John is a saint because his life was a heroic effort to live up to his name: “of the Cross.” The folly of the cross came to full realization in time. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34b) is the story of John’s life. The Paschal Mystery—through death to life—strongly marks John as reformer, mystic-poet, and theologian-priest.
But as agony leads to ecstasy, so John had his Ascent to Mt. Carmel, as he named it in his prose masterpiece. As man-Christian-Carmelite, he experienced in himself this purifying ascent; as spiritual director, he sensed it in others; as psychologist-theologian, he described and analyzed it in his prose writings. His prose works are outstanding in underscoring the cost of discipleship, the path of union with God: rigorous discipline, abandonment, purification. Uniquely and strongly John underlines the gospel paradox: The cross leads to resurrection, agony to ecstasy, darkness to light, abandonment to possession, denial to self to union with God. If you want to save your life, you must lose it. John is truly “of the Cross.” He died at 49—a life short, but full.
Rev. Fr. Jerico Habunal
Friday, August 7, 2026 8:26 am
5,852 total views
Gospel Reading for August 7, 2026 – Matthew 16: 24-28
REAL LIFE
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay each according to his conduct. Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”
————
There is a story about a man from the province who visited Metro Manila for the first time. He was taken to the huge malls, magnificent fountains, and luxurious resorts. Overwhelmed by what he saw, he exclaimed, “So, this is the REAL LIFE! I wish I could stay here.”
But is it really?
Working on a farm to grow vegetables and fruit, raising livestock to feed one’s family and to provide food for others—including those living in crowded cities where there are few farms; having more time to spend with family because life is not consumed by the countless distractions of the metropolis; enjoying the beauty of nature at its finest; breathing cleaner air with less pollution; living in peace and quiet with less traffic, construction, and noise; and experiencing a strong sense of community where neighbors genuinely care for one another. Life moves at a slower pace, bringing less pressure and stress.
Isn’t this the REAL LIFE?
Many of us, however, are tempted to believe that REAL LIFE consists of having every comfort and luxury imaginable; becoming popular and occupying prestigious positions in business, government, or the academe; earning far more than the average worker; accumulating wealth and properties; moving in elite social circles; and building a large bank account.
Yet the more our hearts become attached to these things, the more difficult it becomes to follow Jesus, who tells us, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
Does this mean that Jesus does not want us to enjoy life? Certainly not. Rather, he teaches us not to pursue happiness at the expense of others—not to become indifferent to the suffering and needs of those around us, or worse, to become the very cause of their suffering. A life centered only on ourselves is not the life Jesus calls us to live. We are not created for nothing. Ironically, the more we cling to that kind of life, the more we lose what REAL LIFE truly is.
We are created for a purpose: to do our share in making the world a good place to live in for everyone, using the gifts/talents God gave us.
Lord Jesus, help us to live the life you desire for us, for we believe that this is the only life that leads to eternal life. Amen.
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Lalog II
Friday, August 7, 2026 7:00 am
6,698 total views
Lord My Chef Daily Recipe for Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
First Friday in August, Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year II
07 August 2026
Nahum 2:1, 3; 3:1-3, 6-7 <*((((>< + ><))))*> Matthew 16:24-28
Photo by author, Anvaya Resort, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.
Thank you for this
first Friday in August,
Lord Jesus;
your words remind us
of our continuing journey
in you
and with you;
many times,
we go towards you
but sometimes
we go on so many detours
because we think them
as shortcuts,
as better,
most often but wrongly,
much lighter.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses hisnlife for my sake will find it (Matthew 16:24-25).
Christian journey
is a continual turning
of our hearts to you,
Lord Jesus;
problem is how we
easily forget,
how foolishly we insist
like the people of Nineveh
to live in power and wealth,
in greed and violence,
in selfishness;
life and its fullness can only
be found in you, Jesus;
help us find our way back to you
when we are lost,
let us leave the sidewalks
to join you on the road itself
as we journey to the Cross
so that along the way
experience your life
and joy and fulfillment.
