In ancient Greece, there is a story of a very skillful athlete, Theagene. Since he brought great pride to the city, a monument was erected in his honor when he died. Theagene had a rival, Pausanias, who never won against him. Pausanias would vandalize the monument every night. One night, while he was vandalizing and…
Category: Humility & Selflessness
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…
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 model; after taking advantage of a sale, one waits for the next sale. Eventually, we have to…
Be Like God
We always ask the question, “If God is good why is there hell?” Our Christian faith reminds us that God created spiritual beings called Angels. Lucifer, a very beautiful angel, along with one-third of the angels, rebelled against God. Why? “They wanted to be like God.” Hence, Led by St. Michael, they were cast out…
Why Fast?
During the season of Lent, Catholics are encouraged to fast during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Since Filipinos are used to eating six times a day, from breakfast to morning merienda, to lunch to afternoon merienda, to dinner to midnight snacks, fasting is difficult. While it is very challenging to skip meals, let us be…
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…
Service
John 13: 1-15 There are often international articles on Filipina nannies and the impact they have made on the lives of people. They are always remembered for the same things: The many sacrifices of their nanny taking care of them The love they have felt from their nanny The lessons in life and wisdom they…
Poison
John 11: 45-56 One of the surest ways to loneliness in life is to compare yourself with others. You observe one’s house, you observe one’s car. Where does the person work? You observe the friends that they hang out with, and eventually, you look at their talent. In other words, a person counts the blessings…
Love Your Enemies
Once a family friend requested prayers because she was going to undergo a hip replacement. Thank God that the procedure was successful. When I finally got to meet up with her and I asked how she was doing, her response made me reflect. She said, “The procedure was so painful that you are not even…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 