God's Word and Daily Life

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 (8^th 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.”

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. 

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.

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.

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 

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?