THAT’S right! While everyone is encouraged to pursue holiness, we have to understand that holiness should not just be kept to oneself. That would not be true holiness. Holiness, by the mere fact that we are all persons meant to always enter into relation with...
Christmas giving, as explained by Portia in Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice," highlights the nature of mercy and kindness. "The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth like a gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath, it is twice blessed, it blessed...
(An excerpt of the homily of the Most Reverend Romulo G. Valles D.D. during the 59th Parochial Fiesta of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Tibungco on Dec 3, 2024) Ug milingi siya [si Jesus], ngadto sa mga tinun-an ug miingon siya [si Jesus], “bulahan ang mga...
The Immaculate Virgin Mary was young when she conceived the Lord, yet she did not waver in her response to God’s call. Her fiat to the Archangel Gabriel marked her as the new Ark of the Covenant, bearing the fulfillment of God’s promise to save...
DECEMBER 8 this year, usually marking the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, is also the 2nd Sunday of Advent which takes precedence over the Marian solemnity. This happy coincidence, through the gospel reading of the day, (cfr. Lk 3,1-6) somehow reminds us that through...
“HE touched their eyes, saying, ‘According to your faith, be it done unto you.’ And their eyes were opened.” (Mt 9,29-30) That’s what Christ told the blind men who begged him to cure them of their blindness. We need to realize that it is faith, more...
WE have to realize that we have this need for deep reflection. Thus, we have to set aside some time where we can do that. Otherwise, we may be doing a lot of things but still miss what is truly important for us. I think...
INDEED, God always provides for all our needs, foremost of which is our own salvation, our own sanctification, the achievement of our ultimate goal which is to be like him, sharers of his life and nature. This we can gather in that gospel episode where Christ...
THESE are words Christ addressed to his disciples after he praised the Father for revealing the deeper meaning of things to those who are childlike, that is, those who are simple and humble like a child. (cfr. Lk 10,23) “I give praise, Father, Lord of heaven...
EVERYONE should be encouraged to be as creative and innovative as he can be. To be creative and innovative is an expression of our freedom that should be used as fully as possible. To be creative and innovative enables us to make progress and growth...