Matthew 23: 1-12 Notice that when we are introduced to a person or a group, what follows after our name is usually the credentials: He or she is the vice president of… He or she is the brother or sister of… He or she is the owner of the house on the corner… Hence, we…
Category: Family Values
Auditing Time
It is said that one of the most stressful moments in corporate life is when it is the season for auditing. A team of auditors comes to the office and reviews the documents. That, of course, is followed by the questions, explanations, and clarifications portion. What a relief if all is okay and all is…
Betrayal
One very important factor in any relationship is trust. It is something we build over time but can lose in just one moment. One image is that of a jar wherein marbles are collected over time for all to see. The collector demonstrates trust in those who see it, but sadly it just takes one…
Agonies of the Last Supper
In the Jewish tradition, when you share a meal with a person, this person is considered a friend. More so, if the meal is considered the last person’s meal. The people one dines with are not only friends but close, personal, and intimate friends. Hence, the people Jesus dined with during the Last Supper may…
Eternal Life
Before celebrating a funeral Mass, the widow shared the family’s experience of the moment before her husband passed away. They were all at the ICU and he flatlined. The doctors did everything to revive him and were successful. Since all the family was present, he asked for a piece of paper and a pen to…
Cleanliness
Matthew 23: 25-27 As children, one of the first lessons we learned was table manners. For example: Wash your hands before eating Say prayers before and after meals Don’t talk when your mouth is full Don’t touch the food Elbows off the table Of course, one of the most important objectives of table manners is…
What People Will Do for Money
A friend of mine once shared that internal conflict regarding money can happen to the best families. When the father was alive, they were a picture of a happy family. There was lunch every Sunday, vacations abroad spent together, and big, memorable parties that were the talk of the town. Then the father passed away,…
Who is Family?
Part of our humanity is that we are attracted to people who are popular, rich, famous, and powerful. Hence, many people name drop that they are related to this person and to that person. In a town, people would like to be related to the mayor. In a parish, people would like to be related…
Inheritance
For us priests, one of the things people bring to us for prayers and consultation are matters about inheritance. Whether the inheritance is huge or just enough, it can be complicated, absurd, and even bloody. You cannot imagine what sibling can do to sibling, parent to their child, and child to their parents. Once I…
What Are You Looking For?
We are a week into 2022 and while the new year means a new start and therefore a new reason to be hopeful, we know that there is still so much uncertainty and anxiety. Hence as we start this new year it would be very nice to ask ourselves the question asked of the two…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 