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Reflections Archive
The Lord’s Ascension - May 12, 2013
https://twitter.com/#!/Pope2YouVatican is the twitter site of the Holy See. Here, the Pope tweets in multiple languages. It is an attempt to attract younger and more media savvy users to the message of Christ. Aside from P2Y, the Pope will also have his own personal twitter account. Actually, this is just a part of the wider communications network of the Vatican. www.news.va is the website that b
6th Sunday of Easter - May 5, 2013
An elder missionary recalled the day when he left his homeland for his mission in Congo. At that time home vacation was not yet practiced. Leaving the family then was like seeing them for the last time! There was a big feast prepared for him. There was music and plenty of people. But most had tears in their eyes. This sadness however was nothing compared to the joy of seeing their missionary leave to the
5th Sunday of Easter - Apr 24, 2013
You’ve probably seen it in some gatherings, like a family reunion, or a faculty meeting – the conversation suddenly scales back by several decibels, the topic morphs with little warning, and the atmosphere noticeably turns frigid. The conversation has turned guarded, and the body language has shifted to a defensive stance. Someone’s solitary presence has noticeably altered the collective mood and so
World Day of Prayer for Vocations - Apr 21, 2013
The studies under the joint UNICEF-PIDS project titled “Global study on child poverty and disparities: Philippines” highlight specific issues on child poverty in the Philippines. It says through its latest official poverty statistics in 2006, one-third (32.9%) of the entire Philippine population is considered poor. This is equivalent to roughly 27.6 million people. Of this number of poor, 47 percent or 12.8 million consist o children be
4th Sunday of Lent - Mar 6, 2013
A story is told about a certain Corrie Ten Boom, who was imprisoned by the Nazi regime and tells an incident in her life. She preached at a church service on the theme of forgiveness. As she left the pulpit and came down to the center of the sanctuary, she recognized a man as the chief guard in the concentration camp where she and her sister had been incarcerated and where her sister died.
The gua
The gua
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Feb 10, 2013
JR usually ends up sleeping by the roadside after a night’s drink. Gerald once had an overnight stint at a police station. Buddy has no home to call his own. Renan has a home but goes anywhere but there. Jason is going 16 but has not gone past elementary yet. Yes…an annoying pack…a drunkard, a delinquent, a no-home buddy, a homeless creature by choice and a perpetual grader. At first glance, there s
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Feb 3, 2013
The Philippines has its share of folk doctors or healers who somehow gain a following within their local vicinities or “territories.” If their abilities are proven consistently by witnesses and their so-called patients, their fame spreads to neighboring towns and villages. Needless to say, CAUTION must be an indispensable requirement for anyone seeking treatment especially if the “patient-to-be” does no
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jan 27, 2013
In May 2007, 42 year-old Cristy Terrado felt constant stinging pain on her right breast. It was disturbing. Her older sister, Cora, had just succumbed to death due to breast cancer that same year, that same month. It was more disturbing. After her sister, she may be next.
Cristy consulted four doctors…painfully trying to know the truth. And the painful truth is: she was diagnosed to have breast cancer, stage 2. She b
Cristy consulted four doctors…painfully trying to know the truth. And the painful truth is: she was diagnosed to have breast cancer, stage 2. She b
Feast of the Sto. Niño - Jan 20, 2013
It must be a rare family which has not lost its son or daughter, even momentarily, once in their lives. The periscope on the loss and finding of Jesus in the temple should not only provoke fond recollection, but also offer a teaching moment in at least three senses. (a) In Filipino culture, the child who asks initial questions is considered cute; allow it to ask a few more questions and it will be marveled at a
Baptism of the Lord - Jan 13, 2013
A priest friend told me that he once visited a presbytery where he found a poster that stated: “Here, we believe in two things: Firstly, god exists; and secondly, you are not God!” This may sound trite, but in fact it is profound. It is important to know where one stands in life. A person may excel in something in life, but that does not mean that one is already the totality of perfection. John the Baptist was fully aware
The Feast of Epiphany - Jan 6, 2013
The feast of Epiphany marks the end of Christmas. Let us take a last look at the Nativity Scene and meditate on some of its details. Many have deep symbolic meanings and bring us back to very ancient times.
The Star. Imagine, 1200 years before Christ a total stranger has foretold the coming of the Messiah. “I see him, but not in the present, I behold him but not close at hand; a “star
The Star. Imagine, 1200 years before Christ a total stranger has foretold the coming of the Messiah. “I see him, but not in the present, I behold him but not close at hand; a “star
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Dec 20, 2012
Today, December 23, the Responsorial Psalm has a very fitting message for us. It goes like this: “Lift up your heads and see; your redemption is near at hand.”
