The Power of Witness: Obeying God Rather Than Men

The Power of Witness: Obeying God Rather Than Men

In a world bent on control and quick to shift blame, obeying God rather than men sounds a bold call to freedom and faithful witness. This morning, I found myself lingering over Acts of the Apostles 5:27-33. Peter and the Apostles were arrested for bearing witness to Christ. Standing before the Sanhedrin, they heard the high priest’s rebuke:…

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The Water Flows from the Sanctuary

The Water Flows from the Sanctuary

Picture this: a sanctuary. Still, sacred, and brimming with mystery. From the right side, something begins to stir. A small spring bubbles forth, emerging from the threshold of the temple. It’s quiet at first, barely brushing your ankles. But it doesn’t stay that way. What starts as a trickle becomes living water from the sanctuary—a stream…

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A Child

A child

Let’s talk about a child. I come from a large family with over two dozen nieces and nephews, numerous uncles and aunts, and more than 50 cousins. Like most priests, I am privileged to participate in the spiritual journeys of families with children in parishes and relationships. Through osmosis and observation, I’ve learned and appreciate…

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A Conversation on Faith

A Conversation of Faith

This line from the Letter to the Hebrews struck me in a new way today: “All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar…” (Hebrew 11:13).  Faith is the theme of today’s reflection. Pastoral ministry exposes a priest to the deepest human struggles.…

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Overcomers

The Power of Witness: Obeying God Rather Than Men

We all want victory, don’t we? We all want to be overcomers. We want to overcome sin, evil, and our weaknesses. We desire victory over our adversaries, too. We simply want to win. Winning feels good. I want you to be assured of this: it is the Lord’s desire for you to be victorious. It…

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Becoming People of Hope: Preparing for the Jubilee

Becoming People of Hope

As we celebrate the Jubilee of Hope, I invite you to consider finding concrete ways to live as people of hope in our daily lives. Today, we start a new year in the Church, a new year of grace. This means every moment of this year—every second, minute, day, and month—is filled with God’s love and…

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Becoming Saints: A Call to Holiness

Becoming Saints: A Call to Holiness Everywhere

Happy All Saints’ Day! This past weekend, I had the privilege of leading a retreat for the deacons and their wives from the Catholic Diocese of Fresno. We enjoyed the peaceful beauty of Three Rivers, California, close to nature, and immersed in deep reflection. It was a special prayer time, heartfelt talks, healing, and warm…

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My Love Story with Saint Theresa of Lisieux

My Love Story with Saint Theresa of Lisieux

As I approach a very special birthday, I decided to revisit some of the books that helped me better understand God’s love. Besides the Bible, the first book on my list is The Story of a Soul by Saint Theresa of Lisieux. There are other books: The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena and True…

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Lesson from the Garden

A Lesson from the Garden

Imagine a garden where every element is a masterpiece. The flowers burst forth in a harmony of vibrant colors, and the trees are adorned with jewels of sweetness. In this paradise, Adam and Eve dwell in perfect harmony with nature and God. They are not bound by rules, but bask in the love and grace…

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