One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church

Matthew 16:13-19 There was this article entitled, “Who Founded Your Church?” Roman Catholic Church: 33AD, by Jesus Christ Lutheran Church: 1517, Martin Luther  Anglican Church: 1534, King Henry VIII Mormonism: 1830, Joseph Smith Jehovah’s Witnesses: 1874, Charles Taze Russell In the Gospel, we hear of Jesus telling Peter, “And I tell you, you are Peter,…

The Key to Gratitude

Matthew 13:18-23 When we talk about St. John Vianney (St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney), the patron saint of priests, three things come to mind. First, because of his witnessing he was able to convert the whole village of Ars, France. Second, his mortification which turned off the devil. Third, his service through long, long hours of hearing…

Treasure Hunting

I came across this story of a person who was approached by treasure hunters. They had maps and they had samples of gold. They said that it was just a matter of days before they were able to get the gold but they needed funds. He was promised an amount that so big that it…

Promise Fulfilled

In our many relationships, the ones we truly value are those who have “Palabra de honor.” People who are faithful to their word or their promise. When one says on this time and this date, surely on the appointed time and date, he/she will be there. On the other hand, if a person does not…

Losing One’s Life to Save It

Matthew 10:34:41 A friend of mine had a dream to be successful. She studied hard for it and eventually worked hard for it too. Just when she thought she was on her way up the corporate ladder, she found herself sick and hospitalized. Her realization is that at any given time, whatever we work hard…

Protect Us from the Evil One

In the website The Conversation, it is quoted that Sicilian priest and long-time exorcist Father Benigno Palilla recently told Vatican Radio that requests for exorcisms had tripled in the past few years. He said there were now 500,000 alleged cases of demonic possession recorded in Italy each year. With a population of around 60 million,…

Happy and Sad

John 20: 1-2, 11-18 As a priest, every day I deal with sadness: whenever I celebrate a funeral Mass whenever I anoint people who are sick when people ask me to join them for prayer for their special intention.  Sadness is always related to letting go. In death, we say goodbye to a loved one….

Things That Matter in Life

John 12:24 -26 Nathan Scott once said, “It is the oldest story in the world. One day you’re seventeen and planning for someday. And then quietly, without you ever noticing, that someday is today. And the someday becomes yesterday. And this is our life.” The Gospel reminds us that life is short, swift, and uncertain….

Good and Bad

Matthew 13:24-30 I am sure we all have asked the question, “If God is good, why is there evil”? Or perhaps even, “Why are there evil people in the Church”? Just look at the scandals every now and then. Or, “Why bother being good?”, when the lifestyles of evil people include nice cars, huge houses,…

Saying Goodbye

There are some famous songs from Broadway musicals: Don’t Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl Fly, Fly Away from Catch Me If You Can the Musical Don’t Cry for Me Argentina from Evita Goodbye Love from Rent And I am Telling You from Dream Girls What do they have in common? These songs talk…