The Rectory Experience

I was invited to have dinner by one of the parishioners after the 7pm Mass last Sunday while I was staying at my home parish. There were 15 of us at the dinner, a pretty crowded dinner indeed. With such a big crowd, we decided to order a party selection, which included about five entrees. …

A Seminarian’s reflection on Celibacy

Seminarians, like myself, don’t cease to be human beings once they enter the seminary. Before I started seriously discerning the priesthood, I wanted to get married. I wanted to know what it’s like to be with the most beautiful woman for the rest of my life. I wanted to give my wife stolen kisses, take …

What is Mercy?

©: thedivinemercy.orgThe Catholic Church celebrates, every 2nd Sunday of Easter, the Divine Mercy of our Lord. And it’s within a fitting season, as we still observe the redemption of our Lord for us through His Body and Blood. We keep in mind, in a special way, Sr. Faustina through whom the Lord spoke to us …

St. Paul: an Apostle in love

One of the classes I’m taking this semester, and compellingly my favorite class, is New Testament. The course is organized in a way such that we have focused more on St. Paul’s letters. After reading through his epistles, I find myself drawn to St. Paul and learning more about him. As a result, I decided …

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Today’s readings reflect on our LORD’s approach to violence and its role to our faith. We hear in the first reading the unfortunate fate of the prophet Jeremiah under King Zedekiah, wherein he was thrown “into the cistern of Prince Malchiah” and drowned into the “mud”. Why was Jeremiah thrown out and led into such …

My Top 10 John Mayer Songs (Part I)

I have never shied away from letting the world know that I am huge John Mayer fan. His music is one that, whenever you listen to it, you just feel like you have a friend who perfectly knows what you feel at any moment. His songs never get old to me, as pretty much all of …

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Two weeks ago, Our Lord taught us how to live our faith. Last week, He taught us the significance of being in His midst. In today’s gospel, He taught us how to pray. We are given words of prayer from the Word Himself. Fittingly enough, this prayer is petitioned millions of times by nearly all …

The ever so Pure Romance of Mary Magdalene and her LORD

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Mary Magdalene, a day that has been a celebrated as a Memorial for years past. The promotion of this day into a Feast seems to be an appropriately theological move, given how the image of the woman has evolved over the church’s 2,000 year history. We have …

Rite of Passage

Current Read: "From Wild Man to Wise Man: Reflections on Male Spirituality" by Richard Rohr Current Page: Page 31 (Chapter Six: Male Initiation) I began reading this book last night, shortly after I finished another book - as queued on my summer reading list - and I was astounded by the insights it bears. As what …

Why do we worship Mary and the Saints?

Nearly all Protestant Christians and unbelievers alike are bewildered in confusion as to why we, Catholics, worship Mary and the Saints. As practicing Catholics, we are often seen standing before figures in a manner as if we are standing before the Lord: with solemn reverence. Part of “being reverent” is holding on to the feet …