Inspirations at your Fingertips!

Faces of faith Mark 5:21-43 Jesus not only performed miracles of healing and raising the dead; he manifested his mercy. Mercy would be manifested to whom?  As the readings today emphasize: "Never lose sight of Jesus;" "Don't be afraid; only have faith."  He brought Peter, James and John.  Other than these, what we have are crowds, unruly, ridiculing, unmerciful.  How is faith related to mercy? First, if faith is enveloped with humility, the Lord's mercy would be manifest;  "If I could just touch event he tassel of his cloak, I would get well."  It is never bossy or imposing.  It relies totally on the mercy and generosity of God. Second, faith should never flaunt: "Don't tell it to anyone."  Rather, it rejoices in a quiet but sure communion with God, savoring each moment that Jesus manifests his love. Third, faith converts into mercy itself: "Give her something to eat."  It should be concerned at how others live a...

Power Mark 4:35-41 In the gospel, Jesus showed his power over creation.  Such is the power of God. He also has the power to give order to people and societies.  The 10 commandments are meant to give order by respecting lives and properties as well as giving God what is due to him, all adoration and service. This power to provide order to societies was further brought to perfection in Jesus.  It was foretold that God would plant his law in people's hearts.  Jesus precisely did that when he said, "I give you a new command, 'Love one another as I have loved you.'" This power to change creation, societies and people's hearts can only be possible through faith, not in belief in one's own power but in God's power to save, to heal, and bring to wholeness all the things that are destroyed by sin and death.  Our power springs from acknowledging that by ourselves we can do nothing.  Our power comes from God's power.  Our power should mirror His pow...

The kingdom of God Mark 4:26-34 Jesus told the parables of the Kingdom of God.  The kingdom of God has a beginning, a middle, and an end. There is a process to attain the Kingdom of God.  It's not just found in going to mass.  We've seen a lot of Sunday and even daily churchgoers who faithfully attend masses, and yet their hearts remain hardened.  They haven't give the Kingdom of God the chance to mature and develop in their lives. The Kingdom of God has a beginning.  There is the merciful heart of the master who wants to plant so that people may have food and eventually, life.  It may also be the seed of the Good News that needs to be planted in our hearts. The Kingdom of God is now in our hearts, molding us and making us fruitful. The second part is nourishing the Kingdom of God.  God works in us as he works in our development.  The one who planted only has to sleep, wake up, and eat.   It is God who works.  Remember, it is G...

by Fr. Lito Jopson Today, we recall how Mary existed in our country even during the arrival of the Spanish.  In that account in Zambales, a man saw a woman's image imprinted on a rock; and there were many stories of miracles.  And when the Spanish came, they too were amazed how the image came to be in the Philippines even before the Christianization of the new world came to be. Mary is deeply rooted in the Philippines as she was deeply rooted in her life with God. In our gospel, Jesus clarified, "Who are my mother and my brothers?"  He seems to expand the reality of family; it is not just confined among the members.  Rather, Jesus expands to include everyone; the human race with God is Jesus' family and Mary is very much a part of that family even before time.  That's why she is not only the mother of God; but also mother of men. Let us reflect on how to be a member of God's family, by doing God's work which Mary certainly did.  How can the spiri...

Sts. Timothy and Titus, Bishops Mark 4:21-25 Sts. Timothy and Titus were laid hands by St. Paul; they continued his work. They were sent to be witnesses of the Lord.  What does witnessing mean? First, witnessing to the Lord is witnessing to his truth.  The truth sets us free. Second, the truth also is the light of our lives.  All lies are kept in the dark.  They darken the mind. Third, the truth is filled with compassion which is the heart of a witness.  The witness brings others to the light because they have the concern like Jesus. All these can be seen in the bishops and priests, with whom the Holy Father and the bishop laid their hands on.  Laying of hands mean the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, giving witnesses the power give witness to Jesus himself, the God of holiness, justice, and mercy.

Faces of mercy Mark 3:20-21 It seems that this is one of the shortest gospels ever read in masses.  Jesus and his apostles didn't have to eat with so much crowd needing help and healing; and yet even their relatives accused him as going out of his mind. The mercy of Jesus in this gospel is found in the following points: First, thinking of others rather than the self It is in ministering to others that we are ministered.  People being fed becomes our food.  People brought to life becomes our lives as well. Second, mercy becomes dangerous Mercy becomes dangerous because it doesn't conform to society's expectations.  Society would say, "survival of the fittest"; mercy would say, "sharing".  Others would say, "eye for an eye"; mercy would say, "forgive".  But note, as these are relatives of Jesus, Jesus would say, "But who are my relatives?  Those who do God's will are my mother, brothers, and sisters." Thir...

by Fr. Lito Jopson These past days have been spirit-filled for me as I participated and covered the events that happened at the Fourth World Apostolic Congress on Mercy held in the Philippines this 16 - 20 January 2017. One cannot fathom the implications of God's mercy in our lives and how we can be instruments of mercy. As God is pure "hesed" (mercy), so too we are called to incarnate mercy in us. In order to live in mercy, we need to be in communion with God who is the source of mercy and to one another in an unconditional bond of love.  This builds us as Church. Mercy is as concrete as smiling to others to being generous to others, especially the poor, suffering, homeless, defenseless, and wayward enslaved by vices. Union with God and with one another is the most compelling force of mercy. With communion, it is almost easy to give the self, sell everything one has, or devote time, talent, and treasure. At this point it is important to make an honest...

Holiness John 1:35-42 In the first reading, St. John enjoins people to be holy just as God is holy.  Holiness cannot be manufactured by self alone.  It cannot be a series of self-made activities that attains holiness. This is how to live in holiness: first, follow Jesus second, know Jesus third, realize who you are.