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Trahedya sa basura

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 7:00 am

82,156 total views

Mga Kapanalig, isang trahedya ang pagguho ng Binaliw landfill sa Cebu City ngayong Zero Waste Month pa naman.

Noong ika-8 ng Enero, gumuho ang malaking bahagi ng nasabing landfill na pinangangasiwaan ng Prime Integrated Waste Solutions. Nabaón sa tone-toneladang basura, lupa, at mga gumuhong istruktura ang maraming manggagawa at nangangalakal. Habang isinusulat natin ang editoryal na ito, umabot na sa 28 ang nasawi, 18 ang nasugatan, at walo pa ang hinahanap.

Naghain na ng cease and desist order ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (o DENR) laban sa tagapangasiwa ng landfill. Ipinasara na rin ang tambakan habang isinasagawa ang search and rescue at cleanup. Dahil ang Binaliw landfill ang pangunahing waste disposal facility na nagseserbisyo sa mga lungsod ng Cebu, Mandaue, at Lapu-Lapu, at sa bayan ng Consolacion, nagdulot ang pagsasara nito ng krisis sa basura sa mga nasabing lugar. Kumikilos na ang mga lokal na pamahalaan upang humanap ng mga pansamantalang waste disposal facility. Pero ang tanong ng mga tao ngayon: saan dadalhin ang basura nila araw-araw?

Ayon sa paunang pagsusuri ng DENR, posibleng nangyari ang “trash-slide” dahil sa sobrang dami at taas ng tambak ng basura, tuluy-tuloy na pag-ulan, at mga geotechnical limitations ng landfill. Kung matatandaan, tumama sa Cebu ang 6.9-magnitude na lindol noong Setyembre, at nanalasa naman ang Bagyong Tino noong Nobyembre.

Matagal na ring nasasangkot sa kontrobersya ang Binaliw landfill simula pa noong 2019. Marami na raw itong paglabag sa Republic Act 9003 o ang Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Lumabas sa isang inspeksyon noong 2024 na nagmistulang open dumpsite sa halip na sanitary landfill ang ilang bahagi ng Binaliw landfill. Nagprotesta na rin ang mga residente dahil sa masangsang na amoy, pagdami ng mga langaw, at banta sa kalusugan ng mga tao ng pasilidad.

Ayon naman sa Movement for a Livable Cebu, sa kabila ng pagsunod ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa RA 9003 sa pagbalangkas ng 10-year solid waste management plans, nananatiling “blueprints without action” ang mga ito. Ang batas at mga mandatong plano ay hindi mga dokumento lamang. Dapat na maayos na ipinapatupad ang mga ito upang masiguro ang kaligtasan at disenteng pamumuhay ng mga mamamayan. Dapat ding ipinatutupad ang RA 11898 o ang Extended Producer Responsibility Act upang mapanagot ang mga kumpanyang sangkot sa krisis sa basura.

Higit pa sa wastong pamamahala ng basura, dapat ding bawasan ang basurang nalilikha sa simula pa lang. Sa Catholic social teaching na Laudato Si’, ipinaaalala sa atin ng Simbahan na ang krisis sa basura ay konektado sa throwaway culture, kung saan hindi nagtatagal at mabilis na itinatapon bilang basura ang karamihan ng mga bagay na ginagamit at kinokonsumo natin. Nakaugat ito sa modelo ng produksyon at pagkonsumo kung saan nangingibabaw ang kita o profit. Para sa mga negosyante, mas malaki ang kikitain sa paggawa ng mga produktong madaling masira at palitan o disposable. Hindi sila kikita kung nagtatagal, nakukumpuni, at muling nagagamit ang kanilang ibinibenta. Habang sila ay kumikita, binabayaran naman ng mga konsyumer ang mga negative externalities o nakatagong gastos sa produksyon gaya ng polusyon, banta sa kalusugan, at mga trahedyang katulad ng nangyari sa Cebu.

Mga Kapanalig, ipagdasal natin ang mga biktima ng trahedya at kani-kanilang pamilya. Dapat nilang makamit ang katarungan. Dapat mapanagot ang mga maysala sa environmental violations na nagdulot sa pagguho ng Binaliw landfill. Lahat tayo ay may papel sa pangangalaga sa ating common home at sa isa’t isa. Paalala nga sa Genesis 2:15, ipinagkaloob sa atin ng Diyos ang responsabilidad na pagyamanin at pangalagaan ang kalikasan at kapaligiran—hindi ang abusuhin at sayangin lamang upang maging basura at tambakan nito.

Sumainyo ang katotohanan.

Tunay na kaunlaran

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 7:00 am

103,932 total views

Mga Kapanalig, ilang barikada pa kaya ang itatayo ng mga residente ng bayan ng Dupax del Norte sa Nueva Vizcaya upang protektahan ang kanilang komunidad laban sa pagmimina?

Agosto noong nakaraang taon nang bigyan ng Mines and Geosciences Bureau ng DENR ang Woggle Corporation ng exploration permit sa naturang bayan. Mahigit tatlong libong ektarya ng lupain ang sakop ng permit. Agad umaksyon ang mga residente. Nagtayo sila ng mga barikada. Wala raw isinagawang konsultasyon sa kanila kaugnay ng mining exploration. Wala ring written consent na hiningi mula sa mga residente at may-ari ng mga maaapektuhang pribadong lupa. Nababahala rin sila, kasama ng ilang grupo at Simbahan, sa mga bantang dala ng pagmimina sa kalikasan at sa kalusugan at kabuhayan ng mga tao.

Patuloy na tumataas ang tensyon sa Dupax del Norte nitong mga nakaraang linggo matapos mag-isyu ng writ of preliminary injuction ang Bambang Nueva Vizcaya Regional Trial Court Branch 30. Ipinag-utos ng korte na tanggalin ng mga residente ang kanilang barikada sa Keon Road, isang kalye sa Barangay Bitnog na dinadaanan papunta sa mining exploration site.

Para kay Bishop Elmer Mangalinao ng Diyosesis ng Bayombong, lubhang nakalulungkot at nakaaalarma ang naging desisyon ng korte, hindi lamang para sa mga residente ng komunidad, ngunit maging sa lahat ng naninindigan para sa buhay, lupa, at kalikasan sa Nueva Vizcaya. May nabalitaan na rin ang diyosesis na mga insidente ng pang-aabuso at pananakot sa mga residenteng mapayapang lumalaban para sa kanilang mga karapatan.

