Mga Kapanalig, nagdiriwang ang mga vendors ng Baguio City Public Market matapos umatras ang SM Prime Holdings sa planong redevelopment ng pamilihan. Patunay ito na posibleng manaig ang tinig ng maliliit laban sa mas makapangyarihan basta’t may pagkakaisa.
Hindi maikakailang nangangailangan ng rehabilitasyon ang Baguio City Public Market. Sa halos isang siglo nitong pagsisilbi sa mga taga-Baguio at mga turista, napabayaan ang istruktura at kalinisan nito. Kaya noong 2019, isinama ni Mayor Benjamin Magalong ang modernisasyon ng pamilihan sa kanyang mga plataporma. Natunugan ito ng SM Prime, at nagpresenta itong maging proponent ng proyekto. Dito nagsimulang lumihis ang direksyon ng rehabilitasyon ng palengke.
Hindi na lamang pagsasaayos ng palengke ang pinag-uusapan, kundi mallification—gagawing mall ang pampublikong palengke. Para sa mga vendors, malinaw ang banta: unti-unting isasapribado ang palengke, itataas ang upa sa pwesto, at posibleng mawalan ng kabuhayan ang matatagal nang naghahanapbuhay doon. Kaya tumindig ang mga vendors at ilang residente ng lungsod. Nagsagawa sila ng noise barrage araw-araw tuwing alas tres ng hapon. Paglilinaw nila, sang-ayon silang i-rehabilitate ang pamilihan, pero hindi tamang kabuhayan at pagkakakilanlan ng palengke ang kapalit.
Noong bagong taon, inanunsyo ng SM Prime na nila itutuloy ang proyekto. Sa kanilang opisyal na pahayag, iginiit nitong marami pa umanong kailangang ayusin ang lokal na pamahalaan at mga vendors. Pero sa mata ng publiko, ang malakas at kolektibong pagtutol ng mamamayan ang nag-udyok sa pag-atras ng SM Prime.
Bakit naman kasi magtatayo ng isa pang mall sa City of Pines? May sapat na espasyo ang lungsod para sa mga pribadong commercial establishments. Kalabisan na ang agawin pa ang lokal na pamilihang nagsisilbing bagsakan ng produkto mula sa Cordillera at mga kalapit na probinsya, na pinagmumulan ng hanapbuhay ng libu-libong pamilya at pinagkukunan ng abot-kayang bilihin.
Malinaw na nagbabanggaan sa isyung ito ang dalawang anyo ng kaunlaran: ang kaunlarang inuuna ang kita, at ang kaunlarang pinananatili ang kabuhayan.
Kapag ang pag-unlad ay inihiwalay sa malasakit at pananagutan, nawawala ang tunay nitong layunin—ang maglingkod sa tao. Ito ang diwa ng paalala sa Filipos 2:3–4: ang tunay na pag-unlad ay nagsisimula sa pagpapakumbaba at sa pagbibigay-halaga sa kapakanan ng iba higit sa pansariling interes. Ganito rin ang mensahe ni Pope Leo XIV sa isang homilya: ang kaunlaran ay may pamantayang moral na dapat nag-aangat at pumoprotekta sa maliliit at mahihina, hindi nag-aalis sa kanila ng puwang, dangal, at kabuhayan kapalit ng kita at kayamanan.
Hindi rin dapat mawala ang paghingi ng pananagutan sa lokal na pamahalaan ng Baguio. Ang pakikipag-partner sa pribadong sektor ay nagiging mapanganib kapag ang pamahalaan ay tumitigil na sa pagiging tagapagtanggol ng kapakanan ng mamamayan. Ang modernisasyon ay hindi dapat maging rason para ipasa ang kapangyarihan sa mga gusto lang kumita. Ang tunay na papel ng pamahalaan ay tiyaking ang kaunlaran ay makatao, walang isinasantabi at iniiwan, at hindi nagtataboy sa mismong mga taong dapat nitong pinaglilingkuran.
Mga Kapanalig, ang pag-withdraw ng SM Prime sa rehabilitasyon ng Baguio City Public Market ay patunay na ang makataong kaunlaran ay maisusulong kapag sama-samang titindig ang mga mamamayan hanggang sila ay pakinggan ng mga nagdedesisyon sa gobyerno. Sa mga susunod na araw, inaasahang bubuksan muli ang pagsusumite ng mga proposals para sa redevelopment ng palengke. Nawa’y ang manaig ay may magandang plano para sa mga taong apektado. Nawa’y umiral ang kaunlaran hindi matatagpuan sa malalaki at prestihiyosong proyekto, kundi sa pangangalaga at pagsasaayos sa mga simpleng espasyong nagbibigay-buhay sa lungsod. Ang mga manininda sa Baguio City Public Market ay hindi hadlang sa kaunlaran. Sila dapat ang tuon ng kaunlaran kaya dapat pakinggan ang kanilang tinig.
