REFLECTIONS TODAY One of the striking things about our Lord’s life is that he was always on the move, walking with people, accompanying them, visiting homes of the sick, and so on. Here, the first disciples who are following Jesus ask him where he is staying, and he invites them, “Come, and you...
REFLECTIONS TODAY What’s in a name? Today is the feast of the naming of Jesus. The name “Jesus” (Hebrew Yeshua) means “the Lord saves.” A name, therefore, that fully expresses who Jesus is or what he was born for. He was sent to a world full of sin, and evil, thus a world needing...
REFLECTIONS TODAY When Pope Francis visited the Philippines in 2015, we all did our share in preparing for his coming. For such a momentous occasion we needed to prepare ourselves for his visit—not just externally but also internally. And so it was that our hearts were aflame when he came as we...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Lk 2:16-21 The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds....
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel is commonly known as the Prologue of John. It is a semi-poetic piece of literature that tells the story of the coming of the Logos or the Word into the world. It contains the famous line, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” which best...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus was known to be “Jesus of Nazareth” during the course of his public ministry. He grew up in Nazareth. After his family’s sojourn in Egypt, Joseph decided to settle down in this obscure village in Galilee. Matthew describes the event as the fulfillment of what the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In today’s Gospel, the character of Simeon is presented. Simeon’s prayer, known as the Nunc Dimittis (“Now you dismiss”), expresses his joy in seeing the Lord’s salvation in the infant Jesus. But as Jesus is a sign that will contradicted, people must make their choice,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Luke and Matthew narrate their respective versions of the Infancy Narrative. Compared to Luke’s version, which is characterized by a joyous tone, the Matthean Infancy Narrative tells of the struggles of the Holy Family and of all those who are related to them, like the innocents...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today is the Feast of St. John. Our liturgical celebration identifies St. John as both Apostle and Evangelist. Our Catholic tradition also associates John with the Beloved Disciple mentioned in John’s Gospel, the one who inspired the writing of the said Gospel. Today’s Gospel...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Yesterday, we reflected deeply on the mystery of the Incarnation in a very joyful atmosphere. The imagery of a gentle infant beautifully laid in a manger is still fresh in our minds. Today, however, we are led to reflect on the offering of blood by St. Stephen, the first martyr...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti on Fraternity and Social Friendship — Pope Francis points out that no one is saved alone. He writes, “True, a worldwide tragedy like the Covid-19 pandemic momentarily revived the sense that we are a global community, all in the same boat, where...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s Gospel speaks of hope, which springs up from God’s tender mercy, and which is experienced not only by a few individuals, but by all the people. It is like an experience of “sunrise” or “daybreak” (anatolē). “Sunrise” is a beautiful imagery of hope used in...
