REFLECTIONS TODAY David’s reign around 1000 BC was considered the greatest period in Israel’s history. It was not only a time of power and glory, but also of justice and righteousness in the land. David was associated with goodness, power, protection, and righteousness. This ideal time would be...
REFLECTIONS TODAY People rejoice over happy occasions and over victories, be in battle, sports, or some contests. The 72 disciples rejoiced upon returning from their missions, telling Jesus that the demons were subject to them because of his name (Lk 10:17). Jesus would have rejoiced with them,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jews looked down on the Gentiles (pagans) as idolaters and licentious people. In the words of Paul, idolaters exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or animals, and God has abandoned them over to degrading passion (Rom 1:23-...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Words are often seen as inferior to actions. “Actions speak louder than words,” we are always being reminded of. Indeed, words can be uttered gratuitously, that is, without any grounding, weight, or basis, just like big but often empty promises at elections. But this is not...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Awaiting the Lord’s return and taking seriously our following of Jesus may lead us into persecution and hardships. Our Lord’s life attested to this: He was always challenged and harassed by His opponents who either doubted or altogether refused to accept Him. Even in our...
REFLECTIONS TODAY What is to be our attitude as we await the second coming of the Lord? Certainly, we cannot worry about it every day; otherwise, we cannot go on with our daily lives. On the other hand, we also cannot simply dismiss it from our consciousness; otherwise, we fall into...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Offerings at Mass are opportunities to share in the realization of programs and projects of the parish/diocese. There is no pressure or obligation to do it, but certainly they are necessary for the growth of our Christian communities. God continually endows us with his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Even by just observing nature, one can see how life emerges from seeming death. In winter, or in extreme summer heat, trees and plants may look dead, lakes and rivers may appear dried up, but as the season changes, they “come to life” again. There is no way that death has the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s feast of St. Cecilia, patron of music and musicians, celebrates the devotion and faithfulness of this saint who desired to remain a virgin all her life but was forced to get married. Love for God often leads people to consecrate themselves to Him. And often this is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The point of the parable is that like the master in the story, God wants us to be “enterprising” with the talents that he has given us rather than simply keep them. We should take risks and not be paralyzed by the thought of “loss” and the prospect of punishment...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Failure to read the signs of the times often brings us misfortune or loss. Just like we can get lost while traveling in an unfamiliar place if we do not pay heed to the signs. As Christians, we cannot simply live our lives without an awareness of what is happening around...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Zacchaeus is not discouraged by how people see him; he pursues his desire to see Jesus, and his wish is granted. The encounter moves him so deeply, and filled with deep gratitude and joy, he offers reparation for his sins. And so Jesus declares that salvation has come...
