Inspirations at your Fingertips!

December 18, 2019, Simbang Gabi Matthew 1:18-24  The message of the first reading is that it's a matter of looking back at history from the first moment God led Israel out of the land of Egypt to leading back the dispersed sons back home to Israel. Joseph is part of that life history; he who contains the leniage of David in his blood.  He is a true Israelite as Jesus would also be. I'm going to dwell on the dream, becuase that dream changed his mind. It could also change ours. When was the last time we dreamt or even thought of spiritual things?  How will the spiritual enter our lives?   I am not discounting sickness, death, or accident.  But these are sometimes the only things we ever had encounters of the spiritual.  When did we encounter the spiritual in our daily lives - the presence of our religious parents who never wearied in their obligation to show us God's presence? And if ever they have failed, how about the presence...

Thursday of the 1st week of Advent Matthew 7:21,24-27 What constitutes a strong city?  What constitutes a strong house? First, it is built on rock - the firm foundation of faith; weak faith is built on sand.  If we cannot distinguish between tradition and Tradition, of faith passed on to the apostles till today, we have a weak faith.  If we think we can buy the faith or rely on our own actions, our faith is weak; second, it is built on  ramparts ; security walls on the sides; it means we are on a lookout against all evils and enemies; a city is set on a hill to watch out for incoming enemies.  If we give in easily to temptations and immediately say, "We're just humans," we have a weak faith; third, fortifying whatever is weak; act of repairing those wounded by sin like going to confession.  We are aware of any weakness in our faith and do omething to strengthen it.  We may be strong in devotion but we are weak in charity, our faith is weak. ...

Thursday of week 34 in Ordinary Time Luke 21:20-28  We are interested in endings.  What makes a meaningful story?  The ending Mankind's history may may have started with creation, it may have been tainted with sin and destruction, and we may be suffering due to the effects of sin.  But notice the ending: Jesus will come.  In the first reading, Daniel was spared from the attacks of the lions while his enemies were eaten.  Good will triumph over evil, and God will emerge triumphant. In the Creed, we believe in the end of life which is life everlasting.  What does this mean? First, we believe in the Beatific vision: we shall see God face-to-face for all eternity. Second, we will receive the crown of everlasting life.  That everlasting life may be eternity in heaven or hell.  We rely totally on God for our salvation. Third, we will have a new heaven and a new earth; and death will have no power over us for all eternity. It is Go...

Thursday of week 31 in Ordinary Time Luke 15:1-10 The common theme on the end of time is judgment.  Only God knows how he will judge us.  The question is: Where did passing judgment to other come from? Whatever the sources are, we admit that we pass judgment to others more than we do to ourselves.  We simply are playing gods in the process. It's clear to St. Paul in the first reading:  "This is also why you should never pass judgement on a brother or treat him with contempt, as some of you have done."  We simply don't have the right! In the Gospel, God rejoices in one repentant sinner.  What must we do then? First, there is a colloquial in the business world that says, "Mind your own business!"  This statement is not derogatory at all.  It simply means we have to take care of our affairs more than we belittle others or pass judgments to others while remaining fruitless in all our endeavors. Second, possess the heart of God.  ...

Tuesday of week 31 in Ordinary Time Luke 14:15-24 There is a particular task God's wants us to do in this world.  This is unity in diversity.  Unfortunately, we don't give too much understanding on spiritual matters.  We treat as if life is our own. Even with those who don't believe, doing one's task in relation to a greater community is of paramount importance.  Imagine if a member of the community does nothing but wants to receive the gains worked hard by the community; or a member of the family who lazily looked at everyone and still gets his own piece of the pie.  The Lord says in the Gospel, "They shall not have a taste of my dinner." Translated, they shall not have a share of the life I want them to have.  So, let us do the tasks God assigned us to do in ths world.   Do them with diligence, accountability, and faithfulness.  At the end of the day, we are accountable to the Lord for all the things that we do in this world.

