THROUGH UNTRUE Today is Gaudete Sunday, a time to smile, laugh, and rejoice. It reminds us that the best way to convey the joy of Christmas is to apply an effective strategy in advertising: "The medium is the message." You express joy by embodying it. Being joyful is particularly crucial...
THROUGH UNTRUE Christmas is traditionally a family day, but powerful forces and trends are undermining the family and the values that sustain it. For instance, an increasing number of couples choose to live together without marriage, convinced that their relationship will only endure as long as...
THROUGH UNTRUE The proliferation of beauty pageants underscores a fundamental shift in our understanding of beauty. To many people, beauty is no longer merely a desirable human quality or trait but something that can be bought or sold. Countless individuals spend valuable time and resources in...
THROUGH UNTRUE We often think of a king as a man who has the power to rule others by birthright and who absolutely controls the fate of his subjects. However, with the evolving ideals of leadership and society's growing emphasis on personal autonomy and self-determination, this notion is...
THROUGH UNTRUE Today’s Gospel reading narrates the parable of three servants who receive “talents” from their master before he embarks on a journey. In the time of Jesus, a “talent” represented a monetary unit, likely equivalent to the cumulative daily wage earned over 20 years....
THROUGH UNTRUE Our seemingly trivial decisions can trigger unforeseen consequences, ultimately leading to either success or failure. Often, it is only in retrospect that we come to comprehend this. As the poet George Herbert wrote: “For want of a nail, the shoe is lost. For want of a shoe, the...
THROUGH UNTRUE In our world that extols self-empowerment and self-assertion, many people consider humility as a quaint, cultural relic synonymous with a sickening lack of personal presence. They see it as a characteristic of people who lack vitality and a zest for life. Admittedly, humility...
THROUGH UNTRUE Today, there are likely hundreds of people grieving the passing of Lourdes Bautista, affectionately known as Ma'am Nena. She passed away at the age of 99 years and 11 months last Thursday. The fact that she did not reach 100 reminds us that nobody is perfect. During her prime, Ma'am...
THROUGH UNTRUE The gospel reading today centers around the concept of paying taxes (Matthew 22:15-21). Jesus says that paying taxes is a legal duty. However, He adds, “Give to God what belongs to God,” thereby implying the possibility of conscientious objection against paying taxes to a corrupt...
THROUGH UNTRUE You would probably answer, “no!” Many of us believe sanctity is reserved for those beyond the realm of the living. When someone tells you, “You’re so holy..,” it is often followed by “Sana kunin ka na ni Lord.” One time I told a young man that God was calling him...
THROUGH UNTRUE The New Testament scarcely mentions Mary, the mother of Jesus. Why did the evangelists write so little about a woman so great? Perhaps their intention was not to immortalize Mary with their own words. Instead,they wanted us to remember her through our own words of supplication and...
THROUGH UNTRUE Many people harbor the feeling that God does not love them. In fact, they perceive Him as unjust because of unanswered prayers, prolonged periods of suffering, or the occurrence of tragic events in their lives. Frequently, they find themselves questioning why a benevolent and...
