WHEN the disciples asked Christ to teach them how to pray, they were not only given what is now known as the Lord’s Prayer, or the Our Father, but also were egged to be insistent in their prayers. (cfr. Lk 11,1-13) “Ask, and it shall be...
CHRIST gave us the clear answer to this question. “Whoever will be the greater among you, let him be your minister. And he that will be first among you, shall be your servant. Even as the Son of Man is not come to be ministered...
WHILE we can consider our life under many different aspects and levels, we however can somehow distinguish three basic levels or stages that our life is subject to, without denying our basic identity as a human being or person. And that is that we are...
THAT’S how we have to understand our duty to pursue personal sanctity without let-up. It will always involve the apostolic duty because sanctity is not only about one’s own holiness. It is also concerned about the holiness of everyone else. The word “personal” should not be...
THE very first lesson we can learn from the life of St. Mary Magdalene is that no matter how big and ugly our sins are, God’s grace or gift of mercy is always there, more powerful than whatever damage our sins can inflict on us....
A BEAUTIFUL psalm expresses that call. “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (95,8) This was articulated as a warning against hardening one’s heart, using the example of the Israelites’ rebellion in the time of the Exodus. They grumbled and questioned God’s...
THAT’S what we can get from the gospel story about the two sisters, Martha and Mary. (cfr. Lk 10,38-42) If love is pure, we would not show off the things we do, baiting for praises; we would not compare ourselves with others to see if...
THAT gospel episode where some Pharisees complained against Christ’s disciples who were plucking ears of corn on a Sabbath to appease their hunger (cfr. Mt 12,1-8) again brings out the issue of our human laws and how they have to be made, understood and applied. While...
PERHAPS we can get an idea about that secret from what Christ himself said. “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.” (Mt 11, 29) It’s when we are meek and humble, like Christ, that we...
WE need to be very clear about this point. We often contrast charity with truth, mercy with justice. And that’s because we consider these values and virtues more from our own point of view, based only on our experiences, observations, sciences, etc., that while giving...