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  • Looking Glass

    Looking Glass

    September 28, 2025 – 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092825.cfm)

    A very rich man once approached a priest for an advice. He said “Father, I have a problem that is bothering me a lot. You know how rich I am. I have everything I need. I get everything I want. But how come I feel I’m not fully satisfied? There is always that emptiness & missing in me that do not satisfy. I maybe rich outside, but I am actually poor inside. What do you think of my problem, Father?”

    The priest invited the rich man to a living room and brought him near the glass window. And the priest instructed him, “Look out into the window and tell me what you see.” He said, “I see people walking around the plaza.” Then, the priest brought him in front of a large mirror and said, “Look into the mirror and tell me what you see.” “I see myself,” he replied. Then the priest explains, “You know what… both the window and the mirror are made of glass. But their difference lies in the silver paint. As you may notice, the mirror is glass coated with silver paint & the window is just a plain see-through glass. So, whenever you look through a plain glass window, you see people – you see others. But whenever you look at silver-coated plain glass mirror, you will only see yourself – not others. With the mirror, you cannot see others & you even stop seeing others – but only yourself. So, whenever we start to only concern ourselves with wealth and riches, i.e. coating our plain glasses with silver-money, we start to become blind to see others but only see ourselves.”

    Reflecting on this story and our parable today, we can say that it somehow echoes our day-to-day life experiences. Conscious of the challenging times we are going through these days – not only in our country & in our world but with ourselves, sometimes we wonder what causes the great gap between rich and poor. What makes poor poorer or desolate? What makes rich wealthier? What makes life difficult nowadays? What makes us poor or rich? What makes our life difficult or easy these days?

    This is what Jesus is trying to teach and convey us today. First, Jesus describes us that our self-centeredness makes us blind, insensitive, & unconcerned to the needs of others. Just like the rich man in our parable today, he was too full of himself that he was  not concerned about the poor Lazarus at his doorsteps. He was too full of himself that even before God, he was more concerned with himself – his own thirst and salvation that he only perceived Lazarus as his errand to quench his thirst and to warn his own family about his fate in heaven. “Send him..” the rich man said. Imagine he has the nerve to command even God for Lazarus to do his wishes. So full of himself… Conceited, & self-centered.

    Here Jesus warns us of the consequence of our self-centeredness. It makes us only see our own selves, making us blind to the needs of others, most especially the poor. Jesus maintains also that our silver-coatings taints our plain glasses. Meaning, our material possessions, wealth, and riches make us self-centered and greedy. Like the rich men in our story and in our parable, money, and earthly possessions taint and distort our perceptions of others. Our materialism makes us selfish and blind to the needs of other people, making us only view life from our selfish mirrors.

    At the same time, Jesus is telling us today that all of these, our greed, self-centeredness, and earthly possessions does not give us meaning in life and promise us our salvation. For Jesus, God has endowed us with a lot of blessings, not only for own sake but also (if not all) for others. It would mean that we are not the sole owners but just stewards or mere managers of God’s graces. The blessing & graces we have now are meant not only for ourselves but to be shared with & to others.

    We are called therefore to be partakers & sharers of God’s blessings to others. In God’s Kingdom, sharing not hoarding is the name of the game, & the way forward. In a sense, God has already given us looking glasses to see. It is up to us then how we use our glasses – either as mirrors for our selfish interest or as windows for further growth in our relationship with God and concerns for others. In other words, our mirrors – our self-centeredness makes life poor, difficult & empty inside, as well as our windows – our other-centeredness makes our life with others rich, easy, & meaningful.

    May the Lord continue to grant us the wisdom and audacity to make use of our God-given blessings be shared with others for the sake, not of ours alone, but mostly for God’s glory & other’s good now & always.

    So May It Be. Amen.

  • Never will I forget a thing they have done!

    Never will I forget a thing they have done!

    September 21, 2025 – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092125.cfm)

    Corruption! When we come to think of it, it seems that such a word has become common. We often hear and read it on newspaper, TV, Social Media platforms and other literature. And because it is so common and even rampant in many aspects of our society. Somehow, corruption has become “part of the normal life of society,[1]” the late Pope Francis told us. Many have denounced corruption. Many have promised to fight against it. Yet, it seemed to be tolerable and acceptable in many instances.

    A friend who owned a restaurant in the city, once shared to me how a government office would ask a percentage from them outside the legal fees. Another friend shared how he became an outcast in their workplace after he had reported to the higher ups his officemate of the anomalous transactions that involved money. That co-worker was fired immediately, yet, my friend became unpopular and was blamed for being inconsiderate to a person who lost a job.

