I ALWAYS get amused everytime I read about the calling of Nathanael, one of the apostles who later became known as Bartholomew. (cfr. Jn 1,43-51) His friend, Philip, already an apostle, excitedly told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the...
THINGS like this can happen in life. What may appear at first as something insignificant and casual may end up as something extraordinary and very special. This was the case of St. Andrew, the apostle, who was simply curious at where Christ was staying after...
ONE of the things that St. John the Baptist did was to testify who Christ really was—that he was “the Son of God.” (cfr. Jn 1,29-34) This detail is crucial for us because once we know who Christ really is, then we would know who...
IT’S definitely an example of supreme humility, of total identification with Christ, of a wholehearted dedication to his ministry. Though he clearly played a very important role in the whole economy of human salvation, he avoided grabbing credit for himself and instead consistently let Christ...
January 1st is the beginning of a new year and on this day, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. This Solemnity is a very appropriate way to begin a new year because this will remind us of the role...
(Excerpt from the Homily of Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D., on the 1st Misa De Gallo for 2022 at the San Pedro Cathdral Parish, San Pedro Street, Davao City, December 16, 2022.) Why is it that we are fascinated with Christmas? Perhaps the wonder of...
The first time I heard this song “Christmas won’t be the same without you” in 1987 I immediately fell in love with the lyrics and the melody that it has become one of my favorite Christmas ballads. I so love this song of Martin Nievera...
IT’S a piece of advice that is worth taking seriously. That New Year’s Day is celebrated liturgically with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, can mean that it is indeed wise to begin the New Year to live it all throughout with Mary who...
WITH the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we are reminded of our duty to make our family life as healthy as possible. And by healthy, we mean that we animate our family life with the love that reigned in the...
ON the fifth day of the Christmas Octave, that falls on December 29, we are made to consider the law of the time then which was about the duty to present to the Lord the first-born male for his consecration. (cfr. Lk 2,22-35) Obviously, the child...