Tuesday of week 29 in Ordinary Time Luke 12:36-38 St. Pope John Paul II is regarded as the pope that brought us safely to the Great Jubillee of the New Millennium.  Everyone is uncertain that he would make, but he proudly prepared all of Christendom to welcome Jesus as we entered into the year 2000. This is also the gist of the readings for today.  They point to Jesus. St. Paul to the Romans pointed to Jesus as the destroyer of sin and restorer of grace. In the Gospel for today, Jesus explained that the servant who prepares for his master's return is truly blessed indeed. Pope John Paul II prepared the Church in so many ways.  First, he went out of Italy and traveled to different countries, 95 of them, to announce Jesus to them.  He also wrote various books, documents, encyclicals, all explaining one by one the image of the Lord in various topics that affect the Church. But what for me is most admirable is how he introduction to the whole world the beau...

Wednesday of week 27 in Ordinary Time Luke 11:1-4 Jonah's sentiments reflect a lot about our human frailties.  We all want to get even; we want justice; we want that our enemies suffer.  Well, the bad news is - this is not our story; this is God's story.  God chose to save Niniveh and save a people who couldn't understand which is left and right.  We will not get everything we want; rather, we can be assured that it's always God's will that will be followed, and God's will is filled with mercy and compassion. Instead of being too preoccupied with our wants and desires, opt more to fulfill God's will and plan for all of us.  The Lord's prayer says it all - about adoring God, fulfilling his will, providing us with food each day, forgiving others as we are forgiven by God, and delivering us from evil. Let our life story be God's story, not ours.

Luke 10:38-42 The people and  beasts of Niniveh starting from the king down to the least, repented in sackcloth and ashes.  But in the Gospel, Jesus had to reprimand Martha for being too preoccupied with the household chores that she forgot to pay attention to Jesus. Before we can proceed with asking for forgiveness, we have to know when we have sinned.  The trouble with our generation is that it forgot to understand what constitutes sin or not.  People who constantly excuse themselves for not serving the Lord because of a busy schedule; people living in without the benefit of the sacraments; people justifying how they hurt others in the name of justice, people who justify abortion as a way of life, divorces everywhere - we have lost sight of what is true and good. Only in admitting that we have sinned could we start the road to repentance.  Humility, the grace to understand that we have fallen short of the kingdom of God, becomes an imperative for forgive...

25th Friday in Ordinary time One thing we don’t really want to have a share at is suffering.  We want to take the easier path, the path of comfort. We want to be served more than serve.  Pain is alien from us. But God in his majesty chose the path of sacrifice to fulfill his will.  Through it, he renews his covenant with man, though sinners, have a share in his glory.  Moreover, Jesus showed us the way to really eradicate sin and selfishness, through the power of the cross. Reflect on the moment we partook in the sufferings of Jesus and of our brothers and sisters.  Reflect on the moment when it is not the comfortable life that united families and communities but partaking in the sufferings of one another.  Finally, reflect on the path Jesus took to cause our forgiveness, through the Offering of his life for love of us.  Then we shall see how the world teems with life from those who are ready to serve and give.

Thursday of week 25 in Ordinary Time Luke 9:7-9 In the Book of Haggai, the Lord God contested the people's claim that it's not time to rebuild the temple of the Lord.  He revealed to them their sin of selfishness and urged them to build the temple. The Gospel talks about the king of Israel who was curious about Jesus; but he too was riddled with sin that he couldn't recognize who Jesus was. We need to free ourselves of the sins that enslave us.  We kept on saying we don't have the time to serve the Lord, but we do have the time.  It's just that we're not using it for him but for ourselves. The readings challenge us to really clarify our priorities.  Is it God on top of our priorities or not?  If not God, then ask for forgiveness. Second, pray to utilize everything to serve God.  Everything, people and things are utilized for the greater glory God. To see everything in God is our ultimate vision.

Saint Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist Matthew 9:9-13 The Feast of St. Matthew opens us to the world of healing ourselves, realizing our vocation, and healing others. Healing of self No amount of sin can take us away from the Lord.  Jesus said, "I have come to call not the righteous, but the sinners." In this context, Matthew's life turned around for good when he followed the Lord.  Vocation Vocation is not calling exclusively to priesthood.  The point is in the One who is calling and our ability to be sensitive to his call and respond to follow him.  We are all called to do specific tasks; we have been given with a grace from the Holy Spirit called charism; let's realize this.  Let's place our whole lives in God's hands. Healing of others With Matthew's call to conversion comes a more important call from Jesus, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." Live in mercy and compassion, contributing to the healing of the wounded each day.  So...

