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HOMILIES

THE HULK IN HIDING

This reflection is based on Mark 16:15-20 for the feast of our Lord’s Ascension. (Spoiler alert!)

I needed a break the other day, so I decided to treat myself to the perfect movie. The perfectly mindless movie, that is: “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” that global blockbuster that features an all-star cast of superheroes plus platinum robot drones, with lots of flying, pummelling, explosions, and every possible CGI trick that technology could pull out of its latest hat.

Just the kind of movie I needed, I told myself at the ticket booth as I opted for the 2D because it’s cheaper and 3D makes me dizzy anyway.

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HOMILIES

I WAS TEN WHEN I MET JESUS

jesusThis homily is based on John 15:9-17.

I was ten when I met Jesus, but I was too young to know.

We were on our way to Baguio for the summer, and we had left the house right before sunrise. My parents would take us children there every year to escape the sweltering heat of Manila, and this year was no different. Or so I thought.

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HOMILIES

DESERTION AND DENIALS, DOUBTS AND DISBELIEF

This reflection is based on Luke 24:35-48.

From all indication, what we have today is a happy reunion of sorts: The disciples, disheartened and even traumatized by the horrible crucifixion and death of their Master, suddenly find him once again in their midst. To prove that he’s no ghost, the Risen Lord shows them the wounds in his hands and feet, and even takes a little midnight snack before their very eyes (It must have been around midnight, the two disciples having interrupted their supper and hurried back from Emmaus).

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It’s Jesus’ way of telling his disciples: “It is I! I am real! And I’m back!”

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HOMILIES

ESPERANZA PE: IN MEMORIAM

This homily was delivered on the 49th-day death anniversary of Esperanza Pe, the mother of my good friend, Rudy Ang.

The last few times I spoke with Auntie Esperanza last year, we toyed with the possibility of my saying Mass for her 90th birthday celebration. As it turned out, not only did I miss celebrating her birthday Mass, but I also missed presiding at any of the Wake Masses or the funeral Mass for her. Never in all those conversations with her did I imagine saying a Mass like this for her so soon!

Esperanza

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HOMILIES

HOW FAST WOULD YOU RUN?

This homily is based on John 20:1-9.

There’s a lot of running that goes on at Easter. Every single account of that first Easter morning reports it. In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene discovers the stone rolled away from the tomb, and immediately she runs to Simon Peter, who, upon hearing her report, along with the beloved disciple, makes a run for the Lord’s burial place.

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