John 20:19-31, Divine Mercy Sunday How many days is the Advent season? 23 days. How many days is the Christmas Season? 12. What about the Lenten Season? 40 days. And Easter, which, by the way, many Catholics forget is a Season, too, like Advent, Christmas, and Lent? How long is Easter? 50 days! Easter is the longest…
Month: April 2019
Isn’t Doubt Good? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
“I have doubts about my faith.” More than a few times, I have been approached with this concern. My usual reply: “What do you mean by having doubts? If you mean you have questions about your faith, then congratulations! It is good that you have questions about your faith. This is a sign that you…
Lost then Found – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 20:1-9, Easter Sunday I grew up hearing many superstitions about Good Friday, all from my maternal lola. I will always remember her two most bizarre warnings. First: “Huwag kayong maglalaro sa labas ng bahay at kukunin kayo ng mga Hudyo.” I asked mom what a hudyo was. She said, “Sila ang pumatay kay Hesus!” I had watched black-and-white tv shows about the passion. So, I thought hudyo were the spear-toting, helmet-wearing, shield-protected soldiers who captured Jesus. Mali. Romans pala ‘yon. Incidentally, we weren’t spared on ordinary days either when lola would say, “Huwag kayong magulo! Sige, kukunin kayo ng Muslim!” Funny how…
The Lingering Easter Moon – Johnny Go, SJ
John 20:1-9; Easter Sunday I love Easter mornings. I find it a very consoling time after the frenzy of retreat-giving during Holy Week every year. I’ve been giving a Lenten retreat every year for the past twelve years–both face-to-face and online–because, among other reasons, I need it, and it’s good for my soul. This morning I caught…
Unseen – Jett Villarin, SJ
Easter Vigil 2019 One of these nights you just might see a green beam shooting up from the Manila Observatory here on campus. Actually, light beams are invisible. We only get to see these beamswhen particles scatter the radiation toward our eyes. On a clean and clear evening, you won’t see much green. But it is there. …
Looking at Love – Ernald Andal, SJ
John 18:1-19;42, Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion There was a multitude of people who had gathered at the Place of the Skull. Some were mere onlookers, others were those who despised Jesus—jeered and mocked him as they passed by. The Roman soldiers could not have cared less; they were more interested in casting lots…
Will You Come to My Stoning – Johnny Go, SJ
John 8:1-11; Fifth Sunday of Lent Today’s Gospel recounts the story of the woman accused of adultery. She would have been stoned to death had our Lord not confronted her accusers about their sins. The story invites us to put ourselves in her place and appreciate God’s boundless mercy. Given the digital world today, however, it should…
Questions – Mon Bautista, SJ
John 8:1-11, Fifth Sunday of Lent Today’s Gospel reminds me of Fr-Dr James McTavish and his radical conversion story. Some years ago (when he was not yet a priest), McTavish was a full-time medical doctor. He had graduated from Cambridge school of medicine and was a first-class surgeon engaged in reconstructive plastic surgery. Once while…
Sinner – Jett Villarin, SJ
John 8:1-11, Fifth Sunday of Lent To say that a person is an animal and therefore deserves to be slaughtered is not to play God. Not even God sees us that way. Let me unravel those words and rewind. There is an adulteress in the Gospel story today. She is dragged by religious men for…
Dead Wrong – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 8:1-11, Fifth Sunday of Lent A month ago, a friend of mine was coming home from a wake of his friend’s dad. The man committed suicide, which was tragic in itself. But I don’t know which was more tragic: that a father committed suicide, or that none of the priests in the nearby parish…
One Lost Sheep 