“THERE is evil in the world.” I heard many people express these words after the Las Vegas massacre last week. It’s one of the statements that help people grapple with…

“If you ask me if I’d die for my Christian faith as St. Lorenzo Ruiz did before his torturers, I’ll say I’m not sure,” Deacon Danilo Guinto openly said during…

“AS Jesus passed by, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the custom post. He said to him, ‘Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9) …

I’VE always wondered what “human formation” is in regards to training men to become priests. I understand the spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation, but I couldn’t quite grasp human formation….

THE message of this Sunday’s Gospel is straightforward. It’s about forgiveness. When Peter asked Jesus how often he must forgive, Jesus answered, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” To expound…

LAST Sunday’s First Reading from the Book of Jeremiah is one of the powerful biblical passages that I’ve encountered regarding one’s prophetic role. Realizing that the Lord duped  him to…

AS I reside with young men and teach them the ways to preach the  Gospel and lead God’s people as future priests, I get insights on who they are and…

WE have another fascinating Gospel Reading (Matthew 14:-36) this Sunday.  As the disciples were on a boat in the midst of fierce winds and waves, Jesus showed himself to them…

WE have a fascinating Old Testament reading (1 Kings 3-5, 7-12) for this Sunday’s Mass.  The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night to tell him, “Ask something…

AS my friends and I went out swimming at a beach one summer day, a beautiful rainbow appeared before us. “It’s been quite a while since I saw such a…

THERE is a restlessness in many of us, one that makes us think about life and questions the varied facets of human existence. It’s a divine restlessness because it urges us to contemplate…

GOD knows those of us who work so hard and who patiently fulfill our responsibilities and obligations. God knows our fidelity and our persistence, despite our struggles, pains, dilemmas, heartaches,…

“God so loved the world that he gave his  only son, so that everyone who believes in  him might not perish but might have eternal life.” – John 3:16 I PREACHED about love…

MANY years ago when I was an associate pastor, there was a young man named Nick who spoke boldly in front of hundreds of his fellow youth about his Christian…

“Worshiped, but they doubted.” “DOUBT isn’t the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith…Sometimes I think it is my mission to bring faith to the faithless, and doubt…

THE rooms of the dormitories are now clean and empty, and the seminary is quiet, for the academic year has ended and the seminarians have left for summer vacation. Some…

JESUS shows his concern and cares for us this Sunday by telling us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me….

I TOLD a friend one day that I probably have one of the best jobs in the seminary. I get to teach and observe seminarians on parish internship engage in…

“ The words of Jesus at the end of Matthew’s Gospel are the promise of Christ’s abiding love for us through His Spirit present in the world. “And behold, I…

LAST Thursday night was quite a treat for me. I had dinner with Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, the former Rector of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Stockbridge,…

IT’S a brand new day! For me, this greeting sums up the message of Easter, not only because we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, but also because we rejoice…

ARE you ready for Holy Week? Are you ready to enter deeply into the mysteries of our faith–the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ? Are your hearts…

AD maiorem Dei gloriam, the Latin motto of the Jesuits which means “For the greater Glory of God,” is a phrase that we often use to express our motive when…

HAVE you ever wondered why people suffer? Have you ever complained to God about an illness, death, or a crisis? Have you ever questioned some unfairness in your life and…

“IF today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” These were words that came out from my former pastor’s lips many years ago as he began his homily one…

“I WILL make of you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”  — Genesis 12:1-4 You will…

WE had the pleasure of having Bishop Joseph Brennan celebrate Ash Wednesday mass at the seminary last week. In his homily, he shared a funny act he put on while…

“DO not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” — (Matthew 6:34) It’s not easy to let go and allow God to take charge of our lives. “It’s easier…

“YOU shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart…Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Leviticus: 17-18)…

WE have a saying in theology that Jesus Christ is the Sacrament par excellence. This statement does not only mean that Jesus is the Word made flesh or the Living…