Inspirations at your Fingertips!

20 December Luke 1:26-38 We have started this nine days novena that leads to the celebration of Christmas, not as opening of gifts, but fulfilling a prophesy that "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.  Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.  Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.  In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow" (Is 35: 5 - 7). We were prepared so far as to start journeying into the world of integrity, solid faith, hope, and love.  Now, the Holy Spirit dwelt on Mary, the Immaculate Conception, whose heart is pure before God and man, and whose obedience was absolute, "I am the maidservant of the Lord; let it be done to me as you said" (Lk. 1: 38).  What does it take for us to incarnate Christ with such definitiveness? First, there is no...

Friday of week 26 in Ordinary Time Luke 10:13-16 Job, who sought an answer from the Lord for the misery he experienced, got the response he deserved, and much more, God revealed his true power of being the Creator of the entire world.  How could we question his ways? In the gospel, Jesus expressed his disappointment with Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for not listening to his words. We are called to listen to God not only with our ears, but with our minds and hearts.  Our ears lead us to hear, but our minds lead us to understand, and much more, our hearts lead us to form our lives in accord with the ways of God.  What we learn become part of our values and attitudes, and they translate to behavior, the very action of our lives. This is our prayer then: first, that we may learn God's ways; second, that we put them to heart; and third, that we may follow him in this journey through life.

St. Francis of Assisi Thursday of week 26 in Ordinary Time  Luke 10:1-12  If there as saints as relevant and as well known in today's world, it would be St. Francis, a man who renounced all wealth, even his father, so he can freely call God his father and follows of ways of Jesus. St. Francis, renounced everything, yet his wealth is the wealth of the creation of God. He also lived out the gospels in the literal way, and showed us that it is really possible to live that way of life that God provides. The first reading is about the total dependence on God; as he is also the one whom Job wants to talk to.  Yet his defender is God himself.  St. Francis denounced the world but made God his supreme defender and Father. The gospel is precisely how St. Francis lived in this world, not depended on any material things, but totally immersed in the mission to proclaim the Good News.  His wealth is love incarnated in himself. He taught us how to live like a chi...

Thursday of week 24 in Ordinary Time , Saints Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, and Paul Chong Hasang, and their Companions, Martyrs Luke 7:36-50 Who among us claim to be worthy to receive and and even demand to receive God's mercy? St. Paul admitted that he persecuted Christians before he was converted to the faith.  He then reminded the people to hold on to their faith in Christ crucified. In the Gospel, the unworthy woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her her may be more worthy to receive God's graces rather than the pharisee who invited Jesus to his home but in turn made more demands to him. As unworthy servants of the Lord this is what we can do: 1.  We rely totally on God's graces rather than our own This is a expression of our total helplessness vis. a vis. that world's call for us to rely totally on our own. On the contrary, only God can supply us with the graces necessary for us to live each day.  What we can do is to show...

Our Lady of Sorrows John 19:25-27 Whenever we think of Mary, it is inevitable that we always think of Jesus.  Mary is like the light of the moon that gets its light from the sun. As we have celebrated the Exultation of cross yesterday, now we recall how Mary partook of the sufferings of Jesus, her son, and eventually, shared in our sufferings as well as our way to Jesus. From the seven Sorrows of Mary, we could reflect on how the sorrows of Mary become salvific.  I shall mention three: First, "A sword shall pierce your heart" (Luke 2:33-35) From the very start, Mary's vocation is not one of glamour or fame; it's the mark of a disciple and a servant out to please God.  But Mary chose that path for us. Second, "Do you not know I had to be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2: 43-45) The pain of Mary losing her son is the pain of every mother and father to their children.  But isn't it that the vocation of every parent is to rear the children ...

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross John 3:13-17 Being lifted could be one of the most consoling things we can ever experience.  After we've fallen or been thrown into the deep abyss, or simply felt sad and rejected, there would be someone who would lift us up, embrace us, cleanse us, and inspire us to go on through life. I've seen this in competitions, in the Olympic games, where the heated passion is in the winning, but there would be someone who would look back at the last line and go back to assist the fallen. Such is Jesus to us.  He lifts us up as Moses lifts up the serpent in the desert and Jesus himself is lifted up on the cross.  He lifts us up from the following: 1. He lifts us up from our state of sin to grace No one else would forgive us than Jesus himself.  And just when others would judge us, there would be a loving God who would embrace us and erase all our sins! 2. He lifts us up from our depressions to hope When beset with anxieties and wo...