Gospel Reading for January 13, 2026 – Mark 1: 21-28
A SPACE TO RESIDE
Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
———-
We say that a person is possessed by an evil spirit when the person loses control of his/her body and mind, foams at the mouth, speaks with a very strange voice and even language which is not his/hers, has intense aggression, etc.. Then, we look for an exorcist who can drive out the evil spirit from the person. If indeed, the person is possessed and the exorcist is good, chances are, the person will be freed from all of these.
Being possessed by an evil spirit in this way may be easier to handle than being possessed by an evil spirit that we ourselves allowed to grow in us, perhaps, not consciously.
When we live a life unconcerned and uncaring about the needs of others; having great disregard for the consequences of our actions; acting without intelligence, thought or purpose as long as we get what we want; not reflecting on the things we do and lack contemplation; or in short, thinking only of ourselves, we are giving the evil one A SPACE TO RESIDE in us. Little by little, the evil one will grow in us until one day, we lose control of ourselves and the evil one gets to be in control. This is the possession that will be very difficult to exorcise because the evil spirit is at the core of our person.
This is why for us Christians, there is great need for prayer or “alone time” with God when we are able to examine the way we live vis-a-vis the teachings of Jesus.
As the Greek Philospher Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Lord Jesus, may we always remember that we are made in the likeness of God, hence, the absence of God in our lives will deprive us of true happiness and peace!
Mga Kapanalig, ngayong 2026, naglaan ang pamahalaan ng mahigit isang trilyong piso para sa Department of Education (o DepEd) at mga attached agencies nito. Ito na raw ang pinakamalaking budget na inilaan para sa sektor ng edukasyon. Ito rin ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na naabot ng Pilipinas ang itinakdang pamantayan ng UNESCO para sa pagpopondo sa edukasyon.
Ayon kay DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, layon ng gobyerno na direktang suportahan ang mga mag-aaral at guro, at itaguyod ang mga matagal nang hinihintay na reporma sa basic education. Anu-ano raw ito? Mga bago at kinumpuning mga silid-aralan at pasilidad ng paaralan, mga feeding programs, mga aklat at learning materials, tulong-pinansyal para sa mga mag-aaral, laptops para sa mga guro at estudyante, dagdag na teaching at non-teaching positions, at tuloy-tuloy na pagsasanay para sa mga guro at punongguro.
Kailangang-kailangan ang mga ito, lalo na’t maraming dapat gawin para umangat-angat ang performance ng bansa sa mga international assessments. Halimbawa, sa 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (o PISA), na sumusukat sa kakayahan ng mga 15 taóng gulang sa reading, math, at science, nasa dulong puwesto ang Pilipinas. Nasa pangatlo tayo mula sa dulo sa science, at pang-anim mula rin sa dulo sa math at reading. Noong 2025 naman, pang-74 tayo sa 177 bansa sa Global Education Futures Readiness Index. Indikasyon ito ng malaking puwang sa pantay na akses sa edukasyon, gayundin sa pamamahala sa sektor.
Makikita rin ang lalim ng krisis sa edukasyon sa kakulangan ng mga silid-aralan. Kulang tayo ng humigit-kumulang 165,000 classrooms. Para sa 2026, naglaan ng 85.3 bilyong piso para sa pagtatayo ng mga silid-aralan. May karagdagang 19.5 bilyong piso para sa mga aklat at iba pang learning resources, habang 10.6 bilyong piso naman ay mapupunta sa DepEd Computerization Program.
Tinutugunan din ng budget ang mga rekomendasyon ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (o EDCOM 2) na nagsabing hindi malulutas ang krisis sa edukasyon kung mahina ang pundasyon gaya ng maayos na nutrisyon. Kaya’t naglalaan din ang gobyerno ng 25.6 bilyon piso para sa expanded school-based feeding program.
Mahalaga ang edukasyon sa pagtataguyod ng kabutihang panlahat at sa dignidad ng bawat tao. Ayon samga panlipunang turo ng Simbahan, malaki ang papel ng edukasyon upang lumaking buo ang katawan, isip, at pagkatao ng kabataan. Ito rin ang magtuturo sa kanilang maging responsable at harapin ang mga hamon ng buhay nang may tapang at pagtitiyaga. Paalala nga sa Marcos 10:14, may natatanging lugar ang mga bata sa puso ng Diyos, kaya’t responsabilidad natin, katuwang ang pamahalaan, na tiyakin na ang bawat bata ay may access sa maayos na edukasyon.
Ayon kay Senador Bam Aquino, chair ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, “panalo ang kabataang Pilipino” sa pagkakaapruba ng 2026 national budget.”Sa pamamagitan daw nito, mapopondohan na ang mahahalagang programang magpapalakas at mapapabuti sa sektor ng edukasyon.
Pero walang saysay ang malaking budget para sa edukasyon kung patuloy na kukurakutin ang kaban ng bayan, at kung hindi pananagutin ang mga nasa likod ng malawak na korapsyon sa natuklasan nitong nakaraang taon. Malaki pa rin ang nawawalang pera—perang maidadagdag pa sana sa sektor ng edukasyon.