    Because such corrupt practices seemed to become normal (for others it is called as SOP – Standard Operating Procedure), this holds true among our government officials and public offices, companies and organizations, Churches and even down to small communities. Again Pope Francis warned us, “all corruption at the social level is simply the result of a corrupt heart.[2]”

    Today, the Church has called us to rise and demand accountability from our leaders in the country who have plagued the republic with corruption. The systemic dishonesty and plunder are so much overwhelming. Nakakasuka! Ngilngig! It has to stop because what is happening, is evil!

    With this unfortunate reality in the country, this reminds us that wealth and prosperity are not always God’s blessing. Influence and power to dominate are not signs of God’s presence. These material things when enjoyed by the few at the expense of the poor, of the people, have truly gripped the human heart with so much selfishness, apathy and evil.

    With such situation in our country, in our communities and even in our hearts, let us also turn our gaze into the readings today and realize how the Lord invites us in the face of so much corruption, of evil.

    We have actually a puzzling Gospel reading. The master in the story praised the dishonest steward. But does it mean that Jesus also praised those who are dishonest? Certainly, no! It was not the dishonesty of the steward that was praised neither by the master in the story nor by Jesus. Rather, what was praised was the ‘prudence’ of the steward.

    Let us look again how the steward acted prudently. The steward faced with a crisis, he was about to lose his job for being dishonest to his master. In his mind he couldn’t go on by becoming a laborer by digging or by begging. What he did, then, was to take away the commission that he would usually get from the debtors of his master. That is why he asked one debtor to make 50 for the one who owed 100 measures of oil and 80 for the other who owed 100 bushels of wheat.

    Those debtors would be very happy to lessen the burden of such debt. The steward had just thought about his future so that when he will be fired, there will be people who would hire him for a job out of gratitude (or utang kabubut-on) to him.

    This is what Jesus tells us today, that as Christians, we are challenged to be prudent enough. We are called particularly in using and spending our material possessions in the hope of making our relationships with other people to be better.

    For this reason, we are called to be careful that we may not be ‘possessed’ by our own possessions which will only bring us into the danger of indifference and oppression towards the lowly and the poor. This makes the heart to be plagued by that social illness of corruption in our dealings with others and professional practice.

    In this way, a heart that is being possessed by possession, by material wealth turning to be corrupt – has not just committed a crime, but idolatry. Money, material possession or a luxurious life has become the new god of these people. This is the meaning of the words of Jesus, “You cannot serve both God and mammon.”

    There is also a stern warning that we have heard in the first reading from the Book of Prophet Amos. The merchants were extorting the poor. They hoarded the supplies and raised the prices of commodities. Yet, they too brought at the lowest price what they can buy. However, the Lord is not blind. The Lord has sworn, “Never will I forget a thing they have done!” The Lord shall remember evil done by the corrupt.

    Hence, as believers who have come to the knowledge of the truth, as Apostle Paul tells us in the second reading, we are also called to be fair and to be generous enough as we deal with those who are economically/financially struggling.

    It would be a big help to support local vendors and local businesses. Buy products from local peddlers and local farmers. Show fairness with our own business too. Our material possessions can be best employed also in reaching out to others especially the unfortunate.

    Indeed, these are ways of recognizing God as the generous giver of graces. By being grateful to Jesus our Lord, who has given himself as ransom for all, may it move us then to be generous to the needy. This is a way of building relationships with one another, building friendship and helping one another as a community of believers.

    And thus, being wise in investing to what lasts, to friendships and expressing true concern for others – is the spirit of the Kingdom of God.

    In this way, we will be able to guard our hearts from turning to be corrupt. Hinaut pa.

    [1] Pope Francis, The Way of Humility (Claretian Publication: Quezon City, 2014). 10.

    [2] Ibid., 18.

  • For GOD’S Sake

    For GOD’S Sake

    September 21, 2025 – 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092125.cfm)

    Once a promising young entrepreneur was asked about his secret of success in his business. His reply was like this: “I could have profit up to 30 percent from every transaction I make. But usually, I offer my costumers up to 25 percent discount, thus me only gaining at most, five percent. Yes, money-wise, it is bad business. However, I may have less profit from each transaction, but I have gained more business costumers, contacts, and friends, which thus offers me more business transactions and opportunities.” Clever, isn’t it?

    Amazing it is how clever, smart or sometimes even shrewd we can be when making business deals. Whether it’s buying a used car or selling a house or setting a building projects and programs, all of us learn how to get the most for our money and investments. This is not something new. It’s part of human nature to get the best deal possible.

    And Jesus is all aware of this. The parable he told us about the steward who had to think quick to get himself out of a financial jam, recognized our human resourcefulness, creativity and inventiveness in terms of our dealings with others in this life. The Lord’s point here is that we often demonstrate our intelligence, but we don’t apply this intelligence and shrewdness to the one thing that really matters: our Way of Life as Christian now.

