Most Important

In our everyday lives, we are barraged with so many things to do. Just to get it right on what is the most important and what can be set aside, a management tool was made to help us decide. The first window is called DO FIRST – this is both important and urgent. The second…

Landowner

As it was then and as it is now, one of the biggest headaches and heartache of people is tenants. You lease a property and the next thing you know, tenants do not pay, they do not take care of the property, they will not leave and yes, they even harass you with a court…

Good Catholic, Good Citizen

One thing people observe about the Philippines is that it is truly a Catholic nation. Nowhere else in the world do you feel the complete traditions of Holy Week, as well as the full celebration of Christmas. Only in the Philippines! On the other hand, how can we be a Catholic country yet so corrupt?…

What Are You Looking For?

There is a saying, “The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for”. Hence we are always looking for something in life – it could be love, it could be money, it could be peace of mind, it could be approval, it could be happiness, it…

Mother’s Day

According to a survey, the seven most popular words of a mother to her children when she is angry are as follows: These words bring a smile to our faces because these words have been uttered from one generation to the next. When the younger generation grows old and has a greater concept of life,…

Forgiveness

As a priest, one of the more meaningful experiences in the ministry is to hear confessions of people who are about to transition to the next life. Typically, it is a long confession: Further, after the confession, the typical question is, “Has God really forgiven me of my sins?” The well-known parable of the prodigal…

Judging

One thing we are guilty of is judging people. Some common examples: We judge people based on their looks, their place of residence, their family name, how they speak, the school they come from, and the list can go on and on and on. In the Gospel, even Jesus was not exempted from being judged….

Healing

One of the most difficult of all human experiences is being sick. Typically, we would do anything and everything to get healed: In the Gospel, we hear of two cases of sick people. One thing in common was that both were already desperate. The first case was the synagogue officer: He fell at his feet…

Peace and Family

Whenever we celebrate Mass for a deceased parent, we are honoring their memory. A testimony that these have indeed bore fruit is that peace is further in the family. Peace is a very important theme in Gospel readings because we are told: If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able…

Isolation

As people, we are relational by nature. “People need people” and “No man is an island” are two quotations proving this. Yet every now and then, we have family, a friend, or a loved one who suddenly isolates himself or herself. Not going out, not answering phone calls, no response by text. By this, we…