Dahil rito, umaapela si Bishop Mangalinao sa mga lokal na opisyal ng Nueva Vizcaya na mag-issue ng cease and desist order laban sa exploration activities ng Woggle Corporation. Mabibigyan daw ito ng pagkakataon ang mga awtoridad na imbestigahan ang sinasabing mga pang-aabuso sa karapatang pantao. Panahon din ito para pigilan ang pagsira sa kalikasan ng probinsya. Binigyang-diin ng obispo ang pangunahing tungkulin ng mga lokal na opisyal na protektahan ang kanilang mga nasasakupan.

Samantala, nanawagan naman si Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima sa kapwa niya mga kongresista na magsagawa ng isang congressional investigation kaugnay ng isyu. Bilang bahagi ng oversight function ng Kongreso, mahalaga raw malaman kung sumunod sa batas ang korporasyon sa mga ginagawa nila sa Nueva Vizcaya at kung may mga ahensyang dapat managot sa isyu. Ayon pa sa mambabatas, “walang kita o sinasabing pag-unlad ang makatutumbas sa buhay at ikinabubuhay ng mga apektadong komunidad na nalalagay sa peligro dahil sa… pagmimina.”
Katulad ng sinasabi sa mga panlipunang turo ng Simbahan, hindi maituturing na tunay ang kaunlaran kung may mga isinasantabi. Iginagalang at itinataguyod ng tunay na kaunlaran ang kabutihan at kaganapan ng bawat nilikha. Kaya naman, anumang proyekto o gawaing yumuyurak sa dignidad ng mga nilikha—tao man o kalikasan—ay bahagi ng huwad na kaunlaran. Walang katumbas na pera ang maaaring pumantay sa dignidad ng tao at sangnilikha.

Ang pagsasantabi sa mga tao at ang pagsira sa kalikasan ay paglapastangan sa “napakabuting” nilikha ng Diyos, ayon nga sa Genesis 1:31. Kung pagmamasdan kaya ng Diyos ang kalagayan ng lahat ng Kanyang nilikha, matutuwa kaya Siya? Kung makikita Niya ang nangyayari sa Nueva Vizcaya—at sa marami pang lugar na itinataboy ang mga tao sa ngalan ng kita—masasabi pa rin kaya Niyang napakabuti ng Kanyang mga nilikha?

Mga Kapanalig, hindi pa huli ang lahat para sa mga kababayan natin sa Duplax del Norte. Patuloy silang tumitindig para sa kanilang mga karapatan at pinoprotektahan ang likas na yaman ng kanilang bayan. Samahan natin sila sa kanilang mga panawagan. Tayong lahat ay may pananagutang isulong ang isang tunay na kaunlaran saan mang bahagi ng Pilipinas.

Sumainyo ang katotohanan.

ANG DIYOS NA BATA

Monday, January 19, 2026 8:20 am

3,466 total views

Pista ng Santo Niño

18 Enero 2026, Isaias 9:1–6; Efeso 1:3–18; Mateo 18:1–10

Akala ng marami ang pista ng Santo Niño ay ipinagdiriwang din ng lahat ng Katoliko sa mundo kapag ikatlong Linggo ng Taon. Hindi po. Sa atin lang ito; pinayagan ng CBCP na maging parte ng kalendaryo ng Simbahang Katolika sa Pilipinas dahil sa malakas na popukar devotion sa Santo Niño. Siyempre sa mga bansa na may maraming migranteng Pilipino, nakapasok na rin ito, pero hindi pa rin tulad sa atin na ipinagdiriwang na opisyal at pambansa .

Ibinabalik tayo ng pistang ito sa pinaka-pinagmulan ng ating pananampalataya bilang mga Kristiyanong Pilipino. Bago pa natin kasi nakilala si Hesus bilang guro, propeta, o Nazarenong ipinako sa krus, una natin siyang nakilala bilang isang bata. Ang kauna-unahang imahen ni Kristo na ipinakilala sa ating mga ninuno ay hindi ang Hesus na nangangaral o humahamon sa mga makapangyarihan, kundi ang Batang Hesus, ang Santo Niñong iniregalo ni Magellan sa reynang asawa ni Haring Humabon sa Cebu.

Hindi ito aksidente ng kasaysayan. May sinasabi ito tungkol sa kung paano nais ipakilala ng Diyos ang kanyang sarili sa ating mga Pilipino.

Narinig natin ang propetang Isaias sa ating unang pagbasa: “Ang bayang naglalakad sa dilim ay nakakita ng malaking liwanag… Sapagkat isinilang para sa atin ang isang bata, ibinigay sa atin ang isang anak.” Ano ang sinasabi ng orakulong ito? Darating daw sa atin ang Diyos na makapangyarihan hindi bilang mandirigma kundi sa anyo ng isang bata. Hindi daw siya mamumuno sa pamamagitan ng lakas at dahas kundi sa anyo ng kaliitan at kahinaan. Ang tinatawag niyang “Prinsipe ng Kapayapaan” ay isang sanggol.

Ganyan ang Diyos na sinasamba natin sa Santo Niño—isang Diyos na hindi nananakot, kundi nagpapakumbaba; isang Diyos na hindi nangingibabaw, kundi nagpapalambot ng puso. Hindi ba parang natutunaw ang puso ng isang matanda kapag nginitian siya ng batang kalong ng isang nanay na nasa unahan niya?

Sa Ebanghelyo, nagtatalo daw ang mga alagad kung sino ba sa kanila ang pinakadakila. Isang tipikal na bagay na pinagkakaabalahan ng mga malalaking tao ang kadakilaan. Pero ang bigay na sagot ni Hesus ay hindi paliwanag. Sa halip kumuha siya ng isang bata, inilagay ito sa gitna nila, at sinabi: “Malibang kung kayo’y magbagong-loob at maging tulad ng mga bata, hindi kayo makapapasok sa kaharian ng langit.”

Ang tanong nila ay tungkol sa pagiging dakila. Ang sagot ni Hesus ay pagbabago ng puso.

Ang pagiging alagad daw ay hindi tungkol sa pagpapakadalubhasa o pagdami ng kaalaman habang tumatanda, kundi ang unti-unting pagiging bata sa puso at diwa—batang marunong magtiwala, marunong magpakumbaba, marunong umasa sa Diyos.

