THE secret is to assume the identity of Christ and his attitude toward all forms of human weakness and limitations. He himself assumed our human weaknesses even to the extent of making himself like sin without committing sin, if only to save us from our...
For the Catholics, there are four liturgical seasons to celebrate every year: Advent season, Christmas season, Ordinary time and Lenten season. I was always told that Jesus Christ is the focus of these seasons of which these can be translated in simpler meanings: waiting for...
(Excerpt from the Homily of Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D., on the 70th Parochial Fiesta of Immaculate Conception Parish, Penaplata, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao Del Norte, December 8, 2022.) Kining maong ebanghelyo karon, ang starring karon sa ebanghelyo mao ang Mahal nga Birhen,...
If synodality forms part of the nature of the Church then why does she appear to not accompany her members in times of pain and suffering? One thing that impacted us during the diocesan, metropolitan and national level of consultations is about the Church’s need...
AS we approach Christmas, it is heartwarming to note that in our country, we have this blessed expression of popular piety called the Aguinaldo Masses. It truly shows the kind of faith and piety we have as a people. Though expressed with some human fanfare,...
THERE is that gospel episode where some Jewish leaders started to persecute Christ because Christ, by making an invalid walk, appeared to them as making himself equal to God. (cfr. Jn 5) They just could not accept that. That was when Christ told them that what...
IT is said that after the messengers of St. John the Baptist left, Christ immediately described who and how St. John was. (cfr. Lk 7,24-30) “What did you go out to the desert to see – a reed swayed by the wind?” he asked. “Then...
WE are reminded of this warning in that gospel episode where St. John the Baptist told his disciples to ask Christ if he truly was the “who is to come, or should we look for another?” (cfr. Lk 7,19) And the response of Christ was classic....
WHAT can we learn from the parable Christ told the chief priests and the elders of the people, about a father with two sons whom he asked to work in the vineyard? (cfr. 21,28-32) The first son at first said no, but later on changed...
DECEMBER 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Thank God, many parishes and communities in our country make her their patroness. And so, Our Lady, under that appellation, is quite popular among us. To me, she evokes a most memorable memory, since it was...