Luke 9:28b-36, Second Sunday of Lent I can’t blame Peter. Ang ganda ganda sa Mt. Tabor. It’s not certain though if the church up there today is exactly on the same spot where the Transfiguration really happened. But it’s still breathtaking to be in that general area. It was approaching dusk when we were there…
Category: Author: Arnel Aquino, SJ
More – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 1:4-13, 1st Sunday of Lent You don’t have to agree with me on this, sisters and brothers. But I don’t think Jesus was tempted just that one time. We believe and profess that the Son of God is “like us in all things but sin;” in all things…except sin. Which is why I personally…
Underdog – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 6:17; 20-26; 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time The word “underdog” came out of dogfights where some people would bet on the dog with the greater chance of losing. They had a gut-feel that the underdog had what it took to win in an upset. An upset, as we know, is when the weaker challenger…
Like Widow…like Mother…like Son – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 12:38-44; 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time According to research, life expectancy in first-century Israel, in the time of Jesus, was 30-35 years old. Don’t you find that fascinating? Not everybody died by 35, of course. Still, this was the average period most people lived back then. Jesus left home for ministry at around age…
Ministry or Exploit – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 10:35-45; 29th Sunday in Ordindary Time When our good friends are on their way to the top, we often say, “Huwag mo kaming kalimutan ha?” (“Don’t forget us, ok?”) We do that in jest and affection. “Huwag mo kaming kalimutan” is really our way of saying, “Congratulations! Happy for you! Good luck!” James and…
Follow Me – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 10:17-27; 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time The rich man presumed that inheriting eternal life could be totally in his control, like it was all up to him. He must have been familiar with being in control. First, he claimed he had complied with all the commandments from his youth. I presume not just the…
Gift and Responsibility – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 9:30-37; 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time I vibered kuya the other day and asked, “Kuyz, as family court judge, what are the top three reasons why families fight over inheritance?” “One,” he replied, “the sense of entitlement where heirs claim to need or deserve more because the others are already well-off on their own….
Feedback – Arnel Aquino SJ
Mark 8:27-35; 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Don’t you find it interesting, sisters and brothers, that even Jesus asked for feedback? Many of us secretly dread asking that question.“Who do people say that I am?” The snap survey got positive results, fortunately: “John the Baptist; others Elijah; still others, one of the prophets.” But Jesus…
What’s your Index? – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 6:41-51; 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time In the first reading, we see a despondent Elijah. His mission to King Ahab and his equally weird wife, Jezebel, backfired. There was a killing spree afoot against prophets. So, Elijah ran for his life as his life ran out of fuel. Feeling like a failure, he just…
Irrepressible – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 20:19-23, Pentecost Sunday The New Testament Greek word for soul or spirit is pneuma. But that’s only the translation of the Old Testament Hebrew, ruah, breath or air or wind. Hence, when used of God, ruah & pneuma and mean breath of life, or an atmosphere or ethos of sacredness, or the unstoppable force…
Gone But Not Absent – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 16:15-20, Feast of the Ascencion of the Lord Mom’s parents didn’t want her to move out when she and dad got married. Their house was large enough to fit us all, especially since mom’s siblings were migrating soon. And dad’s family was poor. I grew up in a very emotionally complex house, especially because…
Reason for Living – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 10:11-18; 4th Sunday of Easter If mom and dad initiated me into Sunday mass, it was my Uncle Will who initiated me into spirituality. He was the kind of Catholic who constantly pursued deeper knowledge and wisdom in faith, prayer, and church life. So, he read inspirational books and saw spiritual directors like Frs…
One Lost Sheep 