God's Word and Daily Life

By Father Bernard Holzer, aa

 In all the churches, chapels and communities in the Philippines, we pray for rain. (See the prayer below)

 But prayer is not enough! We must resolutely commit ourselves to saving our environment and our planet, as Pope Francis invited us to do in two important letters to people of good will: "Laudato Si" (2015) and "Laudate Deum" (2023).

 Let's reread these letters and, together with others, try to find the simple gestures that can change the world!

“All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.” – Laudato Si 14.

Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluvia

By Reginald Falcotelo

On May 1, the entire country celebrates Labor Day. But May 1 is not only Labor Day, it is also the feast of Saint Joseph, the worker. St. Joseph is a special saint in the Catholic Church. All saints have only one feast day per year. St. Joseph has two. If you still remember, one is on March 19, Feast of Saint Joseph, as Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The other is May 1, Feast of Saint Joseph, the worker. This is why he is known to be the patron saint of workers.

Labor Day is more than just a day off work or the unofficial end of summer. It's a significant occasion to reflect on the contributions of workers across various industries and to acknowledge the ongoing struggles for fair labor practices and workers' rights.

On Labor Day, we are reminded of the immense sacrifices and efforts made by countless individuals throughout history to improve working conditions, secure better wages, and establish fundamental rights for workers. Labor Day serves as a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of standing together in the face of adversity. It's a time to honor the achievements of labor activists, union leaders, and everyday workers who have fought tirelessly for social and economic justice.

Let us pray to Saint Joseph and offer the abuses in the labor sector. Saint Joseph, protect our workers, now and forever. Amen.

By Reginald Falcotelo

Christ is the vine, we are his branches. This Sunday’s gospel gives us a view of our relationship with God. Jesus is not only the vine, he is the true vine- our source of life and peace. Our spiritual vitality, growth, and productivity are dependent on our union with him.

However, despite knowing that He is the true vine, how many times have we cut him lose? How many times have we failed to become intimate with him so that we become dependent on him?

Jesus declares that those who abide in him will bear much fruit, highlighting the transformative power of a life surrendered to Christ. This fruitfulness encompasses both personal character growth, as well as the outward expression of that growth in acts of love, service, and witness to others. He, therefore, gives us the clue that if we want to bear fruit, we must remain in him.

Let us, therefore, remain in him by suffering with him, by being patient with him. Amen.

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

Last Sunday, in his message after the Regina Coeli, Pope Francis was challenging us: 

“Every day we are bombarded with a thousand messages. Many of them are superficial and useless, others reveal an indiscreet curiosity or, worse still, arise from gossip and malice. They are news that have no purpose; on the contrary, they do harm. But there is also good news, positive and constructive, and we all know how good it is for us to hear good things, and how much better we are when this happens. And it is also good to share the realities that, for better or worse, have touched our lives, so as to help others.

 And yet there is something we often struggle to talk about. What do we struggle to talk about? The most beautiful thing we have to tell: our encounter with Jesus. Every one of us has encountered the Lord and we struggle to speak about it. 

Let us try, then, to remember, now, a powerful moment of our life of faith, a decisive encounter with Jesus. Everyone has had it, each one of us has had an encounter with the Lord. Let us take a moment’s silence and think: when did I find the Lord? When has the Lord been close to me? Let us think in silence. And this encounter with the Lord, did I share it to give glory to the Lord? And also, have I listened to others, when they have told me about this encounter with Jesus?”

 Let's take this moment of silence. Let us ask the grace of sharing good news.

By Reginald Falcotelo

In the gospel this Sunday, we find the two disciples recounting their encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus. As they share their experience, Jesus himself appears among them, bringing a sense of awe and wonder. Despite their initial disbelief and confusion, Jesus offers them peace and seeks to alleviate their doubts by showing them his hands and feet, bearing the scars of his crucifixion. This act serves to authenticate his identity as the risen Savior, fulfilling the prophecies and promises of Scripture.

