Insensitive People

Who among us does not have family or friends or officemates that are insensitive?  Here you are trying to find comfort and consolation because of a big problem, yet your friend talks about her vacation Here you are dealing with death and your sibling talks about the division of properties Here you are dealing with…

Service

In the Gospel, we often see the humanity of the apostles. In one passage, they were arguing who among themselves was greatest. They argued…who has done the greatest miracle? Who has the most followers? Who speaks the best? Who has the best talent?  Jesus, who most likely was disappointed because after forming and teaching his…

Teachers

Luke 10:1-12 Every time we have a high school class reunion, we always remember our teachers: the strict one, the pretty one, the one who was like a brother, the one with mannerisms, the one who punished and the one that cried. One interesting reflection was made by a batchmate who, when growing up, made…

Anxiety

These days are difficult times. People have so much anxiety, worry, and fear. The economy is not doing well; there is so much chaos in the world; the Church too is chaotic; For those who are working, times are hard. Then there are concerns when it comes to the family. In a survey, people most…

Perseverance

Luke 8:4-15 A friend of ours has a very intelligent and pretty wife. Close friends of theirs would also ask the wife why she fell for her husband, when “she deserved someone better.” Her consistent answer was, “He showed perseverance.” While we Filipinos have a saying, “kung may tiyaga, may nilaga,” the Gospel today reminds…

The Sacredness of Life

Luke 1: 57-60 Look at the world we live in. There was a commercial I came across reminding us that children are expensive to raise, add responsibility, and limit freedoms. Hence, we are much better off without them. We have forgotten that each child means hope. Every June we celebrate the birth of John the…

Why Fast?

During the season of Lent, Catholics are encouraged to fast during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Since Filipinos eat six times a day, from breakfast to morning merienda, to lunch to afternoon merienda, to dinner to midnight snacks, fasting is so hard.  While it is very difficult to skip meals, let us be reminded that…

The Best Investment

Luke 6:38 When people are asked to do something, the first thing that goes into our minds is “What is it in for me?” Even the apostles were not exempted from this reality. Peter once asked Jesus, “We have left family, lands, and houses for the Gospel, what do we get back in return?” The…

Talents

Matthew 25:14–30 Once I was conversing with an expatriate. He was a president of a shipping company and they were hiring Filipino seamen. He said that should he be given the difficult task of reducing manpower, the last people he would retrench are the Filipinos. He said they get along very well with other people…

Two Masters

Who is really most important to us in life? Is it God or is it money? While people will always say “God”, actions often speak louder than words. When people are asked why they have their businesses blessed, the response is “to be lucky.” In other words, the blessing is meant to bring money. No…