At a day when final preparations for Christmas are in full swing, like preparing food, rushing to buy one or two more gifts, putting the final touch to the electric lights around the house and the Christmas décor, the Psalm of today’s litur
At a day when final preparations for Christmas are in full swing, like preparing food, rushing to buy one or two more gifts, putting the final touch to the electric lights around the house and the Christmas décor, the Psalm of today’s litur
Third Sunday of Advent - Dec 16, 2012
We heard this story before. It is about a person who complained to God for not answering his prayer. He had been storming the high heavens with endless hours of novenas, rosaries, and offering weekly Mass intentions for his one wish to be granted. Years passed, God remained deaf to the man’s supplication so it seemed. He started harboring feelings of dismay and disappointment towards God, and, at the edge of despair, Go
Second Sunday of Advent - Dec 9, 2012
Saint Luke tells us the precise time when the Lord addressed John the Baptist interiorly in order to reveal to him his mission: that of preparing for the coming of the Lord!
John the Baptist is the Precursor of the Lord; he prepared for his coming, his first coming. John has but one love: God, the Word of God who revealed himself to him! John was sanctified before his birth by the grace of God. This grac
John the Baptist is the Precursor of the Lord; he prepared for his coming, his first coming. John has but one love: God, the Word of God who revealed himself to him! John was sanctified before his birth by the grace of God. This grac
First Sunday of Advent - Nov 29, 2012
Kuya Buboy, a good friend in the parish explained to me how important the compass is to a fisherman like him. He told me that whatever may happen, whether big waves or darkness deprive one from seeing the shore, one can always get home if he has set the direction towards home and keeps focusing on it ‘til the end.
The world is said to turn towards its end. Various prophecies abound on how the world wil
The world is said to turn towards its end. Various prophecies abound on how the world wil
Solemnity of Christ the King - Nov 25, 2012
Dikgosi (Kgosi, singular form) or “kings” in English are highly revered leaders in Botswana, Africa. One day I paid a visit to one of our village Kgosi (king/chief). I found him nicely seated in a traditional stool outside his house. As a sign of respect I obliged myself to the customary greetings proper to a Kgosi or an Elder. I bent my knees as if I am about to genuflect
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Nov 12, 2012
After watching the movie 2012 a few years ago, one of my relatives started to talk anxiously and obsessively about the end of the world with every person he meets. When somebody phones him, he would prefer to comment extensively on the imminent end of our world. In a party he would bring up the same topic until the conversation ends. I could notice his face expressions of deep uncertainty and sadness. His heart
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Oct 31, 2012
We fondly called him “Fr. Braggy”, the well-loved novice master, philosophy and moral theology professor – Fr. Jose Vicente Braganza, SVD. In his lectures he would challenge us, saying, “The truly great are either great lovers or great thinkers.”
Perhaps the greatest thinker God has given to the Church was St. Augustine of Hippo, and he was also a great lover, that is after having forsaken a li
Perhaps the greatest thinker God has given to the Church was St. Augustine of Hippo, and he was also a great lover, that is after having forsaken a li
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Oct 25, 2012
He came to me looking confused. He requested if we could go to a place where no one could see us talking. Then he started talking. “Father, I fell in love with a woman”. The problem was he is a seminarian. Hearing this, I told him, there is nothing wrong with it as he is able to rein in his feelings. I have actually heard about his case from someone, and I already knew something untoward happened. I was jus
World Mission Sunday - Oct 16, 2012
When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman empire, it was also caught up in the visions of conquest and expansionism. It was inevitable for subjugated peoples to bow under the will of the ruler and follow whatever is imposed on them including religion. It is no wonder that Christianity was enmeshed with the political, cultural and social fabric of the dominating
Indigenous Peoples' Sunday - Oct 10, 2012
A helicopter hovers over a college in one province. The students run to the windows to have a look. The teacher says, “Go back to your seats. You behave just like indigenous peoples!”
