REFLECTIONS TODAY Matthew 21:33-43 Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people: “Hear another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey....
REFLECTIONS TODAY When they return from their mission, the seventy-two disciples can report to Jesus, “Mission accomplished.” They are happy to share that they were given hospitality in villages where they healed the sick with the power given them by Jesus. And probably to their great surprise,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The reproaches of Jesus to unrepentant towns follow the sending of the 72 disciples. They will repay “peaceful” people who will receive them with the healing of the sick in their village. But for others who will not receive them, a severe judgment awaits (Lk 10:6-11). A...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Gospel reading is part of Jesus’ Community Discourse (Matthew 18), a collection of Jesus’ sayings for the guidance of the believers in their life in common. And at the core of this teaching “for adults” is to become like little children. The disposition that Jesus asks...
BETTER DAYS Sept. 24 this year marks what would have been the 89th birthday of my father, former Senate President Edgardo Angara. It has been five years since he passed away and our entire family still misses him badly. We are constantly reminded of his countless accomplishments and the impact he...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mt 21:28-32 Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, 28“What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ 29He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards he changed his mind and...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus predicts, for the second time, his being handed over to men, the first time being right after Peter’s confession (Lk 9:22). The apostles simply cannot understand why their Master should suffer such a shameful fate. Jesus has just been transfigured. Some of them have seen...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus makes this unusual compliment to Nathanael upon seeing him for the first time. No one has ever made a comment like this. How did Jesus know him? Jesus does not take offense at Nathanael’s question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (Jn 1:46), when Philip reports...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus calls the Twelve (apostles) and gives them power to exorcise demons and to heal the sick. As he sends them, Jesus asks them to travel light. They should not bring anything extra or superfluous. They are not there to impress people with non-essential things. Jesus...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Like the Gospel yesterday, our passage today must be understood in the context of Jesus’ teaching on the importance of listening to the Word of God. Jesus has just finished teaching about the parables of the Sower and of the Lamp, and his mother as well as his brothers...
REFLECTIONS TODAY This saying can create adverse reactions, if taken out of context. It should be understood in the context of Jesus’ teaching on listening to the Word of God. First, Jesus teaches his listeners as to what happens when they are attentive to his words. They cannot but share...
BETTER DAYS Almost all of us are aware of the myriad of problems our education system is facing. Filipino students rank among the lowest in the world when it comes to reading comprehension, math and science. There is no question that we are faced with a learning crisis that if left unchecked could...
