This is a an annual repost of 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…
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Called by Name – John Foley, SJ
John 1:35-42, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time We now begin what the Church calls “Ordinary Time.” Christmas season is over, and we begin to see Jesus at work. We begin with a significant story, found in the First Reading for Sunday. A young man named Samuel is sleeping in the temple, as he was allowed…
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…
What Is Joy? – Fr. Francis Alvarez, SJ
“And coming to Mary, the angel Gabriel said, ‘Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you’” (Luke 1:28). Those who pray the rosary regularly will easily recognize our Gospel today, the Annunciation, as the first joyful mystery. But I have often wondered if the real mystery lies in how we can consider this whole…
Who, me? – Debbie Tan
Luke 1:26-38, Fourth Sunday of Advent I’ve been asked to reflect on one of the most beautiful and famous passages in scripture – the Annunciation. Under any circumstances, the angel Gabriel delivered a startling announcement and all the more so since the recipient was a 14-15 year old girl. But it has always been Mary’s response…
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…
Do You Really Want God As Your Shepherd? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
In our first reading today, God tells us, “I myself will look after and tend my sheep… I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark” (Ezekiel 34:11-12). God is not an absentee lord but a hands-on shepherd who cares for each and every one of us in a…
Nevertheless and However – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 25:31-46, Feast of Christ the King The Gospel today is not just about the “end of the world.” Although many of us priests love to jump on “end of the world” scenarios to hurry people off to confession in preparation for Advent. But the Lord’s message today is not just about the end of…
Are You Really Seeking The Truth? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
Matthew 22;15-21, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21). This verse has launched many heated discussions and tirades about the relationship between religion and the state. But I do not think Jesus set out to pronounce something definitive about faith and politics…
A Full Heart – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Homily for Fr Archie Intengan, SJ I wish you had the chance of living with Fr Archie Intengan. He was one of the kindest, gentlest brothers we’ve ever had. Every day since Fr Archie died, I would hear at least one fellow Jesuit say that he cried when he got the news. Ganong klase siyang…
Do you sometimes feel that God is unfair? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
Matthew 10:1-16, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time A landowner goes out at dawn and hires laborers to work in his vineyard. He does the same at 9:00 am, 12:00 noon, 3:00 pm, and 5:00 pm. That evening, those who started working at 5:00 pm are given a full day’s wage. Those who started working at…
We Forgive because We have been Forgiven – Fr Harold Parilla
Matthew 18:21-35, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Readings for this Sunday center on the theme of forgiveness. This theme is ever-relevant, sometimes too relevant that it makes us all uncomfortable. We are imperfect, and we are surrounded by others who are similarly lacking in perfection. Expectedly, we offend people and people upset us. It…
One Lost Sheep 