God's Word and Daily Life

A fast for today

A fast for today

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

The pillars of Lent were reminded to us by the Gospel of Ash Wednesday: fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.
But above all, it is a time for God and for others, a time to be attentive to our hearts, to others, and to God.
But what kind of fast?

Let us reread and meditate what God asked the prophet Isaiah (8th century before Christ) to proclaim:

 

“The fast that I choose:

releasing those bound unjustly,

untying the thongs of the yoke;

Setting free the oppressed,

breaking off every yoke,

sharing your bread with the hungry,

bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house,

clothing the naked when you see them,

and not turning your back on your own flesh

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your wound shall quickly be healed.”

 

Isn't this a very relevant kind of fasting or challenge today?
Where do I stand? Where is my heart?
With the victims or the oppressors?


Photo credit: Malyn Divinaa
Praying for Pope Francis

Praying for Pope Francis

By Christopher C. Urquiola

Pope Francis has been a beacon of humility, compassion, and servant leadership, guiding the Church with a deep sense of love and care for all people, especially the poor, the marginalized, and the suffering. His words and actions remind us of Christ’s call to serve one another with kindness and mercy. As he faces health challenges, we are reminded of his humanity and the need for prayerful support. May we, as a global community of faith, lift him up in prayer, asking God to grant him strength, comfort, and healing. May his witness continue to inspire us to walk the path of faith with courage and trust in God’s providence. 

Heavenly Father,
You have called Pope Francis to shepherd Your Church with wisdom and love. In his time of need, we ask You to pour out Your healing grace upon him. Strengthen his body, calm his spirit, and renew his energy so that he may continue to lead with joy and faith. Amen.

Photo credit: Danica Guerrero
Chair of St. Peter, the apostle

Chair of St. Peter, the apostle

By Christopher C. Urquiola

On February 22, we celebrate the Chair of St. Peter, the symbol or representation of the authority of St. Peter and his successors -the pope- in the Catholic Church. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter expresses our unity to the Church founded by Christ, built on the rock, the Apostle Peter.

The Papacy is one of the greatest gifts Christ has given to His Church, ensuring unity, continuity, and guidance in faith and morals. As Catholics, we recognize the Pope as the Vicar of Christ on earth, entrusted with shepherding the flock and preserving the deposit of faith. Our fidelity to the Papacy is not merely a matter of obedience but a response of love and trust in Christ’s divine plan for His Church.

From the time of St. Peter, to whom Jesus said, "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church" (Matthew 16:18), the successors of Peter have carried the weighty responsibility of confirming the brethren in faith (Luke 22:32). This sacred office is not founded on human wisdom or power but on God’s providence, which ensures that His Church remains a beacon of truth in a world often clouded by error and confusion.

Today, Pope Francis is sick. Let us pray for him that God may grant him strength to continue to be the successor of St. Peter.


Photo credit by Jules Ramos.
Love is worth more than artificial intelligence

Love is worth more than artificial intelligence

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

 

     Everywhere, people are talking about artificial intelligence, between fear and enthusiasm... This is a new "sign of the times" that must be welcomed positively but with discernment.
    

In his Message to the Participants of the Summit on Artificial Intelligence in Paris from 10 to 11 February 2025, Pope Francis summarized the reflection of the Catholic Church today.

 

            Let's take the time to read and meditate on this meaningful message.

 

“Let’s consider in greater detail the social effects of artificial intelligence on human relationships, information and education. Yet the fundamental question is, and will continue to be, human, namely: whether amid these technological advances, “man, as man, is becoming truly better, that is to say, more spiritually mature, more aware of the dignity of his humanity, more responsible, more open to others, especially the neediest and weakest” (cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Redemptor Hominis, 15). Our ultimate challenge will always remain mankind. May we never lose sight of this!”

 

For the full message of the Holy Father, please click the link: Message of the Holy Father for the Paris Summit on AI [10-11 February 2025] (7 February 2025) | Francis

 

Photo credit: By John Dexter Ramos

Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts

Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

 

I had the chance to participate in the Jubilee of Journalists and Social Communicators in Rome, during which Maria Ressa gave a very remarkable testimony. I would like to recommend that you read Pope Francis' Message for the 59th World Day of Social Communications: "Share with gentleness the hope that is in your hearts."
The message is short, encouraging, full of hope.
It helps us to live in a world of violence, fake news, to be signs of hope.

 

« I encourage you to discover and make known the many stories of goodness hidden in the folds of the news, imitating those gold-prospectors who tirelessly sift the sand in search of a tiny nugget. It is good to seek out such seeds of hope and make them known. It helps our world to be a little less deaf to the cry of the poor, a little less indifferent, a little less closed in on itself. May you always find those glimmers of goodness that inspire us to hope.  This kind of communication can help to build communion, to make us feel less alone, to rediscover the importance of walking together”

 

“Be witnesses and promoters of a non-aggressive communication; help to spread a culture of care, build bridges and break down the visible and invisible barriers of the present time. Tell stories steeped in hope, be concerned about our common destiny and strive to write together the history of our future.”

