Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, First Sunday of Advent I have a personal beef with end-of-the-world scenarios, or what we call in theology, apocalypses. When I was growing up in Davao, our elders terrorized us at one time or another with end-of-the-world scenarios – mainly to cow us into submission to their do’s and don’t’s, for us…
“Sakto” – Pat Nogoy, SJ
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, First Sunday of Advent It is a state that is quite elusive for it goes beyond the definition of having all the necessary parts or elements. For example, a laptop or a smartphone may have all the complete parts, but if one part does not function well, it cannot be said to…
Adventisement – Jett Villarin, SJ
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36, First Sunday of Advent Advent is the season of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. We prepare for the coming of Christ into our lives by coloring these days with penitential violet and marking our time with moments of hopeful waiting. Adventus is Latin for “coming”. Even if Christmas comes to us…
Should We Still Hail Kingship? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
In our modern (some would say post-modern, or even post-post-modern) world, when monarchy is mainly for ceremony, does the Feast of Christ the King still have meaning? As we let this and then that fad lord it over our lives, as we bow to fleeting trifles, maybe there is an even greater need to remind…
The End of the World – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 13:24-32, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time When I was growing up in Davao, it took very little for elders to start talking about the end of the world. When there was an earthquake, a typhoon, a plane crash, war, flood—very soon, mom or lola or manang would sit up anxiously share what they “heard”…
Undivided – Jett Villarin, SJ
Mark 12:28-34, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time First there were ten commandments. Then over time these multiplied to 600+ laws plus heaven knows how many more implementing rules and regulations and rituals. Just like the mess of information on the internet, these directives often took a life of their own and were confusing. If you…
Crowded Cemeteries – Oliver Dy, SJ
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Were it not for two consecutive nights each year, the ambience of cemeteries across our native land would resemble that of scarcely populated isles. The stark difference would lie in the type of permanent inhabitants creating such aura of silence. One would be due to a few living…
What Do You Really Want? – Francis Alvarez, SJ
Bartimaeus did not have sight in both of his eyes, but this did not prevent him from seeing the answer to three of life’s most important questions. The first question: What do you want? Some of us drift from one thing to another. Sometimes, this is because we do not know what we really want….
I Will Lay Me Down
Mark 10:35-45, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time When you’re weary, feeling small.When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all.I’m on your side, when times get rough, and friends just can’t be found.Like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down. My dear friends, do any of you still remember these…
Pari-seo – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Luke 11:42-46, Wednesday of Week 28 in Ordinary Time Jesus was much kinder to prostitutes and tax collectors than to Pharisees and teachers of the law. Oh, Jesus didn’t condone prostitutes and tax collectors. He socialized with them, yes, but with the intention of turning them around. He couldn’t turn Pharisees around, though. They were…
Fractions – Jett Villarin, SJ
Mark 10:2-16, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Fractions are not easy to learn. In kindergarten, we begin with adding numbers that are whole like one, two, three. When we learn subtraction, we learn about negatives and that mysterious number zero. Then on to division, and life becomes complicated with fractions. Like fractions, love is not…
Reasons – Arnel Aquino, SJ
Mark 10:2-16, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Only a few Catholics are aware that you actually need only a minimum of five people for a wedding: a priest, the bride and the groom, and 2 valid witnesses. I’ve not officiated in a wedding of five though, because thankfully, weddings for us are a community celebration of family and friends. And that’s what a sacrament…
One Lost Sheep 