NEW COMMANDMENT

During the Last Supper, Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you should also love one another!” (John 13:34) This is mandatum novum in Latin, which means the mandate of love. It is a command, not an invitation nor a request. It is not a recommendation nor a suggestion. Ignoring …

From the Desk of Father Romeo Velos – DIVINE MERCY

Sister Faustina (1905-1938) was a young, uneducated nun in a convent of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland during the 1930s. She came from a poor family that struggled during the years of World War I. She had only three years of simple education, so hers were the humblest tasks in the convent, usually in …

From the Desk of Father Romeo Velos – EASTER

The word “Easter” comes from Old English, meaning simply the “East.” The sun which rises in the East, bringing light, warmth, and hope, is a symbol for the Christian of the rising Christ, who is the true Light of the world. The Paschal Candle used during the Easter Vigil is a central symbol of this divine light, which is Christ. …

HOLY WEEK

Holy Week is the most important week in Catholicism. This week of great reverence and reflection spans the final eight days of Jesus’ life—from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. It is astounding how much wisdom, insight and inspiration are available to us during this one week. Here is just a sample of what happens during Holy Week: • Palm Sunday, …

SOLIDARITY

The story of the woman caught in adultery in the Gospel of John (8:1-11) is a story of solidarity. She represents all of us sinners. She is used by the religious leaders as a tool to trap and test Jesus. She is seen not as a human being but as an object to be manipulated by the religious authorities. The …

PRODIGAL FATHER

During this Lenten season, we are called to rejoice because God’s love is extravagant,  steadfast and boundless. He desires to forgive and be totally reconciled with sinners. He is a prodigal Father because His love is abundant, excessive, wasteful and infinite. We are no match for God’s forgiveness. He is never outdone in generosity. His business is finding us that …

CHRISTIAN HOPE

During this Lenten Season, the focus is the infinite mercy and compassion of God. This is our hope because our During this Lenten Season, the focus is the infinite mercy and compassion of God. This is our hope because our Christian hope is not empty hope but confident hope. Our Christian hope is sure hope because our God is a …

TRANSFIGURATION

The Transfiguration of Jesus is narrated by all three Synoptic gospels (Luke, Mark, Matthew). It is a very important event in the early Christian community. It is theophany which means divine revelation. It is the revelation of the true identity of Jesus who is fully human and fully divine. He is the chosen Son of God. It is also the …