Marami nang mga batikang propesor ang nagsabi na ang debosyon sa Santo Niño ay nagpapanatiling parang mga musmos sa pilipinong mananampalataya. Pero baka ang problema ay humihinto sila sa unang tingin. Totoo namang ang pag-unlad sa pananampalataya ay dumadaan sa pagtatanong, sa pagiging mapanuri, sa paghahagilap ng sagot sa maraming tanong sa buhay. Pero hindi natatapos doon. Ang tunay na hinog na pananampalataya ay natututong bumalik sa kababaang-loob, hindi bilang kahinaan kundi bilang kalayaan.

Ito ang tinawag ni Santa Teresita na “little way”—o landas ng kaliitan o daan ng espiritwal na pagkabata. Hindi naman ito tungkol sa pagiging mangmang o isip-bata kundi sa pagiging mapagpakumbaba. Katulad ng batang marunong magtiwala kahit itapon pa siya sa hangin, dahil alam niyang sasaluhin siya. Humahalakhak pa habang nahuhulog sa kamay ng tatay niya.
Kaya siguro malalim ang ugat ng debosyon sa Santo Niño sa ating kulturang Pilipino. Tinatanggap natin ang mga bata bilang biyaya, hindi bilang pabigat. Hindi natin itinuturing na “isa na namang bibig na pakakainin,” kundi regalo ng Diyos—kahit may kaakibat na malaking sakripisyo.

Alam nyo ba na may mga siyudad sa mundo na may tradisyon ng paghalal ng batang mayor o alkalde kahit isang linggo lamang? Parang biro-biro pero nagsisilbing paalala na ang pamumuno ay hindi para sa sariling kapangyarihan kundi para sa kinabukasan ng mga bata.

Isa daw sa palatandaan na nagiging tunay na makatao ang isang lipunan ay kapag inuuna nito ang kapakanan ng mga bata at mahihina. Kaya sa mga ebanghelyo may mga okasyon na nagpahayag ng galit si Hesus kapag inaabuso o inaapi ang mga bata. At kaya rin malinaw: ang Simbahang nagtataboy sa mga bata ay walang kinabukasan.

Tuwang tuwa ako nang makatanggap ako noong nakaraang Pasko ng Kapampangan translation ng paborito kong librong The Little Prince. Maraming aral doon na pahaging sa mga matatanda na masyado nang naging abala sa maraming bagay tulad ng pagpapakayaman, pagpapasikat, pagpapadami ng ari-arian, pagmamadali, pero nakakalimot na sa mga bagay na totoong mahalaga. Sabi ng munting prinsipe, “Ang tunay na mahalaga ay hindi nakikita ng mata.” Hindi ba’t iyan din ang itinuturo ng Santo Niño? Larawan ng isang Diyos na nagpakaliit-liit, pwede nating buhatin sa kamay, pero nananatiling dakila sa kaliitan lubhang kayang buhatin ang buong mundo sa isang kamay?

Sa ikalawang pagbasa, pinaalalahanan tayo ni San Pablo na tayo ay pinili, inampon, at pinagpala ng Diyos kay Kristo—hindi dahil tayo’y malakas o magaling, kundi dahil mahal niya tayo. Bago pa tayo maging mga achievers, anak na ang turing sa atin. Bago pa tayo matutong magsumikap na maging kapaki-pakinabang, minahal na niya tayo.

Sa Sinulog ng mga Cebuano Pit Señor! Ang sigaw. Siguro pwede ring sumugaw ng Peace, Señor. Kapayapaan, Panginoon! Kapayapaan na hindi bunga ng pagyayabang, kundi ng pagpapakumbaba. Kapayapaang natatamo hindi sa pamamagitan ng palakasan, kundi sa malasakit sa mga dehado at maliliit—sa mga bata, sa mahihina, sa mga walang kalaban-laban.

Kung gusto natin ng kapayapaan para sa ating mga pamilya, para sa Simbahan, at sa ating bayan, kailangan matutunan nating muli ang landas ng kaliitan ni Sants Teresa, landas na natutunan niya sa Panginoon.

Ang Santo Niño ay hindi pagtakas sa ating mga pananagutan. Siya ay paanyaya ng Diyos para tayo ay magbalik-loob. Paanyayang bitawan ang kayabangan, iwaksi ang kalupitan, para makitang muli kung sino ba tayo talaga sa mata ng Diyos—mga anak niya: mapagkumbaba, marunong magtiwala, may malasakit, at may lakas ng loob na magmahal.

Ito ang dahilan kung bakit mahal natin ang Santo Niño. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit siya nananatili sa puso ng pananampalatayang Pilipino.

Ipinakita na sa atin ng Diyos ang daan—ang landas ng pagkabata.

Pagtanggap sa Bata

Monday, January 19, 2026 8:19 am

957 total views

Sa Kapistahan ng Sto. Niño, hindi lang mga bata ang tinatawag na magsaya, kundi pati ang ating mga puso na matutong muling maging bata—mapagkumbaba, bukas sa pagbabago, at handang sumunod. Sa gitna ng awit, kulay, at galak, ipinapaalala ni Jesus na ang tunay na debosyon ay hindi ang pag-angkop sa Kanya sa ating kagustuhan, kundi ang paghubog ng ating sarili ayon sa Kanyang halimbawa bilang masunuring Anak at mapagkalingang Lingkod.

New wine, new wineskins

Monday, January 19, 2026 8:16 am

6,905 total views

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Monday, Second Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 19 January 2026
1 Samuel 15:16-23 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 2:18-22

It is still too early,
Lord Jesus Christ
but every moment is 
always a "happy hour" 
in you as you speak of
new wine into fresh wineskins:

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are wuined. Rather, new wine in poured into fresh wineskins” (Mark 2:22).

Teach me, Jesus
to have a "new mind in Christ"
(1 Cor. 2:16),
to truly fast my mind
and my heart
by emptying myself
of so many things like
beliefs and suppositions
that prevent me from
welcoming you into myself;
turn me into a fresh wineskin,
Lord by discarding
my old self
that has become my comfort zone
of complacency
and mediocrity;
teach me obedience,
Jesus that I may truly
appreciate and realize the true
meaning of our many traditions
like fasting and prayer
that lead to glorifying you
and union in you;
forgive me on many occasions
of acting and believing
like King Saul
of justifying disobedience,
insisting on my own
understanding
and seeing of things.

