John 1:1-5; 9-14, Christmas Day Every Christmas Eve, for over 10 years, Fr Nemy Que SJ organized a small choir of scholastics to sing in Mrs Cory Aquino’s house, where he celebrated mass for the whole family. After the mass, we had supper. Mrs Aquino’s daughters, Pinky, Ballsy, and Viel always dutifully and cheerfully served…
Category: Author: Arnel Aquino, SJ
Buntong Hininga – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 21:5-19, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time I had my routine blood test last Tuesday at our Health-Development Office on campus. When it was time to pay, the kind lady said, “Father, charge to Arrupe House po?” Sabi ko: “Lagay n’yo po ‘jan: charge to Zaldy Co po.” She and the nurses hanging around laughed….
We are Church – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 2:13-22, Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica If the pope is the bishop of Rome, then, he must have an official cathedral, right? Well, he does. And it’s not St Peter’s Basilica, like I thought for a long time. It’s St John Lateran Basilica. It was the first-ever Christian basilica, so it’s…
Appreciate the Appreciation – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 17:11-19; 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time The leper couldn’t have thanked Jesus the same day he was healed. Jesus asked the lepers to show themselves to the priest, remember? He wanted them to still follow due process. For ostracized lepers to be reintegrated into society, the clean bill of health had to be “official.”…
Dishonest Wealth – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 16:10-13; 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time I often struggle with this parable especially because of the line, “make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth.” It sounds like we’re being encouraged to make ill-gotten wealth our “friends,” doesn’t it? These days, we have a perfect example of that in the contractors and so-called public servants,…
True Cross – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 3:13-17; Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross In the 4th century, Constantine built a basilica in Jerusalem. According to tradition, the church encompassed the location where Jesus was crucified and where he was buried. The day after the consecration, the relics of the “true cross” were shown and venerated. Helena was supposed…
Honorables – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 14:1, 7-14, 22nd Sunday In Ordinary Time Imagine, sisters and brothers, a papal mass where, in the 10 rows nearest the altar, sit the leading, most influential cardinals from all over the world. After the sign of the cross, the first thing the pope says is: “May I respectfully ask all the cardinals and…
Ready or Not – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 12:32-48, 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time We, Christians, believe that all of us are blessed. All of us are entrusted with gifts: talents, material wealth/comfort, a kind heart, good health, opportunities, etc. We also believe, as Christians, however, that those gifts are not solely for our sake. They have a for-whom. For the youth…
Maamo o Palaban – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 10:38-42, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time My happy barkada of four religious and three lay people had dinner two months ago. Over dessert, our host started naming friends he considered mabait. “Itong si x, mabait na tao, ano? Parang si y, ang bait din.” We all agreed wit his list. We even threw in…
Default – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 10:27-30, 4th Sunday of Easter “No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.” Last time I checked, that’s not been changed, sisters and brothers. I don’t think anyone can change…
Pockets of Easter – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 20:19-31, Divine Mercy Sunday If Jesus simply showed himself to his friends in his Resurrection and then ascended into heaven before their eyes, Christianity would still have been born. I mean, Jesus did not have to do all the other things; like ask for something to eat, catch up with his friends walking to…
Due Process – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 16:19-31, Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent The rich man, also called Dives, “dined sumptuously each day.” He had all the chances to help Lazarus who would’ve “gladly eaten of the scraps that fell from the table.” Would’ve. Ibig sabihin, dedma talaga si Dives. Hindi man lang namigay kahit kaunti. Well, both of…
One Lost Sheep 