Fr. Rolando V. De La Rosa, OP

Small matters matter

In some countries where the legal system is based on the Sharia Law, convicted thieves may have their hands amputated in public. This harsh measure highlights the evil consequences of stealing and serves to discourage similar action by others. Today's gospel reading appears to echo this sentiment, as Jesus states that one must cut off or pluck out any body part that causes a person to sin (Mark 9:43-49).

The G.O.A.T. mystique

In a world driven by relentless competition, those who achieve unparalleled success in a particular field are often hailed as the G.O.A.T. (“Greatest of All Time”). In sports, for example, the G.O.A.T. is the athlete with the most records or championships. However, these statistical measures of achievement are neither permanent nor static. As athletes continuously push the boundaries of performance, new ways of measuring excellence inevitably emerge.

My selfie is not me

In 1929, Belgian surrealist artist Rene Magritte painted a picture of a pipe with the caption, “This is not a pipe.”  Many viewers were puzzled, but Magritte explained that he added that caption to warn viewers of the danger of equating a picture with the reality it represents. If Magritte were here today, he would upload his selfie with the label: “This is not me.”

A woman named Mary

Today, Sept. 8, marks the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, perhaps the first human being who proved that a woman can be the best man for the job. 

Costly substitutes for God

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus asks His disciples, “Will you also go away?” (John 6:66). This question resonates with us as well. Will we continue to believe in God even when He confounds our expectations? Or will we seek other gods that promise immediate solutions to our needs?