I REMEMBER that in the 60s, during my high school days in the province, I never heard, much less, seen pornography. And the sin of self-abuse was practically unheard of. If ever, there only were very occasional and very hushed mention of them among the...
THESE are words of St. Paul. The complete quote goes this way: “Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many people possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win...
THE expression comes from St Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians (4,7). It is meant to remind us that all of us, and particularly those who have been gifted with special graces and charisms, have a God-given treasure that is kept in delicate containers, that...
There are so many ways that God employed and continues to employ in order to make himself known. He “appears through” the beauty of his creation. This is called “diaphany”. He also reveals himself in the history of his people. This manifestation is known as...
Excerpts of the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao during the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and Fiesta of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Mintal, Davao City, December 8, 2019. We take note that during the introduction we are told that ika-sisenta na,...
Last Saturday 7 December 2019 the Davao Archdiocese officially opened the start of a one-year preparation for the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Christianization of the Philippines. How should we do this? The CBCP in signing Year 2020 as one of the 9 years...
Although Father Carlos could not see the grade three girl on the other side of the confessional, he could audibly picture what she was doing on the other side. The paper she was unfolding did not give out the high crisp rustling pitch of something thin...
THAT’S what Christ told his disciples. When John the Baptist heard of what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask Christ if he (Christ) was the one John told them was to come or should they expect someone else. The response of Christ was...
THIS is the irony of ironies. That is when one earnestly pursues the path of holiness and does practically everything to be good and holy, and yet ends up the opposite of what he wants. This is the danger self-righteousness. That’s when one practically has the...
WE have to be wary of our common tendency to seek ourselves rather than to seek God, which is proper to us. This tendency is usually actualized everyday as we go through the different events and concerns of the day. It’s good, of course, that we...