Many times,
indeed,
we "burst" because
 we never have you
in us, Jesus,
for we are so filled
 with our old selves.
Amen.

STALE

Monday, January 19, 2026 8:14 am

4,674 total views

Gospel Reading for January 19, 2026 – Mark 2: 18-22

STALE

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were accustomed to fast. People came to Jesus and objected, “Why do the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus answered them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day. No one sews a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak. If he does, its fullness pulls away, the new from the old, and the tear gets worse. Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins.”

———-

The disciples of John the Baptist fasted as a sign of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. As Jesus, the Messiah had already come, it was now a time for great rejoicing. When Jesus is taken away from his disciples in Calvary, fasting then, would be a time of mourning. As for the Pharisees, fasting had no real value because it was a ritual they used to show their piety and righteousness. The Pharisees insisted on many man-made traditions which were too rigid and burdensome, rendering their religion STALE. In contrast to Jesus’ teachings, they focused more on outward ritual rather than internal transformation. This was why Jesus called them hypocrites (Matthew 23: 13, 15, 23, 25, and 27).

There is a recorded 9.6 million devotees who participated in the January 9, 2026 Black Nazarene festivities in Manila. The Sinulog Festival of the Sto. Niño in Cebu yesterday, is said to have drawn 5.2 million people. These are what we call Popular Religiosity or faith and spiritual practices of ordinary people expressed through local and cultural traditions.
When we do rituals or practice popular religiosity, we also need to examine ourselves. Why do we participate? Do these practices enhance our relationship with God, inspire and move us to seek him in the sacraments? Do they touch our lives in a way that makes us strive to be better persons in our families/communities?

Hopefully, our practices of popular religiosity will not make the practice of our religion STALE, but instead, enliven and make richer the practice of our Faith so we may be a “Synodal Church” that emphasizes communion, participation, and mission.

All praises be to you, Lord God, the Most High!

Huwag gawing normal ang korapsyon

Monday, January 19, 2026 7:00 am

127,833 total views

Mga Kapanalig, kasama nating tumawid sa 2026 ang isyu ng korapsyon. Wala pa ring napananagot na malalaking isda, ‘ika nga, sa mga sangkot sa mga kontrobersyal na flood control projects ng DPWH at mga kasabwat na contractors at pulitiko.

Ganoon na nga siguro kalalim at kalaganap ang korapsyon sa pamahalaan na hindi talaga masisibat ang mga tiwali. Patuloy pa nga sila sa kanilang pagnanakaw. Hindi sila tinatablan ng hiya at patuloy na kumakapit sa kanilang puwesto. Tuloy ang kanilang ligaya.

Kaya hindi natin masisisi ang marami sa atin kung naniniwala silang talamak ang korapsyon sa gobyerno.

Sa survey na ginawa ng Pulse Asia noong Disyembre, lumabas na 94% ng mga kalahok ang nagsabing “widespread” o laganap ang katiwalian. Nasa pito sa sampung respondents—o 74%—ang naniniwalang tumindi pa ang korapsyon sa nakalipas na taon. Sa kabila nito, 43% ang hindi sang-ayon sa pananaw na normal na bahagi ng pulitika ang katiwalian, pero hindi naman nalalayo ang mga may kabaligtarang paniniwala—41% ang sumang-ayon na normal na ang korapsyon sa ating pulitika.

Anu-ano naman ang itinuturing ng mga respondents na porma ng korapsyon?

Nangunguna sa listahan ang pagtanggap o pagbibigay ng suhol; 74% ang nagsabi nito. Sumunod ang maling paggamit ng pera ng bayan (para sa mga nasa gobyerno) o ng pera ng kompanya (para naman sa mga nasa pribadong sektor); 66% ang nagbanggit nito. Itinuturing ding porma ng katiwalian ang pagbibigay o pagtanggap ng kickback; tinukoy ito ng 64% ng respondents.

Pero hindi ganoon karami ang nagsabing itinuturing nilang uri ng katiwalian ang nepotismo o favoritism sa pag-eempleyo o promosyon at ang kabiguang ibunyag ang tinatawag na conflict of interest. Wala pang 40% ang nagbanggit na maituturing na korapsyon ang favoritism na ibinibigay sa mga kamag-anak o mga kaibigan, na hindi tinitingnan o sinusukat ang kanilang pagiging karapat-dapat. Nasa 21% lamang ang nagsabing katiwalian ang hayaang gamitin ng mga tao ang kanilang kapangyarihan o posisyon para isulong ang iba pa nilang interes. Halimbawa ng conflict of interest ang paggamit ng mga pulitiko sa kanilang posisyon para makakuha ng malalaking kontrata ang kompanyang pagmamay-ari ng kanilang pamilya.

Kung malinaw sa atin ang kahulugan ng korapsyon, kamumuhian natin ang lahat ng porma nito. Ang nepotismo at conflict of interest ay mga ugat ng katiwalian, pero sa lumabas sa survey ng Pulse Asia, mukhang tanggap ng marami sa atin ang korapsyon, lalo na kung magbubunga ito ng trabaho o iba pang kapakinabangan. Hindi kaya guilty rin tayo sa korapsyon kaya hindi natin mapanindigan ang paglaban dito?

Kasama natin ang Simbahan sa paglaban sa korapsyon. Hindi natin sinasabing malaya ang Simbahan sa katiwalian, pero malinaw ang mga turo nito laban sa gawaing pinagnanakawan ang mahihirap, pinalalawak ang kawalang-katarungan, at naglalantad sa marami sa buhay na labag sa kanilang dignidad. Sa paniniwalang ito nakaugat ang tungkulin ng Simbahang isulong ang malinis na pamamahala.
Pero mahalagang bantayan din natin ang ating mga sarili. Nakapaloob ang korapsyon maging sa mga karaniwang ginagawa natin, at hahanap ito ng paraan para manuot sa mga buhay ng ating lipunan. Kung hindi natin nakikitang problema ang paggamit ng ating mga koneksyon para magkatrabaho o ang paggamit ng posisyon natin para makinabang ang ating pamilya, pinalalakas natin ang korapsyon. Mawawalan tayo ng kredibilidad na labanan ang katiwalian.

Kaya mga Kapanalig, ang paglaban sa korapsyon ay nagsisimula sa pagtutol na gawing normal ito. Ang paglaban sa korapsyon ay nagsisimula sa ating sarili—sa pagtanggi sa suhol, sa pagiging tapat sa trabaho, at pag-uulat ng nakikitang katiwalian. Wika nga sa Efeso 5:11, “Huwag kayong makibahagi sa mga gawain ng kadiliman na walang ibinubungang mabuti.”

