Opinion

As I grow older, I realize that things are better accomplished in simple ways. Looking back on the years when I was younger and more energetic, I realize I could have done more (and avoided many mistakes) had I been less impulsive, more patient and more simple.In today’s gospel, God puts the finishing touches on his great plan of sending his Messiah. His plan had been prepared for thousands of years, and now the time has come for its fulfilment. Beyond anyone’s expectation, God sends no less than his own Son as the promised Savior. And to carry out the most important task of bringing his Son into the world, God chooses two ordinary persons - Mary and Joseph.Surprisingly, God accomplishes his grand designs in simple ways. Using common people, he enters into our world, through his So...

I had the fortune of knowing an extraordinary woman who never seemed to lose the smile on her face. Those who knew her fondly called her Nang Poping. A teacher, principal and later superintendent of public schools, she was highly respected and deeply loved by the community. She had a big family, and she was clearly their source of strength and the center of unity especially in their times of crises. She was actively involved in church projects, as well as in her own personal works of charity. For this she earned the endearing moniker of Mother of Perpetual Help Incarnate, since everyone who approached her was never left unaided. In her last years, she had a bad fall which kept her in the wheel chair and in constant pain for the rest of her life. Her condition did not stop her from continui...

Last week, a group of our youth leaders and catechists gathered in our parish hall to experience the Alpha through a one-day seminar-workshop, conducted by the Alpha national team. Alpha is a tool for evangelization to introduce people to an initial proclamation of the good news leading to a personal encounter with Jesus. It consists of a series of meetings, which “enable the participants to ask their questions, share ideas, build friendships and experience the love of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.”The logo of Alpha is a tilted question mark which expressively articulates its dynamics. In the Alpha sessions, the participants openly ask all sorts of questions from ordinary (even silly) to deeper ones, like “Is there more to life than this?” Eventually, they tackle the most p...

Today, the Church begins its new liturgical calendar with the season of Advent. The word advent means coming; hence the theme is one of waiting and expectation. During Advent, we look back to the time when man awaited the coming of the long-promised Messiah, and we look forward to his coming again in glory at the end of time.Meanwhile, as we stand in between these two great advents, what are we to do? The Church invites us to learn to wait because the Lord comes even today in many ways. As the people of Israel missed the Messiah when he finally came two thousand years ago, we too can miss him when he comes today, or at the end of time.Hence, the need for vigilance. How do we remain vigilant? From today’s readings, I find three things particularly helpful to make us vigilant: having...

Today the Church fittingly closes the liturgical calendar with the solemn celebration of Christ the King. As the year ends, the Church reminds us that Jesus too will come at the end of time to gather us into his kingdom. The opening prayer tells of God’s will “to restore all things in [his] beloved Son, the King of the universe… that the whole creation [may be] set free from slavery.”Jesus is King, not only of Israel (first reading), but of the whole creation (second reading). “For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.”That Jesus is king is clear enough. The problem is whether we can recognize him as king. For if we cannot recognize him as king, it would be difficult to enter i...

A few years ago, I complained of body aches to my doctor who suggested that I undergo a thorough medical check-up. As I lay inside the MRI tube, feeling nervous and claustrophobic, it suddenly dawned on me that my body was slowly dying.When I shared the experience to some of our priests in Kabankalan, they were alarmed, and one asked me with deep concern, “Really, Bishop?” To which I responded, “Yes, my body is dying, and so is yours.” Indeed, I feel that everyday my body is dying because not only are my bones aching. My eyesight too is starting to dim, my teeth are diminishing, my mobility is declining and my memory is failing.Today the gospel speaks of the end of the world. Jesus gives signs of its coming: calamities, wars and persecutions. When will it happen? Will we ever live ...

As we near the end of the Church’s calendar, the liturgical readings deal more and more with eschatological themes (death, judgment, heaven and hell). Even the feasts we celebrate in this closing month (All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day and Christ the King) take on the same tenor.Thus, today’s readings speak of the said themes and the doctrine of the resurrection, in particular. The first reading tells the story of the heroic sons of an equally heroic mother who readily submit themselves to horrific torture and eventual death in the hands of the evil king “with the hope God gives of being raised up by him.” No amount of suffering can break their faith in God and their confidence in his promise that they will find life beyond death.In the gospel, the Sadducees, who do not believe in t...

I have invited Fr. Marvin Labasan, one of our young priests (ordained 2 months ago) to take my column for this Sunday. I thank him for graciously accepting, and here it is.ZacchaeusWhat is it that you desire the most?One of our natural human capacities is to desire. Human desire is varied and multiple. Some desire wealth; others fame, good health, a better future or a trusted companion. Someone may just wish to have the latest cellphone unit or a child may simply want to have a burger or a candy. All of these things, from our little wants to our grandest longings, spring from our deep yearning that needs to be fulfilled or a thirst that needs to be quenched.However, while human desires are varied and innumerable, they are nevertheless directed towards one thing, namely, hap...

Last week, the Clergy of the Diocese of Bacolod gathered in the mountains of Murcia for our annual retreat. It was a much-anticipated event since for the past two years we have been deprived of this cherished gathering by the pandemic. Consequently, it turned to be an exuberantly joyful family reunion. But more importantly, it was a privileged encounter with God in creation (our venue was nature at its best), in our moments of personal prayer and in our faith-sharing sessions with brother priests.The theme of our retreat was communion, with a focus on our relationships as a presbyterium. Our retreat facilitator developed the theme in the context of power. It was interesting to see our relationships with one another and with our people in the ministry in this particular perspective. It ...

Today’s liturgical readings center on prayer. Their message is simple and clear: God answers prayer.Last week, I brought a group of seminarians to Our Lady’s Shrine in Simala. Personally, I always have mixed feelings whenever I visit the place. Among other things, I feel uneasy and somewhat disturbed to see the blatant and bustling business activities regarding religious articles. One thing, however, never fails to impress me in Simala - the faith of the countless pilgrims that come. Such faith is clearly visible in the faces of those who are deeply absorbed in prayer as they light their (colored) candles. I believe people keep coming to the shrine because their prayers are heard. The endless rows of testimonies of healing and favors posted on the walls of the church powerfully attest ...