Morning Voice

January 28, 2024. Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - B. Readings: Dt 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk1:21-28. “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their kin, and will put my words into his mouth; he shall tell them all that I command him.” Deuteronomy 18:18 A Native American proverb says: “The words of God are not like the oak leaf which dies and falls to the earth, but like the pine tree which stays green forever.” A Moroccan proverb adds: “One who is not moved by words is not moved by the stick.” The word of God has the power to convict us of sin, to teach us truth, and to lead us in righteousness (Psalm 119:9-11). It is living and active. It is before all things, and through it, everything came into being. The world and all it contains are fruits of the Word of God. The Evangelist John, in his prologue to his Gospel, says it right: "In the beginning was the Word... Through him, all things came into being, not one thing came into bein

January 21, 2024. Feast of the Santo Niño, Holy Childhood Day (Sancta Infantia). Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Readings: Is 9:1-6; Ps 97: 1. 2-3ab. 3cd-4. 5-6; Eph 1: 3-6.15-18; Mk 10: 13-16. “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mk 10:14 A Swedish proverb says: “From children old people arise.” A Burmese proverb adds: “Parents are the first teachers of the children.” We are celebrating today a feast that for every Filipino has a great meaning and conveys a great message. The Santo Niño, or Holy Infant, while plunging us back to the joy of Christmas, bears a message of love and hope. It speaks of the love of God for our humanity and brings us hope that, despite all trials, sufferings, humiliating situations, poverty, and rejection, God will always be by our side. The feast of the Holy Infant or Santo Niño is about our faith in God who gives us His Only Begotten Son, the little boy of Bethlehem, the Son of

January 14, 2024. Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – B. Readings: 1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Cor6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn 1:35-42. "Behold, the Lamb of God." Jn 1:36 A Kenyan proverb says: “It is not the lamb that should go and ask the lion if it has had dinner.” A Bantu proverb adds: “It is when one holds the sacrificial lamb that he begins to seek the gods.” Baptism not only confers unto us an identity, but it is an identity that comes with a mission. So, Baptism gives us a mission. Last Monday, with sobriety, but with joy as well, we celebrated the Baptism of the Lord. That marked the end of the Christmas season and the time of the infancy of Jesus. It was also the beginning of his ordinary and public life. We are today, the 2nd Sunday in the Ordinary Time B, and through the Prophet John, Jesus is introduced to us as the Lamb of God. It is an image that bears a very singular and significant meaning. He is the "Lamb," the sacrificial victim, the

January 7, 2024. The Epiphany of the Lord – B. Readings: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Eph3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12. “We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.” (Mt 2:2) An Afghan proverb says: “Glory is fitting to God alone.” An Ivorian proverb adds: “God conceals himself from the mind of man, but reveals himself to his heart.” Today is the feast of glory. It is the feast of light. Jesus' Glory is revealed to all nations. The Lord shines as the light of the star that guides all people. He is the light that breaks into the darkness of this world and leads all people to God. Today, two weeks after the solemn celebration of his Nativity, the Lord is revealed to all the Nations, and the three wise men stand as our representatives. From North, West, and South, they all come running to the East to contemplate God's glory and pay tribute to the newborn king. The word Epiphany itself is meaningful, a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being