WHAT can the Feast of the Holy Innocents, celebrated on December 28, tell us? Offhand, we can immediately say that like them we can live and end our life here on earth in a most tragic way. And that, for reasons that can be considered as most flimsy and most stupid,
December 28, 2023
DECEMBER 27 is the Feast of St. John, the youngest apostle as well as one of the evangelists. The story of his life is a moving example of how a young man can give himself completely to God. Indeed, he is a very good model for our youth to follow. Among
December 27, 2023
IT’S amazing that right after Christmas Day, the second day of the Christmas Octave (December 26), we celebrate the memorial of St. Stephen who bears the title of being the protomartyr or the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death for giving a vivid witness of the glory of the
December 26, 2023
THE first reading of the 4th Sunday of Advent, which this year falls on December 24, tells us of King David feeling a little disturbed because while he was living in a house of cedar, the ark of God dwells in a tent. (cfr. 2 Samuel 7,2) And so, the prophet
December 23, 2023
THE Mass readings of December 22 somehow reminds us of our duty to give back and pay back what God has given us. We should do our best to at least be more aware of this duty and try to fulfill it in any way we can, although we know that
December 22, 2023
THE readings of the Mass of December 21 ably evoke the sentiment of joy as we look forward to the coming birth of Christ our Redeemer, and the need for dispatch in cooperating in Christ’s continuing work of redemption. In the Book of the Songs of Songs (2,8-14) we are told
December 21, 2023
“THE Lord himself will grant to you a sign. Behold, a virgin will conceive, and she will give birth to a son, and his name will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” (Is 7,14) Thus, the prophecy about Christ’s birth was announced and was fulfilled in Mary. When
December 20, 2023
CHRISTMAS being the birth of Christ our Redeemer, we should be properly prepared for it in both body and soul. The spiritual preparation, of course, takes precedence over the bodily preparation, but the latter also needs to be given due attention, otherwise our spiritual readiness to receive Christ on Christmas Day
December 19, 2023
WE are now days before Christmas. Our longing for the birth of Christ is heightened, thanks to our tradition of the Simbang Gabi that up to now enjoys vast popularity especially among the simple people who are gifted with a lot of faith. Let’s hope that this tradition continues “sine fine”
December 18, 2023
THE 3rd Sunday of Advent is usually dubbed as Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice Sunday) because the Entrance Antiphon of the Mass for that day starts with the joyful greeting, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” (Phil 4,4-5) We are clearly encouraged to be happy as
December 16, 2023
WE are now in the Season of Advent, a time to develop the sense of yearning for Christ in our life. And the readings of the Mass on Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent encourage us to do just that. In the first reading, from the Book of Isaiah, we
December 15, 2023