Sumainyo ang katotohanan.

Sto. Niño

Sunday, January 18, 2026 12:00 pm

2,205 total views

Isa 9:1-6
The reading belongs to that section of the book of the prophet which is called the “book of Emmanuel” which deals with prophesies about the coming Messiah whose coming is pictured as light to those in darkness, a king bringing salvation to his people.

Eph. 1:3-6, 15-18
The prophecies about God’s plan is fulfilled in Christ. God has blessed us in Christ “with every spiritual blessing.” He chose us to be “holy and without blemish” (vv. 3-4). In love, he chose us for adoption, as he willed. We praise him for the grace “that he granted us in the beloved,” Jesus his Son (vv. 3-6).

Mt. 18:1-5, 10
The Apostles ask Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (v. 1). He places a child in their midst and teaches them, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (vv. 3-4). “And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me” (v. 5). “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon them”.

The theme of our celebration today is the gift of the God-Child who illuminates the darkness of our lives. Through him, we have received the riches of the Father’s blessings. We have been made the Father’s adopted children. That is the objective faith-reality, received at our Baptism. But subjectively, we have to become what we are – the innocent, trusting, obedient child in today’s Gospel, in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Amen!

Pit Señor!

Historical Notes:
Filipinos have maintained a long tradition of venerating the Sto Niño. Pope Innocent XIII approved special liturgical texts for a special feast to honor the Child Jesus on the 3rd Sunday of January.

Along with Magellan’s Cross, the Sto. Niño de Cebu is the oldest surviving Christian artifact in the Philippines. It was a baptismal gift of Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon (Carlos) and his wife, Humamay (Juana) in 1521. It is made of dark wood, depicting the Child Jesus, about 12 inches high, in Spanish imperial robes, a golden crown, and a scepter.

In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi burned Cebu when his efforts at peaceful colonization were rejected. In the ruins of the destruction, a Spanish mariner found the image of the Sto. Niño in a pine box. Ever since its rediscovery (“Kaplag”), the icon is believed to be miraculous. It is one of the most beloved cultural and religious icons in the country.

St. John Paul II recalled this history when celebrating a Mass for families in 1981 in Cebu City: “God’s providence in the Philippines has been truly wonderful. The Christianization that took place in the sixteenth century was not something merely accidental. Divine grace was at work when the people of this region had their first contact with the image of the Santo Niño. It is an important historical fact, rich in religious meaning, that on January 1, 1571, the village kingdom of Sugbu was renamed the “Villa del Santo Niño”, and thus the first city of the Philippines was placed under the patronage of the Child Jesus.

The feast of the Sto. Niño being inextricably linked to the child Jesus confirms that the country has the longest celebration of Christmas.

GRAVE INJUSTICE

Sunday, January 18, 2026 11:35 am

5,385 total views

Gospel Reading for January 18, 2026 – Matthew 18: 1-5, 10

GRAVE INJUSTICE

Feast of the Sto. Niño

The disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me. See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.”

————

In the olden days, most children were expected to be very obedient to their parents and the elders. They were not allowed to engage in casual conversation with adults and were allowed to speak only if the adults talk to them, and so on and so forth. It was easy to make children obedient because it is a common trait of children.

But nowadays, a lot of children have become a bit different because of their exposure to multi-media. If they are exposed to immoral and negative platforms, they become sort of “adulterated,” or corrupted, debased, made impure by the addition of a foreign or inferior substance or element. This word is commonly used for food, when there is addition or subtraction of any substance, such that its natural composition and quality is affected. The childlike qualities of children are affected by their environment , exposure, and most especially, the kind of family they have.
It is a GRAVE INJUSTICE to bring children into the world and not provide decent living conditions, education, healthcare and protection from possible dangers and abuses of all kinds. It is worst, if the parents themselves are the abusers, leaving an indelible mark on the children who will be badly affected not only in the present, but more so, in the future.

Now, we understand why Mary was chosen to be Jesus’ mother, and St. Joseph his foster father!

We pray Lord for parents to realize their great role in shaping the future of their children!

Joy to the world

Sunday, January 18, 2026 7:37 am

8,242 total views

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Feast of the Sto. Niño, Cycle A, 18 January 2026
Isaiah 9:1-6 ><]]]]'> Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18 ><]]]]'> Matthew 18:1-5, 10

*Photo from https://santoninodecebubasilica.org/chronicles/viva-pit-senor-viva-senor-santo-nino/*

On this Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, we extend for a day our Christmas celebration with the Feast of Sto. Niño (Child Jesus), a special feast granted to us by Rome in honor of the crucial role in our evangelization by that image gifted by Magellan to Queen Juana of Cebu over 500 years ago.

As Nick Joaquin claimed in many of his writings, it was the Sto. Niño who actually conquered our country to become the only Christian nation in this part of the world which shows indeed as Christ had declared in today’s gospel that whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child over, placed it in their midst and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me” (Matthew 18:1-5).

*“Jesus and the Little Child” painting by James Tissot between 1886-1894 now at Broolyn Museum; from wikimedia.org.*

One of the things I cherish in my hospital ministry since 2021 is visiting new born babies: now I know why there are called a “bundle of joy” and always a sight to behold for me whenever I see them yawning and stretching then curling their little hands and arms when I sprinkle them with Holy Water.

Babies and children have something so uniquely in them that elicit joy in everyone even the most hardened criminals. They are so lovely because they speak to us of the beauty of life, of the joy of living, of the bright future still coming for us all. That is why experts are worried anywhere there is a falling or zero birth rate because that paints a bleak future of all kinds of problems and disaster to any nation or society so evident these days among developed countries that lack younger generation to care for their elderly and workforce to run their economy.

The sight of every child and baby is always a celebration of life, most specially in the arrival of Jesus Christ, the eternal Word in time and space over 2000 years ago. This Sunday, Jesus is inviting us to remember that scene at the first Christmas when he was born, to see him in every child like that one he had called in the midst of his apostles with flesh, bones, and blood pitched among us.

*Photo by Mr. Darwin Arcilla, Chapel of the Angel of Peace, RISE Tower, OLFU-Valenzuela, Christmas 2025.*

Here is the Son of God so intimate with our own lives including all its mess especially sickness and death itself.