Amen.
Jesus meek and humble of heart,
make my heart like thine!
Photo by author, Anvaya Resort, Morong, Bataan, 21 July 2026.
Rev. Fr. Anton CT Pascual
Friday, August 7, 2026 7:00 am
49,546 total views
Kapanalig, sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte, naging malinaw sa madlang bayan na ang “confidential fund” ay isang public fund o pera ng taumbayan. Maaring iba’t-iba ang paraan ng pag-audit, ngunit naroon ang obligasyon ng isang opisyal ng pamahalaan na magpaliwanag at mag-liquidate sa ponding ginasta.
Kapag sinasabing confidential fund, hindi ibig sabihin na confidential kung saan napunta, kung saan ginastos ang pera, at naaayon ba sa batas. Maaring classified ang pangalan ng informant, target ng operasyon, mga detalye ng paniniktik, kung paano isinagawa ang intelligence gathering.
Tandaan Kapanalig, sa ilalim ng Article VI, Section 29 ng 1987 constitution na walang perang maaring ilabas sa national treasury maliban sa appropriation na ginawa ng batas. Binibigyan din ng Article IX-D Section 2(1) ang Commission on Audit ng kapangyarihan, otoridad na suriin, i-audit ang lahat ng accounts sa paggastos ng pondo at ari-arian ng gobyerno. Ang COA din ang may kapangyarihang magtakda ng saklaw, paraan at mga tuntunin ng audit, kabilang ang pagbabawal sa irregular, unnecessary, sobra-sobrang, maluho at hindi maipaliwanag na paggastos sa pondo ng bayan.
Sa ilalim ng Presidential Decree No. 1445 o Government Auditing Code. Sinasabi sa Section 2 na, lahat ng resources ng gobyerno ay dapat pamahalaan at gastusin alinsunod sa batas at protektahan laban sa illegal o improper disposition. Sa Section 4, government funds must be used solely for public purposes, ang bawat disbursement ay dapat aprubado ng tamang opisyal, at ang claims laban sa pondo ng gobyerno ay dapat suportado ng complete documentation.
Upang mapangalagaan ang classified information, pinagtibay ng COA, DBM, DILG, GCG at DND ang joint circular no. 2015-01 na inaatas ang disbursement mula sa confidential funds ay dapat suportado ng documentary evidence of payment at isumite sa specialized audit ng COA sa selyadong envelope. Ang bawat disbursement ay dapat samahan ng sertipikasyon under oath ng accountable officer na ang gastos ay konektado sa confidential o intelligence operations, may suportang dokumento, hindi ginamit sa ipinagbabawal na bagay.
Kapanalig, ito ang kasalukuyang kuwestyon sa impeachment trial ni VP Duterte. Kung ating susuriin gamit ang mga panununtunan sa government auditing code at joint circular no.2015-01, nabigo, at nagkulang ang Office of the Vice President at Department of Education sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng dating Vice-President na isumite sa COA ang tama at naaangkop na documentary evidence na magpapatunay na ginamit sa tama ang 162-milyong pisong confidential fund.
Malinaw Kapanalig sa testimonya ni dating state auditor Roderick Wamil na ang confidential fund ng OVP at Department of Education ay ginamit ni VP Duterte sa kanyang personal na interes matapos mabigo ang kanyang tanggapan na i-liquidate ang pondo sa kabila ng formal demand mula sa COA.
Bukod dito, tinangka din ng mga tauhan ni VP Duterte na impluwensiyahan ang mga opisyal ng COA na downgrade ang COA audit findings sa “query” lamang upang maabsuwelto ang bise-presidente sa pananagutan.
Kapanalig, ating nasaksihan sa impeachment trial ni VP Duterte kung sino ang nagsasabi ng totoo at nagsisinungaling.
Sinasabi ng Proverbs 12:17-“An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies”.
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