OUR PARISH PRIEST

Reflections on Two Movies about Faith Where is God when you need him most? Why is there senseless suffering, the crippling trials undergone by good people, of men and women who committed themselves sincerely to follow God’s will? When you call on God, waiting for an answer, is there someone listening to you or are you only “praying to silence?” What use is there in keeping the faith and relying on its promises when you feel abandoned and alone, and no one cares, not even God? Two movies explore these themes with tremendous luminiscence and sensitivity that it will be impossible not to feel yourself asking the same questions the characters intoned.  One movie is about European priests propelled by burning fervor for missionary work in faraway Japan at the time when no outside religion was allowed to establish a foothold. The other one concerns contemplative nuns of the Benedictine Order who experienced first hand the cruel intrusion of the war a...

PEKENG BALITA = SIPHAYO;  MABUTING BALITA = PAG-ASA Tuloy po sa mundo ng pekeng balita (fake news)! Habang umuusad tayo sa teknolohiya at kagamitan para sa komunikasyon, kay dami namang bagay sa paligid ngayon na nagdadala ng kasinungalingan, panlilinlang, at kathang-isip; sa madaling salit, pekeng balita! Kay daming pulitiko ang nakaupo ngayon dahill sa fake news; kumikita ang mga troll nila sa tulong ng fake news; ang mga tanga naman ay nabubusog sa kalululon ng fake news! Isang bagay lang ang nais gawin ng fake news at iyan ay ang maghasik ng pagkasiphayo at pagkabigo. Ikalat ang kasinungalingan upang paglaruan ang damdamin ng mga tao. Ihasik ang takot upang magtago ang mga tao sa halip na magsaliksik. Magbinhi ng lagim upang balutin ng dilim ang sangkalupaan. Yamot ang Panginoon sa fake news dahil ang itinataguyod nito ay kawalang pag-asa. Pero, paano naman ang Mabuting Balita (good news)? Sa ebanghelyo ngayon ang laman ay pag...

   Fake News = Discouragement;  Good News = HOPE Welcome, fake news! Just as the world is developing rapidly in technology and means of communication, many things around us communicate fraudulence, lies, fabrications; in other words, fake news! Many politicians thrive on fake news; numerous trolls earn through fake news; the gullible uncritically digest fake news. There is only one thing that fake news is meant to accomplish and it is to foment discouragement and despair. Spread lies so that people will react without thinking. Spread fear so that people will hide rather than explore. Spread doom so that darkness will envelop the land. God is against fake news because it promotes despair. What about the Good News? The gospel today speaks of destruction, disarray, and confusion at the end of time. Do we really have to begin Advent in this note of frightening scenarios? However, the words of the gospel, though frightful a...

REVIEW YOUR EATING HABITS. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. Eat in moderation. Too much of anything is harmful. Eat frequently and in small quantities. Eat more fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, fish and grains for good nutrition. Take less salt and limit sugar intake. Chew well before swallowing your food. Olive oil is better than fatty cooking oil. Always choose natural, organic food over processed and canned goods. Don’t overcook your food. It may lose all its nutrients. Avoid meat and go for fish. Don’t overeat. Balance. Eat from a smaller plate. Watch out not just for food volume but calories as well. Tofu and vegetables are better than hamburger and fries. Buy smaller packages. It’s economical and can prevent you from over-eating. Eat slowly for better digestion. Legumes, peanuts, sweet potatoes and corn are healthy food. ...

KAKAIBA SA LAHAT Masalimuot isipin ang paghahari ni Hesus. Sabi ng ilan, hindi daw hari si Hesus dahil tinanggihan nga niya itong aminin sa harap ni Pilato. May punto naman dahil ang istilo ng buhay ni Hesus ay napakalayo sa isang naghaharing pinuno. Sabi naman ng ilan, tunay na hari at dapat patuloy na sambahin bilang hari si Hesus. Noong 2016, ang mga obispo at mga lider sa gobyerno ng Poland ay nagpasyang ideklara na si Kristo ang Hari ng kanilang bansa. Kaya, ano ba talaga ang totoo dito? Kung pagbabatayan ang mga pagbasa, malinaw ang paghahari ng Panginoon. Sabi sa Daniel 7, ang Anak ng Tao ay naghihintay lamang na tanggapin ang kanyang “luwalhati at paghahari.” Sa Pahayag 1 ang Panginoon naman ang pinuno ng lahat ng mga hari ng mundo. At sa Mabuting Balita (Jn 18) itinatanggi ni Hesus ang taguri bilang hari subalit inaamin niyang ang kanyang kaharian ay wala sa mundong ibabaw. Kung gayon, Hari si Hesus, ayon sa Bibliya; dapat natin itong tan...

DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHERS Thinking about the kingship of Jesus yields contradictions. Some people say the Jesus was certainly not a king, and that he refused to acknowledge he was a king. They have a point – Jesus’ lifestyle was certainly the direct opposite of a monarch. Some however, insist that Jesus is a king and that he must be continually venerated under this title. In 2016 Poland’s bishops and government leaders proclaimed Christ anew as the King of the nation. So what is the truth? Well the readings today proclaim the kingship of the Lord. Daniel 7 speaks of the Son of Man who will receive his “glory and kingship.” Revelations 1 proclaims the Lord as a mega-king, “the ruler of the kings of the earth.” The gospel (Jn 18) shows Jesus before Pilate refusing the title of king and yet admitting that he has a kingdom that “does not belong to this world.” Jesus Christ is King, the Bible says; we have to accept that! But a sovereign wielding power...

·              Find time to spend with your love ones, family, friends: increase togetherness by watching concerts, dining, playing, and praying. It gives you positive moments and enjoyment. ·              Maintain a bright and cheerful home. ·              Be objective and do not take things too personally. The problem is that you defend yourself to prove that the other person is wrong. ·              Always be a peacemaker. ·              Focus on other people, not just on yourself. ·              Read the Serenity Prayer when you feel pressured. ·    ...

NASA PINTUAN NA SIYA Magkakaiba ang reaksyon natin sa mga tao sa ating trangkahan (gate) o pintuan. Kakaiba at kakatuwa ang mga sanggol – kapag may tao sa gate, biglang lundag, masayang tili, at kilig na kilig silang kumakaway. Habang lumalaki ang tao, nawawala ang ganitong ugali kahit pa ang nasa labas ay kapamilya o kaibigan. At lalo naman kung ang nasa gate o pintuan ay kolektor ng tubig, kuryente at utang – maingat at takot na takot na tayo! Ang mga pagbasa sa huling Linggo ng karaniwang panahon ay nagdadala sa atin sa tagpo ng katapusan ng mundo, paghuhukom at pagbabalik ng Panginoon na tagumpay sa langit at manlulupig sa daigdig. Ano ba ang nararamdaman natin kung nababasa natin ang mga salitang ito ukol sa Muling Pagbabalik o Huling Paghuhukom ng Panginoon? Sa gitna ng mga nakatatakot na salita, ibinibigay ng ebanghelyo ang simpleng katotohanan tungkol sa propesiyang ito: Narito na siya, nasa pintuan na!  Ang katapusan ay hindi tungkol ...

AT THE GATES We have different reactions to people at our gates. Babies are the most interesting – when they see people at the gate, they jump up and down, shout with glee and giggle uncontrollably. Grown-ups do not comport in the same way even if the one at the gate is a family member or friend. And specially if the one standing at the gate is a bill collector or the landlord, how wary, cautious and fearful we become! The readings of the last Sunday of ordinary time paint the scenario of the end of time, of judgment, and of the return of the Lord, victorious in the heavens and conqueror of the earth. How do we feel when we read the passages that depict the Last Coming or the Final Judgment? Are we overcome with excitement like babies? Or do we shudder in apprehension or fear, adults that we are? In the midst of all the apocalyptic language, the gospel gives us the simple truth about this prophetic event: “know that he is near, at the gates.” The ...

·              Stay connected with our Heavenly Father, the Source of our life and eternal happiness. ·              Live simple lives so that others may live. ·              Dwell on what is noble and praiseworthy. ·              Live the core values of integrity, humility, hard work, service, excellence, compassion, respect. ·              Have a personal vision and mission in life. ·              Pursue your life’s goal. ·              Leave things a little better than when you found them. ·   ...