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Category: Feasts

  • 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

  • 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.

  • To Ask Anything in the Name of Jesus

    To Ask Anything in the Name of Jesus

    May 3, 2025 – Feast of Sts. James and Philip

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050325.cfm)

    When you come to church, when you pray, and beg the Lord – what do you ask? What attitude do we have in asking the Lord for grace? What inner desires do we foster as we beg the Lord?

    On this feast day of Sts. James and Philip, Jesus tells us, “if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” But, what does it mean anything? And what does it mean to ask in Jesus’ name?

    Does Jesus mean that we can just ask anything we want? Does it mean that I can also ask Jesus to give me a lifetime premium subscription on Netflix with an unlimited supply of popcorn and bottomless four-season juice drink? Or can I also ask Jesus to make me Summa Cum Laude this coming graduation? Is this the kind of prayer that Jesus invites us?

    Today, Jesus tells us to ask “in his name.” The beauty lies in the prayer that considers the desire of God for us. It means that in our prayer we do not forget Jesus. We do not forget Jesus’s desire for us and his will for us.

    This tells us of our relationship with Jesus. This should not be understood as a mere limitation with the options we have in asking. Instead, “asking in his name” widens our perspective in asking grace from the Lord.

    This invites us to a deeper awareness of Jesus’ heart, of Jesus’ desires and of Jesus’ plans for us. It is certain that what Jesus desires for us is always good, always for our growth, always for our freedom.

    Therefore, to ask in Jesus’ name is to allow letting go on what we only want. We let go also of our own preferences which may be influenced by our selfish desires, guilt, sin and evil.

    Instead of praying – “this is what I want and wish Lord,” ask and pray rather first in this way, “what is your desire for me Lord?”

    Only then that we will be able to get away from our selfish tendencies and intentions because we shift our focus from ourselves to God. We begin to shift from praying that comes only from personal wants to praying in his name.

    This is now our prayer and our desire that in asking grace from the Lord, we may also grow more in our knowledge of Jesus. Know Jesus not just on our head level but also of the heart.

    Through the intercession of St. Philip and St. James, may we dare to encounter the Lord among our brothers and sister; to encounter the Lord in our human experiences; and to encounter him in our daily struggles in life. Hinaut pa.

  • God’s Sign for us

    God’s Sign for us

    March 25, 2025 – Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032525.cfm)

    Asking for signs has been part of our belief and culture as far as our human civilization is concerned. We ask for signs when we make small and big decisions in life. We also look for signs both natural and supernatural to guide us. Among the indigenous people, being able to recognize and understand the many signs would either bring us to prosperity and blessing or to dangers and risks.

    On this Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, a great sign has been revealed for all humanity. What had been announced was the sign of redemption and life. Let us discover how Mary played a special role as she herself was the first to have received the sign from the Lord.

    The first reading from the Book of Isaiah relates to us a story of a person who refused God’s offer. Ahaz who was King of Judah was told to ask a sign from God. Yet, Ahaz refused. Why? He was asked so that he may believe in God’s faithfulness and salvation. This refusal of Ahaz was a show of not believing in God and a refusal to trust in the Lord. Ahaz, rather trusted another god, the King of Assyria.

    Assyria at that time was politically powerful. It had powerful army.. Ahaz thought that by trusting Assyria then he will have the certainty of protection and salvation. Judah at that time was threatened by other nations. Ahaz feared that his kingdom will end and his people will perish. Hence, he did not believe that God was the surest protection for the people.

    However, despite the refusal of Ahaz, God still promised a sign of salvation. This will be through the participation of a virgin who shall conceive a son. This son is the , Emmanuel, that God is with us.

    Indeed, even in our unbelief or refusal to believe in the Lord’s invitation, God is still in our midst. God remains faithful to us.

    This is the message to us on this Solemnity that we are called to take comfort. Yes, take comfort, because no matter how much fear, sadness, depression, worries, desperation and anxiety we are feeling at this very moment, God is with us! The Lord had given the sign for us. And this is hope.

    The prophecy in the Book of Isaiah was fulfilled through the participation of a young woman. Unlike Ahaz, Mary took the risk of trusting God despite the confusion, fear and suffering that she was to undergo.

    The angel Gabriel, whose name means, “God is powerful,” assured this young woman not to fear, because God is with her. The very presence of Gabriel was an assurance to Mary that God was working powerfully and wonderfully with her.

    This encounter became the space for Mary to receive God’s invitation. She was chosen to be that virgin who shall conceive a son, the greatest sign of God’s promise. The refusal of king Ahaz to God’s invitation was now being countered and redeemed through the acceptance of a simple young woman.

    Mary responded, “Yes, I am a servant of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.” It was her full expression to participate in God’s action. This echoed both in our Psalm and in the Letter to the Hebrews, “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.”

