“Those of us afflicted with a serious illness, as I am with stage 4 prostate cancer that has metastasized, are like Lazarus, our families like Martha and Mary.” The gospel reading of John 11:1-45 tells the story of Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. The passage begins by introducing Lazarus, a dear friend …
Tag Archives: Manila Standard
Faith as a decision and relationship
“In addition to cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus, Christians are called to share that relationship with others” The importance of personal relationships with Jesus and discernment in the Christian life cannot be overstated. These are essential elements that ensure that we remain in alignment with God’s will for our lives and fulfill our mission …
How to be healed of our blindness
“We are all blind. But we can be healed through faith.” In tomorrow’s gospel, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Jesus meets a man who was born blind. His disciples asked if his blindness was a result of his or his parents’ sin, but Jesus said neither. He healed the man by putting clay on his …
The Spirit of all seasons
“This Lent, and in all seasons, let us listen to the Holy Spirit” During his first Lenten sermon in 2023, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap., the Preacher of the Papal Household, spoke about the importance of the newness of the Spirit and the need for constant renewal and conversion, both at the individual and Church …
The Samaritan woman
“We all need to rediscover the importance and the sense of our Christian life, initiated in Baptism and, like the Samaritan woman, to witness to our brothers.” For the Gospel tomorrow, the Third Sunday of Lent, we will contemplate on the powerful encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, one of the …
Saved in hope
“Suffering is always charged with mystery, difficult to accept and to bear” Benedict XVI headed the Catholic Church and was sovereign of the Vatican City State from April 19, 2005 until his resignation on February 28, 2013. During his papacy, he left remarkable sermons and messages that elucidated human sickness and suffering and what it …
Transfigured in suffering
“Those of us who are sick and/or suffering, through faith, can be transfigured as the apostles were in the gospel tomorrow, the Second Sunday of Lent” Our Christian faith views suffering as an intrinsic part of the human experience due to the existence of sin and brokenness in the world. Nonetheless, it also holds a …
Sickness as human condition
“Pope Francis offers a message of hope and comfort to those who are struggling with death and sickness, urging us to approach these difficult situations with courage and empathy“ The World Day of the Sick is an annual event observed by the Catholic Church to raise awareness and encourage various activities such as prayer, sharing, …
Never be hypocrites!
“Never be like the hypocrites. For God always sees through the innermost recesses of our hearts” In the gospel reading of Matthew tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, Jesus warns his disciples: “Beware of practicing your piety before others to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So whenever you …
Celebrating EDSA
“Given the present-day realities, is EDSA still worth celebrating?” In February 1986, the Filipinos booted out of power the dictatorship of Marcos by staging a bloodless revolt. The revolt effectively ended the 20-year dictatorial rule by the Marcos regime characterized by excesses, suppression of human rights, and plunder of the economy. (Editor’s Note: Marcos, was …
Tony La Viña 