Matthew 16:13-20, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time In the Gospel today, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Then, a few lines later he asks again, “But who do you say that I am?” Don’t you find two successive questions about “who I am?” a bit narcissistic? Too…
Keyholder – Jett Villarin, SJ
Matthew 16;13-20, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time The person who has keys is someone who can open many doors. Keys signify power, the power to open and close doors, the power to give or deny access to what lies inside. We keep valuable things under lock and key. We sometimes think of heaven as a…
It is More – Nemy Que SJ
Matthew 20:1-16, Wednesday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time Something in today’s Gospel of the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard bothers me and it has always disturbed me. Perhaps, this is true for many of you as well. The laborers who came early worked the whole day. They endured the heat. They did…
Outside Looking In – Rogel Abais, SJ
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…
One Lost Sheep 