When it Comes to Conversion, it is I First! In one of his daily sermons (on 19 May 2017), Pope Francis said, some people “use rigidness to cover weaknesses, sins, personality flaws, and they use rigidness to rank themselves above others.” The Pope suggested that people who are rigid about their faith tend to live […]
Year C – Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Compassion is Christian Perfection We continue to listen to the Sermon on the Plains from the Gospel of Luke (6:12-49). Last Sunday we reflected on the Lukan version of the Beatitudes. What we come across in Luke is a briefer version of Matthew’s lengthy “Sermon on the Mount” (Mt 5:1-7:29). The core of the message
Year C – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
People of the Beatitudes! Readings: Jer 17: 5-8; 1 Cor 15: 12, 16-20; Luke 6: 17, 20-26; If anyone said to us, \”You are blest because you are poor, hungry, sad and rejected\”, we would think that person was crazy. Worldly wisdom says: \”Get more money, and be happy!\” How can Jesus say: \”Happy are
Year C – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
I say, “Leave me, Lord!” God says, “Do not be afraid!” Lk 5 There is this musical called, ‘The Witness’ by Jimmy & Carol Owens. It is a musical which narrates the life and ministry of Jesus as witnessed by the apostle Peter. Early in the narration Peter sings: Nothin’ ever happens here in Galilee,
Year C – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
(Lk 4:21-30) The Rejection of God Have you ever been rejected by a group of people? If you are a teacher – and a capable one, you might have an experience of being rejected by a class. If you are a preacher – and an effective one at that, you might have an experience of
Year C – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR (Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21) One of the popular books that have inspired me a great deal is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Supposedly, the book has sold more than 15 million copies in 38 languages since its first publication in 1989. The second habit of highly
Year C – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
(Celebrated on 14, 15 & 16 January 2022) The central message of the song is clear: the marginalized as well as the oppressed of society are central figures in God’s sight; God does His best work with powerless people; God’s criteria of truth goes beyond our definitions and descriptions. The canticle is indeed a powerful
Year C – Solemnity of Our Lady of Arabia Read More »
God is here: There is abundance! (Jn 2:1-11) Today we begin the Sundays in Ordinary Time of the liturgical year. This year, generally we would listen to the gospel readings from the Gospel of Luke. However, this Sunday we read from John – as is the case on the 2nd Sundays every year. And the
Year C – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Called to be Active Participants Today we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. With this feast we conclude the Christmastide. What could this feast mean for us? To answer this question, first we need to ask ourselves another question: what did this event mean for Jesus Himself? Why was Jesus Baptized? This
Year C – The Baptism of the Lord Read More »
ENCOUNTERING JESUS The Gifts Gold, frankincense and myrrh may be thought of as prophesying Jesus’ future. Gold was a gift for kings; frankincense (an ancient air purifier and perfume) was offered to God in Temple worship (Ex. 30:37); and myrrh (an oriental remedy for intestinal worms in infants) was used by the High Priest as
Year C – The Epiphany of the Lord Read More »