Matthew 10:37-42, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time The poet Lord Alfred Tennyson once waxed sentimental, “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Behind the often quoted verse are lessons on loss, which I learned from my pet. As a boy, I had a pet cat named Kitty. Kitty…
Category: Author: Ulysses Cabayao, SJ
The Body Remembers – Ulysses Cabayao, SJ
John 6:51-58, Solemnity of Corpus Christi The body remembers. The mouth waters at the sight of green mangoes dipped in bagoong. Cravings are triggered by barbecue smoke and the scent of grilled liempo and chicken inasal. Palms feel empty and neglected without being held by our lovers. The skin longs to be affectionately touched by…
Love was Never Meant for Two – Ulysses Cabayao, SJ
John 3:16-18, Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Love was never meant for two — Even though lovebirds often talk about a “you” and a “me”. Even though couples understand that they can mutually expect that they will always be there for each other when it matters. Even though she feels special when the he…
Inhale, Exhale – Ulysess Cabayao, SJ
John 20:19-23 (Solemnity of the Pentecost) One way to think about the Pentecost is to think about how we breathe. One of the biblical metaphors for the Spirit is breath—it is known as ר֫וּחַ (ruach) in Hebrew, πνεῦμα (pneuma) in Greek, and spiritus in Latin. The association of breath with spirit is not unique to…
Tempting Conditions – Ulysses Cabayao, SJ
Luke 4:1-13 (First Sunday of Lent) Some of us today would probably prefer a Valentine’s Day homily than endure another Lenten exhortation. But there is a pertinent theme in today’s Gospel that might resonate with the affairs of the heart. In the Gospel, the Devil prefaces his attempts to beguile Jesus with a seemingly innocuous…
One Lost Sheep 