Here is the Child Jesus we fondly call Sto. Niño who came to be born among us because he loves us so much.

Here are the children of the world, the greatest among us because they assure us of continuity in the future.

Looking at the Child Jesus and the child he had called in the midst of the apostles, we are challenged today to feel and realize what is to be with a baby or a child as another person with breath, body and a purpose yet to unfold throughout his/her life. Being like a child is the greatest of all because that is when we are fully human, entrusting everything to God. Que sera, sera!

It is said that in ancient Egypt, people cried aloud whenever a baby was born because of the sufferings every newborn is due to undergo in life. So true! In fact, my earliest lesson about life came through an illustration in a Reader’s Digest magazine of a newly delivered baby crying while being held by a doctor in the OR. I asked my mother why the baby was crying and she told me that when a child is born and cries, then it is alive; if a baby does not cry at birth, it could be dead that is why the doctor has to spank to make him/her cry. That lesson had remained until now with me as a priest – that life is difficult and growing up is always painful.

And how ironic as in the gospel today that Jesus directs us to becoming like children to fully grasp these realities. It is not only Jesus but also the little children who enlighten our unclear minds with such great light that “shone in darkness” (first reading) because of their simplicity. We adults tend to complicate things by overthinking while children remind us of all the beautiful possibilities in life despite the mess and chaos we are into.

It is this simplicity of children that also disarm us of our false securities and pretensions when they playfully smile and laugh at us as they simply live in the present moment enjoying our company. In their fragility and vulnerability is their strength making us so concerned with them that we can’t stand leaving a baby or a child alone especially when he/she is crying, when in need.

There lies the good news of the Sto. Niño and of being like a child: he calls us to stay because Jesus too like children remain with us. There is no turning back for Jesus and for every child here today.

Jesus is here along with every child that is why we too are here gathered today to receive them and to ensure every life is safely protected and lovingly cared. It is in our staying, in our remaining we become child-like as we realize the tremendous blessings God has bestowed on us as his children (second reading) called to grow and mature in Christ by making him felt and known in this world that has slowly become so unwelcoming of babies and of God.

Notice how with the growth of what St. John Paul II called as “culture of death” promoting artificial contraceptives and abortion to control population growth, there is the corresponding turning away of people from God and eventually from one another. In this age of “Do-It-Yourself” Christianity, deciding on the number of kids to raise depend more on the couple’s financial capabilities than faith in God’s grace and power so that couples and people in general have unconsciously considered babies more as things to have than persons to love.

We end our reflection on this Feast of Sto. Niño with this Christmas song we have always taken for granted, “Joy to the World”. Written in 1719 by the English minister Isaac Watts, “Joy to the World” expresses the very joy not only of Christ’s coming but also of the birth of every child who reminds us of God among us in Jesus and of the need for us adults to be one with God always.

*Photo by author, Sto. Niño Exhibit at the Malolos Cathedral, January 2022.*

Joy to the world,
the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let very heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the world,
the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods,
rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy

He rules the world
with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love
And wonders of his love

For heaven and nature to sing anew of this joy, we have to be like the children welcoming Jesus in our hearts without any ifs and buts.

For us to repeat the sounding joy in life, we have to be like children in trustingly following Jesus in his Cross; notice how the gospels are silent about children calling for the crucifixion of Jesus. Only the adults demanded his death!

Finally, for us to experience the wonders of God’s love, we have to become like children who let truth and grace be the rules in life, not lies and powers. That is the greatness of being like a child – of trusting more in God than in man and his sciences and technologies, ideologies and philosophies that all fall short in bringing true joy and fulfillment in life. Amen. A blessed week ahead of everyone!

Homily January 18, 2026

Sunday, January 18, 2026 7:00 am

4,651 total views

Feast of the Santo Niño

Holy Childhood Day (Sancta Infantia)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Is 9:1-6 Eph 1:3-6,15-18 Mt 18:1-5.10

“Sino ang pinakadakila sa kaharian ng langit?” Ang tanong na ito kay Jesus ng mga alagad ay siya ring tanong natin. Palagi tayo naghahanap ng kadakilaan – sino ang dakilang basketbolista, ang dakilang artista, ang dakilang singer. Pati na tungkol sa langit naghahanap tayo ng dakila – sino ba ang dakila sa langit? Nakakabigla ang sagot ni Jesus. Ang dakila ay ang maliit. Less is more. Ang bata ang dakila sa langit. Pero higit pa sa dakila. Kailangan tayong tumulad sa mga bata upang makapasok sa kaharian ng langit. Mabigat ang salita ni Jesus: “Tandaan ninyo ito: kapag hindi kayo nagbago at tumulad sa mga bata, hinding-hindi kayo mabibilang sa mga pinaghaharian ng Diyos!” Mas lalong matularan natin ang bata, mas dumadakila tayo sa mata ng Diyos.

Ano ba ang katangian ng pagkabata na mahalaga sa Diyos? Ang bata ay hindi nagmamalaki, hindi nagmamayabang, at siya ay mapagtiwala. Wala siyang tinatago kaya hindi siya mapagkunwari. Kailangan natin ang mga katangiang ito sa ating pakikitungo sa Diyos. Malakas ba ang ating tiwala sa Diyos? Umaasa ba tayo sa kanya? Sumusunod ba tayo sa kanya? Ang kasalanan ay pagmamayabang. Ito ang kaisipan ng gumagawa ng masama: Mali ang Diyos at hindi ako magiging maligaya kung susunod ako sa kanya.

Ang pagiging maliit at mapagtiwala ang kadakilaan ng mga bata, at iyan din ang kahinaan nila. Dahil sa mahina sila, maliit at mapagtiwala madali silang linlangin, utuin at abusuhin. Kaya sinasabi din ni Jesus na huwag nating hamakin ang mga ito. Ganoon kasama ang pag-aabuso sa mga bata na mas mabuti pang itapon sa dagat na may nakataling malaking bato sa kanyang leeg ang gumagawa ng masama at nagbibigay ng masamang halimbawa sa isang bata. Marupok ang mga bata. Pagkaingatan natin sila. Ang sugat at ang lamat na natatanggap nila sa murang edad ay dala-dala nila sa kanilang buhay. Sinasabi ng mga psychiatrist na maraming mga issue natin sa buhay ay nanggaling sa pagtrato sa atin noong tayo ay bata pa.

