Matthew 3:1-12, Second Sunday of Advent Let’s try not to short circuit Advent to get to Christmas. The four candles here are for the four weeks of Advent. We are now entering the second quarter of this time of preparation. Listening to John the Baptist is part of this preparation. He tells us today to…
Category: Season: Advent
Another Kind of Coming – Mamert Manus, SJ
Matthew 24:37-44, First Sunday of Advent The Church begins a new liturgical year today, on this First Sunday of Advent. So in a very real sense,Happy New Year! This period in our liturgical journey is called Advent, from the Latin adventus, whichmeans “coming.” Ang Adbiyento ay isang panahon ng pag-aantay para sa isang pagdating —…
Visita – Jett Villarin, SJ
Luke 1:39-45; Fourth Sunday of Advent About these two women in our Gospel today, you will notice how one was barely on the threshold of womanhood, the other, easily past menopause. The Visitation however was more than just a meeting of miraculously pregnant ladies. The second joyful mystery is about two women being pulled together…
Advent Resolutions – Chester Yacub, SJ
Luke 3:1-6; Second Sunday of Advent Last Sunday, we began a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent. Much like how we approach the start of a new calendar year with resolutions, Advent invites us to spiritual renewal—to prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of the Lord. These resolutions, however, are…
Arrival – Jett Villarin, SJ
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36; First Sunday of Advent An airline passenger was clearly stressed because of his fear of flying. To calm him down, his seatmate assured him, “Huwag kang mag-alala, hindi mo pa panahon.” The passenger however would not be consoled. He said, “E paano kung panahon na ng piloto?” Advent, which literally means coming…
Immeasurable – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 1:18-25, Simbanggabi Alam n’yo po, lahat ng naging kakilala kong karpintero, tahimik. I can still name all of them: Manong Imo, who lived with us for a long time; Mang Rudy, when I was in the Novitiate, Mang Remy and Kuya Teodor, fantastic craftsmen in San Jose Seminary. And today, we have Kuya Loloy…
Grounded – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 1:1-8. Second Sunday of Advent From 1968 to the 1990s, archaeologists dug up several purification pools around wherethe Temple of Jerusalem once stood. Mikvoth, they were called, the precursors of our holy waterfonts today. For the Jews, the Temple was the holiest place on earth. You didn’t just waltz into itlike you and I…
John and Maria – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 3:1-12; Second Sunday of Advent The other night, I was astounded to see Maria Ressa appear on the Late Show with StephenColbert. Then, yesterday morning, she appeared on NPR news with veteran journalist JudyWoodruff. And last night, she was on MSNBC news! “How to Stand Up to a Dictator”, the bookshe had written, was…
Awake – Jett Villarin, SJ
Matthew 24:37-44, First Sunday of Advent “Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”…
Who Has the Power – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 21:25-36B, 1st Sunday of Advent Imagine, just imagine, a foreign government finally rigging nuclear missile launchers into our reefs. Then, they aim them at us. Into their computers, they plot the coordinates of our arsenals, military camps, airports, down to the square meter. Anytime, at their leader’s pleasure, a work-from-home soldier can click on…
But There Will be Christmas This Year – Jun Viray, SJ
John 1:1-18, Christmas Day 2020 There will be no Christmas this year. Mayroon nga bang pasko ngayong taon? Before you censure and brand me as heretical, please hear me out. You and I know that the question is very real to many people. Mayroon nga bang pasko para kay Florentino Gregorio, asawa ng pinatay na…
Homeward – Jett Villarin, SJ
Luke 1:67-69, 9th day of Misa de Gallo (24th December 2020) We saw the “Christmas star” three nights ago. This sighting was not easy. The “star”, the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, was quite elusive for most of the time we were there at the rooftop of the Jesuit Residence. The sky was overcast. And…
One Lost Sheep 