Peace! Kalilintad! Shalom!

Category: AUTHORS

  • Building Life on what Lasts

    Building Life on what Lasts

    November 25, 2025 – Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112525.cfm)

    Tomas loved collecting shiny things. He had always new gadgets, loud toys, and flashy decorations. His small house sparkled with many things, but nothing he owned actually ever lasted. One day, his old neighbor Nanay Cita invited him for snacks. He saw how her house was plain. Yet, something was different. It was rather filled with laughter, stories, and warmth from her family members and other neighbors. Tomas realized that her joy came not from flashy material things, but from people and moments lovingly shared.

    Recently, when a typhoon hit and flooded their community, his many shiny items broke and gone. While he felt devastated, Nanay Cita and other neighbors came to help and brought hope to others. This was how Tomas finally understood that what truly lasts are relationships, kindness and simple joys.

    Today, in our first reading, Prophet Daniel interpreted the vision of King Nebuchadnezzar. It was a dream of a great statue made of different materials. Yet, all of which eventually crumbled when struck by a small stone. Daniel told us that this stone represented the Kingdom of God. It seemed small and humble. Though it was unnoticed by the world, it was the only thing that lasts forever. Indeed, kingdoms rise and fall, powers come and go, but the Kingdom of God stands firm through all ages.

    Jesus, in today’s Gospel, echoed this truth. While the disciples admired the beauty of the Temple, Jesus reminded them of an important lesson. Even the most impressive earthly things will one day pass away. What endures, Jesus said, is not the expensive stones of the Temple. What lasts is the steadfast trust of those who remain faithful. They stay committed in the midst of trials, challenges, and uncertainties in life.

    Today these readings also speak deeply to my heart as I celebrate my 8th Anniversary of Priesthood. As I look back, I see many moments of weakness. There were many moments of unworthiness. I felt pains and hurts. There were times when I felt like that fragile statue in the king’s dream. It was easily shaken and easily broken.

    And yet, by the grace of God, I remain and still finding joy. Not because of my strength, not because of my abilities and potentials but because of God’s faithfulness. The stone that never crumbles is the unwavering goodness of God to me and to everyone whom I have encountered in my journey as a priest. This has been the foundation of my priesthood.

    If there is anything my eight years have taught me, it is this – God uses weak instruments. He chooses broken vessels. He works through imperfect servants so that His glory and not ours, may shine and bring life. This is what I witnessed, every time I felt tired, God renewed me. Every time I felt unworthy, God reminded me that the call is His, not mine. Every time I doubted, God remained faithful.

    I realized that certainly, this is not just my story. It is the story of every believer who tries, fails, rises and hopes again, and continues to walk with God.

    In fact, the world tells us that we must be strong. We must be impressive. We must be powerful like the mighty statue in the vision of the King Nebuchadnezzar. However, God tells us, “Just stand on the Rock. Stand on Me.” This is an invitation to find God as our true strength, our refuge and our security.

    Now, as we near the end of the liturgical year, these readings invite us to reflect: What in our lives is temporary, and what truly lasts? Are we building a kingdom that will one day crumble? Or do we place our trust in the Kingdom of God that cannot be shaken?

    Today, I thank God for eight years of priesthood, not as a journey of perfection, but a journey of God’s unwavering mercy. I ask you to continue praying for me. Please pray that I remain faithful to the Kingdom of God that lasts forever. May I always find joy in my ministry and bring life to others.

    May the Lord strengthen all of us to trust not in the passing things of this world, but in the enduring goodness of God.  I leave you now two simple and practical takeaways.

    First, build your life on what lasts. Spend more time each day on prayer, kindness, forgiveness, and love. These are the things that remain.

    Second, trust God even in your weaknesses. Whenever you feel unworthy or discouraged, whisper a simple prayer, “Lord, You are my strength. I stand on You.” Hinaut pa.

  • Christ the King is our Courage and our Healing

    Christ the King is our Courage and our Healing

    November 23, 2025 – Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm)

    Jesus Christ our King is not the kind of king the world expects. When we hear “king,” we imagine someone powerful, protected, wearing a crown of gold. Yet, our Gospel today tells of a completely different image of a king. Jesus’ throne is a cross. His crown is made of thorns, and instead of soldiers guarding Him, people are mocking Him. To many, Christ our King looks weak, defeated, even powerless.