Mga Kapanalig, ang malaki at makasaysayang budget para sa edukasyon ay dapat tumbasan ng tapat at responsableng paggamit ng mga pinagkatiwalaan natin sa gobyerno. Tungkulin naman nating mga mamamayan na magbantay. Naipatayo ba talaga ang mga silid-aralan? Mas humusay ba ang mga guro? Nakakamit ba ng mga bata ang sapat na nutrisyon? Kung ang isang trilyong pisong budget para sa edukasyon ngayong taon ay magbubunga ng tunay na pagbabago, saka lamang masasabi ng gobyernong panalo nga ang kabataang Pilipinoo.
Sa pagbibinyag ni Hesus, pinili Niyang bumabad sa ating buhay hindi dahil kailangan Niya, kundi dahil kailangan natin—isang paanyaya na makisama, makiramay, at manahan sa piling ng Diyos at ng kapwa; kaya’t ang pagiging Kristiyano ay hindi pana-panahon kundi araw-araw na pagsisid sa pananampalataya, pagmamahal, at malasakit, mula sa ating tahanan, pamayanan, hanggang sa tahimik na pakikipagtagpo sa Kanya.
Gospel Reading for January 12, 2026 – Mark 1: 14-20
STAUNCH FOLLOWERS
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they left their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him.
————
Before we can be “fishers of men,” or before we will be able to encourage other people to go to Jesus and follow him, we ourselves have to follow him COMPLETELY or ALL THE WAY. As he said in Luke 9: 60 – “Let the dead bury their own dead; but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God” and in Luke 9: 62 – “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
We can say that Jesus aptly chose fishermen to be among his 12 disciples because fishermen are more or less resolute and so focused in their goal of catching fish. They don’t easily give up when they don’t catch fishes, and they do not mind staying up all night trying to catch them. Unlike call center agents who also have to work at night, fishermen are not comfortable. They have to be brave enough to be in deep waters, putting up with the weather and being in the total darkness of the sea. Remember in Luke 5: 4-11, where Jesus tells Simon Peter, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch” Peter replied, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets” and this led to a miraculous catch of fish.
These are the qualities we need to be faithful or STAUNCH FOLLOWERS of Jesus – being true to his teachings; unwavering, firm and resoluteness in our convictions; strong commitment and support despite trends and risks.
Lord Jesus, may we acquire the qualities we need to be your STAUNCH FOLLOWERS!
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Tuesday, First Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 13 January 2026
1 Samuel 1:9-20 <*{{{{>< + ><}}}}*> Mark 1:21-28
Photo by author, Sabbath Place, Assumption Baguio, January 2019.
“It isn’t that, my lord,” Hannah answered. “I am an unhappy woman. I have neither wine nor liquor; I was only pouring out my troubles to the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:15).
How often people misread
what is really inside us,
Lord Jesus,
especially when we pour out
our troubles to you;
and yet,
you have always been so kind
with us,
so gracious
in listening
and most of all in
granting our prayers
and desires.
Teach us, dear Jesus
to open ourselves more
to you,
to bare our souls to you
to be cleansed and refreshed
in your healing mercy
and abounding love.
Most of all,
help us to pour things out
to you, Jesus
those sins and evil
we keep inside,
those which we have buried
deep inside us that
continue to bother and
destabilize us
including the pains
and hurts in the past
that have imprisoned us
and prevent us from experiencing
your liberation and freedom,
salvation and fresh start
like that man with an unclean spirit
in today's gospel.
Amen.
Photo by author, Sabbath Place, Assumption Baguio, January 2019.
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, First Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 12 January 2026
1 Samuel 1:1-8 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 1:14-20
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 09 January 2026.
After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:14-15).
Thank you dear Jesus
for this brand new week,
for this start of Ordinary Time
in our liturgical calendar;
how wonderful to remind us
it is the time of fulfillment,
of completion and wholeness
in you, O Lord because it is only
in you lies our fulfillment.
Teach us to open our hearts
and souls to your call, Jesus
like the brothers Peter and Andrew,
James and John,
your first disciples;
was it really that quick and easy
for them to leave everything behind
including the father of James
and John just to follow you?
Yes, dear Jesus,
like them,
we felt incredulous
and even fearful with your call,
not only last year
but even this year;
in fact, as we begin
our Ordinary Time this Monday,
the more I felt your calling
continues everyday
because without you
we shall never be complete.
Like Hannah,
our lives will never be complete
and fulfilled without having you
that may take several forms
like a child for Hannah;
many times Lord we wonder
why we cannot have what we
are specifically praying for
like Hannah who has become
a subject of ridicule by others
for being barren and childless;
but, inasmuch as your call continues
for us, then you hereby assure us too
of your continuing works in our
many deficiencies if we can only
be patient and persevering in you
in awaiting your calls.
Amen.
Photo by author, San Juan, La Union, 09 January 2026.
Mga Kapanalig, ilang araw pa lang nang salubungin ng buong mundo ang taóng 2026, binulaga ang lahat ng tinatawag na “large-scale strike” ng Estados Unidos sa bansang Venezuela.
