Years ago at a Catholic school started in Manila, Philippines, the head of campus ministry began an outreach program for the students to participate in. This was unique since the school itself was an outreach to provide quality education to the underprivileged. Many students questioned the campus minister, “What do…
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Every year, the Church celebrates the feast of Christ the King to acclaim the Lord the King. He is King, not only of the world but the whole cosmos, seen and unseen, and will reign for ever. He is King even before the dawn of creation, for all times and…
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Year on year, we measured out our lives in waiting; waiting for our liberation, waiting for a new Kingdom of justice and right. Year on year, we made our way to the holy Temple of the Lord. We sang psalms as we approached the gates of the city, our limbs…
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Wherever we are in the world, we can identify—to one extent or another—with the challenge of Mattathias and his followers. While the U.S. government, for example, has not yet forced her citizens to directly commit idolatry by offering sacrifice to pagan gods, we living in the U.S. have faced lesser…
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Today’s readings contrast the fleeting authority of mortal kings with the ethereal sovereignty of the Creator of Creation, Triune God, unsurpassed in splendor and benevolence. The courage on display from the intrepid Maccabean brothers and their indomitable mother teach us how to remain steadfast in our fidelity to God Almighty…
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The Old and New Testament readings go very well together today. Have courage. Be humble. We all need this message in our time. Firstly, in the Old Testament reading, Eleazar, a notable Scribe is faced with a situation that could potentially compromise his character with God. At the same time,…
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“Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” The words of the blind beggar from today’s Gospel echo in our hearts. How many times have we had the same prayer? ‘Let this suffering end!’, ‘See that I am perishing!’, ‘You can do all things, let this chalice pass from me!’,…
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The year is slowly winding down. We feel it in the shorter days, the cooler air, and the quiet sense that another chapter is closing. In two weeks, the Church’s liturgical year will end, and Advent will usher in a new beginning. The readings at this time of the year…
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Prayer sits at the heart of the spiritual life, and Jesus teaches it through his words and actions. As God, he did not need to pray, yet he prayed constantly, showing us how vital prayer is for communion with the Father. He began his ministry with fasting and prayer (Matthew…
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