24 September 2009 Thursday of the 25th Week in Ordinary TimeHaggai 1, 1-8; Psalm 149; Luke 9, 7-9We shall focus on the first reading today from the prophet Haggai. The Temple needs reconstruction. The first batch from Babylon has laid the foundations of the Temple in 536 BCE; however there has been no progress since.Continue reading “Call to Community”
Category Archives: chaplaincy
The Apathetic Churchgoer
16 September 2009 Wednesday of the 24th Week in Ordinary Time1 Tim 3, 14-16; Psalm 111; Luke 7, 31-35 Jesus describes His generation as unresponsive and uninterested. John and Jesus teach the same message, but their style of presentation are different. Their lifestyles are also diverse: John lives in the desert, but Jesus’ base isContinue reading “The Apathetic Churchgoer”
Starfishes
11 September 2009. Friday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time1 Tim 1, 1-14; Psalm 16; Luke 6, 39-42 My particular interest in marine life makes me a “beach person” — I would rather be next to a body of water than trek the highest heights. One night, there was a heavy downpour and theContinue reading “Starfishes”
Celebrating Motherhood
8 September 2009 Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin MaryMicah 5, 1-4 or Rom 8, 28-30; Psalm 13; Matthew 1, 18-23 At the birthday of our Mother Mary, we are surprised that the Gospel is not about Mary’s birth, but her being Mother to Jesus, Her son. I guess the celebration of theContinue reading “Celebrating Motherhood”
What is Eternal life?
17 August 2009 Monday of the 20th Week in Ordinary TimeJudges 2, 11-19; Psalm 106; Matthew 19, 16-22 In the Gospel, the young man asked Jesus, “What good must I do to gain eternal life?” Let us first begin with a clear understanding of “eternal life”. The first thing that comes to our mind isContinue reading “What is Eternal life?”
Compassion Fatigue among Ministers
3 August 2009. Monday of the 18th Week in Ordinary TimeNumbers 11, 4-15; Psalm 81; Matthew 14, 13-21 The readings today focuses on Moses and Jesus who have been called to care for God’s children. Both of them experience frustrations and heartaches as they minister to people. Imagine Moses, the great leader of Israel. HeContinue reading “Compassion Fatigue among Ministers”
Why Friendships are Valuable
29 July 2009 Memorial of St. MarthaExodus 24, 29-35; Psalm 99; John 11, 19-27 or Luke 10, 38-42Jesus calls for non-preferential love for all. He scours villages to embrace foreigners and sinners, the outcast and the oppressed, the strangers and the lonely. But he has preferential relationships Himself: from particular groups like the disciples (HisContinue reading “Why Friendships are Valuable”
Why You Should Love Mary Magdalene
22 July 2009. Memorial of St. Mary MagdaleneExodus 16, 1-15; Psalm 78; John 20, 1-18 I find it a great tragedy that many Christians are not as attracted to Mary Magdalene as other saints. The reason is that she is traditionally associated with prostitutes or with the sexually promiscuous. This unfortunate association defocuses on theContinue reading “Why You Should Love Mary Magdalene”
Ten Things To Know How Close You Are
21 July 2009. Tuesday of the 16th Week in Ordinary TimeExodus 14, 21 – 15, 1; Exodus 15; Matthew 12, 46-50 This passage seems tragic: not Jesus’ nearest and dearest relatives were rejected by Jesus, saying “my mother and my brothers are those who do the will of my Father in heaven.” However, we alsoContinue reading “Ten Things To Know How Close You Are”
Do You Have What It Takes To Be President of the Country?
19 July 2009. Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeJeremiah 23, 1-6; Psalm 22; Ephesians 2, 13-18; Mark 6, 30-34 Note: Filipino version in the previous post. In the history of the Jewish people, the shepherd was the image of leadership. It was not easy to be a shepherd during those times. They had to find greenerContinue reading “Do You Have What It Takes To Be President of the Country?”
Bagay Ka Bang Maging Pinuno?
Ika-19 ng Hulyo 2009. Ika-16 Linggo sa Karaniwang PanahonJeremiah 23, 1-6; Psalm 22; Ephesians 2, 13-18; Mark 6, 30-34 Note: This Filipino version appears in today’s Sunday Sambuhay, a publication by the Society of St. Paul; missalettes for the Sunday liturgy. The English version is above. Sa kasaysayan ng mga Judio, ang pastol ang tinaguriangContinue reading “Bagay Ka Bang Maging Pinuno?”
What’s God’s Priority?
17 July 2009 Friday of the 15th Week in Ordinary TimeExodus 11:10 – 12:14; Psalm 116; Matthew 12, 1-8 The readings today affirm one basic truth about God’s priority. Over and above any law, mercy stands at its highest. God has heard the prayers and tears of the Israelites in Egypt. And the first readingContinue reading “What’s God’s Priority?”
Why Does God Call the Imperfect and the Impulsive to become a Leader?
15 July 2009 Thursday of the 15th Week in Ordinary TimeGenesis 3, 1-12 Have you ever done something in your younger years that you still regret? Perhaps you broke the precious vase your mother cherished because it was an heirloom. Or, you stole money from the wallet of your father. For fear that you willContinue reading “Why Does God Call the Imperfect and the Impulsive to become a Leader?”
Mga Tagubilin sa Labingdalawa
12 July 2009: Ika-labinglimang Linggo sa Karaniwang PanahonMarcos 6, 7-13 Mga tagubilin sa Labingdalawa (This Taglish version is the homily today in TV 5’s Humayo’t Ihayag, a televised mass.) The episode in the Gospel today presents the sending of the Twelve on a mission to heal and to preach the Good News. The mission ofContinue reading “Mga Tagubilin sa Labingdalawa”
Can God Start with a Wrong to End with a Right?
9 July 2009. Thursday of the 14th Week in Ordinary TimeGenesis 44, 18-29; 45, 1-5; Psalm 105; Matthew 10, 7-15 “Come closer to me,” he told his brothers. When they had done so, he said: “I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt. But now do not be distressed, and do notContinue reading “Can God Start with a Wrong to End with a Right?”
As Kingfishers Catch Fire 