THE readings of the Mass of December 21 ably evoke the sentiment of joy as we look forward to the coming birth of Christ our Redeemer, and the need for dispatch in cooperating in Christ’s continuing work of redemption. In the Book of the Songs of...
“THE Lord himself will grant to you a sign. Behold, a virgin will conceive, and she will give birth to a son, and his name will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” (Is 7,14) Thus, the prophecy about Christ’s birth was announced and...
CHRISTMAS being the birth of Christ our Redeemer, we should be properly prepared for it in both body and soul. The spiritual preparation, of course, takes precedence over the bodily preparation, but the latter also needs to be given due attention, otherwise our spiritual readiness...
WE are now days before Christmas. Our longing for the birth of Christ is heightened, thanks to our tradition of the Simbang Gabi that up to now enjoys vast popularity especially among the simple people who are gifted with a lot of faith. Let’s hope...
THE 3rd Sunday of Advent is usually dubbed as Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice Sunday) because the Entrance Antiphon of the Mass for that day starts with the joyful greeting, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” (Phil 4,4-5) We are clearly...
WE are now in the Season of Advent, a time to develop the sense of yearning for Christ in our life. And the readings of the Mass on Friday of the 2nd Week of Advent encourage us to do just that. In the first reading, from...
THIS should be the attitude to have. If we still don’t have it, then let’s start training ourselves to acquire such outlook in life. The secret is again to strengthen our faith in God who takes care of everything, even if his ways escape our...
IT should be to look for Christ, to be with Christ, to follow Christ. That’s where we can find what is good for us in any situation we can find ourselves in. If that is not yet our greatest desire, then it’s about time that...
DECEMBER 12 is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe whose image was miraculously imprinted on a simple cloak of a Mexican of Aztec descent, now saint, Juan Diego, back in 1591. The image has become so famous that it now is a national symbol...
THOSE are words that come from the Book of Isaiah. (35,4) Those words are most worthwhile to be repeated as often as possible to reassure us that whatever happens in our life, with all the heavy drama that it brings, God, our Father, will surely...