Matthew 4:1-11; First Sunday of Lent Much of Manila has changed since I left more than a decade ago. Along Katipunan there are far more high rise buildings. The site where a former school used to stand is now a sosyal (fancy) shopping mall. We also have the second largest parking lot in Manila, otherwise…
Category: Season: Lent
Magnets – Jett Villarin, SJ
Matthew 4:1-11, First Sunday of Lent Magnets are fascinating objects. The natural ones (like magnetite) have electrons spinning about all in the same direction, giving rise to force fields that either attract or repel other objects. We even give labels such as “poles” (north or south) to explain that like poles repel while opposite poles…
The Seven Cries of Jesus – Noel Bava, SJ
Isaiah 52:13—53:12; Psalm 31; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1—19:42, Good Friday 1. Opening: The Cry That Pierced Filipino Memory We lost an icon yesterday, the one and only superstar of Philippine television, movies, theater and music—Nora Aunor. No other artist, living or dead could equal her depth of emotion when playing iconic roles. And when…
The Last Supper according to “Sharonians” – Noel Bava, SJ
Exodus 12:1–8, 11–14; Psalm 116:12–13, 15–18; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; John 13:1–15, Holy Thursday of Our Lord’s Passion 1. Introduction: Everyone’s Guilty of a Little ‘Sharon’ Let’s admit it—almost all of us have done a Sharon at least once. After a party, a wedding, or a town fiesta, someone inevitably brings out the Tupperware or plastic bags and starts packing leftovers….
A Meditation on Mundane Things During the Paschal Triduum – Noel Bava, SJ
Please consider using this excellent guided reflection prepared by Fr Weng Bava SJ for each day of the Paschal Triduum. This is for personal and group mediation on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord through the mundane and often unnoticed tiny details in Gospel narratives. A Reader-Friendly Prayer and Reflection Guide Introduction The…
When Love and Hate Collide – Noel Bava, SJ
John 8:1-11; 5th Sunday of Lent I have always been intrigued by the lyrics and melody of the song by Def Leppard and how it easily lends itself to our deeper understanding of God’s mercy and compassion. It begins with this line: “You could have a change of heart, if you would only change your…
When the Manna Stops – Jordy Orbe, SJ
Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 In today’s first reading, there’s a detail that’s easy to overlook: “The manna ceased.” For 40 years, God fed the Israelites in the wilderness with manna—daily bread from heaven. It was how they survived. But once they enter the Promised Land and eat the produce of…
Chance – Jett Villarin, SJ
Luke 13:1-9, Third Sunday of Lent I once missed the last bus to Davao from CDO that was scheduled to leave 12midnight. Arriving about 15 minutes past departure, there I was trying to figure out how on earth I was going to get to Davao where I was supposed to speak the next morning. Along…
Due Process – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 16:19-31, Thursday of the 2nd Week of Lent The rich man, also called Dives, “dined sumptuously each day.” He had all the chances to help Lazarus who would’ve “gladly eaten of the scraps that fell from the table.” Would’ve. Ibig sabihin, dedma talaga si Dives. Hindi man lang namigay kahit kaunti. Well, both of…
Privileged – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 9:28b-36, Second Sunday of Lent I can’t blame Peter. Ang ganda ganda sa Mt. Tabor. It’s not certain though if the church up there today is exactly on the same spot where the Transfiguration really happened. But it’s still breathtaking to be in that general area. It was approaching dusk when we were there…
More – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 1:4-13, 1st Sunday of Lent You don’t have to agree with me on this, sisters and brothers. But I don’t think Jesus was tempted just that one time. We believe and profess that the Son of God is “like us in all things but sin;” in all things…except sin. Which is why I personally…
Palms – Jett Villarin, SJ
Mark 14:1-39, Palm Sunday It was a head-turner. This scene of Jesus entering Jerusalem. The people were there for the big feast and they had heard that Jesus was coming. They had heard about Lazarus. They wanted to see Jesus. Even the Greeks who had come for the feast went to Philip, asking him, “Sir,…
One Lost Sheep 