THROUGH UNTRUE Many Filipinos associate General Douglas MacArthur with the words “I shall return.” As the commander of the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), he was tasked to defend the Philippines against the Japanese forces, who proved to be too strong during the Second World...
THROUGH UNTRUE It is currently the peak of summer, and many of us are daydreaming about the ideal vacation. We imagine ourselves waking up in the morning without the stress of work, or staying in bed longer without any guilt or regret. For those who spend their daily lives in cramped, cluttered,...
THROUGH UNTRUE Charles Kingsley once wrote: "We act as though comfort, security, power, position, and money were the chief requirements of life when what makes us happy is just something to be enthusiastic about." Enthusiasm is the "fire within," the exuberant energy, the fervor that fuels our...
THROUGH UNTRUE Often, we behave like the disciples as narrated in today’s gospel reading: “When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, the disciples gathered together in a house, and they locked all doors for fear of the Jews” (John 20:19). This is what we also do when we are...
THROUGH UNTRUE To begin again after a dismal failure or disappointment is extremely difficult. Many politicians are good at this, though. They have mastered the art of reinventing themselves after their fall from grace. The late Ronald Reagan once said jokingly: “Politics is not a bad profession....
THROUGH UNTRUE During Holy Week, we meditate on the life story of Jesus, which some may call "A Biography of a Failure." It seems that Jesus was born to suffer and fail. Unreceptive and unbelieving crowds ignored His claims as the messiah. Those who listened to Him and benefited from His miracles...
THROUGH UNTRUE Since 1982, there have been at least 38 recorded cases of people coming back to life after being pronounced dead. This strange phenomenon is known as “Lazarus syndrome,” which refers to the spontaneous return of normal cardiac activity after multiple failed attempts to...
THROUGH UNTRUE Atherosclerosis is a grave health problem that causes at least 30 percent of all deaths worldwide. Physicians describe it as the hardening of the arteries. Its counterpart in the moral realm is prejudice — the hardening of our categories. We usually classify people based on...
THROUGH UNTRUE When two or more events occur simultaneously, seemingly by chance and for no particular reason, we call it a coincidence. For instance, when you are about to call a friend and he suddenly calls you, this unexpected convergence of events can be a coincidence. Our gospel reading today...
THROUGH UNTRUE Fr. Rolando V. De La Rosa OP We have all experienced having enemies. On social media, these can be people whom we have unfollowed, unfriended, blocked, or canceled. We avoid and ignore them, or pretend they do not exist. However, denying their existence does not take away the...
THROUGH UNTRUE Fr. Rolando V. De La Rosa OP Valentine's Day is two days from now. For sure, traffic will be horrible on all streets leading to Dangwa Flower Market. Many people consider flowers as one of the most romantic symbols of love. But flowers easily droop, fade, and wilt, so the love that...
THROUGH UNTRUE Fr. Rolando V. De La Rosa OP In today's Gospel reading, Jesus compares Christians to salt and light, two basic necessities that have become expensive these days, like onions, rice, gasoline, and sugar. Perhaps Jesus uses these metaphors because, just as salt and light have become...
