REFLECTIONS TODAY It was a popular belief among the Jews that misfortunes in life are caused by transgressions of the Law, while fidelity to the Law results to blessings and prosperity. While this may be true in general, Jesus rejects the notion that all misfortunes result from sin. Bad things...
REFLECTIONS TODAY A priest, in a homily, asked the congregation, “Who wants to go to heaven?” All raised their hands. But when he asked, “Who wants to die?” all drew their hands back. Apparently, no one was ready to face the Lord. We are perhaps banking on a delayed time of death to settle...
REFLECTIONS TODAY It is shocking to hear Jesus describe himself as source of division. After all, isn’t he the Prince of Peace? (Is 9:5). What division is he talking about? The experience of Christ’s early followers testifies to this external conflict that can arise in following the way...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel reminds us of a famous line from a superhero movie: “With great power comes great responsibility.” Whatever we have, be it time, talent, or resources, the Lord expects us to use them for the spread of his Kingdom. The Christmas song “Little Drummer Boy” is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The expression “gird your loins” (v 35) derives from practical purpose based on the ancients’ clothing. As pants or shorts were not in use in those days, tunics would be cumbersome to walk in or run around. This was resolved by bringing up the garment and tying it so...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In Japanese culture, there are art depictions of hungry ghosts, which are inspired by the Buddhist idea of reincarnation. These ghosts are the souls of human beings who fell into the traps of greediness. They have been punished in reincarnation by being made into creatures that...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Mark 10:35-45 [or 10:42-45] James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in...
REFLECTIONS TODAY How can God not forgive a sin? We know him to be merciful, why would he reserve a sin to be unforgivable? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (n 1864) explains what it means to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit concerns this: Unrepentance. We...
REFLECTIONS TODAY There is a great probability that St. Luke accompanied St. Paul in his missionary journeys. St. Paul relates accounts of his mishaps: lashings, beatings, stoning, shipwreck, drifting on sea, all sorts of dangers, toil, hardship, hunger, thirst, and cold, among other things that he...
REFLECTIONS TODAY “Damay-damay tayo” is a Tagalog expression used to describe the attitude of a person who wants everybody else to share in his misfortune. Jesus blames the scholars of the Law for taking away the key of knowledge by their narrow and shallow interpretation of the Law. This...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Once a fellow priest took me to buy groceries. While passing through a moving conveyor belt, we passed by a stranger, a woman struggling to push her cartload of stuff bought from the stores. As if by instinct, my companion helped her push the cart, and immediately the ice was...
REFLECTIONS TODAY It is worth noting that Jesus specifies what kind of impurity the Pharisees have in their hearts. He says that their hearts are full of plunder and evil. We are made aware that these men who follow strict external observances are not disciplined internally, for letting...
