Why do we begin the school year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit? My answer is simple: education is the work of the Holy Spirit. Through the inspiration and aid of the Holy Spirit, we are able to learn, teach and inspire others in school. Every one is given the power to participate inContinue reading “Why Do Catholic Schools Begin the School Year With The Mass of the Holy Spirit?”
Tag Archives: Holy Spirit
The Miracle of Easter
1 May 2011 2nd Sunday of EasterActs 2:42-47; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 The message of the Gospel today is the very miracle of Easter. That whatever is bound, enchained, enslaved, or unfree can be loosened, liberated and freed through forgiveness. By exercising this capacity to forgive, we free each other from whatContinue reading “The Miracle of Easter”
The Ability to Make Good Choices
Click on this link for PART II: Steps in Making an Informed Choice. In the midst of many controversies and division, the Church provides guidelines to help us think within our own personal situations. Vatican II calls this our responsibility to glean the working of the Holy Spirit in the signs of the times. InContinue reading “The Ability to Make Good Choices”
Are You About to Risk?
23 May 2010. Pentecost SundayActs 2, 1-11; Psalm 104; Corinthians 12, 3-13; John 20, 19-23 I was a young catechist to children when the topic was the Trinity. It was easy for me to draw the image of God, the Father because it was not hard to imagine a father; or God, the Son, becauseContinue reading “Are You About to Risk?”
What Unites and Binds Us
9 May 2010 6th Sunday of EasterActs 15: 1-2, 22-29; Psalm 67; Revelation 21: 10-14, 22-23; John 14, 23-29There is only one thing that binds us all: our love for Christ. Even if we have different ways or rites of worship because of the diversity of culture and tradition, the Church recognizes this variety. ForContinue reading “What Unites and Binds Us”
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”
Attributes of the Trinity
7 June 2007. Solemnity of the Most Blessed TrinityDeuteronomy 4, 32-40; Psalm 33; Rom 8, 14-17; Matthew 28, 16-20 Just as we begin with a sign of the cross, an invocation to the Blessed Trinity, we also greet one another in the Trinity, with the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians:Continue reading “Attributes of the Trinity”
The Power of Words
19 May 2009 Tuesday of the 6th Week of EasterActs 16, 22-34 & John 16, 5-11 In the story in the Acts of the Apostles, Paul and Silas had endured blows and then, were thrown into prison in Philippi. In the innermost prison, while their feet were chained, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymnsContinue reading “The Power of Words”
Vocations: More than Just Religious Life
17 May 2009. 6th Sunday of Easter John 15, 9-17. This homily last Friday, applies also for this Sunday. The Gospel is the same. 15 May 2009. Friday of the 5th Week of EasterActs 15, 22-31; Psalm 57, 8-12; John 15, 12-17 Jesus said in the Gospel today, “It was not you who chose me,Continue reading “Vocations: More than Just Religious Life”
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”
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”
The Tower of Babel
20 February 2009 Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary TimeGen 11, 1-9; Psalm 33; Mark 8, 34- 9,1 The first reading is the famous story of the Tower of Babel. The people builds a city with a tower to “make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered” (v. 4). The story, commentators say,Continue reading “The Tower of Babel”
Our Damascus Experience
25 January 2009 Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul in this “Year of St. Paul”Acts 22, 3-16 or Acts 9, 1-22; Psalm 117; 1 Cor 7, 29-31; Mark 16, 15-18 Conversion is intrinsic to our faith. John the Baptist and Jesus began their ministry with a proclamation: “The time has come; the kingdom ofContinue reading “Our Damascus Experience”
Seek the Lord
21 September 2008 25th Sunday in Ordinary TimeIsaiah 55, 6-9; Psalm 145; Phil 1, 20-27; Matthew 20, 1-16 The Book of Isaiah is divided into three parts: that of the Prophet Isaiah (742 BC, prophetic ministry in Jerusalem); Deutero-Isaiah (Babylonian Exile, Jerusalem is now destroyed); and Trito-Isaiah (Return to Jerusalem). Isaiah covers Chapter 1-39; Deutero-IsaiahContinue reading “Seek the Lord”
A New Heart and Spirit
21 August 2008 Memorial of St. Pius XEzekiel 36, 23-28; Psalm 51, 12-19; Matthew 22, 1-14 People ridiculed God. And so God said to the prophet Ezekiel in first reading: “I will prove the holiness of my great name.” What respect can be given to a god who cannot even protect His people on HisContinue reading “A New Heart and Spirit”
As Kingfishers Catch Fire 