Mark 7: 14-23 When my mother was still alive, I used to accompany her to the doctor. I became curious why the blood pressure is always taken. When I eventually queried, the nurse explained it quite simply. “It is the heart that is the most important organ. It is the heart that determines whether there…
Category: Gratitude
Light of the World, Salt of the Earth
Matthew 5: 13-16 The 13th of June every year marks the anniversary of the second apparition of Mother Mary in Fatima. In this apparition, some of the things that we discussed were: Mother Mary requested the children to continue to come on the 13th of every month. Pray the Rosary For Lucia to learn to…
Fear of Death
Mention the word, “Death” and many people are not comfortable. Someone offers a “memorial plan” or an insurance in case we pass away, we are uncomfortable. One family member mentions about fixing the estate, we are uncomfortable. Once, as seminarians, we were asked to write our own Eulogy. Initially, it drew uneasy laughter. It is…
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…
Gratitude
Luke 17: 11-19 One of the first lessons in life that we learned is to say thank you. When we receive candy, our parents would always remind us, “What will you say?” We get a toy for our birthday, our parent would always remind us, “What will you say?” In school, we were taught to…
Contentment
John 6: 30-35 There is a saying that we human beings have what is called, “unlimited wants.” After one house, there is the desire for the next house; after a new cell phone, the desire for the next phone; after taking advantage of a sale, one waits for the next sale. Eventually, we get to…
Lack of Faith
“Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” By the time the Pharisees spoke these words, they must have heard that Jesus had brought back people from the dead to life; cured many people who were sick; and fed thousands of people with 5 pieces of bread and 2 fishes. Yet the Pharisees and…
Money and Happiness
Luke 19: 1-10 After anointing a sick person, she shared to me briefly her life story. She grew up with simple means. She studied hard in school and also at her job. Eventually, came the promotions and the increase in spending power. She had everything money can buy. Then she found herself lying sick in…
Signs of God
Mark 8: 11-13 Once I had to visit the Underground River in Puerto Princesa in Palawan. In the 1.5 km trip of God’s marvelous creation, the guide made a comment which perhaps describes one the mysteries of life. “Even in the deepest recesses of the world, animal and marine life are still bustling.” How many…
A New Priest!
John 9:1-41 Thanks to technology, kanina sa FB naka announce na Pari na si Jover at si Bon! Siyempre po, sa mga kamag-anak, kaibigan at parokyano, kayo ay nasisiyahan at nagpupuri sa Diyos. Pero tanongin ninyo ang mga Paring taga paghubog niya sa seminary, yun mga kaklase niyang seminarista, at yun kanyang Spiritual Director, bagamat…