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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

St. John stands as a prominent figure and an authoritative voice bridging the apostolic and post-apostolic eras. In his writings, especially the letters frequently read during Christmastide and Easter, he presents what legal minds might call primary evidence. He speaks consistently of what “they,” referring to the earliest followers of Jesus Christ, saw, heard, and

I work at one of our hospitals here in San Diego as a chaplain. At times, I experience role tension during my visits, especially when I begin to function as a priest by counseling or “helping” patients, rather than supporting them in the distinct ways chaplains do. Hospital caregivers invite chaplains to visit any patient,

Once again, our Advent preparations are gradually drawing to a close. This week, the fourth in the season, we advance into our last week of preparations for Christmas. I suppose we’ve had a good time, despite our challenges, following up on our commitments, attending Mass on Sundays and weekdays when possible, going to confession, reaching

After hearing the exchange between Jesus, the chief priests, and the elders, the word that stands out to me is ‘authority.’ Ultimately, all authority belongs to God. The authority that human beings exercise is limited and purposeful. By questioning Jesus’ authority to teach about love, freedom, and grace, the chief priest and elders of the

The Church designates the Third Sunday of Advent as Gaudete Sunday, a term that means “rejoice.” This joy is not superficial or complete, but anticipatory, rooted in the nearness of Christmas. The tone of today’s liturgical prayers and readings directs our attention to this expectant joy, inviting us to rejoice because the fulfillment of God’s