WORD ALIVE There’s a true story of an elderly American couple, Larry and Betty Bartells. They had six children, a nice home, and lived a relatively comfortable life owing to Larry’s high-paying job. They could have coasted for the rest of their lives, looking forward to getting that last...
WORD ALIVE Once a priest was complaining why his bishop kept naming “monsignors” in his diocese. The bishop said to him, “You know why? When I give the purple attire to some priests, the faces of other priests turn either blue or green. Blue in anger and green in envy.” That priest’s...
WORD ALIVE Once a husband was examining his and wife’s marriage certificate. He looked at the back, trying to find something. Seeing what he was doing, the wife blurted, “What are you doing? You have been scrutinizing that marriage certificate for a long time already.” The husband replied,...
WORD ALIVE In this Sunday gospel, Jesus Christ teaches about generosity or unselfishness. He says, “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink, you can be sure that you will be rewarded.” In the second reading, St. James, the apostle, said that the blessings we receive in this life are...
WORD ALIVE One time I was talking to a barangay chairman. I asked him why he keeps on running for the top barangay position. His reply was: “I want people to have a high regard for me and my family. I want people to recognize me and make ‘mano.’ In public” This is just the opposite of what...
WORD ALIVE A lot of love stories end with the words: “And they lived happily ever after.” Is that really true? Then there’s a young man who got married expecting to get lasting marital bliss. After a couple of years, he was asked by the priest who solemnized his wedding how things were...
WORD ALIVE The gospel episode for this 23rd Sunday relates about Jesus healing a deaf and, simultaneously, a mute man (Mark 7,31). In his commentary on the episode, a biblical author William Barclay wrote, “Most people find deaf folks a nuisance. They sympathize with people who are blind...
WORD ALIVE These past Sundays, we continue to reflect on Jesus’ teaching of his Body and Blood as spiritual food and drink. The Jews had been very much impressed by Jesus’ words and actions. They had gone to great lengths to seek him out wherever he went as related in today’s 21st...
WORD ALIVE An elderly woman, accompanied by a young doctor, was being wheeled into a room in preparation for surgery. Visibly nervous, she blurted out, “Doctor, please be gentle with me. This is my first time to be operated on.” The youthful surgeon glanced at her and said, “Don’t worry,...
WORD ALIVE A lawyer- friend once related to me that their father inherited the weak heart of their grandfather. The three doctors he consulted warned him that when he would reach 50, his children had better prepare for his early demise. Father and mother went regularly to pray to the Holy Family...
WORD ALIVE “I am the bread of life,” Jesus tells us in this 18th Sunday gospel. The Lord was concerned for our basic needs. He showed this when he miraculously multiplied the meager bread and fishes for the hungry crowd (Gospel of last Sunday). But he also...
WORD ALIVE This Sunday we read about Jesus' miracle of the multiplication of bread and fish. Someone quipped that the miracle happened because the Jews, known for being frugal like the Ilocanos and Boholanos, could bring out their hidden "baons" (food provisions). Because of the little...
