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HOMILIES

ONE KING AND A CONVOY OF TOURISTS

This homily, based on Matthew 2:1-12, was delivered at the Asian Institute of Management Chapel on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Finding out that the three kings were neither three nor royalty was not quite as traumatic as that other life-changing discovery about Santa Claus. But to whomever thought of coming up with the three kings–what were you thinking?

For years, we staged Nativity plays that religiously featured them with their precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Why, they even had names that not only sounded good together, but also were exotic enough to prove that they had indeed journeyed from faraway lands.

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HOMILIES

And the Word was made flesh.

This Christmas homily video is based on John 1:1-18.

A blessed Christmas to all our followers and friends! 🙂

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HOMILIES

HIS SILENCE INVITES US

This reflection is based on Matthew 1:18-24.

Today we listen to the story of the silent man of the Gospel. All through the Infancy Narrative, Joseph, the chosen foster father of Jesus, speaks not a word. Even the father of John the Baptist, the priest Zechariah, who was stricken temporarily mute by the angel, at least manages to get two sentences recorded by Luke: “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” And nine months later, to his relatives he answers in faith: “His name is John.”

But not Joseph, even if–when you think about it–having gone through so much, he could have said a mouthful.

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HOMILIES

WOULD YOU UNFOLLOW JOHN THE BAPTIST?

This homily, which is based on Luke 7:24-30, was delivered at the Church of the Gesu on the Ateneo de Manila campus to start this year’s Simbang Gabi.

Here’s a sentiment that many of us can identify with…

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HOMILIES

CHOOSING JOY

This homily is based on Matthew 11:2-11.

I don’t know if you noticed it, but that’s a pretty strange exchange of messages between our Lord and John the Baptist.

First of all, John the Baptist requests his disciples to ask our Lord a bizarre question.  Thrown into prison for denouncing the sins of Herod Antipas, John the Baptist hears about the miracles of our Lord and sends his disciples to ask:  “Are you the One who is to come, or should we look for another?”  Now why would he ask a question like that?

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