Friday of week 24 in Ordinary Time Luke 8:1-3 As simple as it gets, both readings give a well-pointed message: proclaim Jesus! We can't seem to proclaim because we're too preoccupied with a lot of things.  Though these are important - issues of family, work, health, financial stability and others, St. Paul still gives us a timely reminder - "there are some who, pursuing it, have wandered away from the faith, and so given their souls any number of fatal wounds." Jesus and his Good News are still of paramount importance in our lives;  the Good News capable of touching people's hearts; of driving away evil spirits and bringing healing to people; the Good News that enables each one to be a follower of Christ.  The Good News is way above our preoccupation in life.  True enough, St. Paul warns: "The love of money is the root of all evil."  Have the courage to be detached from worldly concerns so we may focue on the things of heaven.

Thursday of week 24 in Ordinary Time Luke 7:36-50  Be an example to the believers in the way you speak and behave, and in your love, your faith and your purity.  What we see is not what God sees.  We see through our eyes, but God looks through the heart. The readings stress on God's realities rather than men's: the young disciple as a model for others and the woman who bathed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her her. And Jesus said, "Go, you faith has saved you." We are accustomed to seeing people with our eyes.  It's easy to judge them based on what they have. Second, we think we know the person whom we judge. There's no way we can enter into their hearts.  Only God can. We believe that we are all created equally - in the image and likeness of God.  No one is created better or lesser than God himself.  Have we seen God lately in others? Second, we believe that we are all meant for heaven.  There, we shal...

The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist  Mark 6:17-29 What does the passion of John the Baptist tell us about our faith?  Every martyr's death is in communion with the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  We should know the implications of offering our lives as Jesus and John did. First, is it directly identifying us with Jesus, Son of God, in word, thought, and action.  This is the task of every Christian, to mirror Christ in his own life. Second, the very heart of Jesus is healing and salvation, and forgiveness of sins.  Have we started thinking of the salvation of our brothers and sisters together with our own?  What lies in our hearts should simply be compassion. Third, what is the fruit of sacrifice.  What have we actually gained when we think about sacrifice or even offering our lives?  Now, we're entering into the very heart of Jesus' offering of self.  We have entered into the realm of perfect love. Never think th...

Thursday of week 20 in Ordinary Time Matthew 22:1-14 "For many are called, but few are chosen." The readings plus the feast we're celebrating today give us a picture of the end times right in front of us: Mary as Queen of all and the banquet hosted by the king for his invited guests, by which no one attended. Heaven is about the host who invites us to his kingdom. But did the guests respond adequately by excusing themselves from the banquet? Do we respond adequately to God's invitation for us to be with him and to dispose our hearts to him and to actually be with him in thought, word, and deed?  What would make us worthy to be counted among the guests of the Lord? First, our orientation and disposition to be with him and to serve him.  Is this our orientation now or are we reserving this at the end of life?  It may be too late by then. Second, reflect on the present.  Are all my actions in preparation for that banquet in heaven? Third, as we reflect...

Friday of week 19 in Ordinary Time Matthew 19:3-12 So then, what God has united, man must not divide. Think of what happened to Israel and how they received bountiful blessings and miracles.  Are these all consequential? Or was there a  great Someone who gathered them for himself?  And what does he want of them?  He wants that they and we be united with him. In the gospel, Jesus reminds us of the unitive aspect of marriage:  what God has joined, no man can separate.  Furthermore, he expanded this to people of every calling; we may have different calling, but we all have one mission. Do we think about the unitive aspect of being church?  What are the benefits of unity? First, it is a reflection of God himself who is One in Three Divine Persons.   There is no 'to each his own' in the Church.  God calls us as one. Second, God called a people, a race, and chose them as his own.   Religion is a personal experience of commu...

Friday of week 13 in Ordinary Time Matthew 9:9-13  There's a sense of exclusivity in the first reading.  Abraham who sought for a wife for his son Isaac, explicitly told the servant not to get from Canaan, a foreign land, but from the family where he came from. But the Gospel teaches inclusivity.  Matthew and the rest were accepted wholeheartedly by Jesus.  Furthermore, he said, "What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. And indeed I did not come to call the virtuous, but sinners." We are fond of compartmentalizing people - rich and poor, haves and have nots, healthy and sick, successful and failures.  But one thing is certain - in heaven there are no rich or poor, powerful and powerless.  All of us become brothers and sisters of one Lord and Master.   And he teaches us to love one another as he loves us. So, make a checklist of relationship with others: 1. Do I carry a bias for or against people or do I see the face of God in them? 2....

