REFLECTIONS TODAY Once, two boys who were up for expulsion had committed a serious offense. They put the blame on a classmate, Dominic. The teacher severely scolded the boy who just bowed his head in silence. The next day, the truth came out, and the teacher, regretting his reproof of Dominic,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY There is an important detail in our Gospel: “He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized” (v 40). This brings us back to the beginning of the Gospel of John where we first saw Jesus in the same place where John was baptizing. The ministry of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Among the first syntactical structures we learn in a language are those that use copulative or linking verbs. We also master the inflections of these verbs: I am, you are, he-she-it is, we are, you are, they are. With the subject and the predicate we append a predicate noun or...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus says, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (vv 31-32). The antidote for fake news or falsehood or the post [1] truth is the word of Jesus, for he is trustworthy. Truth is thus based on a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Joseph is described as a righteous man who is faithful to the Law of Moses. This is why he wants to sever his union with Mary, so as not to be married to one who has transgressed the Law. However, Joseph is not only just; he is merciful. He does not want to expose Mary to shame,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus is silent. He bends down and writes on the ground. At the insistence of the scribes and the Pharisees, he answers them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her” (v 7). Then he bends down again and writes. What is Jesus writing?...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • John 12:20-33 Some Greeks who had come to worship at the Passover Feast came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Who is Jesus? This question that we ask to this day was the same question that the people were asking when they heard Jesus speak. Some may have sincerely asked to be certain whether he was truly the Messiah. Their honest queries were valid because they have sought the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Origins are important. We are always interested where a person is from. In the Philippines, the question “Where are you coming from?” is a cliché when we greet people. Non-Filipinos may find it nosy, but it is really an informal way of asking “How are you?” When...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In our era, when each one has a camera and when CCTVs abound, there are still times when the most obvious testimonies and strongest evidences fail before the judgment of prejudiced people. The words of Jesus bring defense to his words and actions. As in court, there is a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, as well as the water festivals around the world, remind us of the importance of water in Jerusalem. The Gihon spring, at the Kidron Valley at the foot of the Temple Mount, was for centuries the main source of water for the city. At the time of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY This “long-distance” miracle of Jesus is brought about by the power of his words that are in the form of a command: “You may go; your son will live” (v 50). Jesus expects obedience and trust from those to whom they are addressed. At the beginning, Jesus tells the...
