God's Word and Daily Life

By Gerardo A. Bontigao

On the 27^th of July, we celebrate the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. It is fitting to remember our elderly since they are a key to our past. Their efforts are the foundation of the family we have today.

In Filipino culture, respect for the elderly is not only a social norm but a deeply ingrained value rooted in centuries of tradition, faith, and family life. Elders are regarded as pillars of wisdom, experience, and guidance. They hold a sacred place in both the home and the community because they have lived through hardships, made sacrifices, and nurtured generations. For many Filipinos, to respect the elderly is to honor one’s past and uphold the values that shaped who they are.

From an early age, Filipinos are taught to show respect through gestures like pagmamano (placing the elder's hand on one's forehead) and using polite language like "po" and "opo." These acts are more than mere customs; they are expressions of love, gratitude, and humility. They reflect a recognition that the wisdom and presence of elders are blessings to be cherished, not taken for granted.

The Fourth Commandment, “Honor your father and your mother,” extends naturally to all elders. Caring for aging parents and grandparents is seen as a sacred duty, not a burden.

On the 16th of July, we celebrate the Feast of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The Our Lady’s image, often depicted as a loving mother offering the Brown Scapular, is a powerful symbol of divine protection, maternal care, and spiritual commitment. The devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the Philippines is not just a religious tradition—it is a way of life that reflects the Filipino people's longing for comfort, guidance, and hope amid life’s challenges.

Throughout the Philippines, from coastal towns to mountain provinces, chapels and parishes dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel are centers of vibrant faith communities. Her feast day, celebrated every July 16, is marked by novenas, processions, and Masses that draw thousands of devotees. For many Filipinos, wearing the Brown Scapular is an outward expression of inner devotion and a pledge to live a life aligned with Christ’s teachings through the example and intercession of His mother.

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa 

In a pastoral letter released a day after their Plenary Assembly in Bohol province on Tuesday, July 8, Philippine bishops expressed concern over some issues confronting the Filipino people and the world today, among which: the violence in Gaza, the plight of workers seeking fair wages, and the call for impeachment for accountability in governance.

The Bishops call to action and to prayer. They invite all of us, clergy, laity, workers and political leaders “to join hands in building a just and peaceful society as we do justice, love goodness and walk humbly with our God.”  And they added: “In this Jubilee Year, let us enkindle our hope, strengthen our solidarity and remain vigilant in our stewardship of truth, justice, and the dignity of every human person. May Our Lady of Peace intercede and pray for us, to be instruments of God's justice and love.”

Let us pray. Let us dialogue about these issues. Let us discern how to express God’s love for his people, to be instruments of God’s justice and love and maker of peace.

For the full version of the pastoral letter, please click the link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15qWBZphcJ/

Photo credit: CBCP News

By Father Bernard Hozer, aa 

In his Facebook page, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan reports that the Filipino government is complicit in exposing children and families to the dangers of gambling addiction by legalizing online platforms that are accessible around the clock, even to minors.

This has a great impact on Filipino families, especially children of overseas Filipino workers who may be using hard-earned remittances to gamble online. “Goodbye studies. Goodbye decent jobs. Goodbye the hope of hardworking families,” he said. “And hello — hello to a whole generation of gambling addicts.”

Am I informing myself, am I training myself to understand the effects of new technologies that are means to get informed, meet others, and train, but can also dominate and weaken our critical thinking and judgment? Are we aware of the financial and ideological stakes at play? It is urgent!

By Loida Castillo

On June 22, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ or Corpus Christ.

The Feast of Corpus Christi holds profound meaning for ordinary Catholics. At its heart, Corpus Christi affirms the central belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. For many Catholics, this feast rekindles a sense of awe and reverence toward the sacrament they may receive every Sunday, or even daily. It’s a reminder that the Eucharist is not merely symbolic, but a living encounter with Christ—something extraordinary that becomes part of their ordinary rhythm of life.

On a more human level, the feast invites Catholics to reflect on their relationship with Jesus and with their community. The Eucharist is not a private devotion but a communal celebration. In this way, Corpus Christi encourages a renewed commitment to living out the Gospel—caring for others, building unity, and being Christ to the world.

Why don’t we prepare ourselves in a special way by going to confession before receiving Jesus on Sunday? After all, we are going to receive the Blessed Sacrament- Jesus himself- calling us to be a people of gratitude, presence, and transformation carrying Jesus’ love to the poor and the needy.

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

This is the strong message of our new Pope Leo XIV! The Pope is inviting us to welcome the Holy Spirit in our lives:

“May the strong wind of the Spirit come upon us and within us, open the borders of our hearts, grant us the grace of encounter with God, enlarge the horizons of our love and sustain our efforts to build a world in which peace reigns.”

This will make the “ordinary time” an extraordinary time where the love of God is welcomed in our lives, in our families, in our society. Then, all will change. As Saint Paul is telling us, the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Gal 5:22).

“In this way, tells us our Pope, the Spirit broadens the borders of our relationships and opens us to the joy of fraternity. This is also a critical yardstick for the Church. For we are truly the Church of the Risen Lord and disciples of Pentecost if there are no borders or divisions among us; if we are able to dialogue and accept one another in the Church, and to reconcile our diversities; and if, as Church, we become a welcoming and hospitable place for all.”