True Sacrifice

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 330 total views 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

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 426 total views Isa 42:1-4, 6-7 The text discusses the first of four “Servant of the Lord Songs” in Second Isaiah where the servant is introduced by Yahweh as a chosen and favored individual empowered by God’s spirit (ruah, v1b). The servant’s mission involves upholding justice and moral uprightness, extending Yahweh’s teachings to the nations (v1,

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 885 total views Christmas (2024) “Your Savior comes” (Isaiah 62:11)! This phrase captures the essence of all the readings from the prophet Isaiah that we hear during today’s celebration of Christmas: Isaiah 9:1-6 at midnight mass, Isaiah 62:11-12 at dawn, and Isaiah 52:7-10 during the day. It symbolizes the dawn of a new era. The second

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 1,347 total views 4th Sunday Advent (C) Mic 5:1-4a The reading highlights the prophet Micah’s condemnation of the sins of Israel and Judah, predicting their downfall. He identifies Bethlehem, the hometown of David, as a place of hope for the future Messiah. While the town is small and insignificant (v1), its importance lies in its connection

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 1,944 total views 3rd Sunday Advent (c) Zeph 3:14-18 The book of Zephaniah, written during the time of King Josiah in the late seventh century B.C. (1:1), consists of three chapters and addresses both severe judgments against Judah, Jerusalem, (ch. 1), and the surrounding nations (ch. 2), followed by a message of deliverance for God’s faithful

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 2,134 total views 2nd Sunday Advent (C) Bar 5:1-9 The Book of Baruch is a short work originally composed in Hebrew but survives primarily in Greek. It is attributed to Jeremiah’s secretary and likely dates from late pre-Christian times, post-200 B.C. Influenced by Isaiah, Baruch focuses on the theme of the exiles’ return from Babylon, relevant

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 2,835 total views Jer 33:14-16 This passage from the prophet is a late addition to the book, absent in the Septuagint, and reflects a reworking of an earlier oracle (cf 23:5-6) Written in the post-exilic period, it focuses on hope for Jerusalem and Judah, with minimal reference to Israel. The passage emphasizes the significance of a

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 4,022 total views Dan 7:13-14 This passage from Daniel introduces the title “Son of Man,” often associated with Jesus. In this vision, the Son of Man contrasts the four beasts representing historical empires opposing God’s reign (7:1-9). Symbolically, he embodies God’s reign and represents the saved people of God, who will gain dominion over the earth

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 1,711 total views 33rd Sunday B Dan 12:1-3 The passage from Daniel concludes the account of final warfare and the downfall of foes (ch. 10-11), presenting the first clear statement on resurrection and eternal life in Hebrew scriptures. It introduces a distinction between the just and the wicked, allowing for a deeper understanding of retribution beyond

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 3,697 total views Deut 6:2-6 The passage serves as a closing exhortation from Moses. It highlights two forms of positive law: “statutes” (huqim) which establish penalties, and “commandments” (mitsot) which simply state commands (v2f). Law observance reflects the covenant between Yahweh and the Israelites, with blessings like long life and prosperity assured in return. The Shema

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 4,039 total views 30th Sunday B Jer 31:7-9 In one of Jeremiah’s most celebrated chapters, the prophet speaks about the return of the exiles from the northern kingdom, who had been deported by the Assyrians after their victory in 721 B.C. Those who lived through the devastation are now making their return. They are referred to

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 4,036 total views 29th Sunday (B) Is 53:10-11 This passage comes near the end of the fourth and last song of the servant of the Lord in Deutero-Isaiah. The servant’s sufferings, which have become more intense, eventually lead to his death (53:3, 5, 😎. But the chorus of onlookers realizes that he was innocent, and his

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 4,692 total views Wis 7:7-11 Today’s reading recalls that event in Solomon’s life (v7) when he asked early in his reign as king for the gift of wisdom so that he might be an understanding and discerning judge for his people (1 Kgs 3:5-15). It was a gift to be preferred over all others and is

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 5,001 total views 27th Sunday (B) Gen 2:18-24 The passage describes Yahweh’s plan to create a partner for man (Adam). He created animals, which Adam named to show their subordination to him. However, none of them was a suitable partner. So, God put Adam into a deep sleep, took one of his ribs, and created a

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 5,296 total views 26th Sunday B Num 11:25-29 The reading contains an incident from the time of the Israelites’ desert sojourn. The story of Eldad and Medad is concerned with the sharing of Moses’ charismatic spirit among the people at the time. Earlier in the chapter, Moses had complained to Yahweh about his inability to provide