Posts by Fr. Justino Cornejo
Joy in the Last Place!
I have always been a fierce competitor in practically everything I do. I think I get my competitive nature from being the second-born and always feeling the need to overachieve. When I competed, I competed to win. In my mind, only those at the top were true winners and remembered. Any place other than first…
Read MoreAsking with Humility, Moved by True Faith!
Today’s Gospel reminded me of an experience I had when I was a parochial vicar. A lady, quite distressed, came to my office. Her son had just been diagnosed with cancer, and she asked if I could visit him. I told her that I certainly could and then asked how she was doing. She said…
Read MoreI Will Give You Rest!
The second semester of my second year of theology was particularly difficult. In general, second semesters always seem endless because they begin in the middle of winter and end toward the close of spring. That particular year, I was taking seven courses. At the same time, I was involved in a parish evangelization ministry, and…
Read MoreThe Joy of Being Persecuted for Living Christ’s Life!
Today’s readings remind me of an experience I had when I was young. I was in my Junior year of High School. For the mid-year vacations, my friends organized a trip to the beach. We were going to spend a whole weekend in the house of one of my friends, having a lot of fun.…
Read MoreThe Peace of the World vs The Peace of Christ
In preparation to write this reflection, I decided to ask some random people this question: “What is the meaning of ‘peace’ to you?” All of them articulated their answers in different ways, but, for all of them, peace generally meant that there are no wars in the world, no problems or suffering, financial stability, no…
Read MoreChrist is Risen, Alleluia!
During the Lenten season of the year I was going to be ordained a deacon, I found myself in a deep crisis. I had no doubts about my vocation and was convinced that my call to the priesthood came from God. However, I became so overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy for the mission God was…
Read More“You May Delay, But Time Will Not”
I have often seen the truth in Benjamin Franklin’s words: “You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again.” We need to use our time wisely, because once it’s gone, we can’t get it back. When I was a high school sophomore, I put off a semester project for a…
Read MoreThe Light of the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!
During this time of Christmas, a recurring theme has been the theme of Christ as the one who came to bring light to dispel the darkness of the world. I do not think I ever valued more the beauty of light then when I experienced blackouts in my country. I am from Panama, and when…
Read MoreFrom Darkness, Into the Light of Christ!
There is a statement in the first reading that, in my opinion, summarizes the theme of today’s readings and responsorial psalm: “And out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.” This reading is taken from the prophet Isaiah, and it describes the signs that will accompany the manifestation of the Messiah.…
Read MoreTo “Hate,” In Order to Love for Real!
I understand if you feel that today’s readings seem to present a paradox to us. How do we reconcile Jesus’ command “to hate” (which is the accurate translation of Jesus’s words as opposed to “love more” or “prefer”) recorded in the Gospel with St. Paul’s call to “owe nothing to anyone except to love one…
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