February 2, 2021 – On this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Bishop Jose Rapadas III, Bishop of Iligan presided the mass to celebrate the “World Day of Consecrated Life.” Bishop Rapadas asked these questions among us religious in his diocese, “As a consecrated person, what are you most grateful for? What gift youContinue reading WORLD DAY OF THE CONSECRATED LIFE: REFLECTION OF A MILLENIAL PRIEST
Edited by Fr. Manoling Thomas, CSsR Kept in a bomb-proof vault; the historic icon of the Sto. Niño de Cebu, spent seven months in the safekeeping of the Redemptorists at the close of World War II. This is a little-known page of history which took place when an emergency arose at the close of 1944. TheContinue reading HOW THE ORIGINAL STATUE OF THE STO. NINO DE CEBU SURVIVED THE WORLD WAR II
December 31, 2020 – 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas and the Last Day of the Year Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/123120.cfm) We have reached the last day of the year of 2020. We have been through a lot this year. There are too many to mention them. Not just to few ofContinue reading Time of Letting Go. Time of Letting God. Time of Welcoming
Above all, it’s about Christmas than holidays “And the Word became Flesh, and Dwelt amongst us” It has always been a great honor and pleasure to be visited by someone special in our lives. Whenever special people pay us a visit in our home, we usually do our best to be a good worthy hostContinue reading Christmas Message (Jn 1:1-18)
The Aguinaldo Masses are in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to be celebrated nine (9) days before Christmas for the perseverance of the nation in faith. In the spirit of the season, one may lawfully use in these Masses the Weekday Lectionary. The GLORIA is sung in these Masses and white vestment is usedContinue reading MISA DE AGUINALDO 2020
This Advent Reflection invites us to dwell deeper on the importance of our presence and of God’s presence in our life and in the life of others. The excitement to hope again calls us to hold on to hope, to be hopeful and to be the hope for others. Below is a link of theContinue reading EXCITED KA NA NAMAN BANG UMASA MULI?
June 8, 2020 – Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time Click here for the readings (http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/060820.cfm) (This article is not a usual weekday homily as one may find this too long. This was first used as a recollection material given to a group Redemptorist Seminarians.) As we live our Christian vocation and commitContinue reading WHICH VALUE SYSTEM DO WE FOLLOW?
As we celebrate Mother’s Day today, we express our affection to Mary, our Mama, our Nanay and thank the Lord for the gift of Mama Mary and for the gift of our earthly mothers.Continue reading MOTHER’S DAY
Jesus’ last words are very powerful and compelling, I asked myself, why despite his agony, the humiliation he experienced, and unbearable pain on the cross, Jesus never blamed his Father. He instead uttered these words like a perfect prayer from the depths of his heart “Father into your hands, I commend my spirit.”
Oftentimes, when we are faced with problems and difficulties, when we are carrying heavy crosses, our human tendency is that we lose track of our faith. We rely much on our human capacities and strengths. We become too focused on our suffering and pain, on what we can do to the extent that our energies are depleted, and we become exhausted. We start to complain, self-pity, regret, become anxious about what the future holds, and perhaps blame others, or even blame God. Jesus has given us a glorious example of total surrendering to God. Continue reading Total surrender to God and putting our life in Him
We look back to the scene where Jesus uttered these words, Jesus at this hour was on the brink of death, nailed to the Cross with the Roman soldiers at his feet. As he addressed these men, we could picture how exhausting the scene was. By this time, these Roman soldiers had been executing many criminals and had seen death day after day. They are reduced to mere functionaries. They have no choice and freedom to do what is just and right at that moment as they were only following orders. Familiarity with violence and brutality causes these soldiers to be numb and deaf with their emotions. Their society has allowed them to be stripped of their dignity as human persons gifted with freedom and compassion. It is in this human frailty and desperate condition where Jesus uttered to them, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing?”Continue reading FORGIVENESS: A RADICAL LOVE