Prejudice is everywhere. We also find discrimination in the New Testament between the healthy and the sick, the clean and unclean, the keepers of the law and sinners, the Jews and the Samaritans…
In today’s G
Prejudice is everywhere. We also find discrimination in the New Testament between the healthy and the sick, the clean and unclean, the keepers of the law and sinners, the Jews and the Samaritans…
In today’s G
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Oct 1, 2012
Somebody asked me recently: “With a marriage break-up rate of about 50% in many countries, and annulments given so frequently, does Jesus’ teaching on ‘no divorce’ still make sense? Isn’t it anachronistic, ignoring modern reality?” No doubt, in our world today Christian marriage and family is in crisis. And so it is important for us to uphold what Jesus taught about marriage, even if many around us might fall shor
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sep 24, 2012
Fr. Bob, a young missionary plodding through the villages located along the mighty Agusan River, met all sorts of people and challenging situations. In one village in particular the elders brought before Fr. Bob a young girl who was frothing at the mouth and hurling all sorts of unprintable words. Terrified, the village elders implored Fr. Bob to use his powers as an exorcist, something he had never done before. Not one in hi
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sep 17, 2012
The two scenes in today’s gospel give us a clue to the message that it wants to convey. The central concern of Jesus in his teaching was that salvation or entrance into God’s Kingdom is given as a free gift to all. It is never merited by any effort or activity on the part of any individual. It took time for this teaching to sink in because aside from its being new it is also diametrically opposed to what was understood an
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sep 12, 2012
The following remarks are typical when teachers recall some of their former students. “He was a bright student, but his conduct was abominable.” “She could have done better, had her parents been more supportive.” “I always knew he would make good (or bad) someday.” “I can’t say I knew her at all; she was such a quiet girl.”
We don’t have to be teachers to have similar experiences and
We don’t have to be teachers to have similar experiences and
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sep 9, 2012
Tyre and Sidon. Sea of Galilee. District of the Decapolis. Jesus is in pagan territory. And they brought to him a deaf-mute – twice unclean: a probable gentile because of his origin and a likely sinner because of his infirmity. And yet, Jesus touched him, unafraid of being contaminated by his uncleanness. Because for Jesus, no person is unclean.
Indeed, Jesus’ respect for every human person is evide
Indeed, Jesus’ respect for every human person is evide
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sep 2, 2012
Tradition and custom are important parts of our daily existence; however, they should remain as means of bringing people closer to God. This is the point of Jesus’ instructions in today’s Gospel.
A reader of today’s Gospel may ask why Jesus always attacks the Pharisees when they try to protect the Tradition of the Elders. One may also feel that Jesus seems to insist on his own ideas and, at
A reader of today’s Gospel may ask why Jesus always attacks the Pharisees when they try to protect the Tradition of the Elders. One may also feel that Jesus seems to insist on his own ideas and, at
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Aug 25, 2012
“Walang iwanan ha!” (“Do not leave (me) okay!”) is a popular modern phrase commonly used by Filipinos, which basically asks the person you are speaking with to respond with their pledge of loyalty. For instance, a barkada (group of friends) that is about to graduate from high school would say this to one another, in fear that college life might force them to drift apart; or when an organization is about to embark on a big pr
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Aug 12, 2012
One evening while listening to an AM radio station I heard a medical doctor saying that one cause of sickness is the food we eat. He claimed that lots of things that enter our mouth were in reality toxins.: smoke , caffeine, alcohol, animal fats, chemicals from processed and preserved food, etc. In fact, we shamelessly brand some food as junk food! Whereas we appreciate the saying “that we eat in order to live,” I am afra
18th Sunday in ordinary Time/St. John Marie Vianney - Aug 5, 2012
In arguing for the reform of the basic education system from K+10 to K+12, educators point out that of 100 students who enter grade 1, only 86 proceed to grade 2 and only 68 remain after Grade 6. Of these only 46 survive by the end of 4th year high school, and for half that is the only education they will get. Of the 24 who do enroll in college only 14 graduate with a college degree. Of these only 2 will be either a scientist
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time/Fil-Mission Sunday - Jul 29, 2012
We should thank the Church that, on this Filipino Mission Sunday, we are being treated to this twice-told miracle story of the multiplication of the loaves, here supported even by the Old Testament account of how the prophet Elisha performed in his own days the same marvelous miracle, as if to tell us, “Hey, this is not impossible!”
We are reminded of the mustard seed, supposedly the smallest seed one can ever find
We are reminded of the mustard seed, supposedly the smallest seed one can ever find
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jul 16, 2012
My friends sometimes ask me which is more fulfilling in terms of ministry – parish or formation work in the seminary? Both are obviously important, but personally parish work is more enjoyable and fulfilling. I still consider my parish work in Agusan del Sur from 1994 to 1999 as the best chapter of my priestly life simply because it was during this time that I truly felt and experienced that I was a pastor, a shepherd with a flock entrusted to
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jul 9, 2012
The first thing that comes to mind after hearing today’s gospel is that preaching is a responsibility of a chosen few; and that preaching means what I am doing now and the formal teaching of the tenets of our faith in catechetical or theology classes. This first impression is very far from the truth. Recent studies of scriptures have uncovered the truth that many, if not all, of the injunctions of Jesus that
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jul 8, 2012
This Sunday we have a gospel that we can easily relate with because the experience of discrimination and rejection happens to us from time to time. The experience of Jesus and his response can become our model in responding to similar actuations.
