REFLECTIONS TODAY Awaiting the Lord’s return and taking seriously our following of Jesus may lead us into persecution and hardships. Our Lord’s life attested to this: He was always challenged and harassed by His opponents who either doubted or altogether refused to accept Him. Even in our...
REFLECTIONS TODAY What is to be our attitude as we await the second coming of the Lord? Certainly, we cannot worry about it every day; otherwise, we cannot go on with our daily lives. On the other hand, we also cannot simply dismiss it from our consciousness; otherwise, we fall into...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Offerings at Mass are opportunities to share in the realization of programs and projects of the parish/diocese. There is no pressure or obligation to do it, but certainly they are necessary for the growth of our Christian communities. God continually endows us with his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • John 18:33b-37 Pilate said to Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this on your own or have others told you about me?” Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me. What...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Even by just observing nature, one can see how life emerges from seeming death. In winter, or in extreme summer heat, trees and plants may look dead, lakes and rivers may appear dried up, but as the season changes, they “come to life” again. There is no way that death has the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s feast of St. Cecilia, patron of music and musicians, celebrates the devotion and faithfulness of this saint who desired to remain a virgin all her life but was forced to get married. Love for God often leads people to consecrate themselves to Him. And often this is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Today’s feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Mother invites us to contemplate her life of being consecrated to God, a life dedicated to the mission that God had in store for her. In her childhood, her parents presented and consecrated her to God, she who was conceived...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The point of the parable is that like the master in the story, God wants us to be “enterprising” with the talents that he has given us rather than simply keep them. We should take risks and not be paralyzed by the thought of “loss” and the prospect of punishment...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Failure to read the signs of the times often brings us misfortune or loss. Just like we can get lost while traveling in an unfamiliar place if we do not pay heed to the signs. As Christians, we cannot simply live our lives without an awareness of what is happening around...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Zacchaeus is not discouraged by how people see him; he pursues his desire to see Jesus, and his wish is granted. The encounter moves him so deeply, and filled with deep gratitude and joy, he offers reparation for his sins. And so Jesus declares that salvation has come...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Dependence is what we mostly associate with a blind person. After all, with only darkness, how can we expect a blind person to live his or her life totally independent? Or so we think. As a matter of fact, some blind persons manage to walk with only a cane to guide them,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Our Gospel reading today continues to speak about the last days when the Son of Man shall return. Immediately before this, Jesus warns of false messiahs and false prophets who will point to signs but will only lead people astray. Then he speaks of what signs they should...
