What Matters In Life

As a priest, I always give priority to the Anointing of the Sick and Confession for those who are chronically ill. The confession typically takes at least one hour. It is not only a confession but also a flashback of life. Typically, the three things talked about: first, the hurts in life, most especially broken…

Healing and Prayer

With so many sick people and so many sicknesses, healing is one of the most popular prayer intentions. The Gospel today reminds us that one of the reasons people were going to Jesus in droves was to request healing. Further, the Gospel has as many as 22 different stories of healing. We have a rosary…

New Year

Many articles have come out about good fortune and what superstitious practices can be done. Some of the more popular ones are: The list goes on and on. When asked why we do all these, the typical answer is: “It won’t hurt.” But deep down in our hearts, it is saying that if God doesn’t…

Innocents

Look what power, greed, and insecurity can do. Because Herod was very afraid of losing his position and privileges, he had all boys below two years old killed. In today’s time, Herod’s acts are still very much around. According to the World Health Organization, there are about 125,000 abortions every day. Meaning about 40,000,000 to…

Do They Know It’s Christmas Time?

In the US, there was a survey made by Gallup Poll that says in 2021, only 81 percent of Americans believed in God. The survey started way back in 1944. Up to the 1960s, 98 percent believed in God. Up to 2011, it was 92 percent believed. Up to last year, 17 percent do not…

Authority and Participation

Ed. Note: This entry is from Fr. Mon’s series of Simbang Gabi homilies A synodal Church is a participatory and co-responsible Church. How do we identify the goals to be pursued, the way to achieve them, and the steps to be taken? How is authority exercised within our particular Church? What are the practices of…

Immaculate Conception

It is the desire of God that we human beings share his happiness. However, in paradise man and woman ate the forbidden tree, and original sin entered into our lives thus sending man and woman out of paradise.  Yet, it is the desire of God that we human beings share his happiness and that is…

Being Wise in the Eyes of God

A few years ago, The Economic Times came out with a survey on the most admired people in the world. The results were that the most admired people were a combination of materially rich, popular, powerful, intelligent, strong, talented and handsome/beautiful. Hence, people who are able to acquire these things are considered learned and wise….

God Cares

How many times in our lives do we ask ourselves, “Does God really care?” This is usually when life is difficult, when we are experiencing storms of life, when we experience a death, when we suddenly get sick, or experience a broken relationship. In fact, we even ask, “If God is good, why do bad…

Following Christ

In the music industry, there is what is called “Fandom”. They are passionate and devoted fans who are deeply engaged with their favorite artists, groups, or bands. They attend concerts, buy merchandise, boost streaming momentum, and participate in fan communities. In other words, they will follow their favorite artists anywhere they are and all that…