Jesus had compassion on society’s outcasts – not only sinners but lepers as well. But his compassion went much further. What did he do? No, it’s not just that Jesus healed the man. He did something which many of us would not probably do. (6th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B)
After ministering to the sick the previous day, Jesus wakes up at dawn to pray. Simon (Peter) and the other followers of Jesus found him and gave an exciting news: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus has become a celebrity. But Jesus does not share their excitement. Why? (5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B)
How did a typical day of Jesus looked like? Where was he? What did he do? St. Mark in this Sunday’s gospel answers these questions. (4th Sunday in Ordinary Time – B)
At the beginning of the Ordinary Time of the year, we are brought face to face with Jesus as he begins his public ministry. His preaching is summarized with the words “Repent and believe in the gospel.” He also gathers his first disciples who later on will become his apostles. (3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – B)
Jesus said: “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” How about adults? What did Jesus mean when he uttered these words? (Sto. Nino)
The Annunciation introduces to us Mary and Jesus. Through the interaction between the angel Gabriel and Mary we get to know the kind of woman Mary is and we are made partakers of a divine secret. The son to be born whose name will be Jesus is no ordinary man. He is Messiah. He is God. (4th Sunday of Advent – A)
John the Baptist is a favorite figure for Advent. Why? What was he supposed to have done? (3rd Sunday of Advent – B)
The parable of the talents is often understood as having to do with our abilities. But that is not so. Here talent refers to money as pesos, euros, dollars and yen. Why is the parable of the talents being read at this time when we are almost at the end of the Liturgical year? (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
As the end of the Church year (or liturgical year) approaches, we are reminded of the end of time when Christ will return in glory and we shall be judged (Last Judgment). The just will rise to eternal life. The evil will rise for eternal punishment. The parable of the Ten Bridesmaids was chosen precisely to be a reminder. (32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
Two horns of a dilemma. It’s a case of damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Either way, Jesus would either get into trouble with the people or with the Romans. Is there a way out? (29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
At first glance, the workers who worked all day in the vineyard seem to be right in complaining about their wage of 1 denarius. Those who worked only for an hour also received 1 denarius! They deserved to get more. But were they really victims of injustice? (25th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
Dismissal from the assembly of the faithful (excommunication) is not so much a punishment but a call to repentance. The Christian is made aware that he has done something unacceptable and because he has not repented is banished from the community of believers until he repents. (23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
Peter’s special place among the Twelve apostles is highlighted in this passage. And this in spite of weaknesses he has displayed throughout the gospel narratives. (21st Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
Jesus seemed to have behaved harshly towards the Canaanite woman. But did he? (20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
The gospel for this Sunday paints an accurate picture of the impulsiveness of Peter. He was given to acting without thinking and it would lead him to fail. But it also tells us something positive about Peter. His heart was always in the right place. (19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
The miracle of the feeding of the five thousand must be an important miracle. It is related in all four Gospels! Why is it so important? (18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)
The Kingdom of Heaven demands a total response because it is a matter of “life and death”. It is about the salvation of one’s soul. (17th Sunday in Ordinay Time – A)
The solemnity of “Corpus Christi” is the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Traditionally a Eucharistic procession is held on this solemnity. The Sacred Host on a monstrance is carried in solemn procession. This act is a public profession of faith, that Jesus is really present, and not just symbolically, in the Eucharist. Jesus is not inside the Host. He is the Host! (Corpus Christi)
Christians coming across the word “Pentecost” would automatically think of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. But we must also know that it was first a Jewish Feast. It is in fact one of the three great Jewish feasts. (Pentecost)
The drama of the Paschal Mystery moves on beyond the Resurrection. There is the Ascension and the sending of the Holy Spirit. In today’s gospel reading, Jesus hints at the coming Christian Pentecost. (5th Sunday of Easter – A)