THAT’S from Psalm 51,19 which is often used as the responsorial psalm in some Lenten Masses. It describes for us what will always attract the love and mercy of God for us. Though God will always love us no matter what, there is also the...
THIS can only mean that our communication with God should be genuine, sincere and authentic. It’s about being honest about our thoughts, feelings and struggles. It should express our true intentions and desires. It should not be about using fancy language or trying to impress. It’s...
THAT’S from the Gospel of St. John (6,63) and is used often as a Responsorial Psalm in many Masses. It reminds us that God’s words, though written also by men and use human elements with all their limitations, have a transformative power that gives spiritual...
(An excerpt of the Homily of the Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D. during Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at San Pedro Cathedral Parish, San Pedro Street, Davao City) Today is Ash Wednesday, Miyerkules sa Badlis, the beginning of this sacred, holy season of Lent, of...
Suffering is a reality no one escapes. It enters our lives through illness, loss, failure, injustice, and even when we love—often in ways we do not expect or choose. In a world that teaches us to avoid pain at all costs, the Christian faith invites...
WE, of course, need to eat bread also. After all, we are also material beings that need to be fed and nourished by material food, such as bread. But since we are also spiritual and supposed to be a supernatural being—in fact, eminently so—we should...
CHRIST explained it well as to when it is proper to fast and when to feast. “Can the children of the bridegroom mourn, as along as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them,...
The gospel of the Mass on Thursday after Ash Wednesday (cfr. Lk 9,22-25) talks about Christ telling his disciples that He must suffer and be rejected, and calls his followers to take up their cross daily and deny themselves to follow him, for losing one’s...
WITH Ash Wednesday, we once again begin the season of Lent when as a way to pursue spiritual growth, self-reflection and preparation for Easer, we are encouraged to go through the process of repentance and conversion, deepening our relationship with God through prayer, fasting and...
WE get this happy assurance from the Letter of St. James. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive a crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him.” (1,12) God can allow temptations to...