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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

Today’s first reading comes from one of the consolation chapters of the Prophet Isaiah (41:14–20). It confirms that our relationship with God is rooted in a covenant of love, one in which God continually steps forward to redeem and restore us. It is not a contract bound by terms and conditions; rather, it is a

Advent is a crucial season of preparation, not only for Christmas, but for our entire Christian life. Each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask that God’s Kingdom come and His will be done “on earth as it is in heaven.” What would that prayer mean for you today; how would you understand it?

Advent is a special time for renewal and growth, and this information is crucial to help us anchor our reflections. As we celebrate today, let us continue to reflect on what the season means to us and how we could make the best of it on our spiritual and physical journeys.