Assumption

Why is Lucifer so mad at Mary? Satan was initially a very beautiful and powerful angel, but because of pride, he wanted to be “Like God.” Due to that, he was brought down. Mama Mary, on the other hand, was humble. In fact, she was fearful and confused when she was told that she would be…

Heaven

A friend was once asked, “Why do you pray to saints and Mama Mary?” To this, he explained by asking questions:  Have you ever asked a friend to pray for you?  Do you believe in heaven? If a soul is in heaven with God, isn’t that soul very much alive? Can I ask a soul…

One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church

Matthew 16:13-19 There was this article entitled, “Who Founded Your Church?” Roman Catholic Church: 33AD, by Jesus Christ Lutheran Church: 1517, Martin Luther  Anglican Church: 1534, King Henry VIII Mormonism: 1830, Joseph Smith Jehovah’s Witnesses: 1874, Charles Taze Russell In the Gospel, we hear of Jesus telling Peter, “And I tell you, you are Peter,…

The Key to Gratitude

Matthew 13:18-23 When we talk about St. John Vianney (St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney), the patron saint of priests, three things come to mind. First, because of his witnessing he was able to convert the whole village of Ars, France. Second, his mortification which turned off the devil. Third, his service through long, long hours of hearing…

Protect Us from the Evil One

In the website The Conversation, it is quoted that Sicilian priest and long-time exorcist Father Benigno Palilla recently told Vatican Radio that requests for exorcisms had tripled in the past few years. He said there were now 500,000 alleged cases of demonic possession recorded in Italy each year. With a population of around 60 million,…

Happy and Sad

John 20: 1-2, 11-18 As a priest, every day I deal with sadness: whenever I celebrate a funeral Mass whenever I anoint people who are sick when people ask me to join them for prayer for their special intention.  Sadness is always related to letting go. In death, we say goodbye to a loved one….

Things That Matter in Life

John 12:24 -26 Nathan Scott once said, “It is the oldest story in the world. One day you’re seventeen and planning for someday. And then quietly, without you ever noticing, that someday is today. And the someday becomes yesterday. And this is our life.” The Gospel reminds us that life is short, swift, and uncertain….

Good and Bad

Matthew 13:24-30 I am sure we all have asked the question, “If God is good, why is there evil”? Or perhaps even, “Why are there evil people in the Church”? Just look at the scandals every now and then. Or, “Why bother being good?”, when the lifestyles of evil people include nice cars, huge houses,…

Ryan and Clar

A few years ago, I officiated a wedding in Singapore for some friends. This was the homily at that celebration. — Barrington James, a uniquely successful recruitment company that has recently been recognized as a BEST COMPANY to work for, came out with an article entitled: “15 Reasons why Singapore is a great place to…

Who Are The Truly Blessed?

Lately we hear of well-known individuals who commit suicide. They had money, they had fame, they had a future, and they had friends all over the place. Why have hopelessness then? Why suicide? Why take your life when in the eyes of the world you are supposed to successful and happy? Let us remember that…