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Tag: Jesus

  • The Light of our Faith

    The Light of our Faith

    August 29, 2025 – Passion of St. John the Baptist

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/0829-memorial-passion-john-baptist.cfm)

    Evil seems stronger that good. Darkness seems stronger than light. Lies seem stronger than truth. This can be discouraging and frustrating when such things happen in our life and in our society.

    Take for example when ordinary citizens would do their best to earn a living yet powerful political and government officers would suck out the national treasury. Leaders living in comfort and luxury while ordinary citizens living in poverty and suffering from poor social services. Take for example of murders and killings perpetrated by those with money as their power while families of victims being threatened and justice being deprived.

    Yet, in every age and generation, God chooses prophets among us who take courage and the risk to speak God’s desires for us. These are the prophets who make a stand even when their lives are threatened and find joy even when persecuted.

    Today’s feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist somehow portrays such painful reality. John who prepared the way of the Lord, led people to repentance and proclaimed God’s salvation was beheaded cruelly. John, who died a martyr’s death, paid this price by having the courage to pinpoint the wrong and immorality of those in power.

    Herod who coveted his brother’s wife, Herodias, though liked to listen to John, did not change his ways. Herod was rather submerged into corruption and immorality. Herodias despised John so much for challenging their relationship. Her daughter, who was indifferent towards the situation acted on impulse and without right judgment.

    John was fully aware of the risks but he did as the Lord commanded him to do. John’s life echoed what was written in the Book of Jeremiah, “Gird your loins; stand up and tell them all that I command you.” The voice of John the Baptist became a beacon of light despite the seemingly powerful darkness. He became a hope in the midst of hopeless and corrupt leaders.

    He was beheaded, yet, the spirit of John the Baptist and his voice continued to echo. Hence, his passion does tell us now of God’s power to defeat evil with good, to turn darkness into light, and to correct lies with the truth.

    With his life and his passion, John is now an inspiration for us Christians. The faith that we have received, is our light that shall guide and inspire our conscience. The light of our faith motivates our hearts to love more and to seek what is true and good. The light of our faith brings encouragement and strength in times when we are being tried or threatened. This light of our faith makes us sing and proclaim God’s salvation and freedom for us.

    And so we pray, “Lord, increase my faith in you. Empower my heart and mind that I may be your own prophet in my own family, group of friends and community. Inspire in me the desire to seek the light, what is good and true.” Hinaut pa.

  • FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE        

    FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE        

    August 28, 2025 – Thursday – Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082825.cfm)

    Being constantly aware of God’s presence in our life can be very challenging. With all the many things, issues, and concerns that fill our mind and heart, we may forget, take things for granted or become indifferent.

    This is our reality with our human relationships. We may be living under the same roof, yet, we too could become forgetful of the presence of our loved ones. Husband and wives may become cold towards each other. Parents may become more focused with their work believing it is the only most important at the expense of a quality time with their children. Among friends, personal issues and selfish tendencies may lead us to only make ourselves always at the center without minding the presence of our friends.

    Such forgetfulness, our tendency to take things for granted and indifference may remove us from the grace of God. We become distanced and unmindful of God’s presence and of people around us.

    Hence, the Responsorial Psalm invites us to pray, “Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!” To be filled with love so that we may “gain the wisdom of heart” that is constantly mindful of God’s presence.

    St. Augustine, a famous Saint of the Church, was once forgetful of the presence of God. He took many things for granted and was indifferent to many. He was a lost soul, wandering in life. He tried to fill himself with what the world can offer him, yet, he was not fulfilled. And so his restless heart was in searched of what could give him peace and fill him with constant love.

    Augustine was later found by the Lord and converted to Christ. His study of the Holy Bible made him realize so much about life. It triggered a desire and a deep longing from his heart. Augustine’s famous words from his Confessions remind us, “My heart is restless until it find rests in You.”

    St. Paul in his Letter to the Thessalonians echoed the same call and challenge to the people, “increase and abound in love for one another and for all.” Paul reminded the people that as they wait for the second coming of the Lord, not to forget the presence of each one. Each member of the community will only be more conscious of God’s coming when each one also is mindful and loving towards each other. This is the very life of the Christian community founded in the redeeming love of Christ.

