John 18: 1-19: 42 Nowadays we see the Cross all over. There are tattoo crosses; there are earrings with the cross design; many rock bands use the cross in their names; the Satanists invert the cross. During the time of Jesus, the cross meant death. Not only death but even the most humiliating form of…
Category: Church Traditions
The Truth Will Set You Free
John 8: 31-42 One program that is very successful in treating alcoholism is the program Alcoholics Anonymous. It is said that for a person who wants to be healed, the most basic requirement for the alcoholic is to admit that he or she needs help. No denial, no justification, no blaming. Just plain and simple,…
The Power of Prayer
Matthew 7: 9-11 Whenever we see a friend who has lost a lot of weight, created a booming business, or has had a health-related recovery, we often say, “teach me how you did it.” “Teach us how to pray,” were the words of the Apostles to Jesus. They must have seen how powerful and significant…
Who is Not with Us is Against Us
Every once in a while, I am approached by parents lamenting that their son or daughter is not Catholic anymore. No more Mama Mary or rosary, no more images, and intercession of saints, no more Masses and the litany continues. I often ask the parent if the son or daughter has become a better person….
Good Luck or Blessed
We Filipinos, when it comes to blessings, are very faithful. When we get a new house, a new car, or a new office, we have it blessed. Typically, when one is asked why do the blessing, the response is for “Good Luck” and that “Money Flows In.” If it is truly about good luck and…
Follow Jesus
There is a saying that when times are good, there are many people around you. Why? You have something that they want – it could be money, it could be fame, it could be power. Then when you hit rock bottom in life, they are nowhere to be found. In the Gospel, there were people…
Like Father, Like Son
John 5: 17-30 How many of us think that God is a God who is angry? “I go to Mass because otherwise, bad luck might be experienced in my personal life, in my family life, or in my professional life”. Or “if I experience misfortune, it is only because of my sins in the past….
The Lord is my Shepherd
John 10: 1-10 In the Middle East, one of the most visible people in the countryside is the Shepherd (Pastol). Being a shepherd is considered one of the oldest professions, about 5000 years old. Most shepherds were usually men and not married because they had to go from one place to the other. When Jesus…
Truly Alive
Luke 24: 35-48 When someone passes away, some wish that they would be able to talk to or see their loved one. “Magparamdam man lang,” would be the desire. But others, would say, “Huwag kang magparamdan, ipagdadasal kita.” Why is this so? Many of us have fear of ghosts. Certainly, the Apostles wanted to see…
God Revealing Himself to Us
Mark 12: 35-37 In St. Mark’s Gospel, Jesus continues to introduce Himself to the people. He is both Son and Lord based on Scriptures – Son of man by birth, and Lord and Savior by nature. While most of the people were happy and indeed rejoiced, the many opponents of Jesus were not happy. They…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 