    And yet, we call Jesus our King. Why? Because the true strength of Jesus is not shown in force, violence, or armies. His power is shown in love that does not give up, mercy that never closes its doors, and hope that refuses to die.

    In the first reading of the Second Book of Samuel, the tribes of Israel came to David and said, “We are your bone and your flesh.” They chose David as king because he walked with them, suffered with them, led them, and protected them.

    Jesus is an even a greater King. He did not just walk with His people. He became one of us. He carried our pain. He entered our darkness, and He stayed.

    For many of us who lived through the Marawi Siege and the 2023 bombing, there were moments that perhaps we wondered and asked, “Lord, where are You? How can You be King if evil can do such harm?”

    However, the Cross reminds us that Jesus is the King who does not run away from suffering. He enters it with us. He is not a distant King. He is a wounded King. This is the reason why He understands our wounds. Indeed, we have a king who stands with the wounded.

    In the Gospel, one of the criminals looked at Jesus, bloody, weak, nailed to wood and recognized not a failure, but a King. He said, “Jesus, remember me.” And Jesus answered with the deepest royal authority, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.”

    This is the power of our King! Yet, not found in the power to crush enemies, but the power to restore, to forgive, to heal, to raise us up when life pushes us down.

    When violence tried to destroy this community, love still survived. When fear tried to rule our hearts, faith still whispered, “God is with us.” When the darkness of war tried to cover Marawi, the light of people helping each other rose again. This is Christ’s power at work in us. And Christ’s power is healing, not hurting.

    The psalm today echoes and speaks of our hope and joy, “I rejoiced when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord.” After all our community has endured, you might think people would be afraid to come back to church. Well, this was indeed the feeling and experience of some of you. But look at us now, we still gather, pray, sing, laugh, and rebuild. That is a miracle in itself.

    Indeed, the presence of each one of you here is a declaration that, Christ still reigns. Fear does not win. Evil does not win. Violence does not write the last chapter.

    Moreover, St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Colossians that Jesus is the one who holds all creation together. Everything on earth, in the heavens, the entire universe—is in His hands.

    And that same King holds you and me. Our family. Our memories. Our grief. Our healing. He is not only the King of the universe. Jesus is the King of our hearts, of our homes, of our future.

    We may feel small after everything we’ve been through. We may feel broken at times. But Christ the King says: “You are not alone. I reign not by force, but by love.”

    And love always wins. Love always rises. Love always restores. This is the King we follow. I would like to offer you now three simple and doable takeaways.

    First, say this prayer every morning even for 2 minutes. “Jesus my King, stay with me today.” A short prayer, but it opens our hearts to Christ. And let His peace rule your thoughts. Let His mercy guide your actions. Let His strength carry your fears.

    Second, practice one act of reconciliation. Call someone you’ve avoided. Apologize if needed. Forgive even if it is still painful because the Kingdom of God grows wherever reconciliation begins.

    Choose hope even when it feels small. When fear or sadness comes, pause and say: “Lord, You are my King. I trust You.” Let hope be your quiet strength.

    Christ our King may have looked powerless on the Cross, but His love conquered sin, conquered fear, and conquered death. And that same love is conquering our wounds, slowly, gently, day by day.

    May Christ the King be our courage, our healing, and our peace. Hinaut pa.

  • VOX FIDELIUM VOX DEI

    VOX FIDELIUM VOX DEI

    November 23, 2025 – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm)

    A story once told about a town which was badly devastated by severe flooding. In the process of rebuilding their lives, they also worked together in building again their damaged church. But what worried them most in rebuilding their church was their old and antique statue of their Crucified Christ that damaged its hands and feet.

    A public consultation was made as to what should be done about their beloved but damaged Crucifix. Different ideas has been expressed and debated. For sentimental value, some are for restoring the statue; though others are against it, for fear that the restoration might completely destroy the original statue. For practical reason, some are in favor of buying a new one, though most would prefer their original Crucifix.

    Then, a respected old man made a suggestion to the plenum. After hearing and reflecting on the old man’s suggestion, everyone agreed that they will honor and implement what has been suggested. Hence, they never buy a new one nor restore the old one. But they just reinstall their old and original Crucifix, with damaged hands and feet. However now underneath the Crucifix, they put a sign: “This is Jesus Christ, who died so that we may live. He is now a PWD – Person with Disability, with damaged hands and feet. Will you now be His hands and feet for others?”

