The Beatitudes: God’s great paradox
"BLESSED are you who are poor...
Author: Fr. Roy Cimagala
God’s quiet beginning of our salvation
EVERY story has a beginning. The story of our salvation did not begin with noise or spectacle. It began quietly with the birth of a little girl in Nazareth. The Church celebrates this joyful mystery on September 8—the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed...
Beyond empty rituals
THE healing of the man with the withered hand (Lk 6:6–11) presents another confrontation between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees over Sabbath observance. At first glance, the dispute appears to concern a legal prescription and Sabbath observance. In reality, Jesus reveals a principle: religion is...
Psychological maturity and the spiritual life
WE often recognize physical age without recognizing emotional maturity. Someone can be forty yet react to criticism like a child, while another quietly accepts disappointment, takes responsibility, and remains kind. Psychological maturity is not simply growing older; it is learning to live truthfully and responsibly. Psychological...
Why true compassion can’t stay silent
IN the Gospel of Matthew 18:15–20, Jesus presents a practical and demanding path for preserving communion within the Christian community. He teaches that when a brother or sister sins, the first step is not public criticism or condemnation, but a private and charitable correction. If the...
The radical new life Christ offers
THE Gospel of Luke (5:33-39) presents Christ responding to those who questioned why His disciples did not fast like the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees. His answer reveals a profound truth: Christianity is not merely a collection of religious practices but a...
When faith outfishes experience
THAT Gospel account of Christ calling Simon Peter to “put out into the deep” (Duc in altum) (cfr. Lk 5,1-11) remains one of the most powerful invitations to Christian discipleship. After a long night of unsuccessful fishing, Peter and his companions had every reason to believe...
Navigating Life’s Hardships While Staying on Mission
THIS is a lesson we can learn from that gospel episode when Christ healed Peter’s mother-in-law, and followed by many people also begging for some healing. Not only that, Christ had to excuse himself from the crowd to pray in a deserted place, and when...
The devil is powerless against God
THIS was clearly illustrated in that gospel episode where Christ went to Capernaum, preached in the synagogue, and a person possessed by the devil approached him. (cfr. Lk 4,31-37) We know what happened next. The devil was quickly exorcised. Despite rising reports of spiritual warfare, we...
Who do we follow?
WE have to ask ourselves this question from time to time: are we really following Christ, or have we quietly begun following our own likes, dislikes, and opinions? It is surprisingly easy to drift. Instead of allowing Christian faith to guide our decisions, we can gradually...