REFLECTIONS TODAY Discipleship is essentially diakonia or service down to the lowliest ones: the children. The stance of genuine service comes from treating each one as equal. In the Jewish society where children are considered as having no social status until they reach adulthood, Jesus shows his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In an earlier episode, the Twelve were given authority over unclean spirits as they were sent on a mission (Mk 6:7) and on their return they reported to Jesus what they had done. The Lucan version—the sending of the Seventy—has them reporting to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Mark’s account of the transfiguration of Jesus has elements similar to Moses’ encounter with God: the mountain, the cloud covering the mountain, God speaking to Moses (Ex 24:12-18; 25:1). In one instance, Moses was accompanied by Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the 70 elders of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The healing of the blind man at Bethsaida represents in a way the gradual understanding of the disciples regarding the identity of Jesus. The previous episode ends with Jesus’ question: “Do you still not understand?” (Mk 8:21). What is unusual about this healing is that it...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The discussion shifts from the Pharisees to the disciples of Jesus who are very close to the agenda of the Pharisees who have argued with and tested Jesus. The disciples now worry over their lack of bread, forgetting that Jesus had multiplied bread and fed the multitude on two...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The Pharisees act like the Israelites at the time of the Exodus who demanded further signs from Moses, even though they already received manna which was an obvious sign of God’s providence (Ex 17:1-7). Despite the miracles of healing and multiplication of the bread, the...
Despite the economic challenges and social upheaval brought about by the Covid-19 in the past two years, the Manila Bulletin (MB) remains true to its commitment to be the exponent of Philippine progress. MB President Dr. Emil C. Yap III attributed the company's resilience during the most pivotal...
First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos was one of the dignitaries who graced the 123rd founding anniversary celebration of the Manila Bulletin at the Manila Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 2. First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joins Manila Bulletin executives as they raise a toast to Manila Bulletin's 123rd...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the interlude between the sending of the Twelve and their return from mission, Mark reintroduces the identity of Jesus. While people see Jesus as Elijah or one of the prophets, Herod Antipas sees him as the reincarnation of John the Baptist whom he had put to death. The fate of...
One hundred twenty three years — more than a century of delivering news, shaping minds, and fully informing the nation. It is not an easy feat for any media institution to survive the challenges of our times, which included two World Wars, changes in political administrations, tumultuous...
Masks, seatbelts, and why we wear them CLINICAL MATTERS DR. EDSEL SALVANA One of the most frequent questions I get is whether it is finally safe to remove our masks. With the continued downtrend of Covid-19 cases in the country despite the emergence of new variants, does it make sense to continue...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The unclean spirits address Jesus as the Son of God, not as confession, but as an attempt to render him harmless. There was a popular belief that knowledge of the precise name or quality of a person confers mastery over him. The demons try to control Jesus and strip him of his...
