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…

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: High blood pressure High Cholesterol Constipation…

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,…

Possessions and Eternal Life

Matthew 16: 13-19 When we see someone who is rich, we feel that the person is blessed. He has found favor with God; that is why all the blessings occur. Further, he always connotes material blessings with happiness.  That too was the thinking of the Jews during the time of Jesus: material possessions equals happiness…

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….

Giving

There is a story of a mother who wanted to teach her child how to give. During the Mass, she gave her a 100-peso bill and a 20-peso bill. She told her to make the decision which bill is for the Church and which one is for her candy. After the Mass, the mother asked…

Thanking God for People

Matthew 5:13-16 Every single time it is quiet and there is a time to reflect, one of the things that I do is to thank God for various people in my life.  There are people who are not here in this world anymore, yet I remember their kindness;  There are people who I have not…

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….

Doing My Father’s Will

Whenever I officiate a wedding, I always remind that newly wedded couple that when they have children of their own, two things will cross their minds: The many acts of kindness, generosity, sacrifices, and forgiveness of their parents Dad was right after all, mom was right after all. Their words, their advice, their teachings, their…

Mothers and Their Immortal Words

John 14: 21 -26 The other day, I came across immortal words of mothers. These words were uttered when our mothers felt we were not growing up right, our values were warped, we made wrong decisions, and we were not growing up strong or a person with character. I chose seven of the seemingly more…