“Now is not the time to be selfish, to be cruel and to retreat inside our cocoons of comfort.” The reading for this Sunday – Ascension Sunday – is the presentation of what is known as the Great Commission of the Faith. In the Gospel narrative, Jesus commands his disciples to “Go, therefore, and make …
Tag Archives: Pope Francis
The Vine and the Branches
“Christ calls on us to nurture this relationship and reciprocate his unbounded love.” “I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away as …
Catechesis on Community Pantries
“What we are seeing in action is this political love.” The gospel on the Sixth Sunday of Easter is familiar. Jesus, speaking to his disciples, issues a clear command: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my …
500 Years of Burdens and Gifts
“We can move on from the burdens of history and to use the gift of the indigenous wellspring to renew a universal and truly Filipino faith.” In the mass celebrated in Rome by Pope Francis last Sunday, Cardinal Chito Tagle spoke eloquently about the coming of the Christian faith to our land as God’s gift. …
Ash Wednesday’s Promise of Healing
“Humanity has been deeply wounded—physically, mentally, psychologically and economically—by this pandemic.” In March of last year, the world, including our country, had to contend with an unknown and mysterious coronavirus that has since affected virtually every inhabitant in every corner of the world. After a year and millions of victims later, we are still in …
A Compass for the New Year
“We would have a much better world this year if we heeded the Pope’s words.” For this column, I share Pope Francis Message for the celebration of the 54th World Day of Peace. This was issued on December 8 for an annual commemoration held every first of the New Year. In his message, the Pope …
Simple Gifts This Christmas
The Christmas season evokes a scene of an infant on a manger, with only the child’s parents, Mary and Joseph, and a few shepherds present. The coming of Christ into the world was so simple and unannounced that nobody living that time ever realized the significance of the momentous event. The Son of God was …
Can We Rejoice in a Pandemic?
The Third Sunday of Advent is also called “Gaudete Sunday” which in Latin means “rejoice.” It reminds us that this season of Advent is a time for rejoicing because the day of our salvation is near at hand. God has revealed himself to us by being born into this world to redeem us from the …
Advent and Informed Hope
Almost a year since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, people have become so weary observing health protocols and movement restrictions. A general sense of fatigue and resignation is infecting most, prompting more and more people to venture out of their homes as more businesses begin to reopen. As a result, many flout health measures …
Religion can unite us
In the last chapter of the encyclical letter Fratelli Tutti, the Holy Father Pope Francis extols the virtues of the different religions as contributors to building fraternity and defending justice in society. He believes that as believers, we are convinced that, without an openness to the Father of all, there will be no solid and …
Tony La Viña 