    Consider the number of times we have sat down and worked out how we can use our talents, time, and treasure to be better Christians. Consider the number of times we have thought out how we can put ourselves in situations which would avoid moral problems we have had in the past & even now with blatant corruptions & stupidity around.

    Consider the number of times we have plotted out how we can implant and improve the practice of our Christian faith in our families, communities & society.  If we were to add up the minutes spent a month doing these for God and our Christian life; and then compare them to the hours a month spent working out our financial deals and business investments, would there be any comparison at all?

    Some leaders & people of today, like those in the first reading from the prophet Amos, may have perfected how they can outsmart others. They cheat with their scales. They inflate & launder money, design bogus & ghost projects & stage scams & fake news – or however, you call it nowadays.

    BUT, remember that is not why God gives us intelligence. For God endowed us intelligence & grants us opportunities in this life to make His PRESENCE & ACTIONS real in the world. We must make use of the same cleverness, skill, and plain nerve that the manager in the gospel used to save his skin, and the strategy and tactics that businessman used to secure more business contacts and clients, and all other ways and means to make God’s ways real in our world today.

    Jesus tells us today in our gospel, “Make friends for yourselves through your use of this world’s goods, so that when they fail you, a lasting reception will be yours.” In other words, Jesus is telling us “You have the intelligence, resources and opportunities… use it. Use all these to fulfill the mission you assumed and accepted when I called you to be my disciples. Be SMART FOR Me, then .”

    We thus must make use of our talents, money, and time not as an end but a means in attaining life worthy of God, and in sharing from God’s benefits given us through Christ. We must be as resourceful, and dedicated in the ways of God as we are in the ways of commerce, politics, governance, social relations, and public service.

    In other words, Jesus’ parable challenges us to be SMART FOR GOD’S SAKE, that is – to be as eager, clever, and ingenious for the sake of God’s kingdom; to be as ready and willing to use our talents, time, and resources to accomplish great things for the Gospels as we are to witness & prosper in our Christian faith & lifestyle.

    However, to those who are smart enough to use their intelligence & opportunities for their own personal sake & able to outsmart, corrupt & abuse others & God’s blessings, need not to remind you what Jesus warns us: “(cursed) Woe to you who are rich for you are receiving your comfort in full… to you who are well-fed now, for you will be hungry… to you who laugh now, for you will mourn & weep… to you when people speak well, for their fathers used to treat false prophets the same way”(Lk 6:24-26).

    Be reminded what our Lord also said: “If much has been given to you, much will be demanded; more will be expected of one to whom more has been entrusted” (Lk 12:48), as Scripture has it as well, “The most severe judgment will be set aside for those in high places”. (Wisdom 6:6)

    And so again, in whatever & however circumstances we find ourselves now & in the near future,  FOR GOD’S SAKE (beyond our own), may the Lord ever help us develop more our ingenuity, intelligence, and creativity to promote His Kingdom (not our own) here on earth and in our world to Come now & always.

    Hinaut pa unta. So May It Be. Amen.

  • A Touch that cares, heals and gives Life  

    A Touch that cares, heals and gives Life  

    September 16, 2025 – Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091625.cfm)

    A parent’s touch truly brings relief and comfort to a sick child. A lover’s touch also brings affection and assurance of love. A therapist’s touch certainly brings healing to our aching muscles.

    There is, indeed, life in human touch. Yet, this only happens when our touch is gentle and expressed in kindness and love. When touch is filled with malice and bitterness, then, touch also becomes violent. This touch causes pain and could even abuse life, prevent life and take away life.

    In today’s Gospel reading, we are reminded of the wonder and power of a gentle touch. This is a touch that cares, heals and gives life. Jesus showed this many times in his healing miracles. Moreover, this time, Jesus manifested his gentle and powerful touch in a different level.

    Jesus, as he saw the grief and sorrow of a widowed-mother who lost his only son, was moved with pity. His pity was filled with concern and compassion to a woman who had become hopeless. In a patriarchal society, women had no rights. Her only son was her only hope in life after losing her husband. With both men dead, she was like a “double-dead” person, died twice over again.

    Jesus saw this and felt the seemingly hopeless situation of the mother. Further, Jesus also witnessed how things can be unfair. The young man, who must have died of an illness, lost hope towards maturity. He was deprived of the opportunity to discover and hone his potentials as a young man. He also missed the chance to live life to the fullest.

    The coffin was somehow the very box that deprived both the mother and her son of hope and life. This greatly moved Jesus. As a response, Jesus did not just remain a passerby. “He stepped forward and touched the coffin.”

    “Young man, I tell you, arise!” These words of Jesus renewed hope and life both to the mother and her son who was dead, but was given back the gift of life.

    Jesus touched the coffin! He dared to touch that box that tells us of the deprivation of life. Jesus touched the coffin to renew life and renew hope.