Saturday of week 11 in Ordinary Time Matthew 6:24-34 Unless we rely on our strength, material wealth and power, we shall not see the glory of God. St. Paul boasts of his own weakness, "For when I'm weak, then I'm strong."  His strength is Jesus alone. Because we rely on our own strength, we don't have time to serve the Lord in the Church because we are desperately trying to save our lives.  Unless we rely on God, no matter what amount of hard work we inject in our endeavors, eventually, our efforts come to naught. In the gospel, Jesus challenged those who relied on their own strength and thus end up more anxious with life, asking endless questions like, "What are we to eat?" or "What are we to wear?" It is God who supplies us every gift, even our very own lives Thus, let us proclaim our own weaknesses; only God is our strength.  Let us change our outlook on material things.  Instead of owning them, let's use them to give glory ...

Friday of week 10 in Ordinary Time Matthew 5:27-32 Not only St. Paul was trying to strengthen the faith of the Corinthian Church, he was also inspiring us to commit ourselves to do a greater good in the midst of persecutions.  What's the greater good?  To stand up for Christ as earthen vessels that would fulfill their essence such. We are God's earthen vessels; we are the not the masters of our lives and being. As earthen vessels these are what we're supposed to do: First, stay humble.  A humble person would stay faithful to God and exult him above his life. Second, fulfill his will.  The earthen vessel, under the responsible molding of its master would eventually be fold according to his mind.  All of us have our mission to do, not based on what we want for ourselves but what God wants us to do.  Life is not about ourselves; rather, it's about giving witness to him by our way of life. Third, we are always pushed to the limits of what we can...

Saturday of the 7th week of Eastertide John 21:20-25 We have reached the end of the Acts of the Apostles.  Even though Paul was in chains, he said, "It is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear this chain." And the Good News of the Kingdom of God was proclaimed to all nations without hindrance. Peter in the Gospel inquired about John, "Lord, what will happen to him?" Jesus rebuked him, "If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me." We are to continue where the apostles have left off: First, get closer to Jesus - "Follow me." We have to follow Jesus.  We have to see him more clearly, love him more dearly, and follow him more nearly "Day by Day". Second, proclaim the Kingdom of God "without hindrance."  The main hindrance is ourselves, our hesitations, and our sins. Rid ourselves of these hindrance and we shall clearly see the path towards the fulfillment of the k...

Friday of the 7th week of Eastertide John 21:15-19 We are nearing the end of the Acts of the Apostles with St. Paul decided by King Agrippa and Festus to send him to Rome to be tried.  We know that he would be judged unjustly to be condemned to death. In the Gospel, Jesus, after asking Peter, "Do you love me?" and receiving a positive answer, told him, "Follow me." Like St. Paul followed Jesus till Rome,  Peter followed Jesus till he was also martyred  in Rome.  Following Jesus has the following consequences: First, it starts from love and ends in love - Love is the sole motive for following Jesus whatever consequence it may have on the bearer; Second, it results in doing God's work on earth - With love as its sole motive, all our actions reflect what God wants us to do; Third, it gives life to others - Not only does following do good to the person, it also does good to all others loved by God, "Feed my sheep".  This is supreme generosity...

Tuesday of the 7th week of Eastertide John 17:1-11  What we have are memories, yet we can imagine Jesus on the road to going up to the Father while St. Paul in on his way to Jerusalem.  The message is in the core of those who are leaving: GLORIFY "to lift, praise or worship". Glorify Jesus and his works, to attest in one's life the presence of Jesus as the highest honor and respect. Glorify the Father - to let others know the identity of the Father who is the ruler of all! Glorify fellow human beings, not in the sense of worshiping but to accord respect and honor to them as children of God; to lift them from their state, to accord them hope; to love them as Jesus loves us.