Thursday of week 23 in Ordinary time Luke 6:27-38  Taking the message of the gospel head-on, I'm sure that we will find it hard to love and forgive our enemies in an instant.  Why on earth will Jesus command us love those who've done us wrong? Perhaps the first reading will give us a clue.  It may be easy to judge wrongly eating food that are offered to the gods simply because as St. Paul explained, there are no such gods.  Only God exists.  And Jesus, the Son of God, incarnates the God's love for all of us by suffering and dying on the cross.  Thus, for God, all of humankind comprises his children who need to be saved rather than be condemned. Why must we love and forgive our enemies?  Because like us, our enemies too are children of God.  Like our enemies, we too deserve God's just punishment.  But all of us, whether enemies and friends, are subject to God's forgiveness and salvation.  In every person, enemy or friend, is the v...

The Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary Matthew 1:18-23 For Mary's birthday, we reflect on the readings introduce a theme that most aptly describes not only Jesus but the Blessed Virgin Mary, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel ... " Bethlehem may be the least of the clans of Judah, but that least has brought out greatest man who ever lived and the woman who made this possible, Jesus and Mary. In the gospel, we add another "least" in the history of great men, Joseph.  A carpenter by trade, he might have planned to divorce Mary, but because of his deep love of God, he without question took Mary as his wife. Littleness, simplicity, or being the least.  Even the saints like St. Therese exult "the little way".  Mary, the least among women because of her humble status, is truly most blessed.  It's time we opt for the little way. Mary's little w...

Thursday of week 22 in Ordinary Time Luke 5:1-11 Which is wiser: to serve or not to serve? Post-modern situation priorities the ways of the world more than God's work.  Serving God may seem noble, but we don't have the time to do it. But look at what happened to Peter.  Logic tells him that it's not the time of day to catch fish. And yet, Jesus told him, " Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch ." Reluctantly, he followed Jesus. It may be a defiance of the rules of nature, but could God be pushed in favor of science and logic?  After all, God is the author of nature. Besides, could it be that God is much more concerned with giving these burnt out fishermen and their families who may be on the verge of death simply because they don't have any catch of fish.  Much more than miracles, the very nature of God is to give life.  What's wrong with that? Now, here we are, deciding not to follow the Lord because we think we can sur...

Tuesday of week 22 in Ordinary Time Luke 4:31-37 We have heard the term "Life in the Spirit".  It is coined by the the Charismatics who in accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit, reveal it every aspect of life. St. Paul emphasized the capacity of the Holy Spirit to enable us to know God and to live in his ways. Jesus revealed his power over unclean spirits to the amazement of the crowd.  What does it mean to live the life of the Spirit? First, be aware of the earthly and heavenly realities.  The first reading emphasized the folly of simply living in a world way.  But the life of the Spirit is open to the promptings of God. Second, make a choice to live in the Spirit.  There is a world of difference between a worldly person and a spiritual person.  The later gives honor and praise to the Father. Third, trust in God. The word "trust" says it all - entrusting, committing, offering everything.  It is to mirror Jesus who entrusted everything ...

Saturday of week 20 in Ordinary Time Matthew 23:1-12  What is described in the first reading is the glory of God, something we hope to see in the future - to be included among the saints in God's kingdom. Unfortunately, the pharisees who are supposed to know this are the ones corrupting the faithful.  They are more concerned with earthly externalities that they forget that the very heart of the faith is not themselves but God and their relationship with him. How do we maintain our focus on heavenly realities?  We can focus on our relationship with Jesus through the following: Rabbi - teacher; take time to learn only from the Master who teaches righteousness, no more, no less.  His teachings are found in the teachings of the Church. Father - this is not to belittle the priests when we call them "Father"; but Fatherhood connotes trusting and loving the Father who provides for his children.  This loving relationship puts peace in our hearts inste...

Friday of week 19 in Ordinary Time Matthew 19:3-12 It's evident how despite our sinfulness, God renews his covenant with us, his people. This covenant is like the marriage vows of husbands and wives.  The only difference in a Catholic marriage is that this covenant is binding and what God has put together no man can separate. For us personally, what does this covenant imply? 1. First, it implies total, unconditional, and undivided faithful commitment from God who is our partner in the covenant.  For his part, he will insure our well-being, forgiveness, and life. 2.  Second, it demands a definite response from the other party: us.  There may be various responses: marriage, priesthood, single or religious life.  But remember: even our response demands a special grace only God can supply.  Thus, everything is God's action in us.  Even our response which is love is a gift from Him.  We only need to say "Yes" each day and each moment of...

