Eulogy

Once we were asked by our professor to write our own Eulogy. Initially, it brought laughter to the students. It was an uneasy laughter. Eventually, it died down, for when we started working on the details it became a moment of deep reflection – “Who do I say that I am when I pass away from…

Hypocrisy

A survey was once made and the one thing that people hated the most when it came to public servants was hypocrisy.  If there is one thing people hate, it is definitely hypocrisy. Further, if there is one thing Jesus hates, it is also hypocrisy. He always lambasted the Scribes, the Pharisees, and the Elders…

Suffering

As human beings, we all want to avoid suffering. We do not want to see our loved ones suffer. In fact, there is this story of a person who entered into counseling with the illusion of alleviating the suffering of people. Eventually, she realized that whether we want it or not, whether we are reading…

Warfare

According to The Economic Times, the five countries that spend the most when it comes to building their military are: With all the chaos in the world, it is very important to them to have strong militaries. In fact, many observers are saying that World War III has already begun. St. Paul, on the other…

Living Forever

Matthew 25: 31-46 Two very good friends made a promise to each other that if one goes ahead, the other would send a sign that she is okay in the next life. Many years later one of the two friends passed away. Many days after the burial, the one who was left was thinking of…

Faithfulness

When I was a newly ordained priest, my parish priest told me to give priority to couples celebrating their 25th and 50th anniversaries. Further, he explained why. We live in a world that is so consumeristic – when a new item comes along, we dump the old one. Sadly, it influences our relationships. Hence, with…

Eternal Life

We live in a world wherein there is the seen and the unseen, the good and evil, the wheat and the weeds, the spiritual and the material. There is life on earth and eternal life. We live in a world wherein it is not one or the other. We live in both worlds. In the…

Being Wise

Recently there are two people who were part of my formation that passed away. One was a priest and the other was a friend and a teacher. Both were younger than me. With this reality, again, I am reminded that life is short and uncertain and that at any time, God can call you. The…

Courage

Who would ever think that we would see the day that: Even calling out an inappropriate relationship brands one as judgmental and intolerant.  Despite all of these, right is still right, even if no one is for it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. Further, we remember the saying, “All it…

Love of God and Love of Neighbor

Mark 12: 28-31 Once I had the opportunity to join a procession. We went around town praying the rosary and singing religious songs. It was solemn and beautiful. Upon reaching the Church, to signify the end of the procession, the priest blessed the Carozas. Suddenly, there was a commotion – people started receiving the flowers….