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Luke 1:39-56 I will focus my reflection on the Visitation of our Lady with the reality of the "daughter". Stated in the first reading are "Daughter of Zion" and "Daughter of Jerusalem"; they are commended to shout aloud and rejoice; for what? First, rejoice in the the daughter's relationship with the Father.   Mary said, "May soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Learn to deepen the mystery of our special relationship with the Lord. Second, being forgiven by Father "The Almighty had done great things for me"; there is nothing in our human lives which is not formed by the presence of God.  Recognize the Father as the giver of life. Third, responds in love to the Father Mary recognized the work of the Father towards the poor and fulfillment of God's promises.  Elizabeth appreciated Mary's prompt service. Let's be faithful ...

Thursday of the 6th week of Easter John 16: 16 - 20 As we near Ascension Sunday, Jesus underscores the value creative absence.  It's a kind of skill that focuses on improving the talent in the midst of an absence of a mentor or someone whom we are totally dependent on. Children improve on their skills on the creative absence of a parent.  Definitely, a faithful Christian perfects his holiness even in the midst of sufferings and trials upon the creative absence of God even though he is eternally present in and with us. Creative absence is responsible stewardship, like St. Paul who continued to preach the Good News even when the Jews persecuted him. Creative absence is faithfully living in the presence of God, living holy lives and doing his will till the very end.  They will experience eternal joy in heaven. With full hope, let's rely on the graciousness of God while growing in his grace.

Wednesday of the 6th week of Eastertide John 16:12-15  Truth may be as simple as ABC.  However, in practice it isn't, especially if a person started a pattern of lies since childhood.  Lies translate to philosophies that bring havoc to orientations of life for example, "Money is the source of happiness." The readings offer a truth that comes from the resurrection of the Lord. Furthermore, Jesus orients us to the Holy Spirit, our guide to the truth.  So, how do we live in the truth? First, "The truth shall set us free." Start living a life of honesty.  Stop cheating.  By knowing where we stand, we shall know who we really are and move from there. Second, know the Lord.  God, even from the creation of the world, continues to be a God or order.  Moreso, Jesus is the only One who resurrected from the dead.  His whole life is a testimony of rising from deaths.   Third, give witness to the Resurrection.  We have a ...

Tuesday of the 6th week of Eastertide John 16:5-11 The Holy Spirit guides us each day, revealing to us the presence of the Lord and teaching us how to stay close to Jesus. This is what happened to St. Paul and his companions.  Though subjected to all sorts of persecutions, they didn't cease preaching the Good News. They were honest.  They didn't escape prison although they could have done it.  This caused the conversion of the gaoler. We may experience many things each day, but let us be aware of spending each day with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  What can our typical day be like? First, each day is an opportunity for us to follow the Holy Spirit. Second, each day is an opportunity to serve others instead of self. Third,  each day helps us to endure sufferings for love of God. Rejoice then, the Lord continues to be with us!

Saturday of the 5th week of Eastertide John 15:18-21 The Word of God continues to expand to Asia.  And in a dream, Paul met a Macedonian who pleaded, " Come across to Macedonia and help us. " St. Paul and his companions were fully convinced it was God who commanded them to go to Macedonia.  In the Gospel, Jesus warns but at the same time encourages the apostles and disciples as well as us to be single-hearted in proclaiming the Good News and becoming worthy disciples.  These are the reminders of Jesus: 1. Don't be affected by adversaries - "You do not belong to this world", thus, you don't possess their disavalues.  Continue to adhere to a godly life. 2. Continue the life of a servant - happily serving his Master and treating him as such. 3.  Be open to mirror the Master - even in persecution, be faithful.\ This is who we are, unworthy servants and disciples of the Lord on the way to heaven!

Saturday of the 4th week of Eastertide John 14:7-14 The Church's journey is not smooth-sailing.  Even St. Paul was persecuted in his time being subjected to ridicule and false accusations.  He had to go to the Gentiles to evangelize. A Church in conflict is farthest from our thoughts considering that it is a sacred institution rooted on Jesus himself, with the apostles as the foundation. Jesus as head of the this Church gives us teachings on how to go about being Church: be totally united with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He said, "He who as seen me has seen the Father." How do we see God in our lives then? First, learn from Jesus as the mirror to the Father.  Learn from his words and actions.  Detect God in action: the Holy Father kissing the sick and teaching about mercy and compassion are direct pictures of the Father. Second, in those who do the same work as Jesus.  Though we find hard to do this, but with God, nothing is impossible.  ...

