One of the sad realities in the Church is that there are priests who are not faithful to their promises when they were ordained: celibacy, simplicity, and obedience. These three are meant to counteract the three realities of today’s world. The actual reality is, these three are interrelated. When one is compromised, the other two…
Category: Church Traditions
Thank God for Mothers
John 2: 1-11 Once in a seminary theology class, our professor asked the class, “Who is the Mother of Perpetual Help?” Instantly, the class responded, “Mama Mary.” Then our professor asked, “Who is the Perpetual Help?” For a while there was silence. Then someone reluctantly answered, “Jesus?” Our professor immediately affirmed the correct response. It…
God’s Calling
Matthew 9:9 We have a saying, “Do not judge a book by its cover.” We see a person with fine clothes, a nice car, and materially rich, we think he is okay and happy. Hence it is the desire to become rich. How many of us tell ourselves that “If I win the lotto, it…
Things We Thirst For
John 4: 5-42 According to science, an infant is 75- 78 percent water. By one year old, the infant is 65 percent water. When the infant reaches adulthood, the person is about 50 to 65 percent water. Hence, when we lack water, we get thirsty. Many ailments come from dehydration, including: In fact, a person…
Love of God and Love of Neighbor
Mark 12: 28-31 Once I had the opportunity to join a procession. We went around town praying the rosary and singing religious songs. It was solemn and beautiful. Upon reaching the Church, to signify the end of the procession, the priest blessed the Carozas. Suddenly, there was a commotion – people started receiving the flowers….
Boldness in Doing Good
Nowadays it seems that those who are doing sinful things are very bold. What are the headlines? The lies, the scandals, pornography, killings, and decadent lifestyle. Have we really changed our values system? I remember the older generation saying, “Nevermind if we live a simple lifestyle, nevermind if the food that we eat is simple,…
The Cross
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…
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….
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 