Luke 1:26-38, Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary A majority of art representations we have of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) is of the vulnerable and frail stereotype of a woman taking care of the child Jesus. But let us not forget that she can also be viewed as a woman of incredible strength and…
Waiting for What or Whom? – Kit Bautista, SJ
Mark 1:1-8, Second Sunday of Advent When I was a child, my father would accompany me and my brothers (all 8 of us), during the Christmas break, to certain streets in old Manila called Escolta and Rosario, in the old downtown district of Binondo. One year, I remember my father leading us to this brightly-lit…
Off our Knees – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 13:33-37, 1st Sunday of Advent How would you like a parish priest like this: He spends most of his time on his knees, in front of the altar, praying by himself? He hears confessions for six hours every day. In his masses, he always ends up talking about sin, that we should avoid it,…
The Shepherd King – Jomari Manzano, SJ
Matthew 25:31-46, Solemnity of Christ the King Were you expecting to hear about crowns, processions and majesty in our readings for today’s Solemnity? Why is it that it is all about sheep? Because Christ’s kingship is modelled on God’s kingship, which is that of a Shepherd King. In the British countryside the sheep are left…
Shepherd King – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 25:31-46, Solemnity of Christ the King Pope Pius XI instituted the Solemnity of Christ the King in 1925, and for good reason. In the 1920s arose totalitarianism and fascist dictators: Mussolini, Stalin, Hirohito, all finally inspiring a Hitler. Christendom needed reminding that Christ was, is, and the only king. If you notice, many world…
Exage – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 25:14-30, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Today’s parable is driven by hyperbole. We will better appreciate the richness of the story if we realize the exaggeration that runs it. Back in Jesus’ Israel, when people talked about everyday expenses, they’d talk “drachmas,” “shekels,” “denarii”—their usual currency. But when talking about huge amounts, they’d talk…
Love in the Time of CoVid – Karel San Juan, SJ
Matthew 22:34-40, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time One word that can describe our lives in the pandemic is “change.” Yes, change. Things have changed. Things are changing. The way we work. The way we go to school and study. The way we worship. The way we keep in touch with family and friends. The way…
Where Both Meet – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 22:34-40, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time If you and I were Orthodox Jews, and today were Sabbath Day, there would be several things we’d be forbidden from doing, things that constitute work. We’re forbidden from building a fire. So, we can’t use the stove, or light a cigarette, or turn on any switches because…
Save the Last Dance for Me – Vic Baltazar, SJ
Matthew 22:15-21, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time In my meditation, our readings seemed about leaders and where they stand relative to God, but somehow the playful Michael Buble appeared in my morning meditation, dancing to the tune of “But don’t forget whose taking you home and in whose arms you’re gonna be, save the last…
Who Owns You? – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Matthew 22:15-21, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time “Is it lawful to pay census tax to Caesar or not?” If Jesus said yes, the hierarchs would charge him with blasphemy, punishable by stoning. Only God was king! If he said no, they’d rat him out to the Romans who could charge him with treason, also punishable…
The Greatest Party that Never Happened – Pat Falguera, SJ
Matthew 22:1-14; 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time April, Spring of 2017. An event supposedly meant to stamp itself as the festival of musical festivals was about to take place. Not unlike Tomorrowland in Belgium, or the Glastonbury in the UK, the Fyre Music Festival (spelled F-Y-R-E) was to be held in the Bahamian Island of…
Conversion – Pat Falguera, SJ
Luke 11:37-41, Tuesday of Week 28 in Ordinary Time “God sees the Truth but Waits” is the title of a short story written by Leo Tolstoy. It is owing to the genius of this great Russian writer that the themes of mercy and forgiveness; and of condemnation and conversion, continue to influence thought and action…
One Lost Sheep 