We could imagine that when Jesus decided to return to his hometown after leaving it in order to start his ministry, he was full of enthusiasm and excitement. This ti
We could imagine that when Jesus decided to return to his hometown after leaving it in order to start his ministry, he was full of enthusiasm and excitement. This ti
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Jul 1, 2012
As they say, there are no high mountains, no deep oceans, no difficult terrain for someone who has genuine love. Such is the case of Jairus whose daughter was “at the point of death.” If his daughter’s salvation lays in Jesus’s hands, then to Jesus Jairus would go, no matter what. No matter that she was at the point of death; no matter that he was told she had just died. Nothing matters except the mercy and powe
The Birth of John the Baptist - Jun 24, 2012
A famous orchestra conductor was interviewed, and one of the questions asked was: “Sir what are some of the most difficult problems that you encounter as a conductor?” He said, “Well, one big difficulty I have is looking for musicians who play the vila.” Asked to elaborate, he explained, “As you probably do not know the viola plays to support the violin; viola is a second stringer, it remains secon
Most Blessed Trinity - Jun 3, 2012
When I was assigned in Occidental Mindoro, I heard about the different strategies of the missionaries in dealing with the indigenous tribes of the mangyans. There were those who used the so-called “direct evangelization” – converting and baptizing the Mangyans after some catechism. Others adapted “indirect evangelizing” – not talking directly about religion while they lived with the mangyans and
Pentecost - May 27, 2012
Pentecost comes from a root word which means ‘fifty’. In our context, it refers to the 50th day after the Resurrection. We are told in the Acts of the Apostles that on this day the disciples were “in one place together.” Suddenly there was a noise “like a strong driving wind” which filled the entire house. That was followed by the appearance of “tongues of fire” that came to rest on each of them.
The Lord’s Ascencion - May 20, 2012
In southern India, the Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu is known for snake catching. One can admire the magical talent of the members of the tribe for finding and catching snakes. They have only to see a slight track in the sand, stoop down to study it, and can confidently say that it was a small cobra which slithered that way. They follow the track and a hundred meters away come to a rat hole. They dig it until the cob
6th Sunday of Easter - May 13, 2012
One of the greatest blessings I received in my first year as parish priest here in Apurawan was the revival of the Catholic Youth Group. Thanks to the various activities that transpired like the Youth Camp, the liturgical activities and the Lay Ministers’ Convention, the youth force was mobilized to the hilt. There was a palpable energy in the parish. There was fun and excitement. Then the day ca
5th Week of Easter - May 6, 2012
To fall in love is easy. One can fall in love with an idea, with an occupation, with a gadget like cell phone, lap top, a place, even with a memory. And, of course with a person, “I fell in love the first time I saw him or her.” To be in love is hard. One can only be in love with a person. It requires a deeper kno
4th Sunday of Easter/Good Shepherd Sunday/World Day of Prayer of Vocation - Apr 29, 2012
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. What makes a good shepherd? Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel: “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Before him was John the Baptist who willingly decreased in order that Jesus might increase. That’s easier said than done. Most of us would rather hold on to our position of honor, wealth and power rather than relinquish it for the next-in-line. It
Divine Mercy, 2nd Week of Easter - Apr 15, 2012
When I was little, I used to hear during mass, my late, dear father utter softly the words “My Lord and my God!” every time the priest would raise the Sacred Host.
Whenever my father knelt, I stood beside him; so I always heard those words clearly and distinctly. The phrase, he said, is the “highest expression of faith in Jesus.”
It is remarkable to note that the ultimate declaration
Whenever my father knelt, I stood beside him; so I always heard those words clearly and distinctly. The phrase, he said, is the “highest expression of faith in Jesus.”
It is remarkable to note that the ultimate declaration
Easter Sunday - Apr 8, 2012
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad! Jesus has risen from the dead!
It may seem very difficult to understand, much less to believe. But God always fulfills His promises. Yes. Jesus has risen from the dead.
Homer Viray has been the organist and the voice behind every liturgical song of Radio Veritas ‘ daily mass for 13 years. He has been leading the faithful
It may seem very difficult to understand, much less to believe. But God always fulfills His promises. Yes. Jesus has risen from the dead.
