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”
Tag Archives: ateneo
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”
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?”
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?”
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?”
The Farmer and the Wheat: A Story
8 July 2009 Wednesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary TimeGenesis 41, 55-57; 42, 5-24; Psalm 33; Matthew 10, 1-7 Once there was a farmer who pleaded with God saying, “Lord, would you let me have control of the weather for one year? I think that I could raise a good quality of wheat.” TheContinue reading “The Farmer and the Wheat: A Story”
Do You Sometimes Wish to Change Your Name?
7 July 2009. Tuesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary TimeGenesis 32, 23-33; Psalm 17; Matthew 9, 32-38The first reading is about Jacob’s encounter with God. After sending his wives, children and possessions across the river, Jacob wrestles with a “man” until dawn. The “man” cannot prevail so he wounds Jacob’s hip, particularly the sciaticContinue reading “Do You Sometimes Wish to Change Your Name?”
How Does a Place Become Sacred?
6 July 2009. Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary TimeGenesis 28, 10-22; Psalm 91; Matthew 9, 18-26 How does a place become sacred? The first reading is a story of the origins of Bethel as a divine shrine. Fleeing Esau’s wrath in the land of Canaan, Jacob profoundly experiences God in Bethel. He usesContinue reading “How Does a Place Become Sacred?”
What Happens If you Reject God?
5 July 2009. 14th Sunday in Ordinary TimeEzekiel 2, 2-5; Psalm 123; 2 Cor 12, 7-10; Mark 6, 1-6 Have you ever returned a different person to your birthplace? When we come home, we bring with us a wide array of experiences and encounters that changes us. We are not like the teenager we usedContinue reading “What Happens If you Reject God?”
Will God Heal A Bad Person?
2 July 2009. Thursday of the 13th Week in Ordinary TimeGen 22, 1-19; Psalm 115; Matthew 9, 1-8 In the Gospel, the malicious thought of the scribes provides a setting to highlight Jesus’ power to heal both our physical illness such as a paralytic and our spiritual malady that needs the forgiveness of sins. TheContinue reading “Will God Heal A Bad Person?”
A Feast of Foundations
29 June 2009. Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, ApostlesActs 12, 1-11; Psalm 34; 2 Tim 4, 6-18; Matthew 16, 13-19The Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul is a feast of foundations, of beginnings, and, most of all, of the people who forged the basic principles by which we live. For Catholics all over theContinue reading “A Feast of Foundations”
How should we Heal?
28 June 2009. 13th Sunday in Ordinary TimeWisdom 1, 13-15; 2, 23-24; Psalm 30; 2 Cor 8, 7-15; Mark 5, 21-43 In an age of pandemics such as the influenza A(H1N1) virus, today we hear of healing when it is most appropriate. In the Gospel, Jesus encounters two women: the daughter of Jairus and theContinue reading “How should we Heal?”
As Kingfishers Catch Fire 