LENT

Lent is a season of grace. It is the invasion of grace. God takes the initiative to restore all things to Him. Lent is an intense spiritual experience. It begins with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. Ash is a powerful image reminding us that we are dust and to dust we shall return. It is to acknowledge our need of …

TRUE HEALING

In the Gospel of Mark 1:40-45, Jesus heals a leper. During the time of Jesus, leprosy was a dreadful disease, highly contagious and considered a divine punishment for sin. Yet moved with pity, Jesus stretched out His hand, touched the leper and healed him. It reveals that no one is excluded from the love and mercy of God. Suffering, illness …

ST. AGNES, VIRGIN AND MARTYR

St. Agnes found her true identity and purpose in life at a young age. For her, Jesus is everything. He is her spouse. She submitted herself completely to Him. She was born into a noble Christian family in Rome. She was a beautiful girl, which, together with her wealth and holiness, caused many young noblemen to seek her as their …

EPIPHANY

Epiphany comes from the Greek word epiphaneia which means manifestation, revelation, appearance, showing. The mystery hidden and kept secret for long ages is made known to the world in the birth of Jesus. It is the saving plan of God to restore all things to Him and to bring healing and transformation through the death and resurrection of Jesus. He …

HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is not exempted from difficulties, trials and suffering. Mary was pregnant out of wedlock. Jesus was born in the manger because there was no room in the inn. Joseph led his family to flee to Egypt because of the murderous plan of King Herod to kill the baby Jesus. Mary saw her …

GOD VISITS HIS PEOPLE

The birth of Jesus reveals God’s fulfillment in His plan of salvation for His people. He is faithful and fulfills His promise. He takes the initiative to intervene and bring healing into our broken world. Jesus said that we cannot do without Him. His birth signals the good news that the kingdom of wholeness has come. He is the embodiment …

THE UNCONDITIONAL YES OF MARY

For nothing will be impossible for God!” (Luke 1:37) God created the universe out of nothing. God’s Spirit hovers over the water in Genesis 1:2. It is like a mighty wind blowing over the surface of the waters. This is the Spirit of love, the Holy Wind that is not part of the chaos but like God’s motherly love conveying …

GAUDETE SUNDAY

The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because the focus of the liturgy is joy. JOY means Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. The Word of God invites us to rejoice for the kingdom of God is breaking into our human lives. It is a joyful expectation and anticipation for the coming of the Lord.  Jesus is the …

ORIGINAL BEAUTY

Advent season is a call to prepare the way for the Lord. He comes to us to restore our original identity and dignity. We are created in the likeness and image of God. That is our original beauty. However, because of sin that original beauty is lost. But that is not the end of the story. the good news is …