We are familiar with Jesus as the Good Shepherd. But do you know that he also compared himself to a gate? (4th Sunday of Easter – A)

The story of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus is found only in Luke. Just like his other stories, one can readily feel emotions of the characters as the story unfolds. The story begins with the two disciples walking in sorrow and disappointment. It ends with the same two disciples filled with excitement and sharing the joy of the other disciples at the knowledge that Jesus is indeed risen. (3rd Sunday of Easter – A)

The Gospel Reading for the Second Sunday of Easter recounts what happend on the evening of Easter Sunday and the following Sunday. On the evening of Easter Sunday the Risen Jesus gives another gift to his disciples in addition to the two gifts he gave them at the Last Supper. On the following sunday after Easter, we find an apostle make a profession of faith no one has ever made. (Second Sunday of Easter)

“THE MAKING OF A PRESIDENT – 1ST of a Series”
By: Rosauro M. Angeles
rossmangeles@hotmail.com
buddyandmind@yahoo.com

http://www.buddyandmind.com/blogs/5/88/the-making-of-a-president-1st-of-a-series

Most ardent faith believers declared that becoming president of a certain country is a God given destiny.
Further, believers without hesitance will say that things are happening in accordance with His will and that If He wills things to happen, it will happen”.
Does being re-elected as a president also a God given destiny?
Does God meddle with the affairs of the people particularly in choosing who will and who will not become president of a certain country? Does He meddle on whom shall you marry? Does God meddle on what career you will pursue and how you will pursue your career?
I will not argue to the above contention or to any contention contrary to the above. What I would just say is that around the world, all day and in all hours or seconds, there are good things and bad things that are happening.
Good deeds like providing livelihood programs to poor communities or philanthropist allocating substantial funds for the eradications of some dreaded diseases. Bad deeds like the brutal killings of innocent children and helpless people who were caught during arm conflicts or the taking place of rapes of children and grandmother by people who were under the influence of drugs.
Now and then there are unimaginable calamities like earthquakes, tsunamis and fires that are taking place.
Hence, are we going to say that only good things are the wills of God, whereas, bad things are the wills of Evils?
What I would say is that God is witnessing what is happening around the world and those good things happening pleases Him and bad things happening displeases or saddened Him.
Again, I may ask. Does God meddle with the affairs of the people particularly in choosing who they shall vote to become their president?
The next series of articles will show a profiling of some presidents and rulers who have caught the attention of the world or their people. Some characterize a simple ascent to power. Others make use of complex set of preparations on how they became a president or how they extended their terms of office and or their plans on how to go about their re-elections.
The Making of a President – 2nd Series will feature President Barack Hussein Obama II, the earliest bird to announce his intention to run for re-election come US 2012 National Election.

Once and for all Jesus declares that there is no strict connection between sin and illness, that is, not every illness is caused by sin. However, it is true that sin has within itself the seed of punishment (that is, a negative consequence). For example, heavy drinking may lead to cirrhosis of the liver and heavy smoking may lead to lung cancer). (4th Sunday of Lent – A)

When the conversation turns to a topic that may be embarrassing to us, our natural reaction is to change the topic. The Samaritan woman found herself in such a situation in her encounter with Jesus. She did try to veer the topic of her “husband” to a safer topic. Did she succeed? (3rd Sunday of Lent)

After having foretold his passion and death, Jesus gives his three apostles a glimpse of the transformation that his resurrection would bring about. Perhaps Jesus wanted the memory of this transfiguration to help them weather the shock of his passion and death. (2nd Sunday of Lent – A)

Somebody said: “The best defense is offense.” Jesus goes to confront Satan in his territory and comes out victorious. The Temptation in the Dessert may have been chosen for the First Sunday of Lent in order to tell us that Lent is a time not of waiting (as in Advent) but a time to proactively confront our own demons (our bad habits and our evil inclinations) in their own backyard, that is to say, within ourselves. (First Sunday of Lent – A)

It is one thing to hear the teachings of Jesus. It is another to put it into practice. As one wise man puts it: “Between the cup and the lip, there is many a slip.” Between hearing and acting, there is a world of a difference. And more often than not, what is heard is never seen in practice. (9th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)

If Jesus demands a righteousness that is greater than the scribes and pharisees, then his “law” must be more exacting. And this is what we find in today’s gospel. And perhaps a certain negro spiritual had this in mind when it said: “Oh, you’ll never get to heaven on a rocking chair. For the Lord don’t want lazy bones up there.” (6th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)

Being a Christian does not mean living a quiet life without a care in the world. It means carrying out a project greater than oneself for it encompasses the world and goes on even after one’s life span. (5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – A)

Do you know anyone by the name of “Macario” or “Felix”? Their name means “happy” and “fortunate”. Macario comes from Greek, while Felix comes from Latin. This Sunday’s gospel is about the Eight Beatitudes. While it is not surprising that many will probably have no trouble enumerating the Ten Commandments, it will come also as no surprise that many will not be able to enumerate the Eight Beatitudes. And yet, they are the requirements for entering the Kingdom of God. (4th Sunday in Orrindary Time – A)

Pit Senor! The devotion of many Filipinos with the Poong Nazareno may find its roots in his ability to sympathize with their sufferings. Perhaps their devotion to the Sto. Nino is rooted in their special love for the little ones. (Solemnity of the Sto. Nino)

Why did Jesus go to John for baptism? Was Jesus sinful and so needed to be baptized? What is the difference between the baptism of John and the Baptism of Jesus? (Baptism of Our Lord).

“We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts, we traverse afar…” So the carol goes. But they were certainly not kings. Who were they? Why did Matthew include them in his infancy narrative? (Epiphany – A)

Herod sought to kill Jesus and failed. His time has not yet come. At the end of his life, his enemies succeed in killing him. His time had come. His mission has been accomplished. (Holy Family)

Though the main characters of this episode are Joseph and the Angel, its real concern is Jesus. The episode wanted to point out his extra-ordinary identity. He was born through the direct intervention of God for a mission no human being was capable of undertaking – to be a Savior of mankind. (4th Sunday of Advent – A)

John the Baptist continues to be present in this third Sunday of Advent. This must be because his person and message has an important role in our spiritual preparation for Christmas. His message is demanding and his person confirms the demanding character of his message: Repentance that proves its genuiness is a change of life. (3rd Sunday of Advent – A)

John the Baptist is a figure presented as part of the preparation for Christmas. He doesn’t mince words. He calls a spade, a spade. He warns us that repentance must be seen in action. (2nd Sunday of Advent – A)

Jesus does not wish to frighten us. What he wants to do is to keep us from being complacent. He is going to come back. This world as we know it will end and will be transformed. He wants us to be partakers of this glorious future. But He insists that we be alert and prepared. And that means living day by day as members of the kingdom. (1st Sunday of Advent – A)