John 19:25-27, Our Lady of Sorrows on the Tuesday of Week 24 in Ordinary Time Today’s feast day (Our Lady of Sorrows) reminds me of the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. The year was 1981 – May 13, the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Pope John Paul II was shot four times…
Category: Evangelist: John
The Cross – Pat Falguera, SJ
John 3:13-17, Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross If there is one place I would nominate as a “go to” tourist destination in the Philippines, it would be the island of Culion. Part of the Calamian group of islands, Culion and its 41 surrounding islands have some of the best powdery white sand beaches, UNESCO heritage-worthy coral reefs and limestone structures in the…
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…
No Metaphysics Needed – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 6:51-58, Solemnity of Corpus Christi “With all due respect, St Thomas, it’s getting harder and harder to explain the Real Presence of Christ in the host and wine, using your metaphysics.” I recently contemplated a gutsy conversation with St Thomas Aquinas. “Your metaphysics was revolutionary, dear St Thomas. During consecration, the substantia of bread…
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…
Knowing God’s Name – Robbie Paraan, SJ
John 3:16-18, Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity The community quarantine has made us rethink our normal way of doing things. One of those is the where and how we source our food. In Jesuit communities inside the Ateneo de Manila campus, there has been a renewed drive for sustainable sources of food—at least for…
Divine Indwelling – Arnel Aquino, SJ
John 20:19-23, Feast of the Pentecost Whenever I get to bless a new car, I’m often amused when the owner stumbles around, rushing to open everything that can ever be swung open: doors, hood, trunk, even glove compartment! A seminarian once asked: “Fr. Arnel, valid ba ang blessing kung sarado?” He used air quotes on…
Sounds like Pentecost – Johnny Go, SJ
John 20:19-23; Feast of the Pentecost Based on the Gospel account, the very first Pentecost was quite a dramatic and extraordinary event. It was a huge production number. It had all the works: Fire, thunder, and a powerful gust of wind! What I would do to have such a Pentecost! Looking back over the past days, however,…
Follow Me – Bien Cruz, SJ
John 21:15-19, Friday of the 7th Week of Eastertide Today’s Gospel reading is one of the most well-loved accounts of Jesus and Peter. This is the encounter where Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?,” three times. Many homilies and commentaries have already shared with us how Jesus’ repeated questioning reflected Peter’s inability to confidently…
Are All Endings Sad? – Fr Harold Parilla
Matthew 28:16-20, The Ascension of the Lord Are all endings sad? Most of them, I guess. A funeral, for example, is a sad ritual because it signals the end of a person’s earthly life. People left behind, especially those who are close to the person who had died, will move on with a gaping hole…
There is Hope – Karel San Juan, SJ
John 14:15-21, 6th Sunday of Easter Two months have passed since our lockdown in Zamboanga and other places in the country. And starting yesterday, we shifted to modified community quarantines. Many of us are very relieved. Still, we are asked to be very cautious, very careful, otherwise we will be forced again to go on…
Joy, Kindness and Love – Fr Harold Parilla
John 17:1-11a, 6th Sunday of Easter In a sense, the readings for this Sunday anticipate the approaching Feast of Pentecost. The readings alert us to the presence of the Holy Spirit among us and to the signs of that presence. Is the Spirit of God truly with us? What are the manifestations of the presence…
One Lost Sheep 