Matthew 10:37-42, 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Had you ever noticed the number of flat-out contradictions that can be found in the New Testament? • The last shall be first. • Lose your life if you want to find it. • Take the lowest seat if you want to have the highest. • The Son…
Category: Evangelist: Matthew
Father – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Matthew 10:26-33, 12th Sunday In Ordinary Time Twice in today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of his “heavenly Father. Whenever we make the sign of the cross, we begin with “in the name of the Father,” so that we don’t find anything strange with calling God our Father. But the Fatherhood of God has come under fire…
Secrets – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 10:26-33, 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time A good friend of mine lost a little over P100,000 recently. Apparently, the ATM he had used was rigged. All the “secrets” kept in that magnetic strip were stolen. “Skimming” is what they call the scam. Banco de Oro said they’d been trying to get in touch with…
Make My Heart Like Yours – Willy Samson, SJ
Matthew 11:25-30, Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Dear Jesus, I come to you today, with my bended knees. I recognize your Presence in my life – that without you, I’m nothing but a passing wind. O Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, meek, mild and adorable. come to me now in haste, and…
Communion – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 28:16-20, Solemnity of the Ascension When I was in graduate studies, I lived with an American Jesuit who was a former US Navy soldier. He had been deployed to missions in Syria and Afghanistan, and was even briefly missioned in Subic. While fixing some lunch one day, he asked, “So, Arnel, how’s the interfaith dialogue with…
Can Worship be Mixed with Doubt? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
Matthew 28:16-20, Solemnity of the Ascension In our Gospel today, the eleven disciples climb a mountain to meet the risen Jesus, and we read, “When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted” (Matthew 28:17). There was Jesus, flesh and blood proof of the resurrection, showing them that his promises had been fulfilled and that…
Right-Hand Man – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Matthew 28:16-20, Solemnity of the Ascencion The celebration of the Ascension leaves many a bit flat. It is clear what Good Friday does for us. And Easter Sunday’s benefits are indisputable. But as for the Ascension – “What’s in it for me?”, many ask. Yes, what is the meaning of the “ascension” to heaven of the risen Christ? Is it a…
From Death to Life – Pat Nogoy, SJ
Matthew 28:1-10, Easter Sunday It was supposed to be an ordinary visit. Getting up, preparing spices, washing up, and a slow walk to the tomb comprised a routine that might help heal a broken heart. It had been done before. Many times. Parents, cousins, friends, lovers. And now a beloved teacher. Shattered once more, she might…
Free Again! – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 28:1-10, Easter Sunday 2017 Aren’t you glad that the purple linen covers here at the altar are now gone? In the past, churches covered the crucifix and the saints only after Holy Thursday mass. Recently, however, the covers go up much earlier, for some strange reason that probably only liturgists know. Personally, I’ve found…
Stay in Us – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Matthew 28:1-10, Easter Vigil “Stay with us, Lord, for it is almost evening.” This was the insistent invitation that the two disciples journeying to Emmaus on the evening of that very first Easter addressed to their companion who had talked to them in a way that their hearts were on fire. Weighed down with sadness,…
Surplus – Jett Villarin, SJ
Matthew 28:1-10, Easter Vigil Fasten your seatbelts. I have some particle physics stuff to tell you. I know physics can be difficult but don’t worry. One graduate physics professor advised us once: if you don’t know the answer to the question, just say “energy”. Let’s try this. What keeps the sun shining? (Energy) Why is…
Beyond Betrayal, Beyond Death – Arnel Aquino SJ
Matthew 26:14-25, Holy Wednesday Did you ever wonder if Judas is in heaven or in hell? There’s not been a few times when people have asked if I think Judas is in heaven or in hell—like what I think matters in the whole thing. “He betrayed Jesus and then killed himself, so he must be…
One Lost Sheep 