There are two Marys who are highlighted in the celebration of Easter: Mary, the Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene to whom Jesus appeared at the tomb. The former is based on tradition; the latter, is based on Scripture. The First Appearance of the Resurrection based on Tradition. St. Ignatius of Loyola writes in theContinue reading “Easter in the Eyes of Two Marys”
Tag Archives: Mary
How I Learned to Focus On Who Mattered the Most
+ In loving memory of my mom, Mrs. Luz O. Marfil-Gonzales, who passed away on 8 November 2014, two days after my birthday. *** Evenings at home ended with the rosary. My mother would gather all of us in front of the family’s altar. Occasionally, she would show her anger to any one who wasContinue reading “How I Learned to Focus On Who Mattered the Most”
Prayer of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The statue of Mary at the St. Scholastica’s Center of Spirituality, Tagaytay City, Philippines Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and tender Mother of all people, I consecrate myself to your Immaculate Heart, and recommend to you my family, my country, and the whole human race. Please accept my consecration, dearest Mother, and use meContinue reading “Prayer of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary”
Why We Celebrate the Birth of Mary
8 September 2010 Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin MaryMicah 5, 1-4; Psalm 13; Matthew 1, 18-23 At the feast of the Nativity 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 the birthdayContinue reading “Why We Celebrate the Birth of Mary”
The Assumption of Mary in Your Words
15 August 2010 Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryRevelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Psalm 45; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Luke 1:39-56Possibilities are fueled by imagination. When we were young, our dreams were patterned from the successful people we encountered. I wanted to become a doctor, because our family doctor was wealthy. His family livedContinue reading “The Assumption of Mary in Your Words”
A Balanced Life
18 July 2010 16th Sunday in Ordinary TimeGenesis 18, 1-10; Psalm 15; Luke 10, 38-42 Let us do a different reading of the Martha and Mary story in Luke. Sometimes we have to see the previous story in Scripture to find the context of the present Gospel. The story of Martha and Mary comes afterContinue reading “A Balanced Life”
Ang Kalinis-linisang Puso ni Maria
12 Hunyo 2010. Kalinis-linisang Puso ni Maria1 Kings 19, 19-21; Psalm 16; Luke 2, 41-51 Natural sa isang magulang labis ang pagmamahal sa anak ang mag-alala. Nabagabag si Maria nang malaman niyang wala sa kanyang mga kamag-anak na galing sa Jerusalem si Hesus, kaya kasabay ni Jose, sinuyod nila ang kanilang dinaanan. At tunay ngangContinue reading “Ang Kalinis-linisang Puso ni Maria”
Dumadalaw ka ba?
31 Mayo 2010. Kapistahan ng Pagdalaw ng Mahal na Birheng Maria Zeph 3, 14-18 or Rom 12, 9-16; Isaiah 12; Luke 1, 39-56 Isang pagmamalasakit sa kanyang pinsang si Elizabet ang pagdalaw ni Maria sa kanya. Sa kanyang pasasalamat at pagdadakila sa ipinakitang pagturing ng Panginoon sa kanyan, ibinabahagi din niya ang kanyang natanggap naContinue reading “Dumadalaw ka ba?”
The Better Part
6 October 2009 Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary TimeJonah 3, 1-10; Psalm 130; Luke 10:38-42 The Better Part The crucial question in the Gospel reading today is this: Why is Mary’s choice to listen to Jesus the better portion? We make two observations. First, Martha’s work is undeniably important. To prepare the houseContinue reading “The Better Part”
Assumption of Mary
15 August 2009 Solemnity of the Assumption of MaryRevelations 11:19, 12:1-6, 10ab; Psalm 45; 1 Cor 15, 20-27; Luke 1, 39-56 Let me first explain the celebration today. For Catholics, the Assumption of Mary flows immediately from the belief in her Immaculate Conception. First of all, we believe that death is the consequence of ourContinue reading “Assumption of Mary”
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”
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”
A Reflection on our Name
1 January 2008. A New Year’s HomilyLuke 2, 16-21 The Holy Name of Jesus; The Circumcision of Jesus; the Holy Mother of God; World Day of Peace On the first day of the year, the Catholic Church does not celebrate the ‘new year’ since her calendar begins on the first Sunday of Advent. However, thisContinue reading “A Reflection on our Name”
The Immaculate Conception
8 December 2008 Solemnity of the Immaculate ConceptionGen 3, 9-15,20; Psalm 98; Eph 1, 3-12; Luke 1, 26-38 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is indeed an extraordinary event. It tells us that God has ordained that Mary, who would be the Mother of Jesus, would be free from the stain of sin.Continue reading “The Immaculate Conception”
Why I Pray the Rosary
7 October 2008. Memorial of Our Lady of the RosaryGalatians 1, 13-24; Psalm 139; Luke 10, 38-42As we celebrate the memorial of our Lady of the Rosary, allow me to talk about the rosary personally. If you were to ask me why I pray the rosary, I would probably answer you this way. First, theContinue reading “Why I Pray the Rosary”
As Kingfishers Catch Fire 