John 10: 22:30 In the Gospel one will always read that Jesus emphasizes the importance of Faith: A centurion had a sick daughter and she was healed because of the faith of the centurion A paralytic was sick and he was healed because of the faith of his friends On the other hand, the apostles…
Why Fast?
During the season of Lent, Catholics are encouraged to fast during Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Since Filipinos are used to eating six times a day, from breakfast to morning merienda, to lunch to afternoon merienda, to dinner to midnight snacks, fasting is difficult. While it is very challenging to skip meals, let us be…
Who is My Neighbor?
Luke 10: 25-37 I once celebrated Mass in a subdivision clubhouse. After the Mass, during the fellowship, I was talking to two couples, whom I introduced to each other. Couple 1 asked Couple 2, “What is your street?” It turns out that both lived on the same street. Not only that, it turns out that…
Open My Eyes
John 9: 1-41 According to the World Health Organization a few years back, there were 285 million people estimated to be visually impaired worldwide. That is, 39 million are blind and 246 million have low vision. About 90% of the world’s visually impaired live in low-income settings. 82% of people living with blindness are aged 50 and above. Due…
Letting Go
Mark 10: 28-31 It is said that life is like an echo…what you sow comes back to you. Not only once, but quite often and many times over. As a priest, this is one thing I notice about people who help out. His blessings will always return and come back. When I was in the…
Bringing People to Jesus
John 1: 45-51 Later this year, it will be my 16th anniversary as a priest. How time flies. After 14 years in the corporate world and 5 years in the seminary, I would tell people that the priesthood “is the world’s best-kept secret.” It does have its share of trials and difficulties but the joy…
Cleanliness
Matthew 23: 25-27 As children, one of the first lessons we learned was table manners. For example: Wash your hands before eating Say prayers before and after meals Don’t talk when your mouth is full Don’t touch the food Elbows off the table Of course, one of the most important objectives of table manners is…
Dealing with Failure
Luke 24: 13-35 We all either admire or are envious of successful people. Whether we are envious or full of admiration for a person though, one thing is for sure – that person is good at whatever he or she is doing. How did they get to be that good in their chosen field? If…
In Search of the Sensational
Luke 11: 29-32 As human beings, we are always searching for the sensational. I saw a video of the sun seemingly dancing at the Divine Mercy Hill in El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental. Indeed it is mind-boggling. When we hear of things like this, we are fascinated. For us, things like this are signs…
Service
John 13: 1-15 There are often international articles on Filipina nannies and the impact they have made on the lives of people. They are always remembered for the same things: The many sacrifices of their nanny taking care of them The love they have felt from their nanny The lessons in life and wisdom they…