Contemplata aliis tradere

21/04/2026

Why do bad things happen to good people?

A reflection on the fourth Sunday of Easter
First reading: Acts 2:14A, 36-41
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:20B-25
Gospel: John 10:14

Isn't it that good people suffer more in this world? Isn't it those who follow what is right who have more difficulties? Sometimes it is discouraging and disappointing. But I remember the anawim, the remnant faithful people of Israel who remained steadfast and faithful to the Lord despite poverty and challenges. The poor in spirit. I knew a mother who remained faithful in her faith. There have been victims of injustices, but they remain steadfast in the Lord. They did not have grudges; they did not want revenge. Mostly, they want to understand the meaning of their sufferings. They are hopeful. They put their trust in the God who is good and will not leave them. Truly, it is a gift. A grace. In the second reading, it says, If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. Jesus left us an example to follow. Jesus is the door, our salvation. Saved from sin, saved from the captivity of a sinful life. I would rather have a simple life, following Jesus, than a luxurious one but living without God.

22/02/2026

Reflection: First Sunday of Lent
Matthew 4:1-11 (The Temptation of Jesus)

The devil knows our weaknesses; he triggers and provokes us. He knew Jesus' "weakness" as well, challenging Him with the words, "If you are the Son of God..." This was a direct challenge to Jesus’ relationship with the Father, provoking Him to prove His identity.

We face the same struggle. Sometimes we falter because we feel we are not good enough or worthy of His love. The devil exploits these weaknesses to drift us away from the love of God. However, there is one ultimate protection against these temptations: Trust.

We must trust in the Lord, His promises, His love, and His mercy. We must trust in His Word. The devil will do anything to break this bond, wanting us to doubt God’s truth. When we find ourselves at this crossroad, let us pause, pray, and seek the protection of our Mother Mary.

28/07/2025

21/06/2025

6/22/25
Corpus Christi
This is a pyx. It is where we put the sacred host when we visit those who are sick. Giving communion to the sick is a humble and holy service of the Church that is often overlooked and sometimes taken for granted. I have a beautiful memory and realization holding this pyx. I was giving communion to the old people and the sick during the pandemic. I was doing that almost daily for one who had cancer and was just waiting for her death. She can't take any more solid food, but water and very soft food for sustenance. One day, I was in the tabernacle, getting pieces of the sacred host and quietly putting them inside the pyx on the altar table. Then the words of Jesus finally made sense to me when he said, 'I will be with you always until the end of time.' Jesus was truly with this person to whom I am giving the body of Christ. No food can enter her body, only a small piece of the sacred host. And this sacred host is Jesus. Jesus was with her in her sickness. God is wise, He made Himself a food, a lowly and unexpected way of being with us.

After weeks of giving communion to this woman who was also close to the Sisters, the time arrived to finally encounter Jesus face to face, and still minutes before she died, she was given the grace to receive the body of Christ. Not from me, but from her husband. Giving communion to the sick is also painful because we know they will be facing death sooner or later. Every time someone passes away after receiving communion bears so much pain. But on the other side, Jesus is waiting for them. He was with them all along the way. His Grace is sufficient.
Amen
Happy Corpus Christi Day!😊

09/04/2025

Araw ng Kagitingan. Wala na tayo sa panahon ng guerra.
Ano pa ang kailangan nating ipaglaban? May ipinaglalaban pa ba tau? O nakain na tayo ng maling sistema.
Naalala ko si Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you want to see in the world."
Ito ay isa sa gusto kong makita. Puno sa ating mga bundok. Puno sa paligid. Malamig na simoy na dadampi sa balat habang humihigop ng kape. :) Rumagasang malinis na tubig ng ilog. Mga huni ng ibon na tila kumakanta sa alapaap. Akin ngayon napagtanto, noong una ito ang mga laman ng mga tula at sanaysay ng mga makata. Dahil ito ang kanilang nakikita. Nayon marunong pa bang maging makata ating henerasyon!
Iyan din ang gusto kong makita, mga kabataang may pakialam. Mga kabataang handa magsilbi ng buong puso. Nasan na kaya sila? Nasan na ang lahi ni Jose Rizal at Andres Bonifacio? Nasan na?