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: Because I said so Don’t roll your eyes at me I am not asking you, I am telling you Be thankful you still have a roof over your head Don’t cry or I…

When Death Does Not Make Sense

Every now and then we go to a wake, we send our condolences to the family and yes, we hear of the circumstances of how a loved one passed away. Yes, there are stories wherein death does not make sense. It is mixed emotions in the case of saying goodbye to an old parent who…

Entitlement

Whenever people ask about the priesthood, I always say, “It is the world’s best-kept secret.” Why? Because fewer men are making it an option. On the other hand, no other vocation will allow you to journey with people from birth to death, in joy and in pain, and in every milestone of their lives. Hence,…

Greatest Commandment

Once when I was a seminarian, I had the opportunity to join Holy Week services in a town in the province. There was a procession that went around town. People were singing and praying the rosary. When the procession returned to the Church, the priest ended the activity with a prayer. Right after the prayer,…

Desiring Eternal Life

Jesus was an excellent storyteller. He made use of imagery and contrast to make his point and to impart his teachings. Jesus got people interested when he said that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed… smallest of all seeds but eventually, it becomes the biggest of all plants Jesus got people curious…

Repent

As a priest, we often visit the sick. There was this patient who was unconscious for three days. Thank God he was brought back to life. As with many near-death experiences, I asked him if he saw a light at the end of a tunnel, or was he in a very beautiful garden? Did he…

Christ the King

In this world, everything comes to an end. The most beautiful song has an end; the most beautiful movie has an end; the most meaningful relationships have an end; and all our lives will come to an end. Yes, this world will eventually come to an end. This Sunday we will celebrate the Solemnity of…

Civil Authority

When Jesus founded the Church, he gave it authority. “Peter you are the rock and on this rock I will build my Church… whatever binds on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever is loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18-19) In this world, there is only one authority and that is…

Social Sins

Ed. Note: This was a homily for a school mass. Student or not though, we can all relate to the lessons. In 1925, Mahatma Gandhi published in his newspaper Young India, a list of social sins. Almost 100 years later, now more than ever, these have become very relevant: Politics without principles Wealth without work…

Paradox of Life

It is said that life is a paradox. Five examples: First, the more you try to impress people, the less people will be impressed Second, the more you fail, the more likely you will succeed Third, the more you are afraid of death, the less you will enjoy life Fourth, the more you learn, the…