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HOMILIES

THE ZECHARIAH IN US: 23 December 2009 (Simbang Gabi)

THE ZECHARIAH IN US:  23 December 2009 (Simbang Gabi)

Note:  This homily was delivered last 23 December at the Simbang Gabi Mass in the Gesu,  Ateneo de Manila University.

Just one more day to go before the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord!

But not so fast! The past couple of evenings, we have been invited first to think about another birth—the birth of our Lord’s cousin, John the Baptist. Amidst all the excitement and rejoicing in that household that day, one person was strangely silent: the father of the newborn baby, Zechariah. In the gospel story today, he more than makes up for it by breaking his silence and breaking into song, giving us one of the loveliest songs in the New Testament.

Continue reading “THE ZECHARIAH IN US: 23 December 2009 (Simbang Gabi)”
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PRAYERS

BRAGGING RIGHTS (Mark 9:30-37): 20 September 2009 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

BRAGGING RIGHTS (Mark 9:30-37): 20 September 2009 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Today’s Readings

Dear Lord,

In the more secular world of the Internet, everyone seems to be talking about what happened at last Sunday’s MTV Video Music Awards.

Country singer Taylor Swift had just won Best Female Video, and the nineteen-year old singer was really overjoyed because it was her first time to win the award.  In the middle of her speech, hip hop singer, Kanye West, stormed the stage, grabbed her mike, interrupting her speech, and announced something like: “I’m happy for you, Taylor, but I think Beyonce’s video is the best!”  Kanye was booed and got off the stage, while poor Taylor, unable to complete her speech, was led away, still looking stunned.

Continue reading “BRAGGING RIGHTS (Mark 9:30-37): 20 September 2009 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)”
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PRAYERS

OUT OF MY DEPTHS (Mark 8:27-35): 13 September 2009 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

OUT OF MY DEPTHS (Mark 8:27-35):  13 September 2009 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Today’s Readings

Dear Lord,

Today’s Gospel story reminds me of what happened to me last May, when I was in Rome for a meeting.  Thanks to a Filipino Jesuit friend, Fr. Joe Quilongquilong, I got to join the Scavi Tour, touted as one of the hottest tickets in Rome. 

Continue reading “OUT OF MY DEPTHS (Mark 8:27-35): 13 September 2009 (Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time)”
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PRAYERS

FARAWAY HEARTS (Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23): 30 August 2009 (Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

FARAWAY HEARTS (Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23):  30 August 2009 (Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Today’s Readings

Dear Lord,

Today you quote the prophet Isaiah as you complain about the Pharisees:

This people honors me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines human precepts.

But for all we know, you could be complaining about us.  For all I know, you could be complaining about me.  You say you dislike mere lip service because you want nothing less than our hearts.  When I hear your words, I can’t help but recall my faraway heart.

Continue reading “FARAWAY HEARTS (Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23): 30 August 2009 (Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)”
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PRAYERS

DETOURS (John 6:60-69): 23 August 2009 (Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time)

DETOURS (John 6:60-69): 23 August 2009 (Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Today’s Readings

Dearest Lord Jesus,

It was a heartbreaking scene–that moment when you turned to your disciples after watching all the others go.  “Do you also want to leave?” you asked them, perhaps not without some fear.

Continue reading “DETOURS (John 6:60-69): 23 August 2009 (Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time)”