Inspirations at your Fingertips!

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...