Ayon sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Donald Trump, dinakip ng pwersa ng Amerika ang presidente ng Venezuela na si Nicolas Maduro para panagutin sa mga kasong drug trafficking at narcoterrorism. Bahagi raw ito ng kampanya ng Amerika kontra iligal na droga at para palitan na ang rehimen sa naturang bansa. Banta raw sa seguridad ng Estados Unidos ang pananalitili sa poder ni Maduro na presidente ng Venezuela mula pa noong 2013. Dahil daw sa kanya, malayang nakapapasok sa Amerika ang ipinagbabawal na gamot at bumabaha ang mga immigrants mula sa Venezuela.
Itinanggi na ang mga ito ng gobyerno ng Venezuela, pero nagtagumpay pa rin ang Estados Unidos na dakpin si Maduro. Kasama ring dinakip ang kanyang asawa. May kinakaharap na katulad na mga kaso ang kanilang anak at ilan pang opisyal ng pamahalaang Venezuela. Nasa New York ngayon ang mag-asawang Maduro.
Hindi bumebenta sa marami ang katwiran ni Pangulong Trump at ng kanyang mga kasama sa administrasyon. Hindi raw totoong paglaban sa droga at pagpapanumbalik ng demokrasya sa Venezuela ang layunin ng Amerika. Gusto lang daw kontrolin ng Estados Unidos ang pinakamalaking likas-yaman ng Venezuela—ang langis. Kalaunan, umamin din si Pangulong Trump na konektado ang aksyon ng Amerika sa malawak na oil reserves ng Venezuela. Ninakaw daw kasi ng Venezuela ang mga oil assets ng mga pribadong negosyong nakabase sa Estados Unidos matapos ipatupad ng Venezuela ang nationalization ng mga industriya sa kanilang bansa. Sa pagkakatanggal kay Presidente Maduro, sasamantalahin ng Estados Unidos ang pagkakataon para pagkakitaan ang langis ng Venezuela. Inaasahan ng Amerika na makapagbebenta ang mga korporasyon ng langis ng 30 milyon hanggang 50 milyong bariles.
Sabi nga sa Mga Kawikaan 28:25, “ang [kasakiman] ay lumilikha ng kaguluhan.”
Maraming kumukondena sa ginawang ito ng Estados Unidos. Hindi naman nila ipinagtatanggol ang rehimeng Maduro na nasa likod ng mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa Venezuela. Ang punto nila, mali ang paggamit ng isang bansa ng puwersa para manghimasok sa isa pang bansa. Walang batayan ang katwiran ng Estados Unidos na self-defense ang ginawa nito—aggression o pagsalakay daw ang nangyari sa Venezuela at labag iyon sa kasunduan ng mga bansang kasapi ng United Nations.
Nakababahala ang nangyari sa Venezuela dahil pinahihina nito tinatawag na “rules-based international order” o ang pandaigdigang kaayusan na nakabatay sa mga napagkasunduang tuntunin. Sa ginawang ito ng Amerika, lumalabas na kahit ang malaki at makapangyarihang bansa ay pwedeng isantabi ang mga tuntuning ito para isulong ang kanilang pansariling interes.
Salungat ito kahit sa mga panlipunang turo ng ating Santa Iglesia. Ang ugnayan ng mga bansa, batay na rin sa Catholic social teaching na Pacem in Terris, ay dapat nakabatay sa katotohanan, katarungan, at kooperasyon. Ang malalaki, mayayaman, at malalakas na bansa ay may tungkuling panatilihin ang kapayapaan sa buong mundo, hindi ang gamitin ang kanilang katayuan para salakayin ang ibang bansa. Kapakanan ng lahat ang dapat umiral. Ang pag-unlad ng isang bansa ay dapat mag-ambag sa pag-unlad ng iba.
Hindi lantarang kinondena ng ating pamahalaan ang nangyari sa Venezuela, pero sinabi ng ating Department of Foreign Affairs na tinututukan nito ang mga pangyayari at binigyang-diin ang pagsunod ng mga bansa sa mga tuntunin nang mamayani ang kapayapaan. Dapat din nating subaybayan ang mga susunod na mangyayari lalo na’t humaharap din ang ating bansa sa agresyon mula sa ibang bansa.
Mga Kapanalig, tapatan sana ng katarungan at kapayapaan ang kasakiman at karahasan. Isama natin sa ating mga panalangin ang kapayapaan sa buong mundo.
Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Cycle A, 11 January 2026
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 ><}}}}*> Acts 10:34-38 ><}}}}*> Matthew 3:13-17
Mosaic of the Lord’s Baptism by John at the Neonian Baptistery, Ravenna, Italy; from wikimedia commons.
Still, our greeting today is a blessed Merry Christmas until the last Mass tonight when we close the Christmas Season with this Feast of the Lord’s Baptism. Tomorrow we shift into the Ordinary Time with the green motif back in our liturgy.
Most often during this time of the year, many of us make “new year’s resolutions” that always end up unfulfilled, discarded, and forgotten because these are merely based on whims or fads or anything less than a matured decision. A decision is the making up of the mind and heart to act firmly on something; hence, it connotes a sense of determination in fulfilling that decision made.
