Matthew 16: 13-19 When we see someone who is rich, we feel that the person is blessed. He has found favor with God and that is why all the blessings occur. Further, he always connotes material blessings with happiness. That too was the thinking of the Jews during the time of Jesus: material possessions equal…
Reap What You Sow
I am sure that we have heard people lament, “What is the point of doing good and what is right? Just look at the people who do otherwise. They have nicer houses, nicer cars, nicer clothes, and more properties.” Indeed these people may have a point. But there is one thing that they always forget…
The Secret to Eternal Life
Often people who have had a relative or a loved one who passed away will query about their experience with their deceased loved one before passing away. “Kausap niya ang aming lolo or lola na pumanaw na rin naman.” While science and medicine would have an explanation for what we usually call “Pagsusundo,” it still…
The Cross
John 18: 1-19: 42 Nowadays we see the Cross all over. There are tattoo crosses; there are earrings with the cross design; many rock bands use the cross in their names; the Satanists invert the cross. During the time of Jesus, the cross meant death. Not only death but even the most humiliating form of…
The Truth Will Set You Free
John 8: 31-42 One program that is very successful in treating alcoholism is the program Alcoholics Anonymous. It is said that for a person who wants to be healed, the most basic requirement for the alcoholic is to admit that he or she needs help. No denial, no justification, no blaming. Just plain and simple,…
The Power of Prayer
Matthew 7: 9-11 Whenever we see a friend who has lost a lot of weight, created a booming business, or has had a health-related recovery, we often say, “teach me how you did it.” “Teach us how to pray,” were the words of the Apostles to Jesus. They must have seen how powerful and significant…
Turning Bad Into Good
Matthew 26: 14-27: 66 As human beings, we look at things in our lives based only on two realities: favorable and unfavorable; this event is good, this event is bad; this experience brought joy and this experience brought pain, etc. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, the Pharisees and the Scribes wanted to kill Jesus. Why? He…
Who is Not with Us is Against Us
Every once in a while, I am approached by parents lamenting that their son or daughter is not Catholic anymore. No more Mama Mary or rosary, no more images, and intercession of saints, no more Masses and the litany continues. I often ask the parent if the son or daughter has become a better person….
Don’t Lose Hope
John 11: 1-45 Once in a group conversation, we were talking about the great menace of drugs. How so much of the population is into it. Then someone in the group added, “Remember, we are only talking about illegal drugs. How many people are into prescribed drugs? How many people take prescribed drugs due to…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 