Saturday of week 18 in Ordinary Time  Matthew 17:14-20  There is something from Habbakuk that talks about the prophets seemingly in doubt as to the ways of the Lord.  Why does it seem that the Lord is fully in control, yet, the evil persons continue their wicked ways. The good prophet stated that he would wait patiently on the Lord for the answer.  The Lord indeed answered, "See how he flags, he whose soul is not at rights, but the upright man will live by his faithfulness." In today's gospel, it was Jesus who seemed impatient for the weakness of men, "How long must I keep up with you?"  in exorcising the sick son.  Then he gave a beautiful discourse on faith: "I tell you solemnly, if your faith were the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move; nothing would be impossible for you." What we need are patience and faith.  These two go together.  Nothing is impossible with God....

Saint Laurence, Deacon, Martyr John 12:24-26  There's a saying in Filipino, "Kung ano'ng tinanim, siya ring aanihin."  Kung matipid ang pagtatanim, matipid din ang aanihin.  On the other hand, rich sowing means rich reaping. Since we know we're entering into the same venture anyway, why not capitalize on opportunities instead of desiring only for small output? In the Gospel, Jesus capitalizes on a rich harvest.  But it takes the offering of Jesus' own life to cause the salvation not only of a certain number of people, but of the entire human race in all generations. In the Ignatian Spirituality, there's what we call "magis", meaning, more.  "Ad majorem Dei gloriam" (All for the greater glory of God) would be a call to desire for God all the more, to serve Him more, to follow Him more, and to love Him more.  In other words, we simply give to God what he deserves, adoration, love, and service. By doing so, we shall be reapin...

Friday of week 17 in Ordinary Time Matthew 13:54-58 Have we experienced being belittled by others, even oppressed? Jeremiah and Jesus were not exempt from these trials.  Jeremiah, who spoke God's words, was not accepted by the people. Jesus was nearly pushed to a cliff for giving witness to the Father.  He was also put to the cross because of this. But did the oppression stop them from proclaiming the truth? No!  Why?  Because there are two graces that they have which we also need to ask from the Lord. The first is truth.  The truth sets us free.  Who else knows us except God alone?  Other people will only get a glimpse of who we are.  Stay close to God then and learn from his ways.  Then we shall live in the light of truth. Who else knows us except God alone? The second is love.  St. John says, "Perfect love casts out fear." (1 John 4:18)  Love is based on a sincere intention to build relationship and not destroy...

Thursday of week 17 in Ordinary Time Matthew 13:47-53 Heaven is our final home after our lives here on earth.  We have come to know this in our Catholic faith.  It is our ultimate destination. Heaven is place of perfect goodness and love.  Heaven is where God dwells and he offers this same home to us. No one lives comfortably on one's riches and power while the world suffers and still call it "heaven". But could heaven also exist here on earth?  Of course it could.  But heaven is beyond all politics and riches.  No one lives comfortably on one's riches and power while the world suffers and still call it "heaven".  If we could realize heaven on earth, how can we realize it in all eternity? Let us allow ourselves to be molded by God like in the first reading.  Let us also be the catch of fish useful to the fisherman and not the useless ones whom Jesus calls "evil".  For God has no use of things if they remain useless and unformable...

Vigil Mass on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul John 21:15-19  With the celebration of the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and Paul and their invaluable contribution to the growth and development of the Church, what is common with these two great men? First, a progressive, developing faith.  St. Peter's faith is just like any of us, it has its highs and lows, tos nd fros, forwards and backwards.  St. Paul started out killing Christians.  But all these changed to a livelier, sturdier faith, giving us the opportunity to accept our humanity but also have the willingness to make our faith perfect. Second, the willingness to be formed.   St. Paul's conversion is tremendous; and so is Peter's when his betrayal was changed to repentance.  St. Paul underwent formation till he can explain the faith to others with passion.  Let's open our hearts to receive learnings from Lord in our everyday lives. Third, perfect love.   In the Gospel, Peter was asked...