In this Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, Jesus invites us to reflect our decision-making process as we embark on another journey of twelve months in him with Matthew as our guide so we can be more matured in our faith and as a person.
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus, it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him (Matthew 3:13-15).
From wikimedia.org.
See the brief and direct reportage by Matthew of the event that immediately followed his story last Sunday of the Lord’s Epiphany to the world represented by the wise men from the East as we meet Jesus today all grown up, so matured as a man in his decisions.
And what do we find so remarkable in his decision-making process we can all emulate? His obedience to the Father!
All throughout his ministry, Jesus always made known to everyone that whatever he said and did were not his but the Father’s will. From his coming here at the first Christmas until his death on the Cross, it was all about Christ’s obedience to the Father. In fact, there was no need for him to be baptized by John for it was a baptism of repentance because Jesus is sinless, being the Son of God. Yet, he decided to be baptized “to fulfill all righteousness” as planned by the Father. In a similar manner, see John’s obedience too to Jesus and the Father when he could had insisted not to do it because Jesus is the Christ.
Photo by author, 2025.
Fulfillment of every aspiration and mission in this life becomes difficult when we insist on what we know or what we prefer rather than what God wills for us.
Obedience is one virtue that is vanishing in this modern age so characterized by everyone wanting to be in control of everything, of one’s life and even of others expressed in those handheld gadgets as well as cars and other vehicles. See how everyone would want to “drive” one’s own life, totally disregarding those in authority especially God.
The word obedience is from two Latin words “ob audire” that literally means “to listen attentively”.
One cannot be obedient without first learning to listen that begins with our willingness to to be silent. Jesus is obedient because he always listens to the Father through frequent and long periods of prayers. Even the Blessed Mother as we reflected last January first exemplified the virtue of obedience when she listened intently and treasured in her heart the words spoken by the shepherds who came to adore the new-born Jesus in Bethlehem.
It would be nice this 2026 that we start cultivating a prayer life by embracing silence to listen attentively to God’s plans for us so that we could make the right decisions in life.
The opposite of “ob audire” in Latin is “absurdus” – exactly what we are when we make the wrong decisions and become absurd.
And sorry, that’s how we can describe this year’s Traslacion – absurd. In fact, every year, it becomes more absurd than ever and something drastic even radical has to be done in the real sense of the word, that is, by going back to its very roots.
When the devotees refused to obey the priests to stop at the San Sebastian Church and insisted on bringing the Poon Nazareno to Quiapo regardless of its many safety and practical implications, it was a clear case of misplaced devotion. It is fanaticism. Selfish and un-Christian. Despite the many defenses and theologizing by many, it is about time Nazareno devotees examine themselves about this devotion, of their panata that admittedly have been so baffling that if our faith in God is such intense, why are we still electing corrupt and evil officials?
Obedience is always a virtue because everything that is good follows when we are obedient, like being more loving at its truest sense. Whenever we decide out of obedience to God and parents and superiors, it is most often because of love.
Photo by Ryan Jacob, Paco, Obando, Bulacan, 2023.
This is the second characteristic of Jesus Christ’s decision-making process that is based on his love for the Father expressed in his love for us.
Again, there was no need for Jesus Christ to be baptized by John in the river Jordan because he is sinless but, he chose to be baptized there as a sign of his solidarity, of his oneness with us sinners and weak people. It was all because of love.
Jesus chose to be baptized even there was no need because he loves us and wants to be one with us. Jesus chose to die on the Cross, as depicted in the Black Nazarene of Quiapo, because he loves us and wants to carry our burdens. Jesus chose to be eaten as bread in the Holy Mass all because he loves us too so that we may have eternal life.
When Jesus went down to Jordan river, out of obedience and most of all out of love for all of us, he became one with us in our pains and hurts and sickness and failures and even sins which St. Peter realized personally that he declared after Pentecost that “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34) that we are all loved by God and are called to be obedient to him always by loving one another as he loves us. That is our mission, to love and be like Jesus Christ, the “Suffering Servant” who was “sent to bring forth justice… to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness” (Is.42:1,6-7).
Photo by Mr. Boy Cabrido, January 2024.
In going down into the dirty waters of Jordan River that signifies this earth, this life, Jesus showed us his mission of redeeming us so that we can become like him, God’s beloved child with whom he is well pleased. Every morning when we wake up, this scene at Jordan happens anew. The choice is ours to make by being like Jesus Christ who throughout his earthly life was a total obedience and yes to God because of love.
Last week I went to Baguio to facilitate a retreat with some of my kababata or teenage friends from my hometown of Bocaue. Being the youngest among them at 60 years old, I reflected about our senior years. Two things I shared with them:
First, as senior citizens, let us stop thinking of getting old because we are already old. Stop saying pagtanda ko… matanda na nga tayo. Let us face the reality we are old and find most especially the grace of God of reaching this stage. Being senior is to look with gratitude to our youth and to our past as we look forward to finding and meeting God who continues to call us to him.
