True Faith Brings Happiness

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 17, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67; Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28
by Most Reverend Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon, Philippines

The beautiful gospel has plenty of implications. First, this is the only recorded time that Jesus was in a non-Jewish territory. But most of all, it prophesied a very important doctrine that the gospel would be preached to all the nations, as prophesied by the prophet Isaiah in the first reading and fulfilled in the second reading during the time of St. Paul, when the gospel was preached to the Gentiles because the Jews rejected Jesus Christ, our Lord. However, St. Paul still had the hope that all the Jews would be converted to Christ someday, because they were the first chosen people of God. (more…)

Sharing Our Blessings

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 3, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 55:1-3; Psalm 145; Rom 8:35, 37-39; Mt 14:13-21
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

The central theme of today’s readings is the provident care of a loving and merciful God who generously shares His riches with us, giving us His Son Jesus as our spiritual food, preparing us for the Heavenly banquet, and challenging us to share our blessings with others. (more…)

Recognizing the Pearls among Us

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 27, 2014 – Year A
Readings: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12; Psalm 119; Rom 8:28-30; Mt 13:44-52
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

The first thing that struck me when I read the Scriptures for today was all of the “choices.” Life is full of choices. We are presented with them constantly. Some are easy and inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Others are much more important and, at the time, we may not even realize the impact that they will have in our life. (more…)

The New Evangelization Needs YOU!

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 13, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 55:10-11; Psalm 65; Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

Today’s gospel is all about the sowing of seeds. We wonder what kind of ground we are. Are we the path, are we the rocky ground, or are we the good soil? The question is put before us, the word is preached. We hear the word, but do we put it into action? That’s what the message is today, to all of us. I think most of us are like the rocky ground. We hear the word and it brings joy to our hearts but then we leave here and forget all about it until next week. And that’s about as far as we go. But that’s not what Jesus wants from us. He wants each and every one of us to be fertile ground, who hears the word, takes it to heart and uses it on a daily basis, week after week. How do we do all these things? Well, there are a number of ways. (more…)

An Oasis of Comfort and Love

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 6, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Zec 9:9-10, Psalm 145, Rom 8:9, 11-13, Mt 11:25-30
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The first time I had the opportunity to visit the city of New York, 17 years ago, my cousin took me to a restaurant called TGI Fridays – Thank God It’s Friday. My first reaction was, “Why would you only thank God on a Friday? Because the connotation is when Monday comes – Oh no, it’s Monday.” I’ve never seen a restaurant with the title “ONIM” – “Oh No, It’s Monday”. I don’t think people would be excited to eat dinner or have coffee at a restaurant with that name. (more…)

Different Voices, One Mission

Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles
June 29, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 34, 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18, Mt 16:13-19
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two of the Church’s greatest saints. We commemorate their lives for the same reason that we commemorate all of the lives of the saints, to remind us of our ultimate call. Our calling is to join them, to become saints ourselves. (more…)

Trust in Jesus

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
March 2, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 49:14-15, Psalm 62, 1 Cor 4:1-5, Mt 6:24-34
by Rev. Mr. Sal Clarizio, Permanent Deacon

There are so many things to worry about as we start each week. And in our thoughts, we hear that clock ticking – we wonder will I get everything done – then we become anxious and upset. Well, I recently came across an article entitled: “How to Worry.”

This story tells about the clock that had a nervous breakdown. (more…)

Love Your Enemies

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 23, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  LV 19:1-2, 17-18; Ps 103; 1 Cor 3:16-23; Mt 5:38-48
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

“Be holy” and “be perfect.” Today’s readings are book-ended quite nicely, aren’t they? Then in the second reading, St. Paul tells the Corinthians that their body is a “temple of God” and it is holy. So holiness and perfection are our calling. How can we, as humans, ever hope to do this.
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Discipleship

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 26, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 8:23-9:3; Psalm 27; I Cor 1:10-13, 17; Mt 4:12-23
by Rev. Louis J. Canino, ofm

Introduction

1. The year was 1960 and the month was September. My Classmate from High School was entering the seminary and his mom drove both of us to St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y. to begin our first day in this Franciscan seminary. It was an awesome sight as 215 young men all dressed in black suits and white shirts were greeted by about 20 Franciscans Friars dressed in brown habits. The Seminary was filled to capacity and the overflow of 15 sems had to temporarily sleep in makeshift quarters in the attic. It was the largest body of seminarians that our Franciscan Province had ever had. I’m sure at least 99 % or more of these young students were there because they heard God’s calling to follow after Him. Maybe 1 % or fewer were there because of the food.

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