THAT’S true! Love and all its different manifestations always work for unity among ourselves, irrespective of our unavoidable differences and conflicts. In fact, these latter conditions can occasion a greater and purer brand of love. At the same time, hatred and all its cohorts do nothing...
The late Pope Benedict XVI on January 18, 2012, marking the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25), made this inspiring yet challenging message, “How can we give convincing witness if we are divided?” The Week of Prayer for Christian...
(Excerpt from the Homily of Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D., on the 55th Feast of the Sto. Niño at the Shrine of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague, Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City, January 15, 2023.) First nga pamalandong in this beautiful day is this,...
IT’S interesting to note that, as the gospel of St. Matthew narrates, Christ somehow had to make some drastic changes in his plans when he learned that John the Baptist was imprisoned. (cfr. Mt 4,17-23) He left Nazareth and withdrew to Galilee to live in...
IT’S intriguing to note that Christ would just appoint as his apostles practically anyone. It would look like his choice was done purely at random. He would even choose someone who would betray him. And many times, he would scold his apostles for their lack...
AS persons, we are meant by definition to care for one another. We are meant to relate ourselves with everybody else one way or another. No man is an island, it is said. That is why we are given the proper faculties—our intelligence, will, emotions,...
WHAT is to be self-righteous? It’s when we base our idea of what is right and wrong, good and bad on our own estimation of things with hardly any reference to God. Or there might be some references to God, as usually the case, but...
WHAT is Pharisaical legalism? At bottom, it’s the understanding of law that is based only on our human ways, ignoring the ultimate basis of law who is God as revealed fully in Christ. As such, it tends to be rigid, to be quick to judge...
WHEN Christ said, “No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse,” (Mk 2,21) we are somehow reminded that in our life there is always...
(Excerpt from the Homily of Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles, D.D., on the Requiem mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Jan 4, 2023 at San Pedro Cathedral Parish.) The central prayer, sa misa, kanunay nag handom sa patay. Ang nindot nga bahin sa atong pagtoo, kay...