    We may not be dead yet, but, we too might be already in a coffin, limited in a box of pain and trauma, of loneliness and sadness, of anger and sin. Like the mother, we too might be grieving because of our frustrations and failures, unable to see hope and life. Life can be so unfair for us, leading us to our overwhelming burial of suffocation.

    Yet, life is not hopeless at all. There is always hope. Jesus sees and feels our own pain and difficulties. In the same way, the Lord desires to touch our own coffins. He wants to bring life to whatever is preventing and depriving us of living fully.

    Let us allow the Lord to gently touch us through the sacraments of the Church. These sacraments truly bring grace of peace, healing, and life. Allow the Lord to touch our hearts through the Holy Scriptures, through His words that will challenge and move us towards hope and life. We allow the Lord to continually touch us through the concern and love of our friends and family members.

    For each of us, once again, let us be more conscious that our own touch may always be gentle that definitely expresses care, brings healing and life. Hinaut pa.

  • BY BEING TOGETHER, NOT IN SUFFERING ALONE

    BY BEING TOGETHER, NOT IN SUFFERING ALONE

    September 15, 2025 – Monday, Memorial of the Our Lady of Sorrow

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091525.cfm)

    Having a wisdom tooth growing can completely destroy your day. Having a headache can affect your daily activities. When pain becomes unbearable, it affects our daily routine and activities, our work and studies, even our relationships.

    Who would really want to be in pain? As much as possible, we avoid pain. The medical science developed pain relievers to take away gradually or instantly the aches and pains we feel in our body. Anesthesiologists are there to assist patients who will undergo surgery through the use of anesthesia.

    Yet, no remedy can be given to a heart that is bruised, abused, betrayed or humiliated. No doctor can inject anesthesia to a deep emotional pain. It can even linger and worsen with time. Emotional pain can also be unbearable and life-threatening when it is faced alone.

    On this memorial of Mary, the Our Lady of Sorrows, we are reminded that pain in itself is part of life. No one can escape pain. All of us will meet pain in different degrees and aspects of life.

    However, this celebration reminds us of the wonder and comfort in facing and enduring pain when we are with others.

    Remember the prophecy of the old Simeon as told to us in the Gospel of Luke. When the baby Jesus was brought by the couple, Joseph and Mary to the Temple, Simeon had caught sight of Light, the salvation of the world. However, this child will be responsible for the rise and fall of many in Israel. This means that the humble, the poor and those marginalized by the society will rise into the heart of God. Yet, he will be the fall of the powerful, the self-righteous and the corrupt.

    Hence, the infant will be a contradiction, a counter-culture. The child will bring change and transformation to all that can be painful to those who seek comfort and power, titles and riches.

    Being a contradiction to the world, the child himself will undergo a terrible pain of betrayal, of dying and death. With this, no amount of pain reliever or anesthesia can aid. The same amount of pain was also given to the mother of the child, to Mary.

    Simeon prophesied, “you yourself a sword will pierce.” Mary’s heart will be pierced with so much sorrow and pain. Every blow to Jesus, Mary also endured. Every insult to her Son, Mary also suffered. Every agony of Jesus, Mary also agonized.

    However, despite all these gruesome and painful events in the life of Mary, she did not hide. Mary did not escape into dreams and denial. Mary bravely confronted pain by being with her Son, by journeying with him until his last breath.

    Unlike the men disciples of Jesus who hid and ran away from pain, Mary bravely faced that sword piercing her heart. She suffered in silence along with her Son.

    Yet, what made Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows to have the courage?It was love that sustained Mary. It was her deep concern and affection to the person whom she loved that moved her to be with Jesus and to also suffer with him. To the suffering Son on the cross, the presence of her mother was the best comfort he had. The presence of Mary was more powerful than any pain reliever and any amount of anesthesia to the dying Son.

    Although, Mary’s presence did not take away the pain, but her presence made Jesus to be more resolved that there is hope in humanity.Mary’s presence on the cross is a testament to God that humanity can show so much concern and love to a suffering person. That’s why pain is never the end, suffering is never the last thing in life. The glory of the resurrection of Jesus tells us of that freedom from pain and promise of joy.

    We can attain that, by being together, not suffering alone. It is in allowing others to suffer with us or by allowing ourselves to suffer with others. We realize then, to live life will bring pain in us, but it will also bear fruit joy because of being with our friends and loved ones.

    On this feast of Mary, we are also called to be an instrument like Mary, to give comfort to those who are suffering and in pain in many ways, physically, spiritually or emotionally. Let our presence be an assurance of friendship, of love and concern to those who are in terrible pain this moment. For those who are in pain also, never retreat, deny or hide the pain or escape from pain, but allow others to journey with you. Allow those who love you to hold you and to embrace you. They may not take away the pain you are feeling, but let their presence, friendship and love be your source of comfort and confidence in your painful moments. Hinaut pa.