The readings today speak of times of persecution. They are a call to fidelity and a courageous response to live in the truth. We also celebrate the courage of St. Andrew Dung-Lac and 116 other martyrs who died in a persecution of Catholics between 1820-1862. Choose Death to Choose Life…
The Destruction of the Temple My dear friends, today’s Gospel presents an interesting discussion about the temple of Jerusalem which was the pride of the Jews at the time of Jesus. They admired its magnificence especially the decorations which were of fine stonework of golden jewels and votive offerings. The…
Have you ever received a gift that wasn’t necessarily great because of the price tag, but because of the meaning behind it? When my husband and I went on our first date, I happened to be in the same town as him for the weekend celebrating my 23rd birthday with…
Greek literature was fond of epithets to describe their gods and heroes in a glorious light. The NewTestament is far more modest in its description of its only “God” and “Hero” and His glory, which is notof this world. Christ our king is thus described in Rev 1: 5-8: “Jesus…
There are still those today who reject the Resurrection, and more who have never heard of what it means for us, today. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ means LIFE. A Promise In our human condition, we suffer, we struggle, and we die. However, in the Gospel today Jesus promises us…
Salvation History records many instances of Jewish persecution. Around 150 years before Christ, it was the turn of the Greeks to wreak havoc and it fell to a brave remnant to uphold the traditions of the elders and revolt against tyranny. Judas Maccabeus and his band of faithful followers relied…
Strength in Tears In life, there are a lot of things which can make us to shed things. These things can be positive or negative in nature. Personally, a good movie can make me cry. Some lovely songs can also move me to shed tears. Some people cannot withhold their…
Today’s Alleluia verse reminds us how important we are to God. And that He created us for a specific purpose of His own. I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord. (Jn. 15; 16). The more we recognize and appreciate Him,…
During this Gospel reflection, let me enter into this beloved Gospel scene. Let me see Christ through Zacchaeus’s eyes, and let me see myself through Christ’s eyes. O Holy Spirit, flood my heart, and make me keenly aware of Your Presence. Pause and reread the account in Luke 19: 1-10.…
A thirty-year-old rabbi from Nazareth was walking through Jericho, and his reputation had preceded him. Crowds were gathered along the road, as he and his disciples walked through town. The disciples were a rag tag bunch, not like typical disciples of rabbis of the time. Typical disciples were the crème…