Author: [email protected]

LITURGY OF THE WORLD

This homily is based on Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

The intersection of Zhongxiao East Road and Dunhua South Road is probably one of the busiest in Taipei. I visited the city last month, and so much has changed since the first time I had lived there twenty years ago. For one, there is a great MRT system, and maybe as a result, the roads now have fewer motorcycles.

But that intersection? It has remained as busy as ever: Pedestrians congregate around the corners waiting impatiently for the lights to change, and the moment they do, we race each other to cross the street as the traffic light countdown begins.

Tags Corpus Christi, Jerry Martinson, Matthew 14:12-26

HOMILIES

A WINDOW TO PENTECOST

This homily is based on John 20:19-23 for Pentecost Sunday.

000 2 — The Oratory of St. Francis Xavier on the campus of Xavier School Nuvali

There is a mysterious, but beautiful stained glass window in the Oratory of St. Francis Xavier in Nuvali. There are over twenty such windows in that chapel, each one designed by artist Carlo Tanseco, and each one a piece of art in its own right. Every time I walk into the chapel, I never fail to be surprised to find myself suddenly bathed in the light and colors streaming through the windows.

Yet there is one particular window that you won’t see unless you go into the reconciliation room, where it is installed behind closed doors. It’s an image as mysterious as it is instructive because it teaches us a couple of valuable lessons about the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Tags Carlo Tanseco, John 20:19-23, Pentecost, St. Ignatius of Loyola, Two Standards, Xavier School Nuvalli

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.

Tags Ascension, Avengers, Hulk, Mark 16:15-20

HOMILIES

I WAS TEN WHEN I MET JESUS

Post author By [email protected]
Post date May 6, 2015
40 Comments on I WAS TEN WHEN I MET JESUS

This 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.

Tags Jesus, John 15:9-17

HOMILIES

DESERTION AND DENIALS, DOUBTS AND DISBELIEF

Post author By [email protected]
Post date April 19, 2015
19 Comments on 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).

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

Tags Christ, Easter, Luke 24::35-48