Kapistahan ni San Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer Lucas 5: 1 - 11 Maraming bahagi sa buhay ni Padre Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer ang ukol sa pamumunga.  Ito ri'y maaari nating baunin at hangarin ang pamumunga ng buhay natin. Nagsimula ang pamumunga ni San Josemaria noong inordenahan siyang pari noong 1923.  Ganoon na lamang ang kanyang pagkukusang mamunga sa kanyang bokasyon at gampanin ang kanyang papel na alagaan ang mga dukha't maysakit habang siya'y nag-aaral ng abogasya.  Sa kanya itinanim ang binhi ng Mabuting Balita. Ikalawang pamumunga ay noong nilikha niya ang Opus Dei noong 1928 para sa mga nagnanais mamuhay sa kabanalan sa gitna ng ordinaryong pamumuhay.  Maraming naakit sa pamumuhay na ito simula 1928 para una sa mga kalalakihan, pagkatapos ay para sa mga kababaihan na aktibong naglilingkod sa lipunan at sa Simbahan. Ikatlong pamumunga ay noong naging personal prelature ang Opus Dei noong 1943.  Ito'y lubos nang nakakabit sa Simbahan lalo ...

Friday of week 11 in Ordinary Time Mt 6:19-23 No matter how we put it, evil will not last.  It is always geared towards a certain and definitive end. Athaliah killed the members of the royal household and took over the throne.  But God would not allow injustice to thrive.  He made the surviving son Joash live.  In the end, justice was served, Joash was made king, and Athaliah was killed. The good will always triumph.  The supreme good is Jesus himself; death has no power over him. We can also promote, live out, and share none other than goodness.  Today's gospel gives us a hint on how we can live out goodness: First, subdue inordinate attachments to material things.  Think, live out and share heavenly things, our real treasures.  Think of life as a stepping stone to heaven.  Each day is a step closer to heaven.  We also lead others to heaven, not lead them to obsession to power, fame, or wealth. Second, the truth.  "Th...

Tuesday of week 11 in Ordinary Time Matthew 5:43-48 How does one love the enemy?  Though at first glance, we feel that this is totally impossible, actually, it's not. It just goes to show that forgiveness is not our property, but God's.  Hear this saying, "To err is human; to forgive is divine."  When we forgive, we are partaking in God's own divinity. Second, forgiveness is like medicine; it takes time to heal.  It is like antibiotic; it needs to be taken every 3 or 4 hours everyday for 7 days.  It takes a process to forgive. Third, when we forgive, we identify with Jesus in his most supreme act of self-offering, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they do."  At that exact moment, heaven is offered to all enemies in every age to receive God's forgiveness. For God loves all people, especially sinners.

Tuesday of week 10 in Ordinary Time Matthew 5:13-16 The woman in the first reading was subjected to the strictest trial, but she was able to withstand it.  As a reward, the jars of meal and oil were not consumed.  She earned the respect of the prophet Elijah. In the Gospel, Jesus reminds us Christian disciples how we can earn God's admiration.  The first is being salt.  It's meant to give flavor and to preserve.  Preserved from any corruption of sin, we rely totally of God's spirit to enliven us to do his will faithfully and unreservedly. The second is light.  Set on a mountain top, that light enlightens the whole surrounding .  That light is Christ, the light of the world, in his Church.  The truth that Christ gives to us forms our consciences, enabling us to live in freedom.  We also help redeem others by bringing them to the light. May we never falter in these challenges to be the salt of the earth and light of the world!

Kabanal-banalang Puso ni Hesus John 19:31-37 Sa Dakilang Kapistahan ng Kabanal-banalang Puso ni Hesus, binubuksan tayo sa isang katotohanan na ang Diyos ay pag-ibig; hindi lamang ito pag-ibig sa nibel ng isipan kundi pag-ibig sa mismong nibel ng buhay, nanunuot, nagbabasbas, at namumunga rin ng wagas na pag-ibig. Mula sa unang pagbasa, sa aklat ni propeta Hosea, ang Israel ay tinuring niyang kanyang anak, pinalaya, pinalakad, at tinuruan.   Ngunit nagdurugo ang kanyang puso sa galit; hindi nakikinig and Israel.   Ano ang kanyang gagawin?  Hindi niya sisirain ang Ephraim.  Sapagkat siya'y Diyos, hindi tao. Ito ang pag-ibig ng Diyos: kung nakakaranas tayong magkasala, andyan siya upang tayo'y patawarin at patuloy na buhusan ng pag-ibig.  Ang tugon natin?  Paghingi ng tawad. Ikalawa, ang pag-ibig ng Diyos ay pinaapaw ng Espiritu Santo sa puso natin, kung kaya't nakikilala natin si Kristo at malaman ang kanyang pagliligtas.  Ang pag-i...

