Christmas Eve 2018 It was around this time of night many, many years ago, when I was little—littler—when a very rare electrical storm ripped through Davao City. Lightning and thunder looked and sounded like they were tearing each other apart. They say only thunder makes a sound, lightning doesn’t. But I remember lightning cracking like…
Category: Evangelist
Topsy Turvy – Nemy Que, SJ
Matthew 1:18-25, Day 4 Simbang Gabi When we hear the term “annunciation”, we usually think of the annunciation of the birth of Jesus by the angel Gabriel to Mary. This is found in Luke’s Gospel. In today’s Gospel from Matthew, we are told of another annunciation – that of an angel to Joseph. The message…
Apocalypse Now – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, First Sunday of Advent I have a personal beef with end-of-the-world scenarios, or what we call in theology, apocalypses. When I was growing up in Davao, our elders terrorized us at one time or another with end-of-the-world scenarios – mainly to cow us into submission to their do’s and don’t’s, for us…
“Sakto” – Pat Nogoy, SJ
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, First Sunday of Advent It is a state that is quite elusive for it goes beyond the definition of having all the necessary parts or elements. For example, a laptop or a smartphone may have all the complete parts, but if one part does not function well, it cannot be said to…
Adventisement – Jett Villarin, SJ
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, First Sunday of Advent Advent is the season of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. We prepare for the coming of Christ into our lives by coloring these days with penitential violet and marking our time with moments of hopeful waiting. Adventus is Latin for “coming”. Even if Christmas comes to us…
The End of the World – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 13:24-32, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time When I was growing up in Davao, it took very little for elders to start talking about the end of the world. When there was an earthquake, a typhoon, a plane crash, war, flood—very soon, mom or lola or manang would sit up anxiously share what they “heard”…
Undivided – Jett Villarin, SJ
Mark 12:28-34, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time First there were ten commandments. Then over time these multiplied to 600+ laws plus heaven knows how many more implementing rules and regulations and rituals. Just like the mess of information on the internet, these directives often took a life of their own and were confusing. If you…
What Do You Really Want? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
Bartimaeus did not have sight in both of his eyes, but this did not prevent him from seeing the answer to three of life’s most important questions. The first question: What do you want? Some of us drift from one thing to another. Sometimes, this is because we do not know what we really want….
I Will Lay Me Down
Mark 10:35-45, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time When you’re weary, feeling small.When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all.I’m on your side, when times get rough, and friends just can’t be found.Like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down. My dear friends, do any of you still remember these…
Fractions – Jett Villarin, SJ
Mark 10:2-16, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Fractions are not easy to learn. In kindergarten, we begin with adding numbers that are whole like one, two, three. When we learn subtraction, we learn about negatives and that mysterious number zero. Then on to division, and life becomes complicated with fractions. Like fractions, love is not…
Reasons – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 10:2-16, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Only a few Catholics are aware that you actually need only a minimum of five people for a wedding: a priest, the bride and the groom, and 2 valid witnesses. I’ve not officiated in a wedding of five though, because thankfully, weddings for us are a community celebration of family and friends. And that’s what a sacrament…
That I May Smile All My Life – Johnny Go, SJ
Mark 8:38-48, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time This reflection was written in 2015. I am reposting this because Pope Francis needs our prayers as he faces vicious attacks even from within the Church. I’m reading the new book from Filipino priest-poet, Fr. Albert Alejo, SJ, Nabighani. It’s a lovely book of religious poetry translated into Filipino and guaranteed to…
One Lost Sheep 