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…
Category: Mercy & Forgiveness
Betrayal
One very important factor in any relationship is trust. It is something we build over time but can lose in just one moment. One image is that of a jar wherein marbles are collected over time for all to see. The collector demonstrates trust in those who see it, but sadly it just takes one…
Healing Family
An article once said that if proof is needed of how broken the world is today, just look at the family. What is referred to as a “modern” family means either no mother or no father or a lack of both. As priests assigned in a seminary, we notice that the human development of a…
Open Heart
Of all the organs in the body, it is the heart that is most important. It is the heart that determines whether the body has life or not. In the spiritual life, the heart is equally important. There are very many bible passages when it comes to the heart. As we reflect on the life…
Works of God
Every now and then, I get blessed with a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Of course, we come across different tour guides with different perspectives, specializations, and points of view. One of the things they would always talk about is the Six-Day War in Israel which happened during June 5 – 10, 1967. Although Israel…
Ponder
Typically we look at life based only on two things: good luck and bad luck. That is why as we celebrate the Christmas season and prepare for the new year, we have all these superstitious practices. Even if we know they are offensive to the Lord, we do it just to bring good luck. However,…
Denial and Rejection
As people, we need people. In fact, it is people that give real happiness in life. Hence, one of the most painful of all human experiences is being “denied” – “You can choose your friends, but not your family” is typically said when we are disowning someone in the family. Further, being rejected is also…
All Things Come to Pass
Once upon a time in New York there existed the World Trade Center. The Twin Towers of 110 floors were completed in 1973. In 2001, it was brought down by terrorists when two planes crashed on both towers. It was a strange feeling that the symbol of American capitalism was brought down just like that. …
Time to Hold On and Time to Let Go
A study found that the main source of true happiness is none other than relationships. As we know though, there is no relationship that is perfect and there is no relationship that has not been tested. The typical questions when it comes to strained relationships: Yes, we commit mistakes, we have our own bad side,…
Peace
Even before Covid, as priests, we already got a sense that many people are experiencing mental health issues – fear, worry, anxiety, depression, fear, and even suicidal thoughts. Then when Covid came, it even made things worse. That is why the words of Christ are very important – “Peace be with you.” Peace is not…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 