Tuesday of week 8 in Ordinary Time Mark 10:28-31 St. Peter talks about the revelation that the prophets old yearned so hard to witness; now it's revealed to us - Jesus Christ our Lord. In the gospel, the same Peter raised a concern, "What about us? We have left everything and followed you."  But Jesus responded with such determination, "No one who left home will be paid a hundred times over."  This is as valuable as eternity itself. Let's reflect on eternal life and align our lives from there.  We may have thought about food and ways to survive each day, but have we thought about the consequences of our actions in eternal life?  The smallest detail must be connected with the life that is to come. Second, let's reflect on eternal life as being one with Jesus.  Are we united intimately with Jesus now?  Are our actions in conformity with Jesus?  Do they reflect the very person of Jesus? Finally, do our actions account for the salvation of man...

Tuesday of week 7 in Ordinary Time Mark 9:30-37 The readings point to a practical realization that conflicts in the Christian community are borne out of selfishness and corruption.  At the very heart of these conflicts is the self waiting to be exulted above all others. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, among others.  They can only be attained if hearts are oriented to search for the truth that comes from God.  We need humility to do this. In the Gospel, Jesus exulted a little child to correct the arrogance and envy among his apostles.  He said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all." Humility helps us to realize the power of the Lord and our littleness.  We begin to have full trust in him. Humility helps us to realize that people are as valuable as we are. Third, humility helps us to place ourselves at the se...

Friday of the 7th week of Eastertide John 21:15-19 We follow that which we love.  It may be a person or an object. Following entails an offering of life itself, inclusive of all time, talent, and treasure for that which we love. Following Jesus entails the following: First, that we follow Jesus in the world of goodness.  This implies a direct choice to follow what is good and avoid what is evil.  It implies our sincere desire to enter into heaven in the realm of goodness. Second, following Jesus implies that we follow Jesus in his words and actions as the path to the ultimate good.  We heed Jesus' command to sell everything we own, give them to the poor, and come follow him.  Are we ready for it? Third, following Jesus entails following him even to the cross.  St. Paul's life is exactly like that of Jesus.  The moment he enters into Jerusalem, he would be tried and put to death like what happened to Jesus.  He even appealed to b...

Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter Jn 16:16-20 In today's gospel, Jesus equated "seeing" with weeping while the world rejoices.  Eventually, our sorrow will turn into joy. "Seeing" is yearning for the Lord who died; but on the third day he rose again. "Seeing" is yearning for the vision of heaven and finally seeing it at the end of our lives. "Seeing" is yearning for life especially from our suffering brothers and sisters and finally seeing the fruits of sacrifice and community building, we are able to see the fruits of our labor. "Seeing" is St. Paul continuing his ministry as an apostle, even in the face of conflicts, would opt for the better alternative - to be apostle to the Gentiles. Grant that we may see each day the face of Jesus in the world we live in.

Saturday of the 2nd week of Eastertide John 6:16-21 This 14th day of Easter, the office of deacons was established so that the temporal needs of the poor members of the Church would be met while the apostles continue their ministry of proclaiming the Word. In the gospel, Jesus was seen walking on the waters. Easter is about the resurrection of the Lord, in body and spirit.  In our case we could experience the resurrection in the integration of human lives with a spirituality that comes from the power of God.  This is called secularity.  It may seem material, but we could recognize God's presence in the world and in way we conduct our temporal affairs - our work, the ways we handle our material possessions, and our preoccupation with day to day living. Each moment calls us to recognize the immense power of the Lord as the one who gives order to our lives.  He is the one walking above the waters; he is in control of all  created things. Second, each m...

Easter Thursday Luke 24:35-48  We are exposed to forty days of Jesus' presence to the disciples after the Resurrection.  This is the fourth day. Peter gave a discourse after he and John cured a lame man.  He helped deepen their understanding about Jesus and the work of salvation.  He needed to explain all these to open the eyes of their faith. In the Gospel, Jesus appeared to the apostles.  He even proved to them that he is present in body and spirit through the eating of the food.  But like the first reading, he wanted to open the eyes of their faith to greater realities: the reality of God's love and salvation through him. We are in need of salvation.  But existence in this world means we have to have the resources to feed our bodies with food.  Some of our brethren get stuck in the world of materialism, others hinge on power, fame, and persons for their happiness. How do we open the eyes of faith then to the realities of Jesus? Fi...