    Church tradition has it that during His crucifixion and death, the last words of Jesus was: “Natapos na. It is done. It is finished”. But, what has been done?…What has ended?…Yes, in the cross, His mission, suffering and life has ended and finished. He has already done the Father’s will. He has already done His work and part in bringing out life and mercy to all. His mission is now done and finished. He has already fulfilled the salvation that God has offered all. He has already revealed to us God’s great love for us.

    But what is not done yet is the God’s kingdom here on earth. What is not finished yet is the reign of God’s presence, love, justice, mercy and peace in our lives.

    While there are still people who are suffering from poverty and injustice due to our sins, insensitivity & corruption, the mission of Christ is already done… but our mission as Christian still lives and moves on. While there are still people who are poor, deprived and most abandoned, while there are still people who are imprisoned by greed for power, wealth and prestige, like our corrupt and manipulative politicians, contractors & capitalists, our Mission or Task as Christian followers & believers is not yet done.

    Remember on the cross, Jesus did not say: “I am finished” but said:  “It is finished”. Meaning, he is not finished yet. There is yet more to come, more yet to happen for our salvation. And this time, His salvation lives on with us & through us, as His hands & feet to do what we are to do, and to be what we should be as Christians.

    So for him to continue to shower us with God’s grace of salvation, Jesus still needs us. He still needs us to be His hands and feet for others.

    He has already saved us. God & Jesus have already done their part. Now it is in us & with us to transform our lives in our world today. It is now in our person – in our hands, feet, mouth, voice and faith to be sharers of God’s graces to others. Like Simon of Cyrene who helped carry the cross of Jesus, as Christians, it is now our tasks to carry, share, and partake the victory of Christ’s Cross to others. Time for us now, not to remain followers at the distance, but to take part in the mission of Jesus towards God’s salvation.

    Today, in the Solemnity of the Christ the King, we honor & celebrate the kingship of Jesus our Lord Christ in our lives today. However, we hear from our gospel today that Jesus, our King is not only a crucified king but also a king who is rejected, insulted, dishonored, and humiliated by the people. We cannot deny in our gospel today that Jesus Christ is a harassed, rejected, disgraced, maltreated, and persecuted King. Indeed, they mockingly proclaimed Jesus as King, but a Redeemer king who cannot even redeem and save himself – a needy king without a throne, and worse crucified on a cross.

    We do need to seriously reflect our gospel today, for it challenges us to deeply understand our faith not only on His kingship but most of all our faith in Jesus Himself. We might ask ourselves: “Do we really acknowledge and believe Jesus as Christ the king?” or “Are we like, Pontius Pilate who admits or not, because the crowd says so?” “Before me, who is Jesus? Who do I say Jesus is?”. Or perhaps ask ourselves: “who and what do I believe and worship? Is it God whom we believe and worship? Or we rather believe and worship our life, work, honor, wealth, and others than God himself?”

    This is a concrete call for us Christians to look deeply into our FAITH – our own personal commitment to what and who we really believe in.

    We honor Jesus today, our Christ and our King whom people have persecuted, humiliated, maltreated and rejected – somehow a needy PWD without hands & feet. “Would you still consider him as your King? Would you recognize and bear witness to Him as Your king? Or would you reject, dishonor, and persecute him again like what the crowds did and are doing today?”

    For come to think of it, God’s kingdom  does not rest only on the title of Christ the King but on our authentic witnessing and commitment of our faith in Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of God is not in the voice of the crowd & leaders shouting at Jesus on the cross “Save yourself & save us”, but in the testimony of the good & faithful thief saying “remember me when you into your Kingdom” & in the words of Jesus “Amen, You will be with me in Paradise.”  It is Vox fidelium, Vox Dei then rather than Vox Populi, Vox Dei. Meaning, the voice of God is not in the voice of the people but rather in the voice of God’s people – in the voice of all faithful believers of Jesus Christ.

    Thus, we witness now Jesus as our King, not only because of what he has done for us but most of all on His own Faith towards the Father and for the salvation of all. God’s kingdom and the kingship of Christ do not only mean name, power, and prestige of Jesus but more so our heartfelt and wholehearted profession, proclamation, witnessing and commitment to God’s salvation through our faith in Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God then requires our total and authentic faith-commitment to Christ, same way as Christ commits Himself to us & our Father.

    Again, here in our celebration today, we Christians are called to proclaim and witness our faith in Jesus Christ. As Jesus bears witness to His great love to the Father, we are also invited to the same total and wholehearted dedication and faith in Jesus. As Christians then, we should never be ashamed to express and proclaim our faith to ourselves, to each others and to others, even amidst the noisy crowd & popular opinions.

