There is a saying that you will only know the value of a thing or a person when you lose it. In the meantime, either you take it for granted or you become entitled, or even both. Take for example when we visit first-world countries. We are so fascinated with how things work, how abundant…
Category: Gratitude
What Shall We Do
In a retreat that we attended, the retreat master gave us two hours to reflect on the question: “If you had twenty-four hours left to live, what would you do?” After two hours, we shared our reflections and it all boiled down to one thing: Despite differences in the stories and experiences of all the…
Being Wise
Recently there are two people who were part of my formation that passed away. One was a priest and the other was a friend and a teacher. Both were younger than me. With this reality, again, I am reminded that life is short and uncertain and that at any time, God can call you. The…
Talents
In the parish, when the pandemic hit us hard in 2020, so many people lost their jobs, so many people were displaced, and many people experienced fear, anxiety, worry, and depression due to the changes that we happening. The top priority then was helping out people with gift checks, thanks to Caritas Manila, and food….
Bearing Fruit
Bearing Fruit As human beings, we are prone in comparing our life to others. Typically, we count their blessings and forget to be grateful for our own blessings. When these happens, typically, three things happen: The Gospel reminds us that our lives are meant to bear fruit. The time, talent and treasure that goes with…
Power of Words
Matthew 8:5-13 There is a saying that “A pen is mightier that a sword.” Throughout history, words have influenced people and not violence. A person who grew up with affirmation, is confident. Compare this to a person who grew up with criticism, as often criticism also comes out of the mouth. In St. Matthew’s Gospel,…
Ascension Day
Once I was mentored by an elderly priest and he would always say, “May misyon pa” (there still is a mission). A woman was able to recover from a chronic disease, he would say, “May misyon pa.” A man was able to recover from a motorcycle accident, “May misyon pa.” People in their 90s celebrating…
Fear of Death
Mention the word, “Death” and many people are not comfortable. Someone offers a “memorial plan” or an insurance policy in case we pass away, and we become uncomfortable. One family member mentions fixing the estate, and we become uncomfortable. Once, as seminarians, we were asked to write our own Eulogy. Initially, it drew uneasy laughter….
Mothers and Goodbyes
Editor’s Note: This homily was from a 40th-day Mass last year. As it pertains to the importance of mothers in our lives, we are sharing it as part of a Mother’s Day reflection. — This weekend will be Mother’s day and on social media, there are already so many tributes to mothers. Two things I…
Thirst
John 19: 28 A past advertisement would tell us to “Obey your thirst.” This is part of our humanity. We need to eat and we need to drink as well. However, between eating and drinking, science says we will last longer without eating than without drinking. It is harder to deal with thirst. The fifth…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 