REFLECTIONS TODAY Betrayal—many times it has been said—is one of the most painful of human experiences. This is because it necessarily involves people close to us or people we love. There is no betrayal involving enemies. It is like being bitten by the mouth you have been feeding. Despite what...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The words of Jesus, at first glance, may sound a bit indifferent towards the poor. It also seems to carry a hint of resignation: that poverty will always remain the lot of some people. But the context of this episode tells us it is not indifference towards, or desperation about,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 22:14—23:56 ... When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people...
REFLECTIONS TODAY At first glance, the words of the high priest sound wise and therefore worthy of being followed. Perhaps there are circumstances when it may be the wisest thing to do. But a mother who had a newly-born baby in danger of death defied this “wisdom” from the relatives that she...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus points another way by which those who have difficulty believing in him might accept him: his works or deeds. If they found him too familiar, too ordinary, not in accord with what is written about the awaited Messiah, then his works and deeds might convince them about his...
REFLECTIONS TODAY We call to mind Peter’s words to Jesus when Jesus asks his disciples, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter replies, “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:67-68). When Jesus says that the person who keeps his word will never taste death, we...
Visual artists Roby Dwi Antono and Mark Jeffrey Santos present their fantasy worlds filled with childhood nostalgia Since humankind first learned to express itself through art, it has produced one great art movement after another. Many of these artistic styles were produced by masters with works...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Veritas liberabit vos (“The truth will set you free”). This is one of the most powerful and “liberating” sayings of Jesus. Truth (Greek alētheia) basically means that which is “being uncovered, unveiled, or not hidden.” And so, its opposite—“falsehood”—implies...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus’ enemies could not go beyond the very human condition of Jesus despite his claims to be “sent from above.” They only associate “nobility” or “divinity” with something extraordinary, unfathomable, omnipotence — not familiarity, ordinariness, even poverty. For...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Darkness comes to us in many forms. In the midst of all this, Jesus offers himself as light that leads and illumines our way. When the world was wrapped in the darkness of sin, he came down to dispel that darkness. Yet, in this world tainted by sin and evil, darkness continues to...
REFLECTIONS TODAY JOHN 8:1-11 Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her...
REFLECTIONS TODAY We often hear people say, “God is a God of surprises.” Many of us would probably agree. God is not under any law or principle determining his actions. The Jews argued that nothing is written in their Scripture that a prophet is to rise from Galilee, and they held on to this as...
