YARDSTICK IN MEASURING OUR LIFE OF HOLINESS?

HOMILY FOR SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A. Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2. 17-18; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 and Matthew 5:38-45. In one of the spiritual thoughts of St. Joseph Marello, founder of the Congregation of the Oblates of St. Joseph, he says “Be extraordinary in ordinary things.” This thought is derived from St. Francis […]

RESISTING TEMPTATION ON OUR JOURNEY TO SALVATION

HOMILY FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C. Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10; Psalm 91; Romans 10:8-13 and Luke 4:1-13. On Ash Wednesday, we began a journey, which will last for forty days and today we celebrate the first Sunday of lent. The season of lent commemorates the forty days Christ spent in the desert. It […]

FAITH IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGES

HOMILY FOR TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C. Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4; Psalm 95; 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14; Luke 17:5-10. There is this popular saying that “Only the pillow knows the taste of our tears, the weight of our pains, the hidden emotions and broken hearts.” Some are able to share their pains with others, while […]

WHY WOULD CHRIST CONSIDER US WORTHY TO BE WHERE HE IS?

HOMILY FOR FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR A. Readings: Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33; 1 Peter 2:4-9 and John 14:1-12. The liturgy of today anticipates the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord into heaven, as Christ speaks in his farewell discourse of the many rooms prepared for us in his Father’s house. It reminds us […]

DID THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY EXPERIENCE DEATH?

Readings: Revelation 11:19.12:1-6.10; Psalm 45; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27 and Luke 139-56.  Today we celebrate one of the most controversial doctrines among Christians – the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. Did her body experience decay or was she “assumed” into heaven body and soul? Does the Bible mention her assumption into […]

THE CHRISTIAN CULTURE

HOMILY FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, YEAR C. Readings: Acts 15:1-2.22-29; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10-14.22-23 and John 14:23-29. Culture is a way of life that encompasses a set of beliefs, laws, traditions, morality, language, and, more, within a given community or nation. We recall the conclusion of the first missionary journey of St. Paul […]

THE SHEPHERD’S CANDLE: A SYMBOL OF JOY

HOMILY FOR THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (GAUDETE), YEAR A. Readings: Isaiah 35:6-10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-10 and Matthew 11:2-11. The third Sunday of advent is generally known as “Gaudete” Sunday, which means, “Rejoice.” The Liturgy of today is therefore an anticipation of the joy we will experience on Christmas day. This joy is symbolically represented […]

A FAMILY OF LOVE AND SACRIFICE

HOMILY FOR THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH, YEAR C. Readings: 1Samuel 1:20-22.24-28; Psalm 84; 1John 3:1-2.21-24 and Luke 2:41-52. Traditionally, on the first Sunday in the Octave of Christmas, which apparently is the last Sunday of the year, we celebrate the Holy family of Nazareth, the family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. […]

THE FUTILITY OF LIFE AND THE DANGER OF HOARDING

HOMILY FOR EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C. Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2;2:21-23; Psalm 90; Colossians 3:1-5.9-11 and Luke 12:13-21 Today’s liturgy reawakens in us the reality of death, an inevitable end and a great equalizer. A reminder that we are in a transitory world and should not be attached to our possessions but have our […]

THE DISOBEDIENCE OF ADAM AND THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST

HOMILY FOR FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR A. Readings: Genesis 2:7-9.3:1-7; Psalm 51; Romans 5:12-19 and Matthew 4:1-11. Today the church celebrates the first Sunday of lent, a new liturgical season that began with Ash Wednesday. Lent commemorates the forty days Christ spent in the desert immediately after his baptism. It is a great moment […]

THE TRANSFIGURATION EVENT OF CHRIST: WAS IT NECESSARY?

HOMILY FOR SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, YEAR C. Readings: Genesis 15:5-12,17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1 and Luke 9:28-36. Traditionally, every second Sunday of lent, the church reflects on the transfiguration of Christ. This event gives us a glimpse of the reward that comes after every cross and it gives us courage to forge ahead. It […]

FAITH IN THE MIDST OF CHALLENGES

HOMILY FOR TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C. Readings: Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4; Psalm 95; 2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14; Luke 17:5-10 There is this popular saying that “Only the pillow knows the taste of our tears, the weight of our pains, the hidden emotions and broken hearts.” Some are able to share their pains with others, while […]