God's Word and Daily Life

By Fr. Bernard Holzer

The second candle of the Advent wreath is the candle of PEACE.

During this second week of Advent, let us continue to pray for peace, in tormented Ukraine, in the Middle East – Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, now in Syria – in Myanmar, Sudan and in more than fifty countries where people suffer from war and violence. Let us pray so that we may reach the feast of the Nativity with a ceasefire on all fronts of war. A utopia? Naïve dream?

God teaches us that it is not the most powerful who will necessarily make things happen. Like John the Baptist in the desert, let us see in these desperate situations the signs which are not noisy, but hope for the world. Let us share the expectations of humans who aspire for peace, let us listen to their cries, let us echo them around us. The Prince of Peace we are waiting for will prevail over all wars! This is our hope, this is our faith.

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.”

- Peace Prayer of St. Francis

(Photo credit: Ms. Rica de Leon)

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

The first candle of the Advent wreath is the candle of HOPE. HOPE is one of the virtues to be cultivated during this time of preparation for Christmas, for the coming of God in us and in our midst.

While the bad news rains down: persecutions, conflicts, natural disasters, injustice, corruption, theft... not to mention our weaknesses, our sins... and those of others whom we see so easily... Let us ask for the virtue of HOPE. Let us accept to entrust ourselves and events to God.

This is a training, a change of perspective, a conversion. Let us ask God for this grace of HOPE for ourselves and for our rulers.

“It can happen that the anxiety, fears and worries about our personal lives or about what is happening in the world today weigh down on us like boulders and throw us into discouragement. If worries weigh down our hearts and induce us to close in on ourselves, Jesus, on the contrary, invites us to lift up our heads, to trust in His love that wants to save us and that draws close to us in every situation of our existence, He asks us to make room for Him in order to find hope again.” – Pope Francis, Angelus on Sunday December 1, 2024

By Rosanna Aures

On Dec. 1, we will celebrate the First Sunday of Advent.

Advent is also a season of preparation, not just in outward decorations or festive gatherings but in the preparation of our hearts. It challenges us to make room for Christ amid the clutter of our lives. This preparation calls us to repentance, to reorient our priorities, and to clear the distractions that keep us from fully receiving God's presence.

Waiting is at the heart of Advent, and in today’s fast-paced world, waiting can feel like an uncomfortable pause in productivity. Yet, Advent reminds us that waiting is not idle; it is active. It invites us to cultivate patience and trust, to believe in what we cannot yet see. Like the prophets who awaited the Messiah, we, too, learn to embrace the sacred tension of living between the "already" of Christ’s birth and the "not yet" of His return.

By Fr. Bernard Holzer

“Unfortunately, there are many disciples of Coca-Cola spirituality”, told Pope Francis last November 5 at the Pontifical Gregorian university in Rome. What does this mean?

Pope Francis calls us to be focused on our true identity as Christian, as disciple of Jesus, to search trust and to take risks. He said:

“The search for truth is arduous because it forces us to step out of ourselves, to take risks, to question ourselves. This is why, in the fatigue of the mind, we are more attracted to a superficial life that does not ask too many questions, just as we are drawn to an ‘easy’ faith, light, comfortable, that never questions anything.”

Am I a disciple of Coca-Cola spirituality with an easy, light, comfortable faith that never questions anything?

By Rems Noquiao

This week, we will be busy again preparing to visit out dearly departed in cemeteries. Despite the past typhoon and the coming bad weather, we, Filipinos will not find an excuse not to visit our deceased loved ones.

On November 1and 2, we will celebrate All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day, a time for reflection on the lives of saints and those who have walked before us, their devotion, and the inspiration they offer for living a life of purpose, compassion, and faith. While each saint lived in different eras and faced unique challenges, they shared a commitment to love and service that transcends time. Their stories serve as powerful examples of resilience, faith, and dedication to something greater than themselves.

All Saint’s Day are not only about the named saints of the Catholic Church but also those who died and shared with the eternal glory of God in heaven. They, too, are saints that we celebrate on All Saint’s Day.

While death is sure because we are but human beings, we are once again reminded that in God’s faithful people, life is changed, not ended. This day reminds us that sainthood is not about perfection; rather, it is about striving to make a positive impact, often amid adversity. Saints often faced profound struggles and setbacks, yet they persisted with a deep sense of hope 

By Rems Noquiao

On Oct. 18, the universal Church celebrates the feast of St. Luke, the evangelist.

St. Luke the Evangelist holds a unique place in Christian tradition as both a physician and a meticulous chronicler of the life of Jesus and the early Church. As the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, he provides one of the most detailed accounts of Jesus’ ministry, emphasizing compassion, mercy, and the universality of salvation. Luke's Gospel is known for its focus on the marginalized, including women, the poor, and sinners, reflecting his deep concern for the human condition and the transformative power of Christ's love.

Luke’s portrayal of Jesus is rich in parables and teachings that emphasize forgiveness, social justice, and the inclusion of outsiders. His background as a Gentile makes his works particularly significant in showing how Christianity expanded beyond Jewish roots, making the faith accessible to all.

In reflecting on St. Luke, one sees a figure of great intellect and empathy, someone who not only documented history but also conveyed a spiritual message of hope, healing, and redemption for all humanity. St. Luke, pray for us!