Matthew 2:1-12, Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord On this Feast of the Epiphany, we remember the visit of the magi–those astrologers (how many they were, we don’t know) who read the stars and were among the first to lay their eyes on Jesus. They were not exactly kings, but they were certainly wise enough to…
Category: Season
The Most Precious Gift – Rogel Abais, SJ
Matthew 2:1-12; Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord Celebrating the Christmas season has become synonymous with gifts and gift-giving. When this season is fast approaching and as it unfolds, we all get caught up in a frenzy of thinking what to give to whom and what we will receive from whom! Gift-giving has become…
God in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time – Nono Alfonso, SJ
Matthew 2:1-12, Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord Before the age of the Metro Manila Film Fest, and before the holiday releases of Star Wars or The Avengers, my favorite Christmas movie was and remains to be The Fourth Wise Man. The movie stars the great Martin Sheen and asserts that in fact there…
Into the Hands of Love – John Foley, SJ
Matthew 2:1-12, The Epiphany of the Lord On this Epiphany Sunday we hear a classic story about innocence in the midst of evil, innocence betrayed by those who should have cared. The Gospel begins by referring to the fact that a guiltless child has been born. Angels in their rapture paint the sky with song….
Star – Jett Villarin, SJ
Matthew 2:1-12, The Epiphany of the Lord In this age of GPS (global positioning satellites), we seldom turn to the stars anymore to lead us to where we are going. Admittedly, our smartphone is enough of a locational tool to get us to where we are headed, assuming our destination is just here on earth….
In the Shade – John Foley, SJ
Luke 2:22-40, Feast of the Holy Family In my childhood—which happened a while back, I admit—I used to look forward every year to the big New Years Eve party that my parents had. A number of times, I—ever inventive—wrote and dittoed off a tiny newspaper for the entertainment of everyone in attendance. For me, that…
Christmas is Coming Home – Robbie Paraan, SJ
Christmas Eve, Luke 2:1-14 I saw a viral video the other day about a touching homecoming which happened on an airplane. Juan Paolo Fermin hasn’t spent Christmas with his family in 17 years. Juan Paolo’s mother—like many Filipino parents—had to leave for abroad when he was 8 years old. Though they would see each other occasionally…
Hope – Jett Villarin, SJ
Christmas Eve In climate science, we are often asked how is it that we can predict next year or the next decade or even the next century when we cannot even forecast what will happen tomorrow? The short answer is: climate is not weather, not the day-to-day variation of hot and cold, wet and dry….
Tiwala (Faith) – Ij Gonzaga-Chan, SJ
Luke 1:26-38 My dear friends, on this sixth day of our Simbang Gabi, we hear once more the story of the Annunciation to Mary. We hear again the story of how a young girl’s “yes” ushered in our very salvation history. And so for tonight’s reflection, allow me to suggest the theme of “to have faith……
How Can This Be? – Johnny Go, SJ
Luke 1:26-38, Fourth Sunday of Advent When the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her about God’s invitation, Mary asked one question: “How can this be?” When you think about it, it’s a perfectly normal and understandable question. First of all, it was an angel that visited her! We have no idea what form the angel assumed…
Listen Well – John Foley, SJ
Luke 1:26:38, Fourth Sunday of Advent An angel appears with a startling announcement to an otherwise insignificant housewife. Mary responds, “Let it be done unto me according to your word.” Is there a way to understand her heart as she utters these words, so dramatically significant to the human race? Let us take an “inside…
Light from Light – Mark Aloysius, SJ
John 1:6-8; 19-28, 2nd Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) Have you ever looked at the moon and wondered at its beauty? Its shape transforming from a crescent to a disc as it dances across the sky, through the changing of the seasons. Luminously golden as it may appear to us who behold it, we know…
One Lost Sheep 