    Through the generous response and participation of Mary, the promise was fulfilled. In this way, Mary in turn also became a sign of God’s faithfulness and love. Mary who became the Mother of God, is also God’s sign of healing and life.

    This tells us now that our (human) participation is very important for God to fulfill the promise of salvation and restoration, of healing and freedom. Without our participation, God cannot also work with us and through us. God cannot just impose even though God is powerful. God is not an imposing God. Rather, God calls us.

    On this Solemnity of the Annunciation, through the person of Mary and her participation, we too are called to respond to God’s invitation. We are called to participate in God’s action of fulfilling the promise of salvation, healing and restoration.

    We may ask ourselves, how is God calling me now to participate in God’s plan of healing and bringing salvation to all? In what way I could be of help for others or bring blessings to those who are most in need? In what way I could inspire hope and give comfort to those who are afflicted, those who are sick, grieving, depressed and lonely?

    Like Mary, let us also ponder and keep in our hearts God’s invitation. Like her, we may also become God’s sign of healing and blessings for others. Hinaut pa.

  • Seeing from the Eyes of Faith and Compassion

    Seeing from the Eyes of Faith and Compassion

    March 19, 2025 – Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031925.cfm)

    When life becomes confusing, messy and overwhelming, how do we react? When our relationship is intrigued by anger or hatred or contempt over a misunderstood situation, are we easily driven by negative emotions and withdraw from the situation and hide? When we believe that our relationship is at the verge of collapse because of unresolved issues, how do we respond?

    These situations that we may find in our relationships are also invitations for us to be more discerning. Allowing the Lord to have significant space in our relationships would help us to be more objective and to look at the current issues from the perspective of faith and compassion. This is what I would like to propose today as our point of reflection on this Solemnity of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary.

     The Gospel of Matthew presents to us the attitudes that portray faith and compassion.  Above all, we also realize an attitude that seeks guidance from God’s wisdom.

    Joseph’s relationship with Mary was intrigued with a suspicion of scandalous betrayal and unfaithfulness.  Joseph knew that even though, Mary and himself were still at the period of engagement, but then, Mary was already pregnant. Having this kind of situation, it was also clear for the people in their village that Joseph was not the father.

    Joseph himself was confident that Mary’s child in her womb was not his. Joseph knew that the Jewish law would find Mary guilty of adultery.  This was punishable by shame and death. Their law mandated Joseph to divorce Mary.

    In a small village like Nazareth, gossip was surely faster than lightning. Certainly, every person in their village would know that Mary was pregnant though they have not yet lived together. If we would imagine Joseph, he too must have been hurt. He might have felt being betrayed. Joseph was most likely in darkness at that moment, confused and overwhelmed by the intriguing situation.

    Yet, Joseph showed a non-reactive attitude. He did not allow his emotions to overwhelm him. In fact, the Gospel described him as a righteous man. Hence, instead of condemning Mary instantly, he showed compassion by divorcing her silently. He did that so that Mary will not be disgraced and bullied by others.

    This was how Joseph treated this difficult situation from the perspective of faith and compassion. He neither not wanted Mary to suffer nor the baby in her womb. It was his faith and compassion that moved him to protect Mary despite his confusion.

    This pleased the Lord. Joseph was indeed a good man, righteous and thoughtful. This became the way for God to reveal the divine plan. And God made the revelation to Joseph in the night of dreaming and pondering. Through that revelation, Joseph’s view of Mary and her pregnancy and even of himself became larger and brighter. Joseph began to see the overwhelming and scandalous situation of Mary’s pregnancy through the eyes of faith. Thus, fear and disappointment, anger and hatred were indeed irrelevant and even destructive.

    Joseph saw and felt the true scandal in what was revealed to him. God revealed Himself to Joseph. God has become man there in the womb of Mary. It was scandalous because we thought that God is only up there or out there in the heavens. We believed it was a place that no person can reach. Yet, Mary got pregnant.

    This unexpected pregnancy of Mary tells us that God is intimately present with us.

    Joseph received a revelation. He then understood that Mary’s pregnancy was a statement of God’s faithfulness. It was also a testament to His commitment to us. God commits himself to be our God. God commits to choose us as God’s people. And so, Joseph was told to name the baby, “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” This was how Joseph was also called to participate in God’s loving plan for all of us. Joseph was to protect, cherish, and love Mary and Jesus. And Joseph embraced this.

    This is God’s assurance to us now. The Lord, indeed, is present. He lives in the midst of our lives, in the midst of our pain and our failures. He is there in our disappointments, hurts, and fears. He is even present in overwhelming situations we are in. Like St. Joseph, let also be more discerning and to see life’s situations from the perspective of faith. Hinaut pa.