12 April 2009 Easter SundayActs 10, 34a, 37-43; Psalm 118; Col 3, 1-4 or 1 Cor 5, 6-8; John 20, 1-9 The readings tell us what we are to proclaim on Easter Sunday, “Jesus Christ has risen! Alleluia!” No matter what Resurrection account about Jesus appearing to the disciples after crucifixion, the importance of theseContinue reading “Easter Sunday: Believe then Proclaim!”
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Easter Sunday Homily
12 April 2009 Pasko ng Muling PagkabuhayActs 10, 34a, 37-43; Psalm 118; Col 3, 1-4 or 1 Cor 5, 6-8; John 20, 1-9 Note: This homily appeared in SAMBUHAY of the Society of St. Paul for their Filipino issue; and the TV 5 Easter Sunday mass, “Humayo’t Ihayag”. Nagpakita si Hesus sa iilang mga taoContinue reading “Easter Sunday Homily”
Prayer Points for the Holy Week
Celebrating Holy Week MeaningfullyPrayer Points for the Days of Holy Week Note: Since I will be gone for the holy week, I thought of sharing these notes from a recollection I gave to a parish community. I will also use these for my reflection this holy week. I promise to keep all of you inContinue reading “Prayer Points for the Holy Week”
When in Distress, Try This!
3 April 2009 Friday of the 5th Week of LentJeremiah 20, 10-13; Psalm 18; John 10, 31-42 The responsorial psalm functions as a bridge from the first reading to the next; or it summarizes the readings. Today, it is the latter. It says, “In my distress, I called upon the Lord, and He heard myContinue reading “When in Distress, Try This!”
The Essence of Life is Death
29 March 2009 5th Sunday of LentJer 31, 31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrew 5, 7-9; John 12, 20-33 The Responsorial Psalm today sums up the purpose of the Season of Lent: to create in us a renewed and clean heart. What does a new heart have? A new heart will have God’s law and covenant asContinue reading “The Essence of Life is Death”
Graduation Address
27 March 2009High School GraduationAteneo de Zamboanga UniversityZamboanga City, Philippines Note: this is not a homily; but an address to high school graduates of the high school of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. I hope this may also be useful for all of us. I made this speech as their guest speaker. When Sch. NeoContinue reading “Graduation Address”
Living in Daily Life the Announcement of the Lord’s birth
25 March 2009 Solemnity of the Annunciation of the LordIsaiah 7,10 – 8,10; Psalm 40; Hebrew 10, 4-10; Luke 1, 26-38In the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Birth of the Lord, we ‘pause’ a bit from the mood of the Lenten Season with the singing of the Gloria. There is indeed reason to glorifyContinue reading “Living in Daily Life the Announcement of the Lord’s birth”
Joy in the Season of Lent
22 March 2009 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)2 Chr 36, 14-23; Psalm 137; Eph 2, 4-10; John 3, 14-21 Let me introduce this particular Sunday in the context of the whole Liturgical Year. In the liturgical life of the Church, the Seasons of Advent and Lent are weeks of preparation for Christmas and EasterContinue reading “Joy in the Season of Lent”
Joseph Husband of Mary
19 March 2009 Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary2 Samuel 7, 4-16; Psalm 89; Rom 4, 13-22; Matthew 1, 16-24 It is said that in today’s world, patriarchy or matriarchy is considered an enemy of equality. And since a large number of single-parent families are headed by women, the father’s role now seems confusing.Continue reading “Joseph Husband of Mary”
Being Legalistic
18 March 2009. Wednesday of the 3rd Week of LentDt. 4, 1-9; Psalm 147; Matthew 5, 17-19 In reference to the Old Testament, the role of Jesus becomes prominent. He said that He was sent to bring out the true meaning of the Law. What was the Law? During the time of Jesus, many JewsContinue reading “Being Legalistic”
Forgiveness and Transformation
17 March 2009 Tuesday of the 3rd Week of LentDaniel 3, 25-43; Psalm 25; Matthew 18, 21-35We continue with the Lenten theme of transformation and renewal towards becoming children of God. Jesus answered the question, “How many times should we forgive our brothers and sisters?” He said that we should forgive them, not just sevenContinue reading “Forgiveness and Transformation”
Change from a Temple to our Hearts
15 March 2009 3rd Sunday of LentExodus 20, 1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Cor 1, 22-25; John 2, 13-25 The Season of Lent has a running theme: the motif of change and transformation. The reason for all the mortifications such as fasting and abstinence, the rituals and liturgies of Holy Week, find its meaning in theContinue reading “Change from a Temple to our Hearts”
What Makes Change Possible
10 March 2009. Tuesday of the 2nd Week of LentIsaiah 1, 10-20; Psalm 50; Matthew 23, 1-12 There are two types of people in the Gospel. The audience are Jesus’ disciples and the crowd. Jesus criticizes two groups of people, the Pharisees and the scribes. Not all Pharisees are scribes; and not all scribes areContinue reading “What Makes Change Possible”
Glimpses of Glory
8 March 2009 2nd Sunday of LentGen 22, 1-18; Psalm 116; Rom 8, 31-34; Mark 9, 2-10 The Transfiguration is the revelation of Christ’s glory on Mt. Tabor in Galilee. Jesus appeared dazzling in His glory, as a manifestation of His true divinity. For Peter, James and John, it was a taste of heaven andContinue reading “Glimpses of Glory”
Handling Anger
6 March 2009 Friday of the 1st Week of LentEz 18, 21-28; Psalm 130; Matthew 5, 20-26 This is an interesting passage if we look at it as a thesis and antithesis structure. Let me explain. A thesis is a statement or a theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained orContinue reading “Handling Anger”
As Kingfishers Catch Fire 