OUR PARISH PRIEST

SEARCH FOR SHEPHERDS Easter - 4th Sunday Ten of our students considered living the seminary life.   After taking the exams, half of them passed.   Only two however made it to the last stage of decision-making.   We are praying that the two will finally make it to the seminary’s new school year this June. This is the time of the year when we are reminded of a primary role of Jesus in the daily life of the Church and of each Christian.   Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.   He willingly gives his life for the welfare of his flock.   Not only does he lead the flock, he also leads those outside of the flock to fullness of life. Being likened to a flock reminds us that being church means living together the call of the Lord for us.   We are not individuals each looking for his or her way.   We already have a leader, a guide, a shepherd who knows us and whose voice we follow. Jesus is truly p...

OPEN MY EYES, LORD EASTER - 3 It’s a big wonder that the disciples did not recognize the presence of the Risen Lord in their midst in successive moments of appearances of Jesus to them. These people were supposed to be most sensitive to Jesus because they heard his teachings, they walked with him and they knew the promises he made about his future and theirs. Now that Jesus has conquered death, why are the disciples oblivious of the reality of his victory? The gospel today answers that puzzle indirectly. Jesus had to patiently and gradually deal with his disciples by appearing to them, speaking to them, allowing them to touch his body, eating with them and explaining to them the prophecies contained about him in the Scriptures. Through these series of steps, the gospel says: he opened their minds… Jesus opened their minds because their minds were closed! With all the goodwill in their heart, with all the fervor in their souls, they were ordinary p...

WOUNDS OF DOUBT? FEAST OF DIVINE MERCY - EASTER 2 I have met a number of people who say they no longer believe. Some do not believe in the Church that they were born into. Some do not believe in the God inherited from their fathers. But is this unbelief a product of principles, a result of real discoveries that religion and God are phony realities? A closer look at those who claim these principles reveal that in fact, those who do not believe are wounded people. For how can one believe in a loving, caring God when they grew up in conflicted family situations? How can one believe when you have been disappointed or frustrated by people who represent religious institutions? Isn’t it easy just to dispense with the notion of God since in fact, he doesn’t seem to care when you need him most? Thomas did not believe Jesus was resurrected not because he did not love Jesus. He did experience Jesus in his daily contacts with his teachings and miracles. ...

Happy Easter to you, Fr Ramil, I cannot help but thank God for giving you the gift of writing. The Lenten reflections specially on the Good Friday and Easter Sunday, (from your book PROCLAIM) really hit me (bullseye?). You reminded me that we have our own crosses to bear. But it is bearable because Jesus is w/ me all along carrying my cross, too. The Easter Sunday reflection gave me hope that if i completely trust in the Lord i will also have my resurrection story. Thank you for continuously praying for me. I do feel it. I also pray for all the people.. friends... that pray for me. God bless you and your family especially your Mom. ching

THE LIVING, LOVING GOD OF EASTER A BLESSED EASTER! What happened after Jesus died? I heard a joke by someone saying that on Good Friday, as Jesus dies on the cross, it’s the best time to commit sin because God is not watching! But was Jesus inert and passive after his death on the cross? Remember our creed does not say: he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried, period! It continues: he descended into “hell”, on the third day he rose again! Even after death, Jesus was in constant movement, unseen by human beings but truly active until he physically rose again from the dead. So today, as we welcome Jesus rising from the dead, we know him again in a new way. On Palm Sunday, he is King. On Holy Thursday, He is Servant. On Good Friday, He is the Good God. On this Easter night, He is the Living and Active God! Even death could not hold him still and restrict him in darkness… Let us dwell on this “descent into he...

THE GOOD GOD OF OUR EVERYDAY GOOD FRIDAY This is a day unlike any other. This is the only day in the year called Good, Good Friday. What is so good in this Friday to merit such a description? It was certainly not a good moment. People out at 3pm in the scorching heat. The weather was not good. The people were not good. Just read again the immortal words of the gospel of John 18 and 19 and you will realize how many bad people there were around Jesus – liars, murderers, cowards, traitor, unjust people out to plot against the life of Someone who deserved a better treatment. The occasion was not good. How can a crucifixion scene be good? It was a public spectacle of gory details, satisfying the bloodthirsty crowd while debasing the one who was dying slowly. Truly, there was only one reason this day is Good – the Man hanging on the Cross is the Good One. If on Palm Sunday we recognized Jesus as the King, and on Maundy Thursday we sa...

FROM DIRTY FEET TO HAPPY FEET HOLY THURSDAY Every year, we repeat this dramatic and emotional gesture of the washing of the feet, perfectly narrated in John’s gospel. It appears easy to wash the feet of others. If these people are children and infants, yes. But adults, and coming from everywhere, that’s another story. Thank God, it is done only once a year. We discover today another face of Jesus our Savior – that he is Servant, of God his Father and of his brothers. Washing the feet of his disciples was not a singular event in the life of Jesus. It was the summary of his earthly life. All his life was an outpouring of kindness and concern and compassion so that others may live restored and renewed. It was his habit to wash other people’s feet. If Palm Sunday reveals Jesus as King, Holy Thursday reveals him as Servant. It is not easy being thus, for it demanded of him, as Philippians say, “to empty himself taking the form of a slave.” But he c...