In the Beginning

Once I was talking to an HR personnel of a multinational corporation and he was saying that in his company there was a move for gender classifications, identity, or expressions. Now they are talking about: Bigender – someone’s identity encompasses man and woman Agender – someone’s identity is either man or woman, or any other…

In the Eyes of Eternity

There is a car bumper sticker that says, “He who dies with the most toys, wins!” At first, this may sound funny, but on deeper reflection, one may think, “Is the purpose of life all about accumulating material things?” In the Gospel, Jesus was asked a question by the Sadducees about money and heaven. A…

The Word of God and Family

A friend of mine once shared this reflection about the life of a priest: Before he entered the seminary, people in the Parish would not mind him. When he became a seminarian, suddenly people knew him. In fact, he would now be invited to the parties and fellowships. Then he became a deacon, and this…

The Truth Will Always Prevail

Matthew 10: 24-33 Thanks to technology, it is so easy to obtain information: Is it raining in Baguio? Just text a friend who lives there and you will get your response. How does one go to Mall of Asia fastest? Just go to Waze and it will teach you the way. What is happening in…

Travel Light

Luke 9:1-6 Whenever I am blessed with the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage, I cannot help but notice what is the strength of the Filipino and what needs to be improved. Our best strength is that we are warm. Once the bus driver asked me if the group that I was with are all…

Like Father, Like Son

For any son who adores and loves his father, one of the greatest compliments he can receive is “You are like your dad”, “You look like your dad”, “You talk like your dad”, “You have mannerisms like your dad,” or “I am reminded of your dad when I see you.” Since time immemorial, the Jews…

New Year and Mission

We Filipinos can be very superstitious. If someone is getting married in the family, there are superstitious beliefs; if someone has passed away, there are superstitious beliefs. Yes, when we welcome the new year, there are also many superstitious beliefs: from round fruits to wearing polka dots, to feng shui lucky charms, to opening the…

A Mother’s Prayer

Matthew 15:21-28 Once in a wake, our group was talking about death and the difficulty that the family deals with. One commented which everyone agreed – the most difficult thing is when it is the parents who bury their children. That is why even the Irish has a saying, “May you never bury your children.”…

Christian Unity

There is a story of St. Peter touring a new soul who just entered heaven. He first showed the soul the room of the United Church of Christ. They were feasting and praising. Then they visited the room of the Reformed Church. They too were feasting and praising. Then they went to the room of…

God’s Time

One thing technology has brought us is that we can do things in an instant: Once when one had to do research, one had to go to the library. Now, just go to the internet. Once it would take hours to prepare one’s favorite food, now just dial a number and order it. Once to…