Homer Viray has been the organist and the voice behind every liturgical song of Radio Veritas ‘ daily mass for 13 years. He has been leading the faithful
Palm Sunday - Apr 1, 2012
I had my secondary education in a parochial school. It has been a tradition in the school that students join the procession during major feasts of the parish. Joining a procession then became a very meaningful expression of faith on my part. When I entered the seminary, and have studied theology, it became more beautiful for me. The procession is a concrete expression of the reality of the Church a
5th Sunday of Lent - Mar 25, 2012
Here is an intense and painful moment in the life of Jesus who finds himself alone as he undergoes his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. With deep emotion Jesus contemplates his own life and death. “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground…” Like a grain of wheat Jesus has to let go of everything, including his own life in order to bring life to himself and many others. This is real kenosis, or self-emp
4th Sunday of Lent - Mar 18, 2012
Recently an accountant of the Commission on Audit, named Heidi Mendoza, bursts into the national consciousness with her courageous exposé of the anomalous transactions of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. She was instantly hailed as a hero, a fine example of what our Gospel today is telling us- “whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God
3rd Sunday of Lent - Mar 11, 2012
Jews’ reaction to Jesus’ challenge immediately reveals the symbolism of Jesus’ words and their misunderstanding of this symbolic language. The “temple” that Jesus meant here is His body while the “temple” in the people’s mind refers to the actual building. This dual perception is still alive in our time. When newspapers report statements made by the Church, the prevalent picture is
2nd Sunday of Lent - Mar 4, 2012
An amateur hunter miscalculated his time of return from the forest. Darkness was already covering the land while still a few distance from home. Suddenly panic and fear came into his heart, as day turned into night. Luckily for him, because from afar there was a thunderstorm. Intermittently, a flash of lightning would illumine the darkness, and the hunter who still managed to be smart, took this split-second mome
1st Sunday of Lent/Migrants' Sunday - Feb 26, 2012
“Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true,” so goes a song evoking a message of hope and rightly so. In today’s first reading God uses a rainbow as a reminder of Yahweh’s covenant, God’s promise to his people. And what is this promise? We are familiar with the story of Noah, how God seeing the sinfulness of humanity, sent a great flood to clea
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Feb 19, 2012
My cousin was married to a French soldier who fought during World War II. He was very thoughtful, understanding and gentlemanly. One thing however bothered her. Though he was a Catholic he was not going to the Church anymore. The brutal experience of the war made him doubt God’s existence: “Where was God during the killings and the fighting?” As he got older my cousin mustered all the courage to persuade hi
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Feb 12, 2012
Perhaps only a handful of us have seen what leprosy does to the body of a person. Most lepers we have seen are negative lepers; their sickness is already arrested. It is a jarring experience to see positive lepers. I better not elaborate because some present here might not have the stomach to stand a graphic description. Suffice it to say that the OT had clear-cut laws regarding this sickness that was considered
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Feb 5, 2012
Today is Pro-Life Sunday. It will be well to ask: How is it to be pro-life, to live in the service of life? Let us answer this question in the light of the liturgical readings of today.
We see that life is not at all a bed of roses. We heard Job’s description of it: “Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling?” Job’s life, he confesses, is made up of “months of mise
We see that life is not at all a bed of roses. We heard Job’s description of it: “Is not man’s life on earth a drudgery? Are not his days those of a hireling?” Job’s life, he confesses, is made up of “months of mise
3rd Sunday of Ordinary time - Jan 22, 2012
In my almost thirty years of priesthood, people of different ages and from all walks of life have approached me with some anxiety and even despair wondering if they were at the right place and doing the right things in life. Yes, we are all in the same boat. It is like waiting for friends at airports, we might worry if we have the right date, right flight or maybe the right airport. We could worry about whether w
Feast of Sto. Niño, St. Arnold Janssen - Jan 15, 2012
For a truly solid reason is the Sto. Niño the Principal Patron of the Philippines. The popularity of the Sto. Niño is more than just strong, it is historically founded. After planting the cross on a hill, Magellan sailed westwards to Cebu where, in April 1521, 800 Cebuanos received baptism. The new Christian Queen Juana was gifted with the image of Sto. Niño by Magellan for her “to keep it in pl
Epiphany - Jan 8, 2012
There are usually two ways by which a child reacts to receiving a gift on his/her birthday or at Christmas. The “spoiled” child opens the gift, takes the new toy, and runs to a corner to play with the toy by him/herself. The “well-trained” child opens the gift, and invites other children (siblings or friends) to play with the toy along with him/her.
If Christmas is the feast of receiving a gift fro
If Christmas is the feast of receiving a gift fro