Matthew 15:21-28, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time The Gospel reading today gives rise tot a fundamental question regarding the mission of Jesus. To whom was Jesus proclaiming the Good News? If we paid attention to the Gospel, the asnwer seems straightforward. Jesus understood his mission as being exclusively to the Jews, “the lost sheep of…
Changing His Mind – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 15:21-28, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Whenever we get around to this story, we often focus on the Gentile woman’s faith. It is, after all, a story of faith. But I invite you to look at the story from a slightly different angle; this time, from the angle of what could have actually happened…
Priceless – Jett Villarin, SJ
Matthew 13:44-46, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time When I was small, I once wanted a bicycle so much I hounded my parents for it. Understandably my parents did not grant my dearest wish right away, not wanting perhaps to spoil me, perhaps also out of concern for safety. Anyhow, finally, my father told me, if…
What is Gratitude – Bros Flores, SJ
What is gratitude? Describe it in not more than five words…. You think, you’re done and over with your English class? Haha! Not yet. Not at all. For a Jesuit, it is a part of your life when you become a member of this least yet universal Society! More than two hundred years ago, a…
The Four Hungers – Noel Bava, SJ
John 6:51-58, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Brothers and sisters, there is a man in Los Angeles named Mohamed Bzeek. He is a Libyan-born American, a Muslim, and a widower. But most importantly, he is a foster father to children no one else will take. Since 1989, Mohamed…
Imagine – Jett Villarin, SJ
John 6:51-58, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Christ is here present as bread and wine, as something so ordinary yet essential as food. Of all the sacred signs and symbols, why this? Why not an exquisite jewel, a diamond? An ancient scroll of sacred words or a precious…
Misled – Munching de Guzman, SJ
Mark 12:18-27, Wednesday after Trinity Sunday How is it that so many people today can be highly educated and still fail to see the truth? How many leaders can know the law by heart and still fail to serve justice? How many politicians can speak about the nation every day and yet forget the people…
Intimior – Jett Villarin, SJ
John 20:19-23, Pentecost Sunday It is common practice in our Jesuit communities to sign out whenever we are out of the house for more than a day. When I was in Cagayan de Oro, Fr Terry Barcelon SJ of happy memory and I used to tease each other about who was out of the house…
The Language of the Heart – Noel Bava, SJ
John 20:19–23, Pentecost Sunday Have you been watching the news lately? If you have, doesn’t it feel like the Holy Spirit has left the country, especially if you look at the recent shouting matches, unexpected leadership shifts, the cringey crying games and overall chaos unfolding in our Philippine Senate. Everyone seems to be talking at…
Go – Mamert Manus, SJ
Matthew 28:16-20, The Solemnity of the Ascencion of our Lord The Feast of the Ascension always feels a little strange. The disciples gather on a mountain with Jesus, and thensuddenly, before their eyes, He is taken up into heaven. One would imagine that this moment would fill themwith sadness or fear. After all, the One…
Absence – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 28: 16-20, The Solemnity of the Ascencion of the Lord Once upon a time, true story, there was a very dutiful mom who, with her husband, raised their children in the best way they could: put them through a good school, instilled faith in them, taught them the ropes of life, coached them through…
The Sheep, the Shepherd, The Gate and The Thief – Noel Bava, SJ
John 10:1-10; Fourth Sunday of Easter Let me begin my homily by asking a pointed question: “What news is certain to unsettle us and make us forget, albeit momentarily, who we are in our relationship with God, the Good Shepherd?” The oil crisis? Maybe. The controversy surrounding our politicians? Could be. The latest chismis of…
One Lost Sheep 