Malakas ang debosyon nating mga Pilipino kay Jesus na niño, kay Jesus na bata. Kaya ngayong araw, ang daming fiesta ng Sto Nino sa buong bansa at kahit na sa ibang bansa kung nasaan ang mga Pilipino. Ito ay dahil sa katangian nating mga Pilipino na malambot ang ating puso sa mga bata. Naaakit tayo sa kanila. Naaakit tayo sa Panginoong Jesus bilang bata. Hindi tayo natatakot sa kanya. Pero tandaan natin na dahil si Jesus ay bata, huwag lang natin siyang pag-laru-laruan. Huwag natin siyang utu-utuin. Bata nga siya ngunit siya ay ang ating Panginoon. Kaya malahari ang kanyang damit. May korona siya at hawak niya ang setro, isang baston na nagpapahiwatig ng kanyang kapangyarihan. Hawak niya ang daigdig sa kanyang kamay. Bata siya pero hari siya. Ang kanyang paghahari ay hindi nakakasindak. Hindi siya nakakatakot. Nagdadala siya ng katarungan at katuwiran hindi sa pamamagitan ng pananakot kundi dahil sa kanyang pang-aakit at ng pagmamahal. Kaya nga kahit na bata si Jesus, sundin at tularan natin siya. Iyan ang hamon sa atin ng Sto Nino.

Kailangan natin ang hamong ito kasi kahit na katangian nating mga Pilipino na maging malapit sa mga bata, mayroon ding nangyayari na pang-aabuso sa kanila. Isang madalas na pang-aabuso sa mga bata ay ang pagsisigaw at pagmumura sa kanila. Dahil sa kanilang murang edad nakatatak sa kanila ang tinatawag natin sa kanila. Naaapektuhan ang kanilang paningin sa kanilang sarili kung tinatawag natin silang tanga, tamad, walang pakinabang, pasaway o pini-PI pa. Nandiyan din ang physical abuse. Oo kailangan ng disiplina ang mga bata pero hindi sa paraang violente o madahas, lalo na kung walang paliwanag bakit sila pinapalo o kinukurot. Huwag natin ibunton ang ating galit o hinanakit sa mga bata. Ang pagpapabaya ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak ay isa ring nakakasama sa kanila. Hindi sila dinisiplina, hindi tinuturuan na kumain ng mabuti, hindi ginagabayan sa kanilang pag-aaral. May mga magulang din na pinagkikitaan ang mga anak nila sa pagtutulak sa kanila sa mga malalaswang gawain, kahit na sa harap ng camera lamang. Nakakababa ito ng dignidad ng mga mata. Ang Pilipinas daw ay ang sentro ng cybersex dito sa Asia.

Sinabi din ni Jesus: “Ang sinumang tumatanggap sa isang bata dahil sa akin, ako ang tinatanggap.” Isipin natin sa ating pag-aalaga ng mga bata na si Jesus ang inaalagaan natin. Kaya ang mga nag-aalaga ng mga bata – mga magulang, mga lola at lolo, mga ate at kuya at mga yaya – palagi kayong tumawag kay Santa Maria at kay San Jose na tulungan kayo paano mag-alaga sa mga maliliit tulad ng pag-alaga nila kay Niño Jesus. Mabuti ang pagpalaki ng Banal na Mag-asawa kay Jesus. May disiplina si Jesus sa sarili at matiisin siya dahil sa kanyang mga magulang. Bata pa si Jesus gusto na niyang mapalalim ang kanyang kaalaman sa Bibliya kaya nagpaiwan siya sa templo. Saan nanggaling ito? Sa kanyang mga magulang. Ang pagiging matulungin niya sa mga mahihirap ay nanggaling din sa kanila. Oo, si Jesus ay Diyos pero siya ay tunay ding tao at ang pagkatao niya ay hinubog ng kanyang mga magulang. Humingi tayo ng tulong kay Maria at Jose paano palakihin ang mga anak natin tulad ng pagpalaki nila kay Santo Niño.

Ang isang maaaring makatulong o makapinsala sa pagpapalaki ng ating mga anak ay ang cell phone o ang telebisyon. Huwag nating pabayaan ang mga bata sa harap ng TV o ng cellphone. Akala natin ok ang ating mga anak sa harap ng TV o sa kanilang panonood sa cell phone kasi tahimik sila. Ano ang pinanonood nila? Hindi ba natin alam na na-aabsorb at hinihigop nila ang kanilang nakikita at naririnig doon? Kung violence, kalaswaan o pagmumura ang napapanood nila, iyan ang magiging laman ng utak nila at wala pa silang kakayahang salain ang mabuti at masama. Kaya pagkaingatan natin ang nag-iimpluwensya sa mga bata.

Ang isang mabuting impluwensya sa mga bata ay ang kuwentuhan sa bahay. Hindi ako lumaki na may telebisyon. Sa probinsiya ako lumaki at dumating ang telebisyon doon nang fourth year high school na ako. Ang magandang mga ala-ala ko sa aking kabataan ay ang kuwentuhan namin ng nanay ko, ng mga kapatid at mga kasambahay tuwing gabi. Gusto kong pakinggan ang mga pangyayari sa aming mga pinsan at mga tito at tita. Doon ko nakilala ang aking extended family. Tinuturuan kami ng aming tatay ng mga asal sa mga kuwentuhan sa lamesa kapag kami ay sama-samang kumakain. Nandiyan naiimpluwensyahan natin ang mga bata, sa ating mga kuwentuhan.

Gusto nating ibigay ang the best sa mga anak natin. Isang the best na mabibigay natin sa mga bata ay ang ating pananampalataya. Imulat natin sila na nagdadasal. Kuwentuhan natin sila tungkol sa Diyos at tungkol sa Bible stories. Dalhin natin sila sa simbahan at isama sa gawain ng simbahan. Hikayatin natin sila na sumama sa katesismo sa simbahan at sa school. Ipakilala natin sila kay Sto Niño. Si Jesus ay naging bata din tulad nila. Ipaubaya natin sila kay Sto Niño at turuan silang kausapin si Jesus. Pangarapin natin na ang mga bata ay maging tulad din ng Sto Niño.
May second collection tayo ngayon upang tulungan ang mga batang nangangailangan sa anumang bahagi ng mundo.

