-kept secret. How a priest enters the life of people and family in their happiest moments and their most difficult moments, is beyond compare. In the words of Christ, “Anyone who has…

Sin and Healing

When Jesus was on earth, he was most sought after because of his healing. Yes, especially during those times, if one were sick that would almost be like a death sentence or long-term suffering. Hence, people would really search for Jesus for healing.  Remember that we are both body and soul. If the body is…

Events that Define Us

In our life, there are experiences that define us. Hopefully, we will become stronger, wiser, and better people. However, it could also go the other way. According to a survey, some of these experiences include: falling in love, changing in financial situation, getting your heart broken, getting chronically ill, having a pet, experiencing discrimination, a…

Care of Child

There is a saying that the youth is the future of any country. Hence, a country like the Philippines is in a so-called “sweet spot” because the average age is 25.7 against the global average of 30.7. We also know this: it is not just the quantity but the quality. What kind of children are…

Baptismal Promises

Every Easter Vigil or every time we stand as a godparent for a baptism, we renew our baptismal vows.  Do you reject Satan? Do you reject all his works? Do you reject all his empty promises? Why is this very important and significant? It is because most of us were baptized when we were infants….