John 18:1-19:42, Good Friday 2016 A little over a year ago, ISIS took a video as they incinerated a Jordanian pilot in a cage. My friends said that the footage was all over the net, but I resisted the temptation of watching it. I learned my lesson many years ago when a friend sent me…
Category: Evangelist: Luke
Magnify – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 1:46-56, Monday of the 4th Week in Advent Napansin po ba ninyo na yung mga Joyful Mysteries na tinatawag, ‘pag sinuri nating mabuti, hindi naman sila gano’n ka-joyful. (Have you noticed that the Joyful Mysteries, upon closer inspection, are not really joyful?)At least not 100%. Annunciation? Mary must have been fully aware of the scandal…
Would You Unfollow John the Baptist? – Johnny Go, SJ
Luke 7:24-30, Thursday of the Third Week of Advent Who among us doesn’t have a Facebook friend whose one mission in life seems to be to ruin our day? Yes, I’m referring to that guy who can’t stop posting all those annoying political rants. Or that heartbroken girl who has been whining about her breakup…
The World in your Suitcase – Johnny Go, SJ
Luke 1:26-38, Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Just when I thought I had seen the best and last of J.K. Rowling, she surprises us with a wonderful prequel to the Harry Potter series called “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” Its protagonist, Newt (played by Eddie Redmayne in the film),…
Solemnity of Christ the King – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Luke 23:35-43, Solemnity of Christ the King Kings have become rare in today’s world. Usually they are only figureheads while a Prime Minister is in charge of the politics of the Kingdom. But even Prime Ministers and Presidents come and go. We have just this year elected a new President, and who still speaks of…
With Justice and Equity: Playing on God’s Team – Mark Lopez, SJ
Luke 21:5-19a, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time “Three Days of Darkness.” That’s what it was called. I was in grade six when that doomsday prediction became popular. A solar eclipse was said to be but the beginning of 72 hours without the sun, during which time only blessed candles would emit light. And that, they…
Breathe – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 21:5-19a, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time This past week was a tough riddle for many of us, Jesuits. The other night, some brothers and I got together. We all wondered: “Are we the ones missing something here? Have we been standing for the wrong principles all this time?” Because no sooner did the Supreme…
Imagining Resurrections – Mark Lopez, SJ
Luke 20:27-38, 32nd Sunday In Ordinary Time A lot of prayers and thoughts these days go out to our dearly departed, having just celebrated All Saints’ and All Souls’. And since we’re also nearing the end of the liturgical year (Yes, only two Sundays left, before Advent helps us to begin again!) a lot of…
Endless Love – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 20:27-38, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Nanay Cianang & Mamay Aquin were a grand-aunt & uncle whose family is still the happiest bunch of relatives I have. They’re an interesting family. Lola Cianang was once married and had children by her first husband. Mamay Aquin was the same way, had a first wife and children….
Eternal – Jett Villarin, SJ
Luke 20:27-38, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Play God for a moment and imagine you are pondering whether or not to bestow immortality on the crowning achievement of your creation, the human person. You consider the upsides and downsides of your move to grant eternity to humanity, and weigh these against each other. A lifespan…
Resurrection – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Luke 20:27-38, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Usually we hear in the Gospel about the Pharisees who were the religious leaders in Palestine at the time of Christ. They were the popular experts in theology and morality. And one of the doctrines they believed in and taught was the resurrection of the dead, just as…
What’s your Sycamore Tree? – Johnny Go, SJ
Luke 19:1-10, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time He’s someone some people would–even in this endangered age of political correctness–call “vertically challenged.” There are, of course, every sort of psychological theories that claims how his type tends to over-compensate. But for Zacchaeus, it really was all just a job. Corruption and extortion were an occupational hazard;…
One Lost Sheep 