Easter Tuesday John 20:11-18 We are capitalizing on Easter experiences after the Easter morn. The people were cut to the heart when Peter explained how Jesus, the Messiah, was rejected and killed.  Three thousand people converted to the faith immediately after that. Mary had the most intense experience of seeing the Lord immediately on that Sunday morning.  It confirmed how treated Jesus even before he suffered and died - as Master, as Lord and God, and as her Beloved. We are inspired by concrete experiences of love, hate, joy, and sorrow.  In psychology, understanding our feelings manifests self-discovery of what we hold dear to our hearts and what we abhor.  Consequently, if we are devoid of positive feelings for the Lord, let's increase our experiences of faith, especially those that help us deepen it. How do we increase our sentiments and affections for the Lord? First, learn from the Master.  Treat Jesus as such - a master, a teacher, someo...

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Luke 23:46 In the 5 stages of death – denial, compromise, anger, depression, and acceptance, these words of our Lord are the words we might utter after all our struggles on earth, denials, compromises, anger and depression from all sicknesses, problems, sin, and desolation.  We humbly present to the Lord who we really are.  No more false pretenses; no more hiding.  We now utter, "Father, into your hands i commend my spirit." What does it mean when we pray these words?  And when is the best time to say them? First, know that Jesus is also equipped with a human spirit that gives life to his body.  We also possess the same spirit integrated in our bodies.  We need to offer our spirits to the Lord, having been created in his image and likeness, so that our every existence in this world would be a holy existence springing from a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. Second, the best time...

Maundy Thursday John 13:1-15 We formally enter into the Paschal Mystery of our Lord, or the mystery of his passion, death, and resurrection.  We need to enter fully into this mystery and know what it means for us.   And if there's a word that would encapsulate its meaning, the word would be "gift". As we are fond of receiving gifts, we also realize that gifts have qualities needed for them to become real gifts.  For instance, a gift has to be freely given with a joyful heart.  If it is forced because we expect to receive something, then it is not truly a gift.  The Holy Eucharist and Jesus' command of love, on the other hand, are authentic gifts from Jesus.  What constitutes a true gift? First, a gift needs to be given in the spirit of pure, immaculate intentions, as pure as a young lamb prepared for the family during the time of Moses.  In the gospel, Jesus is Begotten Son anointed by the Father with the purest heart filled with love for ...

Wednesday of Holy Week Matthew 26:14-16 Holy Wednesday brings us to reflect on the moment prior to the Last Supper when Jesus again prophesied who would betray him. The moment of salvation is near, but woe to that betrayer.  His sin is great indeed, far than any of us could think of.  He stayed with our Lord, traveled with him, heard his words, and seen his actions.   But he sold him for 30 pieces of silver after he ridiculed Mary when she poured perfume on Jesus' feet.  To sell person is a treatment of total indignity against him.  Much worse, when he asked the question, "Is it I, Rabbi?" he stripped Jesus of his title "Lord". We betray Jesus every moment of our active liveshere on earth.  We claim we don't have time even to greet him or visit him in the church.  No wonder we don't have time to serve him.  We become like Judas when: First, we stop listening to Jesus.   When our outlook on life is far from Jesus' outlook. When ...

Tuesday of Holy Week John 13:21-33,36-38 This Holy Tuesday, Satan entered into Judas who dipped bread together with Jesus and left to do what he had to do - betray Jesus. Yet, Jesus is the Messiah prophesied in Isaiah, the One called before he was born, elected to save humankind from sin.  God's spirit is in Him. Peter, on the other hand, though appearing concerned about who would betray Jesus, did not know that he would end up doing the same.  Jesus said, "You cannot follow" for not only Peter, but us, are not yet prepared to face the ultimate confrontation between evil and good. In moments when we are confronted with our own weaknesses and sin, because we are not yet ready to follow Jesus, do the following: First, stay close to Jesus.  This is simply faith, when our natural faculties to understand collide with faith, we give in to faith precisely we believe in Jesus. Second, stay close to the light.  God promised Israel to be the "light to t...