    In fact, Jesus in today’s Gospel calls us too, “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” Indeed, the Lord may come in a surprise and in ordinary ways we do not expect. Yet, when our heart is filled with other things rather than our desire and longing of His presence, then, we may forget, take it for granted or become indifferent.

    And so we hope that our heart may indeed be filled with love. In that love, may we be more confident and assured that we have the support and affection of our loved ones, our family members and friends, and of the Lord whose love is constant.

    We pray, “Lord, fill my heart with your love. Make my heart ever mindful of your loving presence. When I become cold, distant and indifferent – disturb, call and challenge me to come closer to you and find peace in your love.” Hinaut pa.

  • GOD AT WORK IN YOU WHO BELIEVE

    GOD AT WORK IN YOU WHO BELIEVE

    August 27, 2025 – Wednesday, Memorial of St. Monica

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082725.cfm)

    Our appearance can be deceiving. What we see could merely be a façade. Facial make-up is used to hide blemishes and enhance our facial appearance. The idiomatic expression “sugar coating” is an attempt to make something better or less unpleasant.

    However, when this becomes an attitude of the heart, a person’s way of relating with others, such attitude leads us to hypocrisy. No matter how one could look so nice and beautiful. One could appear stunning and mesmerizing to the human senses. When appearance only covers the inside, we remain shallow and hollow within.

    This is what Jesus criticized so much about those who loved to appear so well before others, yet, corrupt and evil in their very hearts. Jesus compared them like the “whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of filth.”

    The words of Jesus expressed contempt that also called for change and renewal among these kind of hearts.

    However, this has been contrasted to what Paul showed in all his honesty and kindness as an apostle of the Gospel. Paul who was transformed by the grace of Christ became a father and a mentor of the faith to the Thessalonians.

    Through the apostle Paul and his companions’ toil and drudgery, they have worked hard to earn their living while preaching the Gospel. They have done it in order not to burden the people to support them in their needs. The generosity in their hearts brought so much fruits in the life of the people.

    Indeed, the Thessalonians were converted to Christ and were growing in their faith. And Paul affirmed how God was at work in them who believed in Christ. The life of Paul and his companions was straightforward and honest. Similarly, the Christian Community in Thessalonians displayed no sugar-coating or pretensions in their lives. They were willing to hear the word of God. They sought to be transformed by the grace of the Lord. This made the relationship among them nourishing.

    We realize that when the heart is open, humble, and willing to be touched by the Word of God, the grace of the Lord works in us. The grace of the Lord transforms us. This is manifested in the quality of our relationship with one another. Appearance does not matter anymore because the heart is anchored in Christ. Yet, those hearts that remained pretentious and selfish make their relationship toxic and destructive.

    And so we pray and ask God’s grace, “Lord, make my heart sincere and humble, honest and free from pretensions. Grant me the grace to change from my sinful ways and selfish tendencies.” Hinaut pa.

  • How do you treat others?

    How do you treat others?

    August 26, 2025 – Tuesday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082625.cfm)

    How do you treat others? What kind of attitude do you show to your friends and strangers alike? Does your faith influence your ways and attitudes in relating with others?

    St. Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians expressed his gentleness, kindness as well as his thoughtfulness and affection towards the Christian Community in Thessalonica. Paul wrote this letter not to boast himself of what he had done, but an expression of Paul’s faith and conviction as an apostle.

    “God is witness.” This is what Paul declared as he manifested that there was no intention to be praised or to become greedy in their relationship with the people. In fact, Paul expressed the joy and generosity in his heart as he too declared, “With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the Gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.”

    This tells us that sharing of the self is an expression of the Christian Faith. When we become a gift to people around us, we too proclaim Christ in us.

    Yet, when the self also turns to be corrupt and self-absorbed, entitled and plunderous, the self becomes toxic and a curse to people around us.

    Jesus pointed this out in our Gospel today. The words of Jesus were quite strong in criticizing such kind of persons. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.” Jesus said this twice in the Gospel verses today showing the severity of the selfishness and greedy hearts of these people.

    “Plunder and self-indulgence” made such persons to be numbed at the realities of suffering of the people around them. They were concerned only on how they will become more comfortable and advance their self-interest. The self turns inward. It does not know how to share and so it is removed from what joy and love truly are.