Second, I told them to stop saying or thinking about our coming death because we are already dying. Huwag na nating isipin yung “kapag namatay tayo” kasi namamatay na nga tayo. Being senior is doing away with all those bucket lists, of things to do or places to visit before we die. We are already dying; hence, do whatever you can do now!
Perhaps the same propositions are applicable to anyone of any age. What matters is how much we love God and others expressed in our obedience to them like Jesus Christ. Let us keep following Jesus in the next twelve months of this 2026 to be filled with himself. Amen. Have a blessed week ahead.
Gospel Reading for 11 January 2026 -Matthew 3:13-17
CONSCIOUSLY MAKE
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John tried to prevent him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you are coming to me?” Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him. After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
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The Christmas Season officially ends today, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Thereafter, the liturgical season goes back to Ordinary Time.
Jesus did not need to be baptized by John, but he insisted. He wanted to go through what was ordinary to be a follower of John. Yet, it was far from ordinary because it was here that the Father acknowledged Jesus as his beloved Son.
For us Catholics, Ordinary Time does not mean going into unimportant times. It means that after celebration of the Feasts or after severe repentance during the Lenten Season, it is time to deepen our relationship with God, a time to CONSCIOUSLY MAKE our faith grow. It is that kind of time when Jesus would go to deserted places to pray, to connect with the Father after being with huge crowds. It is the time to contemplate on ordinary things we do in our lives and connect them to the Spirit we received at our Baptism.
Lord Jesus, may everyday be a renewal of the vows made at our Baptism!
Is 42:1-4, 6-7
This is the first of the four servant of the Lord songs in Second Isaiah, introducing him as chosen and empowered by God’s Spirit to uphold justice beyond legal matters, extending God’s moral law to all nations. The servant, calm and gentle, rebuilds rather than destroys. Verses envision Israel as this servant, covenanting with Yahweh to enlighten nations and combat ignorance—symbolized by blindness and imprisonment. While some identify the servant with Israel—calling him ‘Israel’ (49:3)—his individualized traits suggest he represents the faithful remnant. In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills these prophecies.
Acts 10:34-38
As part of Peter’s discourse in Cornelius’ home, this shows his message to the Christian community, emphasizing that all people can access salvation through Christ (“no partiality’). It affirms Gentile Christians’ right to join (v. 35) and summarizes the gospel content. Jesus, who proclaimed peace to Israel, is now Lord of all following his resurrection (2:36). Luke traces Jesus’ ministry from his baptism, not his early years, highlighting that God anointed Jesus through the Spirit, empowering his healing work (v38; Lk 4:18).
Mt 3:13-17
The gospel describes Jesus’ baptism and divine recognition, highlighting the symbolism and theological significance. Jesus comes from Galilee to Judea for baptism, which raises questions about his sinlessness and the baptism’s historicity. The act signifies Jesus sharing humanity and fulfilling God’s will, culminating in the theophany with the Spirit descending as a dove. God affirms Jesus as His Son, fulfilling prophecy and emphasizing his messianic role. The narrative shows Jesus as a kingly servant, emphasizing the Trinitarian nature and linking to Christian baptism.
Ending the Christmas season with Jesus’ baptism highlights our own. Baptism unites God’s promises with Christ’s redemption, making them real in our lives. It is the key sacrament, opening salvation to all and symbolizing the shift from death to life. Just as the Father affirms Jesus as His Son, God names us as His children. May we live out our baptismal promises. Amen.
Spirit
A very common noun found nearly 400 times in the OT, the word “rûach” (ר֥וּחַ), is usually understood as spirit or wind. As spirit it could be in relation both to God and human beings. But the very first mention of the word in Gen 1:2 somehow set the nuance of the word as the Spirit of God when used as the subject of the verb ”merachefet” (מְרַחֶ֖פֶת) translated as ‘swept over’…This verb occurs only once more in Deut. 32:11, expressing the utmost care, love and affection of a mother eagle that flutters or hovers, “yerachef”, over her young and bears them upon her wings. A wind cannot express tender love, care and affection! It blows dispassionately and indifferently – while the Spirit of God caringly and lovingly flutters over His creation. This loving, passionate hovering that we see in Deut. and Gen. can only refer to God’s Spirit!
Over all the word rûach found in OT when attributed to God could mean the following: first, as the agent of creation with that awesome power (Gen 1.2; Ps 33:6; Ez 37:1-10); second, as a source of inspiration and power that moved the leaders of Israel- Moses to Joshua, Judges, Kings, Prophets and the “Servant of The Lord” (Is 42), as vehicles of God’s revelation and activity; and third, as God’s presence in the covenantal community (Ez 11; 36).
