1st Sunday of Advent                     During the onslaught of the super typhoon Yolanda many poor families chose to stay in their houses despite the strong warning from the government. Some simply had no choice but to stay. One such family – I know to be very religious – shared with me how they survived that … Continue reading BE WATCHFUL! BE ALERT

Saturday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time                      Meister Eckhart, a mystic and spiritual master, says, “The Word of God is spoken continually in our soul. But where are we?” He tells us bluntly, “God is with us in our inmost soul, provided he finds us within and not gone out on business.”             We so … Continue reading VIGILANCE AND PRAYER

Friday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time                          “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”             I hope that you can see more deeply into the words of the Gospel and find the message of hope that Jesus speaks of.             If not planet earth, our world – the worlds … Continue reading MESSAGE OF HOPE

Thursday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time                     Jesus tells his disciples to stand erect to meet the last day – for it will be the fulfillment of his promise.             The promise is this: the kingdom of God will be realized in Christ, who will redeem his people from every form of slavery. This promise … Continue reading STAND ERECT

Wednesday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time                  “They will seize and persecute you… because of my name.”             Jesus, in today’s gospel, talks about persecution entailed in following him. His followers are going to be mistreated and persecuted. But this must be an opportunity to bear witness to the Lord’s teaching.             Persecution for us … Continue reading PERSECUTION

Tuesday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time                       We have a lot of questions that, knowingly or unknowingly, are causing apprehension, worry, and anxiety in us. These are “fearful questions” about our personal life, our loved ones, and so many issues – and they point to the uncertainty of the future. “What if my plans do … Continue reading GOD IS IN CONTROL

Monday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time                       Today’s gospel passage has been called the story of the Widow’s Mite. Jesus saw a widow putting two small coins into the temple treasury. Probably nobody else noticed her putting in her love-offering. But Jesus noticed, and called attention to her gift-giving. He told his disciples, “Amen, I … Continue reading LOVE-OFFERING

Christ the King                After knowing that man had just walked on the moon for the first time, a sister of the Missionaries of Charity asked Mother Teresa, “Mother, do you think you will be able to go to the moon?” Mother Teresa answered, “If there are poor, sick, rejected abandoned and dying people on … Continue reading MEETING JESUS IN THE POOR

Christ the King                Once a year we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King. Today’s liturgy is proclaiming and reaffirming his universal kingship. However, the whole notion of Christ’s kingship is rather confusing. Did that person, Jesus, want to be a king? Remember that when the devil wanted to make him a king, Jesus … Continue reading JESUS AND HIS KIND OF KINGDOM

Christ the King                There is an anecdote in the life of St. Martin of Tours… A poor man approached him and asked for alms. Martin had no money, but seeing that man shivering in the cold, he took his cloak from his shoulders, cut it in two with his sword, and gave half to … Continue reading RESPONDING TO JESUS’ NEEDS