    Today, we honor Jesus and all Christians faithful who participate in sharing and spreading God’s salvation to the world. Because of them, the Cross of Christ continues now to be triumphant, and God’s grace, presence & kingdom reign in our lives.

    However, How about us, you & I now : Will we now be His hands, His Feet & His voice for others? Will we  now be Vox fidelium, Vox Dei? Will our voice of faith be God’s voice for all?

    Hinaut pa unta. So May It Be. Amen

  • The Time of Fulfillment

    The Time of Fulfillment

    November 16, 2025 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time          

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm)

    How would the end of time look like? Last October, the devastating earthquake shocked many in Cebu. We have seen in the news how our brothers and sisters were trying to survive after their houses crumbled in few minutes. The aftershocks were terrifying. The scarcity of food and water became their next horror. But thanks to many generous donors, hundreds of individuals and groups rushed to bring aid to those who were affected by the earthquake.

    However, just few weeks ago, two typhoons came, Tino and Uwan. The catastrophe of both were horrifying. Cebu was struck again. Our brothers and sisters hoped to survive the super typhoon Uwan in many parts of the Visayas and Luzon. Thousands were helpless waiting for rescue at their rooftops. Many also perished and were drowned by the raging waters.

    Few days ago, +Nanay Mamai, one of the elders in our Catholic Community in Marawi died. She was one of the Christians who were hostage during Marawi Siege together with the late Fr. Chito Suganob. Yet, during her funeral wake, her nephew, +Dodong, who was her constant companion during our Sunday Mass, also died of heart attack.

    Suffering, pain, sudden deaths – these are the recurring scenarios that indeed, terrify us. Thus, many of us would perhaps express fear of the end of time and imagine the destruction of the world. There will be calamities and unimaginable tragedies.

    With all these suffering, pain and death around us, the readings on this 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time though seemed to have the same horrifying images, invite us to look and hold on to hope, to a sure hope founded in our faith in Jesus.

    The first reading from the Book of Prophet Malachi prophesied about the destruction of the evildoers. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus described the signs that will come like the powerful earthquakes, famines, plagues, wars, and persecutions.

    However, does the end of time really mean to be terrifying and horrifying?

    To answer this question let us see closely the prophecy of Prophet Malachi and the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Let us, then, discover God’s invitation for us on this Sunday.

    The prophecy was addressed to all the Israelite who have returned from exile. However, at their return the prophet saw how the leaders had become corrupt, abusive and indifferent to the plight of the common people.

    Those words of destruction and death were meant for those who continually reject God and oppressed His people. Yet, the prophecy is also a hopeful promise to end the evil institution and the end of corruption and death.

    For those who remained faithful in their friendship with God, the words of Malachi meant comfort and strength. For to them, the Lord will come to bring healing. This will be the most wonderful and joyful time.

    In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus warns us of those who pretended like “gods.” Jesus warns us not to follow them because they only lead us to death, not to life. Jesus reminds us of the suffering in life that may come. Yet, he comforts us not to be terrified and not to be afraid. Jesus has promised to be with us always. He will never leave us alone. Jesus will walk with us and accompany us.

    At the fullness of time, Jesus will be with us in person with his power and glory. When he comes, Jesus will gather His people who believed in him and trusted him even in difficult times. His coming will be the end of the corrupt and the murderers. It will be a destruction of the powerful and arrogant, the ruthless and the violent.

    Now, the beautiful and hopeful message lies here.  The message of comfort and strength, of joy and peace is for us who are waiting patiently for the end of time. Indeed, Jesus tells us to be watchful, to prepare our hearts, for the “coming of the Son of Man” is both a future promise and a present reality.

    This is what St. Paul tells us who believe in Jesus that the end of time is not something that we should be afraid. It is not a terrifying event but it will be the most joyful moment of our life. Meeting the Lord is a moment of fulfillment of all our hopes, desires and dreams.

    Yet, it will be the destruction to what is evil. It will be the most terrifying moment for those who continually reject God and for those who pretend and act like a god.

    With all of these, what can we do then, as we patiently wait for the second coming of Jesus? God in His generosity and love prepares us daily for that wonderful moment of our life. God prepares us by making Himself felt daily and in every moment and event in our life. Jesus reveals himself in us and through us.

