One of the most natural emotions of people is fear. Some of us fear ghosts, some fear getting sick, some fear the future, some fear dying, some fear talking in front of people and some fear bad elements in their neighborhood. The Gospel story of the apostles in their boat has them experience multiple. First,…
Be Like God
We always ask the question, “If God is good why is there hell?” Our Christian faith reminds us that God created spiritual beings called Angels. Lucifer, a very beautiful angel, along with one-third of the angels, rebelled against God. Why? “They wanted to be like God.” Hence, Led by St. Michael, they were cast out…
What Are You Looking For?
When we are given a new year, of course, we have to plan so that time and resources are not wasted. In planning though, it is very important to ask ourselves, “What are you looking for?” No matter how old we are, there is always something in life that we are looking for. Some are…
Faith and Doubt
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…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 