Saturday of the 4th week of Lent John 7:40-52 The people of Israel couldn't discern whether Jesus was the son of God or not.  But then came those who think they know God that they end up ridiculing others and most of all, Jesus: "Prophets do not come out of Galilee", though Jonas was from Galilee. When we are far away from God because of sin, all hell breaks lose.  From our corrupted minds comes corrupted hearts, hands and feet.  This total ignorance of God is what we are afraid of.  In this age of technology and information, man thinks he knows everything and what he does is true.  In the end, our lives are devoid of any tinge of the goodness and will of God. Heed the Lord's words in the first reading, "But you, the Lord of Hosts, who pronounce a just sentence, who probe the loins and heart, let me see the vengeance you will take on them, for I have committed my cause to you."  Let us reflect every verse from this reading to know God. First, Go...

Thursday of the 4th week of Lent John 5:31-47 This 30th day of Lent, we are confronted with a grim reality of our human nature - no matter how much God loves us, we still choose to love ourselves instead of him. In the first reading, God's disappointment is so overwhelming;  Moses' plea is not even enough to appease him.  There seems to be a deeper dearth here - the emptiness of love.  Still, God chooses to give man another chance. In the Gospel, what Jesus taught is actually a theology of who he is - the Son of God who testifies to the Father.  But his message was rejected by the Jews, for their hearts were far away from God. This is one of the greatest pains we can ever bear - when the other whom we love stops loving us.  What do we do? First, let our love be magnanimous.  Jesus testifies to the love of the Father.  There is no other love greater than that.  When we love, we give witness to the triumph of God's love even in failure...

Tuesday of the 4th week of Lent John 5:1-3,5-16  The reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel gives us a clear picture of an increasing volume of water that becomes a river and various plants sprout.  Indeed, it gives us a glimpse on God's power to grant us life and abundance. In the Gospel, Jesus didn't wait for the water to be stirred by the angel; he immediately cured the paralyzed man.  He is the water that gives us life. In this 28th day of Lent, let's constantly reflect on God as the source of graces and life. 1. Grace is a reason for healing and well-being.  In Facebook, we can see a barrage on how to live a healthy lifestyle.  But the best healthy life is one that is lived in God.  In following him, we would know how to live healthily.  His will enables us to live a length of days. 2.  Grace is a reason for communion.  The pharisees showed a poor example of rejoicing in the healing of a brother or sister.  Too p...

Friday of the 3rd week of Lent Mark 12:28-34 This 24th day of Lent, let us reflect our total reliance on God. Though Assyria was the most powerful nation at that time, still God reminded the Jews that "Assyria cannot save us." Hosea also depicted the very heart of God: "I will heal their disloyalty, I will love them with all my heart, for my anger has turned from them." What are we waiting for? In the Gospel, Jesus reiterated the most important law: "This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." Love is the most profound expression of our total reliance on God.  First, it openly acknowledges that everything comes from God; we are nothing without him. Second, it calls us develop and nurture ...

Getting married is such a profound, human experience; so profound that sometimes, we tend to attribute every relationship to ourselves. In the Christian context, marriage can most of all be a profound experience of God.  From the Book of Genesis 2:18-24, Adam uttered a most profound statement which cannot be uttered by any human being unless he has God's inspiration: "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called 'woman, 'for out of 'her man' this one has been taken." Jesus in the New Testament, Jesus reiterated the words of Genesis with a deeper implication: "A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.  So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate" (Matthew 19:3-6). Angelica and Charles, as you're entering into a new chapter in your lives as a married couple, realize one ...

Friday of the 2nd week of Lent Matthew 21:33-43,45-46 This 17th day of Lent, it is getting more apparent that every reading is pointing to the effects of sin as well as to Jesus' salvific action. Joseph being sold to the Ishmaelites prefigured Judas handing over Jesus to the pharisees for some 30 pieces of silver to be unjustly tried and killed. The end of sin is ultimately death.  It starts with a pleasurable thought, though skewed to please the self and God.  And whatever process it takes, it ends with a violent action against another, belittling human dignity.  Worse, it veers us away from God. But God is magnanimous than any of the sin combined.  God's judgment in the gospel is not a result of his anger but rather, it is a natural consequences of the effect of sin - alienation, punishment, and death. Jesus is much higher than any of these.  "They will respect my son" is a key to resolve this malady - Jesus, "the stone rejected by the builders, ...

