God's Word and Daily Life

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)

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

Please spread widely the message of peace and compassion of our own Pope Francis. These are words of peace that can change the world if we make them our own!

“I carry daily in my heart, with sorrow, the suffering of the populations in Palestine and in Israel, due to the ongoing hostilities. The thousands of dead, wounded, displaced, and the immense destruction cause suffering, and this has tremendous consequences on the small and the defenseless, who see their future compromised. I ask myself: do we really think we can build a better world in this way? Do we really think we can achieve peace? Enough, please! Let us all say it: enough, please! Stop! I encourage the continuation of negotiations for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and in the entire region, so that the hostages may be freed immediately and return to their anxiously awaiting loved ones, and the civilian population can have safe access to urgently needed humanitarian aid. And please let us not forget tormented Ukraine, where so many die every day. There is so much pain there.”

Let us fervently pray for a ceasefire in Gaza before Ramadan and for negotiations for peace in Ukraine.

By Jennifer Corpuz

On Feb. 22, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. What is so unique about this feast? Why are we celebrating the feast of a chair? Well, we, Catholics believe not the chair itself but office it represents.

St. Peter the Apostle occupies a central and revered place in Christian history and theology. As one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ, Peter played a pivotal role in the early spread of Christianity and the formation of the early Christian Church. Reflecting on his life and legacy offers profound insights into faith, human frailty, redemption, and the transformative power of grace.

Peter's journey is marked by moments of great faith and profound weakness, making him a relatable figure for many believers. His bold declaration of Jesus as the Messiah stands as a testament to his deep faith and understanding of Christ's identity. However, his subsequent denial of Jesus during the crucifixion reveals the vulnerability and fallibility of human nature, reminding us that even the most devout can stumble in moments of fear or doubt.

So, when we see St. Peter, we must be confronted by our own weaknesses and sinfulness. And more than this encounter, we too, must trust in the mercy of God- although we are doomed and sinful, Christ has made us clean again just like Peter.

By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa

Lent is not primarily a time of privation and sacrifice. First of all, it is a time to rekindle our love of God and others: "Return to the Lord your God!"

This year, on Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day is celebrated. Isn't that a sign?

Isn't the season of Lent a time to fall in love with God again, with others, to take the time for love ourselves? Thanks to the three attitudes that the Church recommends to follow Jesus: fasting, prayer and sharing.

So, let us take the time to contemplate God, to know Him, to read and meditate on His Word. Let's make time with others not on social media, but in person. Let us take the time to meet them, to listen to them, to rejoice with them, to be compassionate.

Let us take time to get to know ourselves, to recognize our qualities and our faults, our fears and our hopes, our areas of light and shadow, without forgetting to say thank you to God, to our parents, to our friends for the gifts received. Let us taste the silence, let us rediscover our interiority. Then we can become brothers and sisters, sons and daughters of God.

By Jess Avisado

On Feb. 4, this coming Sunday, the Church celebrates Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. It is fitting that as we celebrate the 5^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are once again reminded of one of the social teachings of the Church, that is, people are not things. They have dignity.

Human trafficking is a heinous and pervasive crime that continues to plague societies around the world, transcending borders, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Reflecting on this issue evokes a profound sense of concern, empathy, and a call to action. Human trafficking represents a gross violation of basic human rights, exploiting vulnerable individuals for financial gain. It takes various forms, including forced labor, sexual exploitation, and involuntary servitude. The victims, often marginalized and disenfranchised individuals.

This Sunday, let us pray for those who are victims of human trafficking. Let us offer their pains and struggles to the Lord so that those who are guilty of the crime may find be bothered by their conscience to do what’s right. Amen.