OUR PARISH PRIEST

First Week of Advent Monday (Is 2:1-5; Mt 8:5-11) Utter amazement When a Roman centurion asks for help, Jesus responds immediately. He doesn’t quibble over nationalities or occupations but immediately focuses on healing the servant. When he hears the centurion’s tribute, he has the grace to be amazed. In the exchange of a few moments, the kingdom expands, larger than he ever dreamt. When we confront the glimmer of hope in our day—the truce, the breakthrough, the dramatic reversal—can we too stand astonished? Tuesday (Is 11:1-10; Lk 10:21-24) The child In Isaiah, the child guides the calf and the lion, unaware that wild animals like these are murderous enemies. Innocently, the child rests a tiny hand on the snake’s den. Jesus praises those who, in childlike simplicity, understand mysteries hidden even to the most educated. The season holds many changes. The season confounds appearances, offers reversals of the usual, “the way things are.” Our response? Praise and ...

My friend, this year prepare for Christmas by embracing the light. Prepare for Jesus’ coming by turning from the darkness of your past. Oftentimes, the darkness is caused by sin, by rebellion, by dishonesty and pride before the Lord and the people around us. One good preparation is to work towards a conversion of heart and mind to the love of God. The sacrament of confession is a very powerful aid in opening up to the light of Christ. Let us not jump into the Christmas spirit at once lest it become superficial and untrue. This Advent let us learn to wait. Let us wait for the light that promises to defeat the darkness of our sin and weaknesses, our failures in love and service. Let us wait for Jesus as we offer him our lives that need light, that need transformation and conversion. Be prepared! Stay awake! more from my book "Rejoice and Be Glad: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels, Cylce C" (StPauls).

O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free Thine own from Satan's tyranny From depths of Hell Thy people save And give them victory o'er the grave Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height, In ancient times did'st give the Law, In cloud, and majesty and awe. Rejoice!...

THE KING SPEAKS THE TRUTH Solemn Feast of Christ the King This year, we said goodbye to a king – the king of pop, Michael Jackson. All over the world, tribute and high praises, public adulation and open fanaticism were widely seen. People who wanted to see Michael in life, wanted to have more of him now in death. And yet, all these quests for the spirit of Michael Jackson cannot hide the fact that he is dead and will never return to dominate the world of entertainment and music again. Like other kings we knew, Michael’s time is over. How easily fascinated we are with personalities we turn into idols. People follow them like crazy, imitating their styles and moves, following their words and actions. We are also entranced by the latest fads, fascinated with this or that fashion, this or that technological breakthrough, this or that emerging philosophy. But soon, these celebrities, fads, gadgets or ideas pass like mist absorbed by the air, to be replaced by newer and fr...

THE END IS LOVE, REALLY... We keep wondering why all these calamities are happening to us at this time. Because of the trauma of super-typhoons and massive floods, the predicted volcanic activity and fear of tsunamis, we are reduced to fear and submission to future events. But we are not only pondering on the physical forces behind them. We also surmise whether these events are messages from God. I was getting a haircut and my barber told me that he was a former Seventh-day Adventist and was taught that these occurrences are portents of a serious cataclysm - the end of the world. He mentioned his fear that the end is near. I believed later how fearful he was, for at home, I saw in the mirror that his trembling hands made my right sideburn longer than the left! Jesus said He is coming again. This we believe in faith. The Bible describes how this will transpire – in very vivid, foreboding tones. But this coming of the Lord – is it meant to drive us nuts, to render ...

GIVING THAT TOUCHES GOD’S HEART 32nd Sunday I came from a parish that is very responsible in giving. We did not do fund-raising for the usual needs of the parish, even for its repairs. It was enough that I announced the need and donations poured in. People volunteered their help if they noticed that something needed to be done. It was not money alone that they shared. Some volunteered to teach poor children on weekends. Others initiated projects for women, for the youth and families of overseas workers. There were people who donated materials that can be distributed to the poor. These were people sensitive to the needs of the church and the needs of their neighbor. Today, the gospel shows us Jesus appreciating the gifts for the Temple. He appreciates the concern of people for their spiritual community. He praises the generosity of those who know how to share their resources for the work of God on earth. When we give generously, we are imitating the generosity o...