There is importance in encountering Jesus personally. Just as he appeared to his disciples, Jesus desires to reveal himself to each of us in a way that transcends mere knowledge or hearsay. His presence brings peace, understanding, and a deeper sense of purpose. The Risen Lord also appears to us in our journey to Emmaus. Our lives are our own Emmaus where Jesus actually walks with us. How do we deal with him in our journey? Do we engage with Him on God’s plan, not our own plans?

By Father Bernard Holzer, aa

By Christ’s resurrection, He comes to bring reconciliation and peace ! Let us meditate on Pope Francis' Easter Message (Urbi and Orbi). Let us become builders of peace!

“Let us not allow the current hostilities to continue to have grave repercussions on the civil population, by now at the limit of its endurance, and above all on the children. How much suffering we see in the eyes of the children: the children in those lands at war have forgotten how to smile! With those eyes, they ask us: Why? Why all this death? Why all this destruction?  War is always an absurdity, war is always a defeat! […] Let us not yield to the logic of weapons and rearming. Peace is never made with arms, but with outstretched hands and open hearts.”

“May the risen Christ open a path of hope to all those who in other parts of the world are suffering from violence, conflict, food insecurity and the effects of climate change. May the Lord grant consolation to the victims of terrorism in all its forms. Let us pray for all those who have lost their lives and implore the repentance and conversion of the perpetrators of those crimes.”

By Kristina Paca

Holy begins with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds welcomed him with palm branches, symbolizing victory and honor. It is a reminder of the anticipation and hope that surrounded Jesus' arrival, as well as the fickleness of human allegiance, as the same crowd that hailed him would later call for his crucifixion.

As the week progresses, the focus shifts to the events of Maundy Thursday, which marks the Last Supper, where Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples, instituting the sacrament of communion. This solemn occasion also includes Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet, demonstrating humility and servanthood as he urged them to follow his example.

Good Friday is perhaps the most somber day of Holy Week, as it commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a time for deep reflection on the sacrifice Jesus made for humanity, willingly laying down his life to atone for sin and reconcile humanity with God. The agony of the cross underscores the depth of God's love and the magnitude of redemption available to all who believe.

Holy Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, is often a time of quiet anticipation and contemplation. It represents the period when Jesus lay in the tomb, and his disciples grappled with grief and uncertainty. Yet, even in the darkness of the tomb, there is a glimmer of hope, as believers await the fulfillment of Jesus' promise of resurrection.

Finally, Easter Sunday dawns with the joyous celebration of Christ's victory over death. The resurrection signifies the triumph of life over death, light over darkness, and hope over despair. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, affirming the power of God to bring new life and transformation to all who believe.

This week are reminded of the profound truths it holds and the timeless significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. How is our relationship with Christ and our neighbors?

By Kristina Pacia

March 24 marks the beginning of Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week in the Christian calendar, commemorating Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as prophesied in the Old Testament. This significant event holds deep spiritual and symbolic significance for Christians worldwide. Reflecting on Palm Sunday evokes a range of emotions and themes that resonate with believers.

The symbolism of the palm branches is an essential aspect of Palm Sunday. The crowd greeted Jesus by waving palm branches and spreading their cloaks on the road, symbolizing honor, victory, and royalty. In doing so, they acknowledged Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah and King. This act of homage highlights Jesus' rightful place as the savior of humanity and the fulfillment of God's promise.

Instead of palms, what do we bring to greet the Christ who is about to suffer and die on the cross? What do we intend to offer him? Are we willing to die with him and share His mission?

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

The first reading of the Mass last Monday is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (65:19-21). It’s God’s dream for Jerusalem, it’s God’s dream today for Gaza, Palestine and Israël.

“No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there,

or the sound of crying;

No longer shall there be in it

an infant who lives but a few days,

nor anyone who does not live a full lifetime.

They shall build houses and live in them,

they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.”

Let us beseech the Lord for his dream to come true.

Let us commit ourselves, according to our possibilities, to building peace within ourselves and around us. Above all, let us not be indifferent and silent!

May the Lord bless us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)