Matthew 13: 24-30 How often have we heard comments such as: “Why go to Mass when the people there are no different from the people who do not go to Mass?” “Look at her she prays so fervently but look how she mistreats her household help.” “I heard that even within the different organizations and…
Category: Church Traditions
Forgiveness
John 18: 33B-37 As a priest, two of the most urgent sacrament are Confession and Anointing of the Sick. Why? Because these two Sacraments have the capacity to forgive sins. In Confession, the priest forgives in the name of the Church, “I absolve you of all your sins, “In the Name of the Father, of…
Wrong Turns in Life
For drivers like me, thanks to technology, there is a computer application that is very much appreciated: WAZE. Just key in your destination and it will tell you how to reach your destination. Yes, if you get lost, it helps you get back to the right track. We all know that life itself is a…
Being Prepared
One reality of life is being prepared: For students who have an examination tomorrow, the challenge to prepare is by reading, researching, studying and even memorizing; For a lawyer with a court case, the challenge to prepare is by studying the facts, the evidence and talking to the witnesses; for a priest going to celebrate…
Following Christ
Every once in a while, I celebrate Mass for the Green Archers. At a very young age, because of media and social media, these kids are already dealing with fame: they are talked about. they are recognized and some already get to endorse products. What people don’t see are the “behind the scenes” – the…
The Last Request
Mark 16: 9-15 All of us have experiences of someone passing away. How we wish to be by the bedside to say goodbye. Of course, there is also the last wishes or the “huling bilin.” For a person about to transition to the next life, the last wishes are the ones he or she feels…
Death and Life
Matthew 5: 27-32 I came across an article on praising God and creation. It talked about the human and how complicated it is – 12 organs, 5 of which are vital: brain, lungs, liver, kidney, and heart. Of the five, the heart is the most important. If the heart is not working anymore, then the…
Temptation
Matthew 4: 1-11 When applying for employment, there is always a period of probation. It is during the probation that a person is tested. Will this person be a good employee? Can the person do the job? Can the person get along with other people? It is also a period of testing. The number 40…
God Who is Love
John 3: 16-18 In many readings, there is one message that the Church would like to send: God is Love. In the first reading, it is said that the Lord is merciful and gracious, rich in kindness and fidelity. In the second reading, it is said that God is a God of grace, love, and…