When I first saw the words ‘SACRED SILENCE’ flashed on the screen during the Eucharistic Celebration, I was immediately reminded how reverent one should be during the service. It was also kind of sad to have to be reminded. Shouldn’t we be mindful that we are in the Lord’s presence? Do we feel his holiness around us? Are we God-fearing [...]
What year were you born? Are you a rat, rabbit or like me, a horse? During the Chinese New Year celebrations in Chinatown and even in some heartlands, you will be able to find the Chinese zodiac featured prominently to help you discover what’s in store for you in 2020. It is exciting reading, isn’t it? But you don’t really [...]
In 2020, we are reminded by our parish priests to choose an area we would like to improve on and start working on it. Let’s begin with a topic that we often take for granted - Stewardship. Owner VS Stewardship There are 2 ways to look at things - Owner or Steward. Which is better? Owner An Owner perceives that [...]
Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The Presentation, which is celebrated 40 days after Christmas, is not mentioned in the other Gospels. Only Luke narrates the story, most likely because his audience, the Gentile Christians, are not familiar with the Jewish rite of presentation and purification. In addition, the intent of Luke’s [...]
In today’s Gospel text, we read about two persons praying at the synagogue - one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. We see their different attitudes in prayer - the Pharisee singing praises of himself and the tax collector who doesn't dare look up to God as he humbles himself before God. Remember that Pharisees were members of a [...]
The Entrance Antiphon for this Sunday is: “I call upon you, God, for you will answer me; bend your ear and hear my words.” Today’s call is for us to pray continuously and never to lose heart, to focus our attention on the power of trusting and persevering in prayer. St. Augustine said, “If one’s faith weakens, prayer withers …. [...]
Very often, there comes a film that speaks deeply about and makes commentary of the psyche of the society for its time and its age. This year, Joker (NC16), directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix as the protagonist, Arthur Fleck, otherwise known as the Joker, is one such film. Arthur Fleck is a member of a company of [...]
“With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones.” Ephesians 6: 18 The exhortation by St. Paul to the Ephesians rings true today. With our modern day obligations and work, how do we “pray at every opportunity in the Spirit”? Perhaps, we [...]