IT’S Ash Wednesday once again. And with it, we begin the liturgical season of Lent, a serious time of preparation for the culmination of Christ’s redemptive mission through his passion, death and glorious resurrection. Thanks be to God, Ash Wednesday in our country always evokes a very special sentiment among ourselves
February 22, 2023
YES, we have such tendency, and so we have to be wary of it. We are reminded of this fact of life when after Christ told his apostles about his impending suffering, death and resurrection, the apostles were caught simply discussing about who the greatest among them was. (cfr. Mk 9,30-37)
February 21, 2023
“HIS disciples asked him in private, ‘Why could we not drive the spirit out?’ He said to them, ‘This kind can only come out through prayer.’” (Mk 9,28-29) This is the concluding part of that gospel episode where Christ was approached by the father of a boy possessed by a mute
February 20, 2023
“IF one strikes thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other: and if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him. And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two.” (Mt 5,39-41) Scary
February 18, 2023
“WHOEVER wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mk 8,34) For sure, everytime we read these words, our Pavlovian reaction would be to be filled with dread. Who likes to deny himself, who likes to take up the cross, we would ask, if
February 17, 2023
WE need to appreciate better the unavoidable condition of our life here on earth that will always involve some suffering in one form or another, and eventually our death. If we would only adapt the mind and attitude of Christ toward human suffering and death, we know that such condition can
February 16, 2023
IT’S interesting to note that while most miracles performed by Christ had instant effects, there was at least one miracle that took time and stages before the final effect took place. This was when a blind man was brought to him, begging for a cure. (cfr. Mk 8,22-26) As the gospel
February 15, 2023
“WATCH out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mk 8,15) At first, the disciples of Christ thought Christ was referring to the fact that they only brought one loaf of bread. So, Christ had to clarify it to them until they understood he was referring
February 14, 2023
THE Pharisees argued with Christ asking him for a sign from heaven to test him. So, Christ got exasperated and said: “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left. (cfr. Mk 8,11-13) This gospel episode reminds
February 13, 2023
WHEN Christ told the crowd that their righteousness should surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees if they want to enter the kingdom of heaven, (cfr. Mt 5,17-37) he is actually telling us that we should be wary of our tendency to make and observe our laws that are based only
February 11, 2023
“HE has done all things well. He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mk 7,37) We may not be able to make the deaf hear and the mute speak, but we should try our best that we can also gain the same reputation as that of Christ. We should
February 10, 2023
WE should not be surprised by this phenomenon. Rather, we should welcome such eventuality, for it can only produce a greater good in us. We are reminded of this fact of life in that gospel episode where a Syrophoenician woman begged Christ to drive the demon away from her daughter. (cfr.
February 9, 2023
