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…

Last Days

Luke 17:20-25 To get a feel of what people are thinking, one just has to go to the internet. One of the most talked-about topics is the question – Are These the Last Days? Why the question?  First, look at the natural disasters: earthquakes, storms, and droughts in one place and so much rain in…

Are You Born Again?

How many of us have been approached by a family member, a friend, an officemate, or even a stranger, only to be asked, “Are you born again?” Whatever the response, the next question would be: “Have you asked Jesus into your heart and received Him as his personal Lord and savior?”  What then, is the…

Doubting Jesus

Since time immemorial, people have always doubted Jesus whether he is indeed the Son of God. Thomas doubted God and was told to reach out and put his hand into his side. Even disciples doubted when Jesus said that he was the bread that came down from heaven. When he was nailed on the cross,…

Invitation

Just after All Saints and All Souls’ Day, Christmas is truly just around the corner. Yes, there will be parties, homecomings, weddings, and baptismal invitations. However for many reasons, we are not able to attend all simply because that traffic is bad, there are so many invitations, time is limited, and yes, health due to…

Wise and Foolish

If you wish to know what people are most interested in nowadays, just go online.  Not too long ago, the top three most viewed on YouTube were: No. 3 was a music video of Wiz Khalifa – See You Again No. 2 was a music video of Ed Sheeran – Shape of You No. 1…

Discipleship

During the time of Jesus, it would not be a surprise if many wanted to be his disciple. They must have seen his fame. People were following him were ever he may be. Further, they loved his preaching. They must have seen his power. Even the Chief Priests, the Scribes and the Pharisees were afraid…