St. Matthias John 15:9-17 We come to know the apostle who replaced Judas.  Though apostles are irreplaceable, there might be a reason for filling up the 12.  What we're more interested in is how this apostle was chosen.  The reading pointed two requirements: first, "that he was with us" and second, "that he also witnessed the resurrection of the Lord". Today's gospel gives more insights on the qualities of an apostle: First, "loved by Jesus" - an concrete experience of Jesus' love as the Father loves Jesus. Second, "loves Jesus" - our capacity to respond to Jesus' love by becoming his friend Third, "loves as Jesus loves" - our capacity to love others as Jesus loves us even if it means laying down one's life for one's friends.

Thursday of the 3rd week of Eastertide John 6:44-51 In the first reading, the eunuch was baptized because Philip the Apostle gave him an instruction based on his testimony of Jesus.  In the Gospel, Jesus presented himself as the "Bread of Life": "He who eats this bread will live forever." We need a mediator.  A mediator is one who intervenes between two entities.  Definitely, Jesus is the Mediator between God and man; he intercedes on our behalf and leads us to the Father. The eunuch had not seen Jesus; but he was moved to faith because of Philip who mediated so that the eunuch's faith in God would come to life.  Philip mediated for the eunuch's conversion.  What is our role then in the salvation of all of God's beloved children? First, let's pray that we may respond to Jesus' call to evangelize others.  Second, let us use our concrete time, talent, and treasure to be Jesus' bread of life to others. Third, let us accept Jesus...

Easter Saturday Mark 16:9-15  It's quite puzzling that as St. Mark described the resurrection account, there were those who still didn't believe.  In today's times, we call it "skepticism". Skepticism kills the mind of possibilities of creativity, change and progress.  Skepticism kills the hope in us, most specially in our young people who are filled with idealism.  Skepticism kills our faith in God, the source of all promises.  Eventually, skepticism kills the love in our hearts and causes us to be selfish and greedy. Yet, despite the negativity, Jesus said, "Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation." He means what he says; for a positive outlook brings back creativity, faith, hope, and love.  Furthermore, his resolve is reflected in his apostles who declared, "It is better for us to follow God rather than men." For in men, all hope is lost; but in God, everything becomes possible.

Easter Thursday Luke 24:35-48 In this Easter Week let's turn our attention to Peter who gave witness to Jesus in an authoritative and compelling way.  The popes, filled with the Holy Spirit, also attested in this way. What is in the very heart of Peter may also be in the hearts that Jesus wants from all of us.  It's not simply the length of our days in the Church as Catholics that marks of our name as Catholics but in the following ways: 1. In our intense knowledge of Jesus - by allotting a significant portion of our lives to knowing him and the truths of our faith which are deeply grounded in him.  2. In the love that is planted in our hearts - the things that lie in the heart should be the same as Jesus' heart.   They manifest in our priorities in life, either for God or against him. 3. In our capacity to discern the scheme of things - coupled with our life's choices, we are faced with the truth of our being whether our knowledge of God or lac...

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" Luke 23: 46 I prayed for this when my mother was in the hospital; she was placed in a certain spot in ICU where she could see what lied beyond the window, for with the trees and leaves, there was light.  I said to my mother, "Nanay, please focus on the light, focus on the light of Christ.  Entrust your life only to him." This for me is what these last words mean, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." First, focus only on the Father Let us focus on nowhere else but the Father, the author of life, the first beginning and the last end.  Let's focus on uniting ourselves with him, can calling him with utmost intensity, "Father".  No one, not even men nor evil forces can separate ourselves from him.  Jesus showed the way when he prayed this; for this prayer reflected the total union between Jesus' spirit and his Father; and so with us. Secondly, entrust our spirit  Jesus' ...

