[COLUMN] On being a humble servant-leader
“It’s a given,” I told someone last week. “It’s a given that when you’re a leader, you’re bound to suffer.” “Then why should I be a leader?” this person remarked….
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[COLUMN] On the call to discipleship
THIS Sunday’s (January 22) Gospel presents Jesus’ intimate but challenging way of following him as his disciples. As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,…
[COLUMN] On welcoming the New Year
A close friend asked me what one word I could think of to describe my wishes this New Year. I told him that I don’t have one word but two…
[COLUMN] The gift I wish for you
A CHARMING legend about the birth of Jesus relates that the shepherds hurried to the stable with their gifts. Each one brought what he had, some brought fruits of their labor, others…
[COLUMN] On the importance of being patient
Everything in life takes time to grow, flourish, and bear fruits. It’s true in any relationship, whether it’s marriage, family, or friendship. It’s also true in community and nation-building, Healing…
[COLUMN] Stay awake!
Here we are at the start of the Advent season! So naturally, as we celebrate this season, we think of Christmas. The Church, however, reminds us not to focus our…
[COLUMN] Prayers for world leaders
“You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel.” (2 Samuel 5:2) In my prayerful moment, I often think of our political leaders and those running for…
[COLUMN] On perseverance
IN my homily last Sunday (November 6), I spoke about courage. I said that courage is the ability to express one’s mind from the values, beliefs, and genuine intentions we…
[COLUMN] On this solemn month of November
November is the month dedicated to remembering our deceased relatives, friends, and parishioners. I’d say it’s also a month of deep reflection about life—of how we live it. Do we…
[COLUMN] On appreciating beauty and goodness in everyone
Greetings! The Book of Wisdom (11:22-12:2) in our First Reading, this Sunday’s Mass, states: Before the Lord the whole universe is a grain from a balance or a drop of…
[COLUMN] Our fight against racism and all forms of discrimination
THE judge in last Sunday’s (October 16) parable on prayer and the Pharisee in this Sunday’s (October 23) Gospel had a similar attitude. They were both arrogant toward “the rest…
[COLUMN] A lesson on persistence
We’ve got to keep moving, trusting, and persisting amidst life’s difficulties and challenges. We’ve got to continue believing in the capacities and graces that God gives us, and we’ve got…
[COLUMN] ‘Lord, increase our faith’
“Have faith in God. Be strong.” It’s the advice we give to a family member or friend when they go through turmoil, serious illness, or difficulty. It’s because, often, it’s…
[COLUMN] Our single-hearted commitment to Christ
THE fundamental question we Christians should ask ourselves is: What difference does our faith in Jesus have in our lives? Any affirmative answer would strengthen our belief in Jesus and…
[COLUMN] Jesus Christ, the center of our lives
THE fundamental question we Christians should ask ourselves is: What difference does our faith in Jesus have in our lives? Any affirmative answer would strengthen our belief in Jesus and…
[COLUMN] On fulfilling Christ’s mission
THE most intimate moments when Jesus would relate to his disciples were during meals. During these times, he would teach them and share his thoughts and sentiments with them. But…
[COLUMN] On stepping outside of our boundaries
IT was eight o’clock on a quiet night in the municipality of Izalco in Sonsonate, El Salvador. The parish priest, Padre Napo, and his vicar, Padre Jorge, invited me to…
[COLUMN] When any conflict arises
NONE of us wants conflict. On the contrary, we all want to live in peace and harmony. But the reality is that we will always live with conflict. There will…
[COLUMN] The Eucharist: Christ’s ongoing presence in the world
One day while I was celebrating a weekday Mass, I asked myself, “If a time comes when there will only be one or two people attending Mass regularly, should I…
[COLUMN] On family bonding
MY heart is filled with gratitude to God as I think of my family gathering and reunion last weekend to celebrate my nephew’s wedding in San Ramon, California. It was…
[COLUMN] Greetings!
WE now have Fr. Ramon Reyes as our new associate pastor at Incarnation Church. He’s a 31 year old newly ordained priest. We welcome Fr. Ramon with love, joy, and…
[COLUMN] We shall do bravely!
IT’S my associate pastor’s last Sunday in our parish. The archbishop assigned him to another parish after four years of service at Incarnation Church. We’ll miss his presence, presiding of…
[COLUMN] What’s stirring inside of us
HAPPY Trinity Sunday! It’s the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit What do this feast and the dogma mean to us? How do…
[COLUMN] A message on Pentecost Sunday
“THE Holy Spirit is real!” our seminarian, Hieu Nguyen, expressed to me as he went to his diaconate ordination at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angles last Saturday….
[COLUMN] Where are thou?
MARTIN Buber, the Jewish theologian, tells the story of an encounter between a jailed rabbi and the chief jailer: Touched by the majestic and quiet face of the rabbi, who…
[COLUMN] On finding peace in this troubled world
YOU’VE often heard me say that we’re living in the most challenging time in this generation. I say it because we keep facing a world of conflicts, division, war, corruption,…
[COLUMN] Loving truthfully
“I GIVE you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:24) Pope Francis says that love is a…
[COLUMN] Happy Mother’s Day!
IT’S a special day to celebrate the gift and contributions of motherhood to life and society. It’s a day to thank God for mothers’ love, dedication, sacrifices, and hard work…
[COLUMN] A Palm Sunday message
AS we commemorate this Palm or Passion Sunday, Jesus’ entrance into the city of Jerusalem, the place of his crucifixion and death, I think of Jesus’ courage and relentless spirit…
[COLUMN] Being sifted like wheat
IN his book, “Let Us Dream, The Path to a Better Future” Pope Francis acknowledges the challenging realities of our times. He states: “Sometimes, when I think about the challenges…