THE month of November begins with the liturgical celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Souls. These celebrations remind us of the wonderful reality that our life here on earth is not just limited by our space-and-time existence, but has...
WHEN some Pharisees told Christ to leave the area because Herod wanted to kill him, Christ refused to do so, stating that he must accomplish his purpose. (cfr. Lk 13,31-35) That should also be the attitude we ought to have. Despite the earthly difficulties, challenges, trials,...
IN his Letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul describes what the proper Christian relation is between parents and children, between masters and servants. (cfr. 6,1-9) “Honor your father and mother,” he said. “This is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well...
WHEN Christ compared the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed and a yeast that start small and insignificant but can grow big in time (cfr. Lk 13,18-21), he was highlighting the truth that our sanctification can be achieved by taking care of the small,...
IT’S worthwhile noting that even Christ had to spend the night praying before he made that big decision of choosing his 12 apostles among the many disciples that he had at that time. (cfr. Lk 6,12-16) This could only mean that for Christ to be...
(An excerpt of the homily of the Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., during 2nd Parochial Fiesta San Pedro Calungsod, Baguio, October 21, 2024.) “Gibuhat kita sa Ginoo, Iyaha gayod kita.” Mao nay answer nga si Pedro Calungsod, di mahadlok mamatay, kay ug wa tay pagtoo nga...
My three years of experience with the PDLs has been a meaningful journey of reflection and gratitude. Celebrating the Holy Mass with them has made me realize how fortunate I am to witness their hunger for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Their faces show a...
THAT’S what we can learn from that gospel episode about the blind man Bartimaeus begging Christ to cure his blindness. (cfr. Mk 10,46-52) More than anything else, it was actually Bartimaeus’ faith that did the trick, as Christ himself testified: "Go your way; your faith...
WE have to learn how to properly deal with the rapid developments of our times. We should avoid getting stuck with some system that may have been effective sometime ago, but is now increasingly showing irrelevance or inability to cope with the new demands that...
THAT’S practically what Christ wants of us as he said: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12,49) Obviously, we can only manage to do that if we truly identify ourselves with Christ. Let’s remember...