Holy Tuesday John 13:21-33,36-38 "I tell you most solemnly, one of you will betray me." Betrayal is truly a loaded word.  The apostles started asking, "Is it I, Lord?" Meanwhile, in the first reading, Isaiah spoke of himself as called before he was even born: "The Lord called me before I was born,"from my mother’s womb he pronounced my name." All of us were called even before we were born.  But to speak of betrayal is a sad state.  Jesus said, But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born" (Matt. 26: 24). We betray when at the onset, we are not faithful to God because we prioritize mundane things.  We betray because we are not faithful to our vocation.  We betray because eventually, we have not fulfilled the very reason why the Lord created us in the first place. Let's stay faithful to our call, the call even before we were born.  Be attuned with the promptings of the Holy ...

Tuesday of the 4th week of Lent John 5:1-3,5-16 Today's readings focus on fullness and plenty, from barrenness of the desert to lush greenery and fields.  In the Gospel, that life-giving water is Jesus himself who healed the paralytic to health.  He  need not go to the waters of Bethesda. There are three things God restores us to health: First, from death to sin to life in grace. Second, from the darkness of mind to enlightened one. And third, from bodily sickness to health. Evil brings sickness; God is our health.

Friday of the 3rd week of Lent Mark 12:28-34 God invites to a new life.  He calls us to forgiveness and conversion. However, we are not faithful to God.  We turn to our wealth, fame, and others for comfort and meaning.  These will not save us.  Only living in God would save us. When the good scribe affirmed Jesus' answer, he was truly speaking from his heart.  This is what it really means to be a good person: love God above all things and show that you mean it. So how do we show our love for God?  These three things are the consequences of God's love. First, We are led to love others with the love we treat ourselves.  All of us know what is good for us.  But to guide us toward the greater good, want we want should apply equally to what others want. Second, love others with the love God has for us.  Always bask in the sea of God's love.  How does God love?  Immerse in the stories of Jesus.  Ultimately, the more e...

Thursday of the 3rd week of Lent Luke 11:14-23 We know deep in our hearts that God is ready to forgive us and grant us new life.  But the readings reflect a close-minded disposition. In Jeremiah, the Lord concluded, “Here is the nation that will not listen to the voice of the Lord its God nor take correction. Sincerity is no more, it has vanished from their mouths.”  Meanwhile, in the gospel, Jesus was accused of being an instrument of Beelzebub, prince of demons.  But Jesus was able to explain aptly, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."  He also concluded, "‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.’" There are three ways we can avoid such disorientation about God. First, remember that God is a God or order and not of destruction.  Sin entered into the world and destroyed and continue to destroy what God has started.  Don't blame God for every misfortune.  Rather, turn to him what sin has de...

Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent Luke 15:1-3,11-32  The parable of the Prodigal Son reflects Goa as a God of mercy more than his is a God of justice as he waits for his long lost son.  God's justice is also his mercy. God is offering us forgiveness on two levels: First, on the level of extreme fallenness - one who actually has fallen into the depth of sinfulness.  Note the publican in the bible who prays, "Forgive me for I am a sinful man." But the second level is equally culpable, sinful, and dark; like the pharisee who prayed, "Lord I thank you because I'm not like this publican."  It is the sin of pride, arrogance, and judging others. This sin is dark because the one committing the sin is totally blind to his own fallenness; he/ she only sees the sins of others.  That person is playing god.  This kind of sin is harder to forgive for the sinner has blinded himself. Pray to be freed from pride in all its forms.  Stay humble and ask the fo...

Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary Matthew 1:16,18-21,24 by Fr. Lito Jopson, alumnus of San Jose Seminary 1993 Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus.  We reflect on the instances of Joseph's life as enumerated by the Rosary of St. Joseph formulated by the Oblates of St. Joseph. According to the Oblates, the St. Joseph Rosary may be prayed just as Marian rosary, substituting the following prayer for the “Hail Mary" with these words: Joseph, son of David, and husband of Mary; we honor you, guardian of the Redeemer, and we adore the child you named Jesus.  Saint Joseph, patron of the universal church, pray for us, that like you we may live totally dedicated to the interests of the Savior. Amen. Mysteries of the St. Joseph Rosary are as follows: 1.  Betrothal to Mary (Mt 1:18) - Joseph gets ready to take up his responsibility of being the husband of Mary; reveals his unquestionable faithfulness...

