The Beatitudes: God’s great paradox
"BLESSED are you who are poor...
Category Archives: Opinion
God’s quiet beginning of our salvation
EVERY story has a beginning. The story of our salvation did not begin with noise or spectacle. It began quietly with the birth of a little girl in Nazareth. The Church celebrates this joyful mystery on September 8—the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed...
Beyond empty rituals
THE healing of the man with the withered hand (Lk 6:6–11) presents another confrontation between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees over Sabbath observance. At first glance, the dispute appears to concern a legal prescription and Sabbath observance. In reality, Jesus reveals a principle: religion is...
Did You Know That…
Leaking household pipes can waste up to 10,000 liters of water a year, often without homeowners noticing? Small, hidden leaks in toilets, faucets, or underground pipes can drip continuously, quietly driving up water loss and bills while straining the overall water supply. Fire hydrants are...
What is the Ginosko/Yada that you could give me?
(Excerpt from the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao during the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass at San Pedro Cathedral last August 23, 2026.) In the past weeks we heard that the kingdom of God is like this, the great...
Living Waters
From Genesis, we learn that God is gracious, but we often choose to reject His plan for our happiness. Marred by sin, even nature has been affected. His creation is intended to benefit everyone; however, greed has exploited it, leaving destruction along its path. In...
Psychological maturity and the spiritual life
WE often recognize physical age without recognizing emotional maturity. Someone can be forty yet react to criticism like a child, while another quietly accepts disappointment, takes responsibility, and remains kind. Psychological maturity is not simply growing older; it is learning to live truthfully and responsibly. Psychological...
Why true compassion can’t stay silent
IN the Gospel of Matthew 18:15–20, Jesus presents a practical and demanding path for preserving communion within the Christian community. He teaches that when a brother or sister sins, the first step is not public criticism or condemnation, but a private and charitable correction. If the...
The radical new life Christ offers
THE Gospel of Luke (5:33-39) presents Christ responding to those who questioned why His disciples did not fast like the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees. His answer reveals a profound truth: Christianity is not merely a collection of religious practices but a...
When faith outfishes experience
THAT Gospel account of Christ calling Simon Peter to “put out into the deep” (Duc in altum) (cfr. Lk 5,1-11) remains one of the most powerful invitations to Christian discipleship. After a long night of unsuccessful fishing, Peter and his companions had every reason to believe...