January 2026

Today’s readings felt very challenging for me to distill into one striking theme in a single stride. Even though the theme of God commanding obedience as better than sacrifice stood out in the first reading (1 Samuel 15:16-23), I didn’t want to get myself morally conflicted with the idea of totally exterminating the Amalekites. Nevertheless, […]

Last Sunday, I spoke at length (to those who attended the Holy Eucharist I celebrated) about John the Baptist, presenting him as an accurate model for how we should shape our lives in imitation of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Today’s liturgy continues that reflection by returning once again to the ministry of John the Baptist

When COVID-19 first emerged in early 2020, the way some people were treated echoed, at least in one painful respect, how lepers were treated in Jesus’ time. Social isolation was an everyday reality as people were separated from family and friends, avoided, and sometimes made to feel like a threat simply because they were vulnerable.

The call of Samuel in today’s first reading (1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20) highlights one of the central themes of the First Week of Ordinary Time. It’s a reminder that God continues to call, and the faithful must learn to listen and respond. Only last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord,

The message of the Christian Gospel is unambiguous about the path that leads us to God: to keep God’s commandments. The Church clarifies that this fidelity is not merely about rules, but about loving our neighbors as ourselves. In a familiar cultural parallel, Toyota’s slogan, “We Make It Easy,” captures something similar to the divine

Epiphany means manifestation, and in today’s celebration, Holy Mother Church invites us to connect with the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world after his birth. Following his glorious birth in Bethlehem, people from near and far began to sense and recognize his divine presence, including some kings and nobles, who came to worship Him

There are many ways to stand at the threshold of a new year, and today our community here at Our Lady of Angels Church embodies that range of experience. For some, the past year brought achievements, answered prayers, and milestones reached. We rejoice with them and give thanks to God for the good fruit that