Thursday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time “He had cured many…” Today’s gospel reading portrays how Jesus is being followed by different groups from all over Palestine. They all want to see him, to listen to him, and to touch him to be healed of their illnesses. Jesus has become very popular; and it … Continue reading HEALING
WITHERED FAITH
Wednesday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time We see in today’s gospel reading, once again, Jesus performing an essential part of his mission: that is, liberating people from the destructive powers of evil and sin How? By curing the sick, healing the wounded, restoring the broken. He is, indeed, the Lord who heals what is … Continue reading WITHERED FAITH
PURPOSE OF SABBATH
Tuesday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time “The Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath.” The most basic principle for the good life is this: Believe in God and serve your neighbor. That is also the principle behind the sabbath: it is meant to help us rediscover God and our neighbor. Sabbath … Continue reading PURPOSE OF SABBATH
NEW WINE IN NEW WINESKIN
Monday, 2nd Week in Ordinary Time “New wine is poured into fresh wineskins.” We humans are often schizophrenic when it comes to the old and the new. On one hand, we are creatures of tradition. We follow the same daily routine. We find comfort in things which are familiar. Change is something we … Continue reading NEW WINE IN NEW WINESKIN
BECOME LIKE CHILDREN
Sto. Niño In the calendar of the Church (or in our liturgical calendar), the Christmas season concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. But the Philippine Church is given special permission by Rome to somehow ‘extend’ it for another week or so with the Feast of the Sto. Niño – which … Continue reading BECOME LIKE CHILDREN
COME, STAY WITH ME
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus asks two of John the Baptist’s disciples: “What are you looking for?” Katumbas nito ang pagtatanong na: “What do you want?” The disciples simply ask, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” Another translation is: “Where do you live?” Nais nilang malaman kung saan naninirahan si Hesus, saan sila maaaring … Continue reading COME, STAY WITH ME
BLESSED IN CHRIST
Sto. Niño Someone gave an advice with this play of words, “Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way, but never forget to remember the blessings that come each day.” Someone else gave this reminder: “Try claiming God’s blessings instead of merely longing for them.” I started off with these quotes … Continue reading BLESSED IN CHRIST
THE LIFE QUESTION
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time “What are you looking for?” Wow! What a question! May I ask you to let that sink in you. Let it be the point of your reflection the whole week. We can say that we know what we are looking for – we know what we want in … Continue reading THE LIFE QUESTION
CHILDLIKE POWERLESSNESS
Sto. Niño Today is the Feast of the Sto. Niño – Feast of the Child Jesus. Today’s gospel reading is somehow giving us the meaning, relevance and significance of this feast in these words: “People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them.” As we celebrate this feast, we are bringing, literally, … Continue reading CHILDLIKE POWERLESSNESS
RESTLESSNESS AND EMPTINESS
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time We spend much of our life “looking for” something or someone. For some it revolves around “looking for” a better life – meaning ‘better’ source of income – to earn more, to save more, to buy more, to get more, to have more of more. For some it revolves … Continue reading RESTLESSNESS AND EMPTINESS