Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday, along with Good Friday and Holy Saturday, known as the Sacred Triduum, are the most significant days in the life of the Church because the Church lives for and celebrates the events that took place on these three days. The Church, as a Mystical Body of Christ, celebrates the memorial of these events…

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Be Merciful as Your Heavenly Father

The two verses from Luke’s gospel presented today are quite compelling—one message: “Be Merciful as your heavenly Father” (Luke 6:36-38). From a human perspective, Mercy is placing oneself in a situation of someone else who requires assistance. Do we all need help? Yes, we do, we need authentic help, the one that only comes from…

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The Nunc Dimitis

The Nunc Dimitis is a Latin phrase that means “Now let your servant depart.” The phrase comes from the first two words of Simeon’s prayer. Today, we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord Jesus Christ in the temple. During this beautiful event, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:22-40), several outstanding events came…

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The One Among You

Imagine waiting for someone for a long time, only to discover that the person has been waiting for you all along. In today’s Gospel, John the Baptist proclaims, “There is one among you whom you do not recognize” (John 1:26). These words invite us to a profound examination of awareness and faith. Recognizing Jesus among…

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What Sustains Your Walk with God?

The Lord praises the Father saying, “I give you praise Lord of Heaven and earth for you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned but have revealed them to these little ones” (Luke 10:21). He made this statement (of prayer) when the seventy-two returned from the mission He sent them and reported…

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All Souls Day

As a community of one faith, we celebrate today’s sacrifice of Holy Mass for all who have gone and who are yet to arrive at the banquet of the Lord in heaven. These groups of individuals are currently on their way to heaven, being purified/purged of any residual imperfections. Do we know who they are?…

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Who Is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?

In Matthew’s Gospel, the disciples approached the Lord Jesus with a striking question: “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? (Matthew 18:1).” Beneath their question lies a related question worth considering—What makes someone great in God’s Kingdom, and how can one become great? Greatness is a human desire. To be great could mean…

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Authority and Power

These two words are often used interchangeably in most contexts, especially in everyday situations. However, the Scriptures, especially the New Testament, present the two words in different lights. The word “authority”, translated from ἐξουσίᾳ (exousia), entails a right to exercise a given mission, to make a decision, or to exercise control over a jurisdiction. The…

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Jubilee

Crowds of Faith at Jubilee 2025 in Rome

The book of Leviticus (25:1, 8-17) from where the first reading today comes from, lays down specific instructions for observing a year of Jubilee. What is Jubilee? It means a sound, one that announces the year of special blessings—liberation, forgiveness (of sins and debts), restoration, and rest. In the Catholic Church, an ordinary Jubilee is…

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When the Poor Cries

Gratia Vobis Ministries, Inc.

There is a great deal of crying echoing in today’s Scripture readings. Poverty often gives rise to tears—many of them. No one desires to live in a state of lack. To live in need is to suffer, and while no one on earth possesses everything they want, we all need our necessities to be met.…

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