THE secret is to be like a child, simple and humble. We can draw that conclusion from the words of Christ himself: “I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and...
THAT lamentation of Christ because some people did not ask for forgiveness for their sins in spite of the many blessings given to them (cfr. Mt 11,20-24) should strongly remind us that no matter how sinful and helplessly wretched we feel we are, God is...
WHEN Christ told his disciples these shocking words: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword,” (Mt 10,34) the upshot is actually that he wants us to identify ourselves with...
Two sentences stress the importance of the family. 1. “The family that prays together stays together,” said Fr. Patrick Peyton. 2. “No amount of financial success can compensate for failure in the family,” reminds the Mormon faith. The foundation of society is the family, and for...
There are many lists of unusual people, objects and events but I have yet to read a list about extraordinary churchgoers. Outstanding parishioner: he goes out standing by the church door the moment the priest gives the Homily. Reason: He heard the same sermon before,...
(An excerpt of the homily of the Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., during the 59th Parochial Fiesta Celebration of St. John the Baptist Parish, Lasang, Davao City, June 24, 2024) Kada fiesta mag suot tag Pinoy na Pinoy kaayo. Naay barong. Nalipay jud ko. Hinaot...
WHEN Christ summoned his 12 apostles, sending them out two by two and giving them authority over unclean spirits, he clearly told them also to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts, etc. (cfr. Mk...
GIVEN the fact that we in this world will always have to contend with complicated situations, challenges, difficulties, trials and the like, we need to follow what Christ advised his disciples once: “Be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” (Mt 10,16) In this way, we...
GIVEN the obvious fact that the Church has to carry out its spiritual and supernatural mission in an earthly and temporal setting, it behooves everyone of us in the Church, both clerics and lay who should work in the spirit of coordinated and synergized synodality,...
WHEN Christ chose 12 apostles to work closely with him in his mission of human redemption, (cfr. Mt 10,1-7) we are reminded that Christ actually wants all of us to continue with his work of human redemption, imparting the true life meant for us to...