    Jesus’ words will not pass away, his promises will never fade. God is faithful and He is ever present with us. That is why, it is very important that we become discerning and welcoming of Jesus’ presence being revealed in us and around us.

    How shall we proceed then? There are four practical takeaways for us this Sunday.

    Be watchful. Start each day with a moment of quiet, asking God for strength and guidance. 

    Persevere. Face trials with courage, remembering that they refine and deepen your faith. 

    Serve. Look for ways to love your neighbor especially those most in need and bring light into their lives. 

    Hope. When you feel overwhelmed, turn to Scripture and prayer to renew your trust in God’s promises.

    As we are about to end the liturgical calendar and begin the Season of Advent in few weeks’ time, let us make this week more wonderful and exciting.

    Let us intensify our “Wi-Fi connection” with God, by making our prayer frequent and sincere. Hopefully, this will lead each of us to see and feel the face of God among ourselves and even among those people who are not familiar to us and events that may be surprising and strange for us.

    We hope that we too will grow in our faith and become more excited in the end of time where we will certainly meet the Lord, who is the fulfillment of all our dreams and hopes. Hinaut pa.

  • PRE-DEPARTURE

    PRE-DEPARTURE

    November 16, 2025 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm)

    Whenever death & disasters happen in our lives, we cannot help but raise the question about the end-time or the end of the world. Ever-present war, pandemic, famine, pestilence, super typhoons, tsunami, hunger, earthquakes, flooding, landslides, and countless death-crimes in life render us anxious and helpless towards our coming future.

    Our worries about the coming end-times are not only felt around us but also within us. We are not ignorant as to how it feels when our world seems have broken and ended whenever we experience heartache as to the death and loss of our loved ones, or failed in our studies, business endeavors, plans and dreams, or diagnose with serious illness and others. Even worse, Scripture and Jesus himself warn us of these coming end-times as inevitable and surely to happen to our human life.

    Related with our uncertainty about end-time are the questions: “What’s the point? What’s the meaning of all these life-endeavors? Is there hope in life?” And above all, at its very heart, raises the question: “What now… and then? Is there Life AFTER Death?”

    A wise man once said: “The question should not be: ‘Is there life after death’ but rather ‘Is there life BEFORE death’?

    True enough, while life-disasters and death surely to happen in life, we should concern ourselves less about what happen to us after life, but rather more so concern about how we live our life before our inevitable death.

    Regardless whether there is life after death or not, we should never forget the fact that there is life before death that we are still now in. If we come to think of it, we are still now here alive for a reason and purpose to be in this world. It is for us now, as we live this life, to discover and fulfill in life our real reason to live and purpose to be. Our task and concern in life are to live our life now before death to the fullness of our very life-purpose.

    Life Before Death would also mean that the greatest loss in life is not death, but what dies inside us while we live. Sadly there are people nowadays who have reasons to die than to live, and people who are still alive but dying and already died inside, and long gone. Though painful, confusing and disheartening, our experiences of disasters and loss should move us still alive to deeply discover and enable the very reason and meaning of our life-existence.

    For Jesus, life-death and disasters are not only about end-times or world’s end, but more so about the opportunity for us to testify, that is, to rise to the occasion…. Stand up and witness in life our faith in God through Him, and…. To live-up to our very life-purpose and reason in life.

    In other words, Jesus is saying to us, that these things will surely happen to us, but with a reason and for a purpose. So, we should consider more our life now before death, rather than our life after death, and as He promised, “By your perseverance in life, you will secure your lives.”

    Practical advice then to ponder:… Whenever disaster strikes and happens in life, ASK NOT, “Why is this happening TO me?” but rather, “why is this happening FOR me?” Because…. asking, “why is this happening TO me?” leads to unhealthy self-doubt, blame, excuses, guilt, anger, and inner death. Asking, however, “why is this happening FOR me?” leads to meaning, purpose, challenge, responsibility, and resolution.

    As we grapple then with the concern about our experience of death & disasters in life, as per advised, ask NOT: “Why is this happening to me?”, “Is there life after death?” but rather ask, …“Why is this happening FOR me?”, “Is there life before death?”, “Do I have or am I having a life now before my death?”.

    With this, we may be more hopefully grounded to live our lives by its very reason, meaning and purpose, as well as to be a living testimony and witness of our Christian faith, and God’s grace to our present world.

    By our Christian faith witness, may the Lord lead us to His fullness of life.

    So May it be. Amen.