Thursday of the 2nd week of Lent Luke 16:19-31 Jeremiah never stressed enough the importance of a life that is entrusted to the Lord; it is always fresh, green, and bearing fruit whereas the life devoid of God is like a heathen plant in the desert. Jesus in the gospel narrates the parable of the the rich man and Lazarus.  Though the rich is filled with wealth, his life is barren, but Lazarus, in yearning for the crusts that fall from the rich man's table is experiencing eternal comfort in heaven. The key to abundance or the lack of it is the heart.  Jeremiah mentioned it adequately, "I, the Lord, search to the heart, I probe the loins, to give each man what his conduct and his actions deserve."  The gauge for true life is what is inside it." How do we mold our hearts this Lenten season? First, search what is inside that heart.   The desire that causes it to beat is the gauge of its evilness or goodness.  Let that heart start yearning for God. ...

Tuesday of the 2nd week of Lent Matthew 23:1-12 The Immaculate Conception Cathedral rejoices for the Lord has visited his people through the holy relic of the Saint of Little Things, St. Therese of Lisieux. Inasmuch as the readings for today, the 14th day of Lent, deal very harshly against evildoers and hypocrites and calls on everyone to repent so that we can be "whiter than snow", on a positive note, St. Therese is a true picture of a person of authority unlike the scribes and pharisees who were interested only in outward appearances. St. Therese was proclaimed "Doctor of the Church" by St. Pope John Paul II last October 19, 1997.  The original "doctors" of the church - the scribes - have so little as compared to her.  What makes her "Doctor of the Church" and how do we imitate her? First, her progression came very rapidly since she was beatified last 1923.  Two years later, she was canonized.  He message "the little way", ...

Monday of the 2nd week of Lent Luke 6:36-38  This 13th day of Lent calls us to reflect how much we are rendering to God and our neighbors. The weighing scale is a symbol of justice.  It should not be skewed to either side.  But it also mirrors our love for God and neighbor. When we were children, everything seemed to be skewed to our favor; otherwise, we wouldn't live. However, if we continue in this state even after our education, then we are simply living the self-centered lifestyle. Jesus said, "The measure that we measure will be measured back to us."  What measure is this? First, the measure of our relationship with others. First, the measure of our relationship with persons.  Look at the image of a mirror.  What we see is ourselves.  As regards others, look at them.  What do we see?  We should see our own images on what we have done to them.  If we don't accord them care and concern, it reflects how lowly we treat o...

Saturday of the 1st week of Lent Matthew 5:43-48 This 11th day of Lent, we are reminded of our responsibility to deepen our commitment and relationship to our brothers and sisters most especially our enemies. The glorification that God will extend to man does not simply apply to individuals but to an entire nation.  It is to lift up our state above others if we do what he wills.  And what does he will?  That we love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.  I believe that "enemies" here are not just the enemies but all others whom we consider "insignificant" - all others outside our circle of friends and family.  Jesus commands us to love them as much as we love ourselves. How do we love the unlovable?    First, remember that all of us are created with the same dignity as sons and daughters of the Lord.   So, rue all possibilities or compartmentalizing people according to race, creed, economic status or even affiliations....

Friday of the 1st week of Lent Matthew 5:20 - 26 This 10th day of our observance of Lent, as in Ezekiel, the Lord clarified his rule on justification and punishment, while in the Gospel, Jesus commanded surpassing the present virtues of the scribes and pharisees as regards relationship with people.  The gauges are as follows: First, go beyond simply "not killing" to actually respecting every person in level of the heart.  Relationships need not be based on classifications or binaries like family and others, friends and foes, or rich or poor as well as significant or insignificant other.  As long as there are these binaries, it's possible that we're killing people even in the level of thought and heart. Second, go beyond mere precepts of religion.  The offering should be a symbol of a pure heart, even to others.  This is consistent with the offering of self to be available to others, even to the poor, the insignificant, and to the enemy.  This pure...

Saturday after Ash Wednesday Luke 5:27-32  Day 4: What we can do this day is reflect on the repentant heart. A repentant heart needs a change in one's outlook of life; an overhaul perhaps, on one's outlook at regards faith and relationship with God.  God's graces may be likened to a flowing river filled with fresh waters to enrich the body and soul.  It is always on the giving end, never losing its freshness, nor falling into the danger of drying up. The faith that God gives us comes from his very Godhead, a loving Father who supplies every good thing to us.  Furthermore, Jesus supplies us with the grace of forgiveness and salvation to help us rise up from our death to sin to resurrection to life. The Holy Spirit supplies us each day with graces to be shared to others; endless amount of graces to help our brothers and sisters with life. What we can do is to offer to the Lord a repentant heart that seeks to change one's life into what God wants.  We c...