With their foreheads marked with an ash cross, many Filipinos entered into the season of Lent. It is a long season. Indeed, we are told that the word “Lent” has its roots in “long,” with the Old English “lencten” meaning spring. We can make a guess and say that perhaps it has to do with…
Category: Season
My Private Room – Willy Samson, SJ
Matthew 6:1-6; 16-18, Ash Wednesday A confused disciple went to his master and begged for enlightenment. And the master said, “Go and sit in your room, and your room will teach you everything.” Today we officially begin the Season of Lent. For most of us, Lent is a time TO REMEMBER how Jesus, the Son…
Why do we sacrifice for Lent – Arnel Aquino, SJ
This is a bonus Lenten Special. Just want to share what my SD sent me on understanding why we sacrifice during Lent : My personal thoughts on taking on some measure of asceticism during Lent, Deb, is that all throughout the year, we protect ourselves from being vulnerable. And rightly so because we don’t wish…
Stop Worrying (for Lent and beyond) – Mark Aloysius, SJ
Matthew 6:24-34, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time I. In just a few days time, we will enter the season of Lent. I’m sure that some of you, if not many, have given thought to what it is you will fast from this Lent. Perhaps some of you will give up some kind of food, kick…
What are your priorities? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
Matthew 6:24-34, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time “Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them… Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all…
Do you Catastrophize? – Johnny Go, SJ
Matthew 6:24-34, Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord Jesus repeats what is probably God’s favorite message in the Bible: “Do not be afraid!” Think of the times when God showed up for the first time before his prophets–or when He sent His angel Gabriel to Mary at the Annunciation, or…
Seek his Kingdom first – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Matthew 6:24-34, Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time Today’s readings are so rich that we could reflect on nearly every sentence. Especially the gospel offers so many thoughts to spend a long time with them. What the three readings have in common is that they remind us that God has not only created us, but that…
Who is my Enemy – Johnny Go, SJ
Matthew 5:38-48, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Did you flinch when you just heard the Lord say, “Love your enemies”? My theory is that, if you didn’t, it’s probably because you didn’t hear what he’s trying to tell us today. Or, you didn’t really think of your enemies. “Who is my enemy?” you might ask….
A Higher Law – Manoling Francisco, SJ
Matthew 5:38-42b, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time In our Gospel today, Jesus cites the Old Testament law of retaliation, “an eye for an eye….” (Ex. 21:24, Dt. 19:21 and Lev. 24:20) which was meant to deter violence and put an end to the spiral of vengeance. According to the Old Testament justice was served by…
Don’t Cross – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 5:38-42b, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Under normal circumstances, a right-handed person could slap somebody’s right cheek, but only if it’s a back-handed slap. Try and imagine it. Back in the Lord’s day, a back-handed slap was what superiors gave subordinates. Masters backhand-slapped slaves, for instance; commanders slapped centurions that way; and as it…
Slippery Slope – Johnny Go, SJ
Matthew 5-17:37, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time In today’s Gospel reading, our Lord raises the bar beyond our usual moral comfort zones. It’s not enough that we don’t commit murder, he tells his listeners. Treating others with anger is sin enough. It’s great that we’re not committing adultery, he continues. But the bad news is,…
Thermometer or Thermostat – Rudolf Horst, SVD
Matthew 5:17-37, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time A very long Gospel with many lessons! Each of the lessons taught in today’s Gospel passage could be expanded into an entire book. The core of them all, however, is in the heart. Certainly, our exterior behavior must follow God’s will. This is what Jesus means when he…
One Lost Sheep 