    Such kind of self and attitudes of the heart make us treat others harshly and sometimes violently. We could treat others indifferently especially when we don’t get or receive anything from them.

    Having such contrasting attitudes of the self, calls us now towards the transformation of ourselves. Like Paul, who at first was also filled with bitterness and hatred was transformed by the grace of Christ.

    We ask today that grace that our heart and person may also be transformed. Knowing that the Lord has searched us and knew us, as the Responsorial Psalm proclaims, may we be more daring and courageous enough to ask the grace of the Lord.

    And so we pray, “Lord, make my heart as well as my words and actions gentle, kind and generous. Through your grace, may I become a gift to my friends and community as an expression of my faith in You.” Hinaut pa.

  • IDKU

    IDKU

    August 24, 2025 – 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082425.cfm)

    In her dreams, a lady once found herself at the heaven’s door. She confidently knocks at the door and demands admittance. And she heard God’s loud voice asking, “who are you?” She then replied, “My Gosh, You don’t know me. I am the most influential person in our town. I am the mother of our town’s mayor. I have been known for my generosity, an elder of the church’s lay organization and have sponsored the education of your seminarians and ordination of your priests. I even spearheaded the construction of your church in our town”. God replied, “Sorry, IDKU – I don’t know you”. Angry and disgusted with God, she just stayed outside, grumbling at the doorsteps, while seeing others being admitted inside.

    Coming to her senses, she once again knocks at the door and requests for admittance. She said, “Lord, actually, my life has been a failure. I am separated from my husband. My children have been involved with a lot of questionable activities. I have been an oppressive landlord, abusive lady and known gambler. I am a sinner and have caused other’s to sin. I am sorry, Lord”. God replied, “But still, IDKU, who are you?”

    Confused and ashamed of herself, she again stayed outside and pondered who she really is before God. Then something dawned in her that made her stand, knocks at the door and humbly admits “Now I know who I am, Lord. Despite what happened to me in life, I am still your CHILD.” The door then opened widely and God’s voice joyfully proclaimed “Welcome Home, my daughter. Come in.”

    Along our desire to explore our world & to experience life, there is always a deep longing for us to be at home, and be reunited with God. Even for those who have already settled in foreign lands, there is always the strong desire to come back Home. Same way with those who have settled here in Cebu, there is always a desire to go back homeland – Bohol, Siquijor, Luzon, Mindanao or Europe. Because, for us, home is more than place where you live.

    Home is the place where it feels right to walk around without shoes – where people understand you, who gets you as you are. Home is where when you go there, people have to take you in… regardless. Home is where you are accepted, understood, welcomed, belonged and loved.

    Jesus has always preached to us the Kingdom of God is our heavenly home and the Reign of God’s Kingdom is like homecoming and reunion. Like a fiesta, salvation is the moment where everyone is joyfully welcome and celebrating in God’s kingdom – an occasion where we are at Home and re-united with God.

    Particularly in our gospel today, when asked about who are saved, Jesus emphasizes that salvation is not only for the few but for everyone – everyone then is welcome in God’s kingdom.

    However, in our journey back to our heavenly home, Jesus directs us to strive and be strong enough to enter through the narrow gate. What Jesus meant here is that in life, we must do our best to be more at ease and at Home with our identity as God’s children. For Him, welcomed, saved and redeemed are those who are at Home with their identity as a Child of God. Meaning, it is not what we have done and achieved in life, or even what happened to us in life, but who we are before God, as His children that matters most.

    Welcome and Worthy then are we of eternal life in God’s kingdom when we are strong and discipline enough to accept and be at Home with our identity as God’s Children.

    Remember what Jesus said: “the last will be first, first will be last”. Meaning,  somehow those we consider to be first in life maybe the last one to realize and accept their identity; and those we consider to be last, lost, least in life maybe the first one to realize and accept their identity as Children of God.

    Question is: “who are you now before God?” Does God happens to know you? And do you know yourself before God? Are you hearing Him saying to you, IDKU (I Don’t Know You) or Welcome Home my, child?

    Henri Nouwen, a modern-day spiritual writer said it well, when he reminded us: “We are not what we do… we are not what we have… we are not what others think of us. Coming Home is claiming the Truth (that) You & I (We) are the BELOVED CHILD of God, our Creator.”