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,…
Category: Social Awareness
Desiring Eternal Life
Jesus was an excellent storyteller. He made use of imagery and contrast to make his point and to impart his teachings. In one Gospel passage, Jesus makes use of the imagery of a rich man, whose name is unknown, and a poor man whose name is Lazarus. Jesus shocks his audience because the rich man…
Good News
Last week we celebrated Chinese New Year. A common theme for celebrations are the rituals that will bring you good luck and the objects that you have to buy to bring good luck. The question is, if good luck indeed comes your way, “What type of spirit answered your prayer?” Obviously, it did not come…
Conversion
Last year’s Simbang Gabi was memorable because I did it in Singapore. For nine nights at 8 pm, the Church was full. Maybe 90 percent Filipinos and 10 percent Singaporeans. The Dynamics of the Singaporeans is they are mostly converts to Catholicism, thus making them more serious and zealous in the faith. On January 25th…
Children
There was an article recently in the newspaper about the birthrate in the Philippines. In 2017, there were 2.7 children per woman. In 2022, the fertility rate was down to 1.9. The figure is 2.2 in rural areas and 1.7 in urban centers. This is already below the replacement level for two parents. Further, while…
Evil
Since time immemorial, people have asked these questions: The Gospel often reminds us of the reality of evil, the presence of evil and yes, its co-existence with the good in the world today. Hence, as Catholics, three things we can always do to deal with evil: In the world of seen and unseen, there is…
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…
Money
In a eulogy that I witnessed, a son was giving tribute to his father. He said when he was growing up, they would wonder why they were not as rich as the office mates of his father. His father would always say three things: In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us: “What profit would there be…
Seeing God’s Hand
How many times have I been asked this question, “Why does God allow evil in this world?” That indeed is a very valid question. Just look at the current state of the world. My typical response which I learned from spiritual writers is that, “If you take away God, some other spirit takes over.” Hence,…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 