 

For the VIDEO, TRANSCRIPT: Maria Ressa speech at Vatican for Jubilee Year, click here:

 

https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/video-full-text-transcript-dialogue-maria-ressa-colum-mccann-vatican/

 


Photo from L’Osservatore Romano from Rappler.

Presenting ourselves to the Lord

Presenting ourselves to the Lord

By Yanyan Camento

On Feb. 2, we will celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. We will also celebrate the World Day for Consecrated and Religious Life, Pro-Life Sunday, and the Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking.

The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple reminds us of the humility and obedience of Mary and Joseph, the faithfulness of Simeon and Anna, and the fulfilment of God’s promises to His people. Mary and Joseph, adhering to Jewish law, brought Jesus to the temple to consecrate Him to the Lord. Their willingness to follow the Law of Moses shows their deep reverence for God and their understanding of their role in His divine plan. It is a reminder to us that faithfulness often means obedience in the small, everyday acts of life, even when their significance isn’t immediately apparent.

Simeon’s prayer – “Now, Lord, let your servant depart in peace” – expresses the joy of one who has seen the fulfilment of God’s promise. For Simeon, Jesus is not just a child; He is the "light for revelation to the Gentiles" and the "glory of Israel." His prophetic words remind us of Christ’s universal mission—He came not just for one nation but for all humanity. Like Simeon, are we as open to God’s presence and plan even in the most unexpected and inconvenient moments? Do we faithfully seek God in the routines of life, as Mary and Joseph did 

May we remain open to God’s plan and let go of our own plans. After all, man proposes, God disposes.


Photo credit: Carlito O. Fuentes
The Living Word

The Living Word

By Yanyan Camento

On Sunday, we will celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God or National Bible Sunday. The Bible is more than just a book of stories or moral teachings; it is the living Word of God, offering guidance, wisdom, and purpose to those who seek it. Through its pages, we encounter God's character, His promises, and His desire for how we should live.

When we allow the Bible to shape our actions, it transforms us from the inside out. Its teachings encourage humility, kindness, and justice. For example, Jesus' command to love our neighbors as ourselves challenges us to act with compassion, even toward those who are difficult to love. Similarly, the call to forgive others as we have been forgiven encourages us to extend grace, even when it feels undeserved.

Ultimately, the Bible shapes our actions by aligning our hearts with God's will. It teaches us not only what to do but why we should do it. When we meditate on Scripture and allow it to guide us, our actions reflect God's love and truth, becoming a testimony to His transformative power in our lives.



Photo credit: Lectio Divina by Arlo Yap
Be a sign of Hope

Be a sign of Hope

By Father Bernard Holzer, aa

We enter in the “ordinary time” … in a Jubilee Year! It’s a time for hope and to find God in our life and in the life of our neighbors.

The new book of Pope Francis titled "Spera" (translated as "Hope"), which was released on January 14, 2025, could help us to be attentive of God’s signs in our life and around us. The book is telling us stories of a lot of secondary characters. "I didn't want to walk alone," the Pope tells us.  This could be a nice path to live our “ordinary time”, the time of God: Am I attentive to the encounters God is providing me?

 

(*) Publishers: Random House (United States) and Viking (UK)
Photo by Mark Demayo
Happy and Blessed New Year 2025!

Happy and Blessed New Year 2025!

IT'S A YEAR OF JUBILEE!

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa 

For Pope Francis «Hope is the central message of the coming Jubilee:” Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5), that, in accordance with an ancient tradition, the Pope proclaims every twenty-five years.

Let’s enter this New Year with hope! Let’s meditate on the Bull of Indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025!

“Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope. Taking it as our guide, let us return to the message that the Apostle Paul wished to communicate to the Christians of Rome.”

See the full text at www.vatican.caange


Photos from Father Treb Futol
New Year and motherhood

New Year and motherhood

By Randy Rances

We are already at the end of 2024. Many things have happened in the past year. Perhaps we lost a loved one or someone precious to us. Some may have gained friends. But don’t we feel assured that the first Church feast or solemnity that welcomes the year is the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God? Every new year, we celebrate the motherhood of Mary.

Mary’s Motherhood is a profound expression of her love, care, and sacrifice. It transcends biological relationships and becomes a universal call to nurture, protect, and uplift others, especially those who are vulnerable and in need. In the context of the poor, showing motherhood means extending this maternal care to those who are marginalized, forgotten, or suffering, embodying the nurturing spirit that reflects God’s boundless compassion.

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is a powerful model of maternal care for the poor. From the moment of her fiat, she embraced humility and selflessness, giving herself fully to God’s plan. Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) proclaims God’s justice for the lowly and the hungry, revealing her deep concern for the marginalized. Her life reminds us that true motherhood involves advocating for the oppressed and walking alongside those in need with love and tenderness.

May Mary, our Mother, bless and guide us always as we welcome 2025. Happy New Year!

 

Photo credit : Fr. Treb Futol

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