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 the Gospel today, 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 of a menace 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…
Grief and God
In the book Praying Our Goodbyes, Sr. Joyce Rupp the author, says that life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. The very first goodbye was the womb that nursed us for nine (9) months. Simultaneous to this we said hello to the world. The very last goodbye will be our last breath, but then…
Thanking God for People
Matthew 5:13-16 Every single time it is quiet and there is a time to reflect, one of the things that I do is to thank God for various people in my life. There are people who are not here in this world anymore, yet I remember their kindness; There are people who I have not…
Like Father, Like Son
John 5: 17-30 How many of us think that God is a God who is angry? I go to Mass because otherwise, bad luck might be experienced in my personal life, in my family life or in my professional life. Or if I experience misfortune, it is only because of my sins in the past….
Service in Difficult Times
John 13:16-20 There is a quote, “Be kind. Everyone is fighting a battle.” Part of our ministry as priests is that people share with us what they are going through. Everyone has their crosses. I remember an article came out once on the effect of Facebook on people. You see your friends eating in this…
3 Ways 2 Your 1 God 