This reflection is based on Luke 23:35-43 for the Solemnity of Christ the King.
It is telling that ours is a religion where kingship is depicted with the king not seated on a throne, not crowned with jewels, or surrounded by a powerful army. Instead we have our king bloodied and crucified, crowned with thorns, and hanging between two criminals.
This homily was delivered during the wake Mass for Mrs. Elizabeth “Bia” Gokongwei on 17 November 2019.
I would like to start off by saying that even those of us who did not know our sister Elizabeth very well knew that she was a wonderful person. People who’ve spent even just a short time with her always somehow ended up smitten.
I speak from experience. You see, she had me at hello.
This wake homily for Mr. John Gokongwei, Jr. was delivered on 11 November 2019.
I was instructed by Robina to keep this homily short, so like an obedient Jesuit, I will keep it short and sweet.
No doubt, in the next few days, much will be said about Mr. John. People will certainly talk about his extraordinary life, for indeed it has been an extraordinary life on so many levels.
This reflection, which is based on Luke 21:5-19, was written on 12 November 2016. It’s interesting to read, so in lieu of a new homily, I’m re-sharing this today. Equally telling are the comments. 🙁
I don’t know about you, but for me, this last week has been tough. It’s like just when I wasn’t looking, the rug was pulled out from under me. And not once, but twice!
I’m of course referring to: (a) the disappointing Supreme Court ruling on the Marcos burial–a classic case of cowering behind the letter of the law instead of being faithful to its spirit; and (b) the stunning result of the US presidential election when someone who has been described as a narcissist-bigot-misogynist–all rolled into one–has been voted as the most powerful man in the free world. “A double whammy!” a friend texted from Vancouver.
This reflection is based on Luke 20:27-38.
As always, a trick question from his enemies elicits not only a clever answer from Jesus, but also an argument for the afterlife. The Sadducees present the Lord with an unlikely but not implausible scenario: If a woman widowed seven times ends up marrying seven brothers, whose wife will she be at the resurrection?
