THIS need does not mean that we should treat suffering and death as though they are “wanted” for their own sake. Our faith teaches us that they are real evils and enemies. But since we cannot avoid them because of our finite, let alone, wounded...
IT’S to fall in love, of course. But the true love that should fill our mind and heart with desires and concern to reach out to the others, to help and understand them, to find excuses for their shortcomings, quick to offer forgiveness just as...
THIS is the worst condition that we can find ourselves in, the very opposite of what is truly ideal for us. Instead of being connected and engaged to others, especially to God first, we choose to be on our own. Instead of reaching out to...
THAT’S from the Second Letter of St. Peter. (1,4) The complete verse says: “All things of his divine power which appertain to life and godliness, are given us, through the knowledge of him who has called us by his own proper glory and virtue. By...
(Excerpt from the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., last May 23, 2026 on the 20th Parochial Fiesta of Mary Help of Christians Parish, Dacudao, Davao City.) Ang atong Mahal nga Birhen gihatagan og daghan kaayong mga titulo, pero usa ra ka birhen. Usahay...
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, we also mark BEC Sunday with the theme from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines: “BECs as Locus of Synodality: Hope to Our Wounded World.” The Trinity reveals God as perfect communion — Father, Son,...
WITH the celebration of the Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity, we are reminded of the most important mystery of our faith, the fount of all the other truths and mysteries of our faith, since it shows us the inmost and intimate life of God in...
THIS is what we can draw from that gospel episode where Christ saw a fig tree with a lot of leaves but without the fruit. (cfr. Mk 11,12-13) Disappointed, he said: “May no man hereafter eat fruit of thee any more for ever.” His statement may...
THE story of the blind Bartimaeus who reacted strongly upon hearing that Christ was passing by (cfr. Mk 10,46-52) reminds us that despite our blindness to spiritual and supernatural realities, there remains in the heart of man, as created by God, an innate desire for...
THAT’S an aphorism from the movie, The Spiderman, which serves as a moral axiom. It highlights the need to use whatever power or capability one has, for a greater good, and not as a means of entitlement. To be sure, that axiom must have been inspired...