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...
On July 27, 1946, a Davao group signed the articles of incorporation of Mindanao Colleges (MC), the first non-sectarian college (meaning no religious connection) in Mindanao. It was led by Guillermo E. Torres, a UP graduate who was no. 8 in the 1934 CPA exam...
Celebrating his feast day on July 25th, the youth must learn to be inspired by the example of St. James, the Great. One is that he was among the close companions in almost every important event in the life and ministry of Jesus. The youth...
(An excerpt of the Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles D.D. in his Homily during the Installation of Fr. Jesus Samaniego as Parish Priest of Sto. Rosario Parish, Toril, June 13, 2025.) This Sunday, we heard in the Opening Prayer sa Misa, “O God, who show the...
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...
“THEN began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for they had not done penance. ‘Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in...