Luke 9:28b-36, Second Sunday of Lent When I was a novice in Novaliches, I happily looked forward to life in Loyola House. Then when I was in Loyola House, I did my best even if I wasn’t enjoying Philosophy because I was looking forward to regency. I loved regency and wish it lasted longer. But…
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More – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 4:1-13, First Sunday of Lent Mang Rod, our gardener, told me a story about his former boss—a tremendously wealthy and single matron who went to daily mass and was active in the parish. “Pero wala pong nagtatagal na kasambahay o driver kay senyora,” Mang Rod said. “Walang kasing talim ang dila, Father.” He remembered…
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…
Indelible – Jett Villarin SJ
Luke 4:1-13 (First Sunday of Lent) Is there a way to relate Lent to Valentine’s day today? After all, the word “lent” is embedded right there in va“lent”ine. 🙂 Could there be a connection? Anyhow, we can begin with the three temptations in the Gospel today. The taunt of the dark side is simple. The…
Nothing Without God – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18, Ash Wednesday 2016 For most of her life, my mom used to run a small botica in a marketplace. It was our bread and butter for many years. One morning, I woke up to the scariest sound I ever heard in my life: the sound of mom wailing. Our botica had burned…
Rend Your Hearts – Bros Flores, SJ
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18 (Ash Wednesday) I hated Ash Wednesday while I was growing up. As soon as I was marked with the ash on my forehead, I felt bound to give up a lot of conveniences. I felt compelled to fulfill the Lenten practices: abstinence from meat on Fridays, giving up my favorite stuff during…
Trusting in Mercy – Danny Huang, SJ
Luke 5:1-11 (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time) For the past 8 years, I have been privileged to enjoy a spectacular view from my office. As I sit before my computer, all I need to do is glance a bit towards my left, and outside my window, usually looming against a sky of brilliant Roman blue,…
Love knows No Bounds – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 4:21-30, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Remember the first time Pope Francis celebrated Holy Thursday mass as pope? He went to a juvenile detention center in Rebibbia, outside Rome, and washed the feet of 12 people, two of whom were women—one of whom was a Muslim. Many of us Filipinos were touched by the…
Invisible Jars – Arnel Aquino SJ
John 2:1-11, Feast of the Sto Nino I’ve prayed over this gospel many times, over many years. But only recently did I seriously realize that the water Jesus turned into wine was not drinking water. It was water for ceremonial washing. Now, in a gospel like John which is exceedingly symbolic, the word “water” typically…
Are We There Yet? – Norlan Julia, SJ
Matthew 2:1-12 (Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord) “Do you know where you’re going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to? … Do you get what you’re hoping for? When you look behind you there’s no open door; What are you hoping for? Do you…
Catcher – Jett Villarin, SJ
Luke 5:1-11 (Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time) I hope to catch you in a span of 800 words or so. It is a fond hope I have, a vain hope I sometimes feel. And it depends on the kind of fishnet my words can become, on how far and wide and deep I cast the…
Have A Defiant Christmas – Francis Alvarez, SJ
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). One December morning in 1863, at home on Brattle Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts – not very far from where we are tonight – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow heard the church bells ringing, and he wrote: I…
One Lost Sheep 