Grassroots Empowerment

Those of you who reflected with me as we took today’s first reading (2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17) may also have recognized that the passage’s outcome was challenging, especially given its tragic consequences for the people. However, the passage becomes clearer when we consider its proper context. The census conducted by King David in itself was […]

Today’s first reading recalls the death of Absalom, King David’s son (1 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30-19:3). To David’s loyal soldiers, Absalom’s fall might have seemed like a victory that would restore the king’s peace. But David did not rejoice. Instead, he wept bitterly, longing not for his son’s destruction but for his repentance and

Today’s feast draws our attention to a profound truth: Jesus Christ chose to become like us in all things to transform our lives. This conviction shapes the heart of today’s reflection that he became like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God,

I am not a physicist. In fact, I did not formally study physics in college, except for a brief exposure through a course called Integrated Science, which combined several scientific disciplines. Still, later in life, I came across what is known as the Newtonian Law of Reciprocal Action, popularly called Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

Yesterday (2 Samuel 7:18-19, 24-29), we reflected on David’s humble acknowledgment of his nothingness before God’s abundant favor, connecting our lessons to our exalted positions as God’s sons and daughters through baptism. Today, however, we encounter a stark contrast. David, once the victorious warrior who led his people into battle and triumphed over his enemies,

Each time I reflect on today’s passage, recounting David’s humble reverence before God and the favors he’d received from God (2 Sam 7:18-19, 28-29), I remind myself of the same grace freely given to each of us. David acknowledged his nothingness and marveled at how God suddenly enlarged his life, space, and calling. In much

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,

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

This Sunday’s Gospel reading from Luke (16:19-31), where we have the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, is well-known. It wakes up many emotions and reactions from different people. You may be one of them. At first glance, it may seem to suggest that wealth is evil or that the rich are destined for

For our reflections today, we anchor our bearing in the delight God takes in us when we live righteousnessly (Ps. 149:4a). We heard some of the lessons from the Responsorial Psalm of today’sHoly Eucharist.  Uniting the thoughts with the first reading from Haggai (1:1-8), something stands out clearly about us. When we anchor our goals

As we celebrate the Holy Eucharist today, the Church reminds us that this sacrament, among other things, is thanksgiving. It is our moment to pause, remember, and thank God for countless blessings. Like Ezra in today’s first reading (Ezra 9:5-9), the Church invites us to turn back to God with grateful hearts; to truly stop