A DAY after Christmas, a day after that Good News of great joy about the birth of Christ our Savior, we are made to consider the Feast of the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen, that somehow reminds us that despite all the goodness God gives...
THAT’S the Good News of great joy for all of us! Let us take time to savor the significance of Christmas so that whatever happens in our life, however the twists and turns of life may take us, we are assured that we have a...
THIS is the outpouring of praise and thanksgiving that Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, prayed after what was told him by the archangel Gabriel that he would have a son despite his old age and his wife’s barreness, finally took place. (cfr. Lk...
THAT otherwise amusing story of how the baby of Elizabeth and Zechariah was to be called John instead of Zechariah as their neighbors expected (cfr. Lk 1,57-66) somehow tells us that in our life we have to contend with certain mysteries that often defy common...
(An excerpt of the homily of the Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles D.D. during the 1st Day of Misa De Gallo, San Pedro Cathedral Parish, Dec. 16, 2024.) Ang season of Advent, kining mga adlawa mao ang adlaw sa pagpangandam, pagpangandam alang sa unsa? Balik-balik ni...
Since the beginning of creation, man is the center because He created him in His image and likeness. God cannot afford to allow us to be separated from Him for He destined us to be united with Him in eternal joy. At Christmas, we celebrate...
IMAGINE the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, the greatest women of all time, enjoying the greatest dignity, especially Mary! (cfr. Lk 1,39-45) The exchange of greetings between the two can only reflect the highest honor and privilege any human being can enjoy. Mary, already aware of...
THAT was how the Archangel Gabriel addressed Mary. And after a few exchanges of words, the very Son of God was conceived in Mary’s womb after she said that famous response: “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum.” (Be it done to me according to your word.) The...
BOTH conceptions came about with clear divine intervention involved. Christ’s conception in the womb of Our Lady was completely virginal. That of John the Baptist involved a natural process though the parents were already in a condition where it would have been impossible for them...
THAT gospel episode where Joseph thought of separating from Mary because the latter was found already with child in her womb before they lived together (cfr. Mt 1,18-25) teaches us that despite the big sacrifice involved, we should just follow God’s will and ways even...