Continuing the OT motifs about the �“rûach”, the word “pneuma” (πνευμα) in NT refers explicitly to the Spirit of God and specifically to the Holy Spirit: first, as the agent of conception in the birth of Christ (Mt 1:18ff; Lk 1:35ff) and the new birth or regeneration of Christians (John 3:5ff; 6:63); second, the Spirit is the source of divine revelation (2 Pt 1:21) and one can consider also the revelatory presence of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ baptism: Mk1:9ff, Mt 3:13ff; Lk 4:21ff, noting as well its ‘hovering’ action reminiscent of creation and confirming Jesus as the “Servant of the Lord” (Is 42; Ps 2); third, the Holy Spirit is given to the new covenant people of God (cf Joel 2:28; John 20:23; Acts 1:8) empowers the Church for its mission (Acts 2), dwells in them (Lk 1:15, 67, 1 Cor 6:19ff), illuminating and guiding them, as seal of salvation and sanctification (Rom 15:16, 1 Cor 2:10, Eph 1:13).
The Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism in Jordan and was revealed as the Father’s beloved Son. May we all His children born of water and the Spirit be faithful to our mission like Jesus and truly become God’s beloved children as well. The Spirit of God, ‘caringly and lovingly flutters over’ us, will surely see this through.
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Cycle A
Is 42:1-4.6-7 Acts 10:34-38 Mt 3:13-17
Ngayong Linggo ay ang kapistahan ng Pagbibinyag kay Jesus. Ang pagbibinyag kay Jesus ay may kapareho at may pagkakaiba rin sa pagbibinyag sa atin. Tayo ay binibinyagan upang matanggal ang kasalanan sa atin. Hindi ito nangyari kay Jesus. Wala naman siyang kasalanang mana. Dahil sa binyag, nagiging anak tayo ng Diyos. Si Jesus ay palaging Anak ng Diyos. Bakit ngayon si Jesus nagpabinyag? Noong makita siya ni Juan Bautista na magpapabinyag, ayaw sana siyang binyagan. Sabi ni Juan na siya pa nga ang dapat binyagan ni Jesus kasi mas matuwid siya kaysa kanya. Pero nagpumilit si Jesus kasi ito ang nararapat nilang gawin upang matupad ang kalooban ng Diyos. Ang pagbibinyag kay Jesus ni Juan Bautista ay isang tanda ng pakikiisa ni Jesus sa makasalanang kalagayan ng mga tao. Wala siyang kasalanan na kailangang linisin pero ibig niyang ituring siya na makasalanan tulad nating mga tao na kanyang ililigtas. Sa pagbuhos sa kanya ng tubig hindi siya ang nilinis ng tubig, pero ang tubig ang binigyan niya ng kapangyarihan na maglinis ng ating kasalanan sa sakramento ng binyag.
Ang pagbibinyag kay Jesus ay siya ring simula ng kanyang misyon. Iniwan na niya ang kanyang personal na buhay doon sa Nazaret at nagsimula na siyang magpahayag ng Magandang Balita at magpagaling at tumulong sa mga tao. Ano ang kanyang misyon? Sinabi ito ng Diyos sa awit ng Lingkod ng Panginoon na narinig natin sa ating unang pagbasa: “Ako ang Panginoon na tumawag sa iyo. Binigyan kita ng kapangyarihan upang pairalin ang katarungan sa daigdig.”
Nagpatotoo ang Espiritu Santo at ang Ama tungkol kay Jesus noong siya ay umahon sa ilog Jordan. Bumaba ang Espiritu Santo sa kanya sa anyo ng kalapati at may tinig na nanggaling sa ulap na nagsabi: “Ito ang minamahal kong anak na lubos kong kinalulugdan.” Hindi ba ito rin ang sinabi ni propeta Isaias sa ating unang pagbasa? “Ito ang lingkod ko na aking itataas, na aking pinili at kinalulugdan; ibubuhos ko sa kanya ang aking Espiritu, at sa mga bansa siya ang magpapairal ng katarungan.”
Sa ating panahon ngayon, marami ang nananawagan ng katarungan. Pero kakaiba ang misyon na gagawin ng lingkod ng Panginoon. Hindi siya sisigaw upang marinig sa kalye. Hindi siya makikipaglaban sa mga riot police. Hindi siya magtatapon ng bato o susunog ng kotse o gulong sa daan. Banayad at mahinahon siyang magsasalita. Hindi siya magtutumba o magtatapon ng mga bagay-bagay. Ang baling tambo ay hindi nga niya puputulin at hindi niya papatayin ang aandap-andap na apoy. He is very gentle. Iba siya magpairal ng katarungan. Ang mga biktima ng pang-aapi ang kanyang tinutulungan – ang mga inaalihan ng demonyo, ang mga may sakit, ang mga mahihirap na isinasantabi ng iba. Nagsimula si Jesus ng paggawa ng misyong ito noong siya ay mabinyagan.
Sana makita din natin ito sa ating binyag. Ang ating binyag ay hindi lang ang pagtanggal ng ating kasalanan. Ito ay ang simula ng ating misyon na makiisa sa misyon ni Jesus. Huwag tayo maging pabaya sa kalagayan ng kahirapan at ng pang-aapi sa lipunan. Dalhin natin ang liwanag ng kaligtasan sa mundo sa pamamagitan ng ating mabuting gawa. Madilim ang mundo dahil sa alitan. Dalhin natin ang liwanag ng pagmamalasakit sa kapwa at pagtulong sa kanila. Ito ay ang panawagan ng ating binyag.
