Have you ever been in this situation? You are working on this project together with a group of colleagues be it at school, office, or church. You feel that you are giving it your all, even more than your colleagues combined. However, the end of the project another member of the group was recognized and [...]
In this 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jesus leaves us with this thought: 34 He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses [...]
"Ephphatha!" -- "Be opened!". This was the command Jesus made to the deaf and mute man brought to him according to the Gospel Reading for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. That person's disability was physical and by opening him up, Jesus cured the man of this deafness and speech impediment. However, there are those [...]
Last Sunday's (22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time) Gospel tells the story of Jesus having a meal with his disciples who apparently did not wash their hands properly based on the customs at the time. When the Pharisees mentioned this, Jesus couldn't help but call out the Pharisees and said to them: 6 He responded, “Well [...]
In the midst of the scandals being brought up against the Church, both from outside and from within, many Catholics are considering leaving. However, if we look at Church history, scandals are very much part of it. One of the greathest and earliest scandals is of course, the actions of Judas. One of the twelve [...]
This was originally a presentation for the opening remarks I did during the 6th NFF (Neurofibromatosis Friends) Philippines Christmas Party last December 2017. The presentation was entitled "In the Silence: Hearing God in the Midst of Life's Noise". I hoped to encourage my fellow NF family members that God is present and often speaks to [...]
Despite being with friends a coworkers throughout the day or being in the middle of the weekend crowd at mall, or being with members of my church ministries, I cannot help but at times feel alone. Naturally, when I am actually alone -- like in my room, my car, in church -- the feeling of [...]
For the Universal Church, it will be the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary time, but for the Philippines, it will be the Feast of the Sto. Niño de Cebu (Holy Child of Cebu). Originally, the feast date was set on April 28. However, starting in the 18th century, Pope Innocent XIII, in order to avoid possible [...]
You are sleeping soundly, when suddenly, in the middle of the night, you are woken up by the SMS ring tone of your mobile phone. When you read the message it contains a short story about a person receiving a wonderful blessing by praying a certain prayer. You only get to receive the blessing if [...]
READINGS 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11 2nd Reading: Titus 2:11–14; 3:4–7 Gospel: Luke 3:15–16, 21–22 January 10, 2016 is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It marks the last day of the Christmas season for the Catholic Church. Our Lord's baptism is an announcement of both God's mercy and His glory. For [...]