Mula ng January 18 hanggang January 25 taon-taon, mayroon tayong isang linggo na panalangin para sa pagkakaisa ng mga Kristiyano. Isang malaking eskandalo sa mundo ay ang pagkakahiwalay at hindi pagkakasundo ng mga tao na nabinyagan at kumikilala naman kay Kristo bilang kanilang Panginoon. Mayroong Katoliko, Baptist, Sabadista, Born again, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Methodist at marami pang iba. Lahat naman tayo ay kumikilala kay Jesukristo. Lahat naman tayo ay gumagamit ng Bibliya. Lahat naman tayo nagdarasal sa Diyos Ama, Diyos Anak at Diyos Espiritu Santo. Pero hindi tayo nagkakaisa. Ngayong Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, lahat tayo ay nagdarasal kasama ni Jesus na tayo ay magkaisa. Ito rin ang hangarin ni Jesus: that we may be one, na tayong lahat ay magkaisa.

CHANCE

Saturday, January 17, 2026 11:20 am

7,596 total views

Gospel Reading for January 17, 2026 – Mark 2: 13-17

CHANCE

Jesus went out along the sea. All the crowd came to him and he taught them. As he passed by, he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the customs post. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed Jesus. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners sat with Jesus and his disciples; for there were many who followed him. Some scribes who were Pharisees saw that Jesus was eating with sinners and tax collectors and said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus heard this and said to them, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

————

Jesus was a magnet for sinners, not because he was one of them, but because his compassionate and understanding nature drew them to him.

Because we are made in God’s image and likeness, we can never be comfortable doing things against God, precisely because in reality, when we sin, we go against ourselves. It is also this image and likeness that makes us want to be reconciled to God, given the CHANCE. They saw that CHANCE in Jesus.

How about us? Do we give people the CHANCE to redeem or change themselves? Or, are we like the scribes and Pharisees who love to label others as sinners to make themselves look holy and better than others?

Lord Jesus, teach us to be like you – compassionate and understanding, always giving the CHANCE for others, especially the people who have wronged us, to change!

LOVING EFFORT

Friday, January 16, 2026 11:20 am

6,596 total views

Gospel Reading for January 16, 2026 – Mark 2: 1-12

LOVING EFFORT

When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door, and he preached the word to them. They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there asking themselves, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming. Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus immediately knew in his mind what they were thinking to themselves, so he said, “Why are you thinking such things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, pick up your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth” –he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, rise, pick up your mat, and go home.” He rose, picked up his mat at once, and went away in the sight of everyone. They were all astounded and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.”

————

The highlight of this reading is not so much that Jesus cured the paralytic because he had been healing the sick left and right, morning till evening, all throughout his ministry. What really outshines in this reading is the LOVING EFFORT of the four men who carried the paralytic and made sure that he is brought in front of Jesus. Having so much faith in Jesus, they were so sure that given this chance, the paralytic would be healed. Who knows, it was not just their faith, but their LOVING EFFORT that inspired and moved Jesus to heal the man.

When God made us, our souls came with a body, therefore, our physical health is very important to God. Part of Christ’s mission of salvation is not only spiritual health but also physical health, which was so much a part of his ministry.

We remember the reading on the Last Judgment in Matthew 25: 31-46 – “I was sick and you took care of me.” Part of being a Christian is to give LOVING EFFORT to the sick. This is why the entire Church community is called to support the sick through prayer (in the Prayers of the Faithful at mass). Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion make home, hospital, and nursing home visits to bring communion to the sick, priests visit the sick so they may experience the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick. All these ensure that the sick remain connected to their faith community and feel God’s love.

Those of us in the Medical Industry can also give our LOVING EFFORT to the sick and not see our job simply as a job needed to earn a living, but as part of our mission in this world. Filipino nurses, especially those working in hospitals abroad, have a very good reputation because they always go the extra mile with their patients. Succinct to say, they speed up the healing of the patient.

In our own families, do we exert LOVING effort to those who are sick, the elderly and the handicapped?

Heal us Lord, of all our infirmities, and revitalize our souls!

Persistence, insistence

Friday, January 16, 2026 7:36 am

8,598 total views

Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Friday, First Week in Ordinary Time, Year II, 16 January 2026
1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Mark 2:1-12

*“The Paralytic of Capernaum Lowered from the Roof”, a 5th/6th century Mosaic at Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy; from christian.art.*

Today we thank you,
dear God our Father 
for those people
you have sent to
to carry us through
our darkest and trying 
moments in life 
to find you,
to be near you,
to rise again 
like those men
in the gospel today.

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to him, “Child, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:3-5).

Thank you, Father
in sending people who
never gave up on us,
who still believed in us,
who hoped and had faith
for us when we have totally
given up in life that is why
Jesus Christ's first words
to the paralytic were
"your sins are forgiven."

May we who have been
brought closer to you, 
Jesus by those kind of people
be persistent too in bringing
others who are lost closest 
to you.

Likewise,
forgive us Father
for those many occasions
we have become so insistent
with our desires and plans
that we have become unreasonable
in our devotion and "panata",
hurting others in the process
without realizing it is actually
a turning away from you
like the people who insisted in
being given with a king to rule 
over them.
Amen.

NEW LIFE

Thursday, January 15, 2026 11:20 am

6,167 total views

Gospel Reading for January 15, 2026 – Mark 1: 40-45

NEW LIFE

A leper came to him and kneeling down begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched the leper, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

The man went away and began to publicize the whole matter. He spread the report abroad so that it was impossible for Jesus to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, and people kept coming to him from everywhere.

————
The leper did not just ask Jesus to make him clean. He knelt before him and begged him. “If you wish, you can make me clean” made the faith of the leper so emphatic. He was so sure that Jesus would heal him because Jesus would surely wish it for him. Because, how could one so filled with love, not have pity on him? Indeed, he received the reward of having such faith and trust in Jesus.

Despite being told not to do so, he wanted to tell the whole world of the Love of Jesus. Who would not, after being freed of a dreadful disease and after being saved from condemnation and ostracism. In short, after being given NEW LIFE!

At our Baptism, we are given NEW LIFE. We are freed of our bondage to sin. We are given such powers to overcome evil with divine grace from the Holy Spirit.

Have we ever thought how very blessed we Christians are, not to have to beg for our freedom because Jesus chose and just wished for us to have it?

Lord Jesus, help us increase our faith! If all of us can have the faith of the leper, there would be miracles here and there!

Veritas PH

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