IT’S interesting to note that, as the gospel of St. Matthew narrates, Christ somehow had to make some drastic changes in his plans when he learned that John the Baptist was imprisoned. (cfr. Mt 4,17-23) He left Nazareth and withdrew to Galilee to live in...
IT’S intriguing to note that Christ would just appoint as his apostles practically anyone. It would look like his choice was done purely at random. He would even choose someone who would betray him. And many times, he would scold his apostles for their lack...
AS persons, we are meant by definition to care for one another. We are meant to relate ourselves with everybody else one way or another. No man is an island, it is said. That is why we are given the proper faculties—our intelligence, will, emotions,...
WHAT is to be self-righteous? It’s when we base our idea of what is right and wrong, good and bad on our own estimation of things with hardly any reference to God. Or there might be some references to God, as usually the case, but...
WHAT is Pharisaical legalism? At bottom, it’s the understanding of law that is based only on our human ways, ignoring the ultimate basis of law who is God as revealed fully in Christ. As such, it tends to be rigid, to be quick to judge...
WHEN Christ said, “No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse,” (Mk 2,21) we are somehow reminded that in our life there is always...
(Excerpt from the Homily of Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D., on the Requiem mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Jan 4, 2023 at San Pedro Cathedral Parish.) The central prayer, sa misa, kanunay nag handom sa patay. Ang nindot nga bahin sa atong pagtoo, kay...
Why is it that the image of the Santo Niño is often times seen in some stores and business establishments? Upon entrance and near the cashier is where sometimes this statue is displayed, be it a restaurant, a sari-sari store or a business firm. Some...
ON this Feast of the Sto. Niño, we are reminded that irrespective of whatever status we have in this life, it is always necessary that we be like children. Why? Christ told his disciples clearly: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter...
REMEMBER that episode when a paralytic was presented to Christ for curing under great effort? (cfr. Mk 2,1-12) Christ was so amazed at their faith that he not only cured the man of his illness but also forgave his sins, which was the more important...