More than 10 years ago, I met with a Filipino who had grown up abroad, his mother and his uncle, about the young man’s possible entry into Ateneo and be part of the Blue Eagles varsity team in the UAAP. We came to an agreement on how he would prepare for the entrance test and the team tryouts.
BEING a contemplative in action is sometimes described as having the Mary (the contemplative) and the Martha (the active) principles in us. Today’s Gospel is a simple and yet deep portrayal of the clash of these two principles.
The day after Christmas my little ward told me that he wrote Santa to ask for another gift. I told him Santa was done with gift-giving, since he made his last rounds the night before Christmas.
Last week, on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, we celebrated what can be aptly called the sacrament of compassion. In the Gospel story, we saw how Christ, out of compassion, was moved to respond to the hungers of the people: spiritual, psycho-emotional and physical.
Today is Ascension Sunday. I originally wrote a piece for Mother’s Day, which we also celebrate today, but with your kind indulgence and of our dear mothers, I invite you to reflect on tomorrow’s elections from the perspective of and, hopefully, enlightened by the Ascension.
In the 1980S movie “Amadeus,” there is a study of contrasts in the person of Salieri. In one scene, he is pictured as the hardworking, disciplined and methodical court composer. Upon completion of a work, he raises his eyes to the crucifix and gratefully says, “Thank you, Lord!”
This Palm Sunday, I thought I would share some points for prayer this Holy Week. The overarching theme I propose is the New Evangelization that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI called for as we celebrate the Year of Faith from October 2012 to November 2013.
(This piece is a homily that was delivered at the 10th anniversary Mass of the Magna Anima Education System, Inc., a social enterprise that has been working with public schools focusing on teacher formation.)
Today (Sunday) is the last day of the Christmas season. After we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, we will pack up the Christmas decor and go back to ordinary time on Monday.
This Sunday’s Gospel delivers a very clear message. In boxing, it is a knock-out punch. In baseball, it’s a home run; in tennis, an ace; in football, a goal; in basketball, a four-point play.