Si Jesus ay kinilala ng Diyos Ama na kalugud-lugod sa kanya sa simula ng kanyang pagmimisyon noong siya ay bininyagan. Sa bandang huling panahon ng kanyang buhay, nanatili pa rin siyang kalugud-lugod sa Ama. Nagsalita uli ang boses mula sa langit sa pagbabagong anyo niya sa bundok ng Tabor noong siya ay papunta na sa Jerusalem para mag-alay ng kanyang sarili. Noong tayo’y bininyagan, naging kalugud-lugod din tayo sa Diyos. Tinanggal niya ang ating mga kasalanan at inampon niya tayo bilang kanyang anak. Hanggang ngayon natutuwa pa rin ba ang Diyos sa atin? Nananatili ba tayong tapat sa ating binyag hanggang ngayon na ginagawa ang kalooban ng ating Ama sa langit?
Ang pagbibinyag kay Jesus sa ilog Jordan ay isang paalaala sa ating binyag. Bagamat iba ang binyag niya kaysa binyag sa atin, ito ay may paalaala sa sariling binyag natin. Tulad ni Jesus, tayo din ay naging kalugud-lugod sa Diyos noong tayo ay bininyagan. Ang binyag ni Jesus ay ang simula ng kanyang buhay pagmimisyon. Dahil sa ating binyag may misyon din tayo sa buhay.
Makiisa tayo kay Jesus na pairalin ang katarungan sa mundo at magbigay ng liwanag sa mundo natin na balot ng dilim. Magagawa natin ito sa ating pakikiisa sa misyon ni Jesus.
Gospel Reading for January 10, 2026 – John 3: 22-30
POLITICS
Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing. John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, for John had not yet been imprisoned. Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew about ceremonial washings. So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan,
to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.” John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said that I am not the Christ, but that I was sent before him. The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man, who stands and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.”
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John the Baptist was really the Precursor of the Messiah Par Excellence. He knew his place very well and did not compete with Jesus. And, more than this, he even promoted him to the Jews.
This is an attitude we all have to acquire as Christians, especially in our basic ecclesial communities, church organizations, religious communities, parishes, dioceses, and even in Rome itself. It is very important to know our place very well and always be reminded as to why we are there in the first place. If it is very clear to us why we are a Church, and that the head of the Church is Jesus Christ himself, we would not be having too many squabbles regarding governance, management of resources, and resolution of disagreements to maintain order and achieve collective goals. POLITICS would never get into the picture.
Lord Jesus, please remind us always, that we all are your followers and precursors to those who still do not know you!
Gospel Reading for January 09, 2026 – Luke 5: 12-16
INVISIBLE BOND
It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made clean.” And the leprosy left him immediately. Then he ordered him not to tell anyone, but “Go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”
The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.
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Never in the bible is it mentioned that Jesus refused to heal someone sick who came to him. Jesus, ever compassionate, will always heal those who come to him. And those who came to him were so sure they would be healed. There is that INVISIBLE BOND of faith between the healer and the one needing to be healed, hence, a miracle is bound to happen.
His popularity was too much, and understandably so because there never was anyone in the whole of Israel who performed such mighty acts. Perhaps it overwhelmed him too, that’s why he needed to withdraw to deserted places (away from the madding crowd) to pray, to connect with his Father.
It is not enough for us to be healed physically. Most important healing is that of our soul/spirit. Even if our bodies are so healthy, but our soul/spirit is sick, we will be just EXISTING in this world, but not LIVING.
Today, is a big day for the Nazarene faithful. Thousands of people will be queuing up for the big procession. Most of them have a “panata” to attend the event every year. Most of them have a very special request. A lot of them are praying that by joining the procession, they will be healed of all ailments.
We pray that those joining the procession will be able to experience God’s love and compassion and be healed of spiritual illnesses, so they may find strength to start the new year full of hope and share God’s love with others!
Gospel Reading for January 08, 2026 – Luke 4: 14-22
INDIFFERENCE
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news of him spread throughout the whole region. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth.
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After becoming very popular in Galilee, Jesus went to Nazareth, his hometown and went to the synagogue as he used to do, and on a sabbath, he revealed to them that he was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
Why did Jesus reveal this at Nazareth and not at Galilee? Perhaps it was because he was known to be an ordinary carpenter in Nazareth. His family and the townfolks needed to know more deeply about his true identity. In the succeeding verses, we will see how Jesus was rejected by them, even after being amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They stuck to his being the son of Joseph the carpenter, hence, he was unable to perform many miracles in Nazareth as he did in Carpernaum, Galilee.
Their loss is our gain!
All persons have gifts and have a story to tell. When we reject them, we are the ones to lose because we do not experience the unique gift that we may receive from them, and do not benefit from the story they can share with us.
Lord, teach us not to waste any opportunity we may have in life because of INDIFFERENCE!