Wednesday of week 6 in Ordinary Time Mark 8:22-26  The readings reflect a state of restoration from corruption to newness of life.  After the destruction of the world through the flood, the Lord God restored his creation and blessed Noah and his family to start life anew. In the gospel, Jesus restored the sight of the blind man.  Though not immediately, eventually the man recovered his sight and gave glory to God. Today, in the Diocese of Pasig, we are privileged to be visited by the incorrupt heart relic of St. Camillus, patron of the sick and of nurses.  His life too is a testimony of a movement to corruptibility to incorruptibility. Camillus was a compulsive gambler and mercenary.  Following his father, his compulsion for gambling and materialism reached its peak that he was left in the streets to wander aimlessly.  Had it not been for a kind nobleman who offered him a job, his life would end up in the gutters. But God had other plans ...

PASIG CITY - The heart relic of St. Camillus de Lellis, patron of the sick, arrived in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of the Diocese of Pasig.  The Camillian congregation took charge to make his relic available for public veneration in this pilgrimage to the Philippines. His life St. Camillus de Lellis was born at Bocchianico, Italy. He fought for the Venetians against the Turks, was addicted to gambling, and by 1574 was penniless in Naples. He became a Capuchin novice, but was unable to be professed because of a diseased leg he contracted while fighting the Turks. He devoted himself to caring for the sick, and became director of St. Giacomo Hospital in Rome. He received permission from his confessor (St. Philip Neri) to be ordained and decided, with two companions, to found his own congregation, the Ministers of the Sick (the Camellians), dedicated to the care of the sick. They ministered to the sick of Holy Ghost Hospital in Rome, enlarged their facilities in 1585, found...

Tuesday of week 6 in Ordinary Time Mark 8:14-21 We turn our attention to the story of Noah and his family and the flooding of the earth, killing its inhabitants, both human beings and animals.  The Lord regretted creating humankind as a consequence of the fall.  But that's not the end of the story.  He commissioned Noah to construct the ark that would save a couple of every specie on earth as well as his family.  Then a new beginning would happen on the earth. In the gospel, Jesus mentioned about being wary of the leaven of the pharisees in contrast with his own leaven which resulted in the multiplication of the loaves.  We should also distinguish what kind of leaven we are producing in this life. The leaven of the Lord brings about fruitfulness in this world; a situation where many are fed and nourished.  In the leaven of selfishness and greed, no one survives; everyone perishes.  Most of all, God is the author of the leaven of life; Jesus...

4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 4:21-30 The gospel is a continuation of last Sunday's reading, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor." Jesus delivered none other than the Good News.  But in today's gospel, an angry mob wants to throw him off the cliff.  That's not good news at all. We need to clarify in ourselves whether we are propagators of the Good News or not.  But we have to distinguish good from bad news.  The gauge for determining the heart of the Good News is in the second reading - love.  Love, at the very heart of the Good News seeks to be reconciled with ones enemies and gives life to others.  Bad news seeks to destroy the other and save oneself.  Second, listen to the response to the psalm: "My lips will tell of your help" or translated as, "No matter what happens my lips will always tell of your help." That is commitment to spreading the Good News.  I shall stay fait...

Thursday of week 3 in Ordinary Time Mark 4:21-25 Have you encountered a real change in life as you devoted your time, talent, and treasure to get to know, love, adore, and serve Jesus? It should happen that way.  The readings tell us that as Jesus is holy, so we are clothed in holiness. Jesus is full of love; so too may we love others. Jesus initiated the work of salvation; so too may we participate in the life of the Church that leads to salvation. In other words, the our lives shine through as we give witness to Jesus.  As the gospel describes it, "The measure we measure will be measured back to us."

11 January  Luke 5:12-16  While Christmas season is nearly over, realize that the true legacy of Christmas is just beginning and needs to be nourished.  The legacy is Jesus in our hearts.  in the first reading St. John expounds on the reality of Jesus and how he makes us new creation in God the Father. In the gospel, Jesus performed miracles that not only amazed the Jews but made them open to the reality of God's healing graces.  True enough, that Jesus' coming signaled the coming of the "year of favor" from the Lord. Jesus is the new era of our lives. Let us detect that newness in our lives brought about by Jesus' coming: First, the Spirit The Spirit gives us the life that we need to live fully, enjoy God's gifts and use it fully to serve others!  Our way of life is changed with meaningful works brought about by our intense relationship with the Holy Spirit that gives us life which we in turn also give to others. Second, water Water is f...